Farragut football runs over Science Hill with Isaiah Gibbs, Kyle Carter

Eddie Courtney stood up in front of his team and congratulated it on making a statement. Farragut may be undefeated, but the Admirals felt they needed to prove they could play a team like Science Hill.

Farragut's Kyle Carter (15) celebrates his final touchdown in the last seconds of the game during a high school football game between Science Hill and Farragut at Farragut Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. Farragut defeated Science Hill 35 to 27.

“That’s a very explosive football team,” Courtney said after Friday’s 35-27 win. “A lot of ways, we’re matched up like they are. We just had to prove to people we could do that. We wanted to come out and beat a good football team to show people that we are still the best.”

Half of the Admirals' wins had come against winning teams. Going into the game, Farragut (7-0) and Science Hill (5-2) were tied atop 1-6A at 2-0. Courtney wanted to be sure to create some separation. He felt a 3-0 start in the region made that statement.

The Admirals did that by establishing the running game early and maintaining it throughout. All of Farragut’s touchdowns were scored on the ground.

Courtney shifted the offensive and defensive lines around, adjusting for some injuries and looking for a better performance after the defense did all of the scoring in Week 6. He challenged both lines against a very physical Science Hill front. Sophomore A’koiyea Johnson got his first start and impressed his coach.

It worked. The Admirals ran for 300 yards, in a game where they had 380 yards of total offense. Running back Isaiah Gibbs used the word tremendous for the line. Kyle Carter credited it with huge holes.

Science Hill's Shane Austin (1) breaks up a pass intended for Farragut's  Braden Collins (23) during a high school football game between Science Hill and Farragut at Farragut Friday, Sept. 29, 2017.

Carter and Gibbs combined for 316 yards and four touchdowns (quarterback Jake Evans ran for the first). 

The two backs have a good dynamic. Courtney credited them with blocking for each other in the postgame huddle, but they also benefit from each other’s presence because the defense has to be ready for both.

“It’s great,” Carter said. “He plays defense so I can come in and give him a break. When I start cramping like I always do, he relieves me.”

Farragut players celebrate their final touchdown during a high school football game between Science Hill and Farragut at Farragut Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. Farragut defeated Science Hill 35 to 27.

Carter ran for 169 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries. Gibbs had 147 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries; he also had another touchdown called back on a penalty.

Courtney likes where they are but said the Admirals can’t get ahead of themselves. Farragut has three games left, all in the region: Dobyns-Bennett, Bearden and Hardin Valley.

He challenged the team after the game to keep going. The Admirals are looking at 7-0 and want 10-0.