BOGGED DOWN; Owls fall in playoff road encounter at Bledsoe, following 3 1/2 hour weather delay

By Terry Collins Courier Sports 

PIKEVILLE — The Smith County High Owls opened the Class 2A TSSAA playoffs with a trip to Pikeville to face off against Bledsoe County. 

The Owls owned a 6-3 record against the Warriors including a one-sided defeat back in 2006 during the first round of the playoffs. 

In a game that featured a three hour and 36 minute weather delay, Bledsoe County scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to end the Owls’ season with a 20-7 victory. 

The Warriors improved to 9-2 and will travel to Elizabethton to face 11-0 Happy Valley next week.

The Owls, who finished 2-9 a year ago, ended their season at 4-7 under fifth year head coach Matt Dyer.

“I am proud of our players and coaches,” said Dyer. “Bledsoe is a really good football team. I thought our guys handled the weather delay very well and did not let it affect them. We waited over three hours before play resumed and our guys stayed locked in and focused. We had some community members that came to the game and provided additional snacks, food, and drinks, and we were very appreciative of that.”

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