SEVIERVILLE — Jefferson County High School started the season on a losing note Friday night. The Patriots came up on the short end of a 35-26 decision.
Jefferson County is coached by former University of Tennessee offensive lineman Spencer Riley.
Riley, who lettered for the Big Orange for four seasons between 1996-99, was a member of the Volunteers’ BCS national championship team in 1998.
Riley played guard for Tennessee as a freshman and sophomore. He moved to center later in his career.
After playing for the Vols, Riley went in to coaching. He was a high school assistant at Karns in Knoxville and at Douglas County in Georgia.
He went on to be an assistant at Tusculum University in Greeneville and at West Georgia.
After one year at West Georgia, Riley answered the call to come home to Dandridge and Jefferson County High School.
A former All-American during his high school days with the Patriots, Riley replaced Kenny Cobble, who is now an assistant at Maryville High School.
Things have been tough in Riley’s five seasons. He entered the 2020 campaign with an overall record of 15-26.
The Patriots last made the Class 6A Playoffs in 2016, Riley’s first season, when they finished 3-8.
JCHS was 3-7 last season. The Patriots were 4-6 in 2018 and 5-5 in 2017.
The play in Region 1-6A, perhaps the toughest league in Tennessee, is against the likes of Farragut, Bearden, Hardin Valley Academy, Science Hill, Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett and Morristown West.