Game Week, Cougars host Lenoir City Fri., WLAF has telecast

By Jake Miller

JEFFERSON CITY, TN (WLAF)- The Campbell County Cougars traveled to Jefferson City for Friday’s 5 Star Preps Jamboree at Carson-Newman University.

TOP PHOTO: Cougar Senior Sam Sexton (19) readies to make a big catch.

Opening up in game one, the Campbell County offense showed signs of life and discipline early-on led by Senior Quarterback Silas Weaver. Weaver was able to connect with veteran wide receivers Tyler Cook and Max Boshears on multiple attempts including a middle screen to Boshears and a toss down the sideline to Cook. Cook’s catch set up Weaver to tuck and plunge into the end zone for the go ahead touchdown.

Junior running back Braydon Graham tacked on another touchdown later in the quarter led by a very disciplined offensive line. In the junior varsity (JV) quarter, we saw a sign of what is to come as freshman Leland Webster put on a show breaking off huge runs tallying rushing yards for the Cougar offense. The game ended as sophomore Eli Ellison went up and grabbed a spectacular interception for Campbell County to take game one, 14-0. 

Game two showed a much more physical opponent in Morristown-West as the Cougars faced off against a fellow 5A team. The Trojans forced a fumble that set up a touchdown in the varsity quarter. The JV quarter once again showed the offensive and defensive talents come to life as Junior QB Caleb Raynor sent the ball deep to tack on six for the Cougars. After a failed two-point conversion, the Trojans would hold on to win 8-6.

Following the game, we saw a new side of Head Coach Taylor Ownbey that every single player and assistant coach was locked in on. Ownbey made it clear that the defense has drastically improved and shown that we can make tackles and be in the right spot to make a play when the Cougars need a stop.

Campbell County opens the regular season Friday against the Lenoir City Panthers at 7:00 on “The Hill”.  WLAF has the live broadcast.

Jake’s Take:

Bottom line… This team surprised the heck out of me by showing how physical it can be not only on defense, but on offense as well. Not only can Silas Weaver throw the ball and make a play through the air, but he can lower his shoulder and as we used to say back in the late 2000’s, “lower the boom” on somebody. 

Players to watch:

Silas Weaver – QB #2 – Weaver has shown that he can not only make plays through the air and with his feet, but being able to read what the defense is doing. Through spring practice he has soaked in everything he is being taught by Offensive Coordinator Tyler Drummer and QB Coach Hunter White trying to learn something each day he puts on the pads. 

Braydon Graham – RB #12 – Graham is a returning starter for the Cougar offense and has proved that he is the power back that can get this team the extra yards to get the first down and keep the the chain moving. When the ball is inside the five yard line, do not be surprised to see the ball in the hands of number 12.

Tyler Cook – WR/DB #1 – Cook has shown that he can use his height and speed to his advantage when it comes to going up for a ball or needing to lean out and make a diving grab. His elusiveness and awareness showed in this past Friday’s scrimmage as he was able to stay in bounds and get an extra 15 yards after the catch to set up a touchdown.

Sam Sexton – WR #19 – Sexton was playing limited minutes through the preseason scrimmages recovering from a minor injury. Last season showed that if you need speed to get behind a defensive back, Sexton was going to be the guy to make a play. 

Max Boshears – WR/DB – Boshears will make an impact on both sides of the ball whether that be making a play as the ball is flying his way, or being able to deliver a big hit when the opportunity presents itself. Look for him to be a target for Silas Weaver and to seek out a target on the defensive side of the ball.

Koalton Cupp – TE/DL #27 – The more things change the more they stay the same. Cupp tallied another tackle for a loss this past Friday as the defensive talent showed. Last season Cupp had three blocked extra points and made it clear that the same effort and intensity he brings to the table will make a huge impact for both sides of the ball.

Keep an Eye on these guys:

Jaron Wilson – WR/DB #5 –  Wilson enters this season as a guy that if he gets the ball in his hands, he can make a play. His defensive instincts make it a huge benefit for the secondary. 

Jacob Clark – DL #72 – Clark enters this season as a transfer and quite frankly we didn’t know much about him at first. However, in the first scrimmage against Seymour, he made it very evident very quickly that he is going to be a problem for offenses and adds depth to the front seven for the Cougar defense.

Nicholas Rose – WR #6 – Having to sit out last season with an injury, Rose showed that he is able to make huge hustle plays when he gets the ball in his hands. What he doesn’t have in speed is made up with pure grit and determination to move the ball downfield and pick up extra yards. 

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Campbell opens the 2026 season at home in a 7pm kick-off, 6:30 air time on WLAF) with Lenoir City. WLAF’s coverage team of Matthew Moore (producer), Aaron Hopkins (camera), Derick Marlow (director), Les Martin (play-by-play) and Brent Allen (color) along with former Cougar Jake Miller (sideline) send you the coverage of Cougar Football in the 52nd season over the WLAF-Doyle’s Tire Sports Network which spans ten WLAF media platforms. Watch games live over WLAF TV-1089 on Xfinity, 1450wlaf.com, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV, Facebook, YouTube and Twitch. Listen in over WLAF Radio AM 1450 & FM 100.9 and Amazon Alexa. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-08/17/2026-6AM)