How Anderson County shocked TSSAA football world with upset win over Alcoa, 31-30
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CLINTON — Two months ago, Anderson County football coach Davey Gillum’s soul left his body after watching his son and starting quarterback JD Gillum leave a game with a major shoulder injury.
Now, after a 31-30 upset win over previously undefeated Alcoa, Gillum’s soul has taken flight once again, but for a different reason.
“It’s hard to put into words,” he said. “I’m just floating.”
Of course, part of the jubilation comes from claiming a ninth straight Region 2-4A title as Anderson County moved to 7-2 and 6-1 in league play. More importantly, Gillum watched his freshman son, who missed half the season, play the best game of his young career against one of the best football programs in Tennessee.
Anderson County will host Volunteer at 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 in the first round of the 4A playoffs. Alcoa (9-1, 6-1) will host Cherokee as it looks to win an 11th straight state championship and first in 4A.
JD Gillum was 9-of-18 for 246 yards and four touchdowns. On Anderson County’s first drive, he threw an interception. He immediately responded with a 99-yard touchdown throw to running back Jayzon Thompson.
“We know we have Jayzon, he’s the fastest guy in the state, or maybe the country,” JD Gillum said. “If we have one-on-one coverage with anybody, we know he’s going to run right past them.”
Gillum had another deep pass to end the first half with a 61-yard touchdown to Deameion Leavell. His coach knew they needed to be aggressive to knock off Alcoa.
“We’ve never been known to be very conservative in our play-calling,” Davey Gillum said. “In a game like this, people have to make plays. JD made a lot of big plays in timely moments.”
Thompson, who was “overly excited” after the win, finished with 29 carries for 152 yards. He caught two passes for 102 yards, including the 99-yard touchdown, helping take some pressure off his freshman quarterback.
“We’ve prepared him to be the quarterback here for a long time, but when he came in as a ninth grader, we lose our senior,” Davey Gillum said. “You got the whole program resting on his shoulders. We know we have some guys, so he doesn’t have to do everything.”
JD, like his father and coach, had trouble describing his emotions after the win.
“This is the best feeling in the world,” he said.
Wynton Jackson covers high school sports for Knox News. Email: wynton.jackson@knoxnews.com
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Anderson County stuns Alcoa in TSSAA football regular season finale
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