Tuesday, September 22, 2015 10:37 am

By DAVID HUNTER

dhunter@cannoncourier.com @cannoncourier on twitter

Lions and Lionettes of Cannon County enjoyed another successful week on the pitch, the cross-country course and the gridiron with dominating victories. The remaining teams are nearing the end of the regular season in district play.

Cannon County Junior Lions

All season these Junior Lions have become known as a second half team and it was no different Sept. 17 at Jackson County coming from behind to win 28-20 for their second win of the season.

Wade Love scored four touchdowns, while both Brady Cunningham and Jacob Brock also added two-point conversions to round out the Lions scoring.

CCJL head coach Jason Elrod stated this was a total team win, especially for a squad with only 14 players playing against programs with twice as many players.

"I am proud of their desire and will to win," Elrod said. "This was the best team effort we have had all season."

After each game the Junior Lions coaching staff gives a signed helmet to the JL Player of the Game. The helmet has not been given at this point because the team effort in the win has made the decision a difficult one, according to Elrod.

The key contributions for the Junior Lions include the rest of the team: Parker Bush, Ty Kyne, Remington James, Jordan Bean, Logan Bundy, Logan and Leeham Bavereiss, Conner Tucker, Brett Scott, Nathaniel Campbell, Iain Harwood and Zachary Clark.

The win came on Jackson County's Homecoming with many Cannon County supporters mading the long trip to Gainesville to cheer loudly for the Junior Lions.

The Junior Lions will go for three wins in a row on Sept. 24 when they host Watertown at Fred Schwartz Field.

CCHS Girls Soccer

The Lionettes split the week's action on the pitch, including a heartbreaking loss 3-2 loss to Sequatchie County on Sept. 15. However, they bounced back two days later with a hard fought 1-0 win against Jackson County.

It was a busy week for senior Livia Walker as she scored one goal in each match, including the game winner which bounced off a Jackson County defender on Sept. 17. A night later, she not only added an extra point, but was crowned Cannon County's Homecoming Queen in the Lions 49-7 loss to York Institute at Fred Schwartz Field.

Other key contributors for the Lionettes this week included: Kallie McCrary scoring a goal with an assist from Tori Jones in the loss, and a clean sheet by goalkeeper Raquel Novoa due in part by the play of the defensive backline in the win.

"The defense was great, and they always do great," Novoa said after the win. "They work hard and they stay on the ball. They hardly let it go past them. Most of the shots were from far out, because they kept them far out.

The Lionettes will travel for both matches this week, including a trip to Goodpasture on Sept.22 and a short trip to Murfreesboro to face MTCS on the 24th.

CCHS Cross County

The Lionettes were missing their best runner, Hannah Whited, at Cookeville on Sept. 15 due to sickness. However, Isabella Russo stepped up and won the girls overall race in a time of 22:52.69. The other top female finishers included: Elva Magana (6^th-08.79), Alayna Reed (21^st-26:08.28), Angela Vassar (22^nd-26:11.34), Samantha Gather (23^rd- 26:25.28).

The Lions finished the event finishing second out of six teams, including top 10 finishes by Devin Gilpatrick (8^th-19:38.04) and Corey Seymour (9^th-19:38.73). CCHS also had key contributions by Justin Whited (14^th-21:00.10), Donald Johnson (17^th-21:32.19) and Reece Wisdom (21^st-22:08.98).

"We try to push each other a lot," Seymour said. "It was basically just a good team effort all together".

Both teams will be back in action on Sept. 22 at Arrowhead Ranch in Normandy.

CCJL Cross County

Much as their high school teammates, the Junior Lions and Lionettes had a very successful week on the course. Both teams won the overall at the Coffee County Meet in dominating fashion.

The Junior Lionettes were again led by Zettie Elrod, who won the girls race by six seconds in a finishing time of 13:54. The other four Lionettes also completed the race with top 10 finishes including: Amanda Blanco (3^rd-14:19), Madison Gaither (4^th-14:37), Hannah Higgins (6^th-15:29) and Lauren Knox (7^th-15:43).

"The course was pretty challenging, because it was flat, but it had three big hills," Junior Lionette Hannah Higgins said.

The Junior Lions had three runners finish in the top 10 during their overall win including Duncan Cook (3^rd-12:45), Tyler Southworth (4^th-12:56), and Colin Reed (7^th-13:16). Matthew Elmy (13^th-13:41) and Tristen Davis (20^th-Tristan Davis) also placed for the Lions.

"It was good and fun," Elmy said about the Lions overall performance during the meet.

CCJL will also be at Arrowhead Ranch on the same day as the high school meet.

CCHS Volleyball

On Sept. 17 the Lionettes were handed a 3 to 0 loss by Macon County and this week will travel to Murfreesboro Central Magnet for a match on Sept. 22. They will follow that match on the road with a tournament at Warren County on Sept. 26.

CC Youth Football

All three divisions were off this week. But, all three will see their next action against Clay County on Fred Schwartz Field on Sept. 26.