Highlanders Battle Hard in Tennessee, But Fall Short to Sevier County

Sevierville, TN — The Huntington Highlanders took their game across state lines Friday night, traveling to the foothills of the Smoky Mountains to face the Sevier County Smoky Bears. Though the Highlanders left everything on the field, a late rally wasn’t enough as they fell 42–26 in a hard-fought interstate showdown.

Despite the loss, the Highlanders showed flashes of brilliance on both sides of the ball — especially from their veteran leaders who turned in standout two-way performances.

Wilson’s Fire Fuels the Highlanders — MVP Performance

Quarterback Tayveon Wilson once again carried the Highlanders’ offense, earning MVP honors for his gutsy dual-threat showing. Wilson completed 11 of 16 passes for 173 yards and 2 touchdowns, while also rushing 12 times for 84 yards and 2 scores.

Wilson’s first rushing touchdown — a 3-yard keeper up the middle — ignited the Huntington sideline in the second quarter. He later found his favorite target, Donte Newsome, twice through the air for long scores of 67 yards and 15 yards, keeping the Highlanders within striking distance deep into the second half.

Whether running the read-option or threading passes between defenders, Wilson was relentless, showing poise under pressure against one of Tennessee’s top defensive fronts.

Dynamic Duo: Newsome and Winkfield Shine Both Ways

Few players in West Virginia prep football can impact a game in as many ways as Donte Newsome and Bryce Winkfield, and both delivered highlight-reel efforts under the Tennessee lights.

Newsome, the explosive wideout and defensive back, was a nightmare matchup for Sevier County. Offensively, he hauled in 4 receptions for 144 yards and 2 touchdowns, giving the Highlanders life every time the ball found his hands. Defensively, he added 7 tackles keeping the Smoky Bears’ passing game honest all night.

Meanwhile, Bryce Winkfield turned in a classic two-way warrior performance. At linebacker, he tallied 7 tackles (5 solo) including 2 TFLs.  Offensively, he added 11 carries for 53 rushing yards, pounding through the middle for tough yards and first downs when the Highlanders needed them most.

Defensive Heartbeat: Ilias King Named Co-MVP

Linebacker Ilias King once again proved why he’s the emotional and physical heartbeat of Huntington’s defense, earning Co-MVP honors for his dominant night. King racked up an incredible 16 total tackles (11 solo) and added 0.5 tackles for loss, relentlessly flying to the football.

Even as Sevier County’s tempo tried to wear down Huntington’s front seven, King anchored the middle — directing traffic, filling gaps, and setting the tone with every hit. His performance kept the Highlanders within reach deep into the fourth quarter.

Looking Ahead: The Battle for the Shield — Senior Night Showdown

The Highlanders will now turn their focus to the most emotional week of the regular season: Week 10’s “Battle for the Shield” against their archrival, the Cabell Midland Knights.

It’s Senior Night at Bob Sang Stadium, and the Highlanders will look to bounce back in front of a packed home crowd as they aim to keep the Shield in Huntington. With playoff seeding on the line and the energy of their senior class leading the charge, expect nothing short of fireworks on the Mountain Top next Friday night.