Andrews kept its perfect season rolling Tuesday night, holding off Murphy 4-3 to remain unbeaten and firmly in control of the Smoky Mountain Conference race. The Wildcats wasted no time setting the tone. Logan Hyde drove in a run with a single in the first inning, and Andrews added to its lead in the […]
Read More »Smoky Mtn Conference Baseball Stat Leaders
Smoky Mountain Conference race heating up as stars lead the way The Smoky Mountain Conference season is starting to take shape, and as the standings begin to settle in, it’s clear a few familiar names are leading the charge. At the top of the standings sits Andrews, and the Wildcats have earned that […]
Read More »Wildcats Remain Unbeaten, Climb To 4th In RPI
Andrews Keeps Rolling, Wildcats Stay Unbeaten at 13-0 ANDREWS — It’s been about as good a start as you could ask for in Andrews. Head Coach Dane Rickett has his young team firing on all cylinders. With a win over Swain County on Tuesday night, the Wildcats moved to 13-0 on the season […]
Read More »Murphy’s David Gentry 1 of 3 Coaches In NFHS HOF Class
David Gentry 1 of 3 coaches headlining NFHS HOF Class Of 2026 When it comes to the respect of coaches in the state of North Carolina the past 50 years, David Gentry stands alone – certainly with regard to the sport of football. The respect comes partly from his amazing career in which he […]
Read More »2025 FYNSports Football Awards & Honors
The 2025 Smoky Mountain Conference football season delivered another year of hard-nosed competition, elite individual performances, and deep postseason runs, and TeamFYNSports has announced its annual SMC Media Awards and All-Conference Team selections. The honors recognize the players and coaches who stood out throughout the regular season and into the state playoffs. […]
Read More »Round 2 SMC Playoff Previews and Predictions
NCHSAA Second-Round Playoff Preview: Smoky Mtn Conference Robbinsville Black Knights vs. Andrews Wildcats (1A) The setup:Robbinsville enters at 7‑3 (5‑1 conference) while Andrews is 2‑9 (1‑5 conference) going into this game. Robbinsville blanked Andrews 56‑0 earlier this season. What to watch: Robbinsville’s offense has been high-powered and consistent, averaging around 32 points per game. Andrews […]
Read More »Building Belief: Coach Johnson’s First Win Signals Good Things Ahead For Andrews
Building Belief: Coach Johnson’s First Win Signals Good Things Ahead For Andrews *Andrews, N.C.* Friday evening’s game felt different from the start — there was a spark, a sense of urgency, a quiet confidence in the Wildcats that hadn’t always been apparent. That spirit translated on the scoreboard, as J.J. Johnson claimed his […]
Read More »Dogs Shut Down Cherokee, 35-0
Bulldogs Shut Down Cherokee, 35–0 The Murphy Bulldogs left no doubt Friday night, rolling to a 35–0 shutout victory over the Cherokee Braves in Smoky Mountain Conference play. Murphy came out fast, putting up 14 points in the opening quarter and never looking back. By halftime, the Bulldogs had built a 21–0 cushion, […]
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Preseason All-SMC Teams and Awards
We are inching closer to flicking on those Friday night lights here in the mountains. Teams have had their first practice in full pads, and some will be taking the field for their first scrimmage this Friday night. Let’s take a look at our Preseason All Smoky Mountain Conference team so you can familiarize […]
Read More »Friday Night Finances: A Look at Western North Carolina Football Coaches Salary (2024–2025)
Friday Night Finances: A Look at Western North Carolina Football Coaches Salary (2024–2025) In North Carolina high school football, coaching salaries vary widely across the state. But in the mountains of Western North Carolina, coaching pay and the duties that come with leading a football program don’t always add up. Newly available public salary data […]
Read More »New, But Familiar Face Takes The Helm Of Andrews Football
Photo courtesy of Haley’s Photography — **Jason Johnson Takes the Helm at Andrews High Football** **ANDREWS –** The Andrews High School varsity football team has a new head coach, and it’s a familiar face around the field. Jason Johnson, the longtime defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Wildcats, is stepping into the lead […]
Read More »2025 All-SMC Baseball Honors Released
**2024 Smoky Mountain Conference Baseball Honors Released** The Smoky Mountain Conference has announced its 2024 baseball honors, recognizing the top athletes, coaches, and contributors from an action-packed season across Western North Carolina. The awards reflect a competitive year that saw standout performances from all corners of the conference. **Final Standings** 1. […]
Read More »2025 All-SMC Softball Awards Announced
— **2024 Smoky Mountain Conference Softball Awards Announced** The 2024 Smoky Mountain Conference softball season concluded with standout performances from players across the region. With competitive games and strong individual efforts, the conference has recognized top athletes and coaches with postseason honors. **Final Standings** 1. Robbinsville 2. Swain 3. Murphy […]
Read More »Julia Dockery’s Grand Slam Sends Dogs To Round 3
**Bulldogs Power Past Bethany with Late-Inning Slam in Round Two** The Murphy Bulldogs are moving on! In a back-and-forth battle Friday night, the Bulldogs came up clutch late to take down Bethany Community 7-3 in the second round of the NCHSAA state playoffs. Tied at three in the top of the sixth, Murphy’s Julia Dockery […]
Read More »Taylor’s Homer Lifts Robbinsville Past Murphy By A Score Of 5-4
The Robbinsville Lady Knights beat Murphy 5-4 on Friday after taking the lead late in the game. The game was tied at four in the bottom of the sixth when Naomi Taylor hit a solo home run to center field. Murphy got on the board in the top of the third inning after Julia Dockery […]
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