Nokes Leads First Bank First-Teamers With 3-Touchdown Performance

DeKalb County Senior Wide Receiver Desmond Nokes couldn’t be stopped in the Tigers’ 24-20 win over Macon County on Friday.

Nokes registered nine catches for 151 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning grab on a bubble screen from 14-yards-out with 45 seconds remaining. This helped the Tigers win their fifth straight game and move their record in region play to 3-0.

Along with that, Nokes also led the First Bank First Team for the week ending on Oct. 16.

First Bank First Team – Week of October 16

Axel Aldino (DeKalb County): The Tigers’ signal-caller played a pivotal role in getting the ball to Nokes, but he also kept the team’s final drive alive with an incredible play. Facing a third-and-14, Aldino took the snap, avoided multiple sacks and found Trevonte’ Alexander for a first down. A few plays later, he hit Nokes for the game-winning score.

Blair Cherry (Cookeville): Cherry stepped her game up in Cookeville’s Region Tournament. Against Bradley Central, she notched five kills and eight aces to lead the Lady Cavs to victory. She followed that up with a six-kill, five-aces performance against Cleveland to win the Region Title. The Lady Cavs will take on Science Hill on Tuesday in the first round of the State Tournament.

Jena Harris (Livingston Academy): Harris continued her excellent play, as she scored two goals in the District Championship to defeat Cumberland County. With 15 minutes left in regulation, Harris stepped up to take a penalty kick and knocked it past the goalie for a lead the Lady Cats wouldn’t relinquish. She also scored off of a corner kick earlier in the half to knot the game at 2.

Audrey Birdwell (Cookeville): Birdwell played an integral role in leading the Lady Cavs to a 3-1 overtime victory over Warren County in McMinnville. She scored late in the second half to tie the game, and in overtime, she found Avery Brown downfield for the go-ahead goal. The Lady Cavs will now get to host their Region game against Walker Valley.

Terrance Dedmon (Upperman): Dedmon led a vicious Bees rushing attack in their 48-0 win over Grundy County. He opened the scoring in the second quarter with a 14-yard run to the endzone, and he added two more scores to lead the Bees to their fourth straight win. Dedmon also added 3.5 tackles on defense.

Miles Leffew (York Institute): Leffew was a threat through the air and on the ground against Sequatchie County on Friday, as he rushed for 26 yards and a touchdown on eight carries and threw for 86 yards and another touchdown through the air. The biggest individual victory for Leffew was his efficiency, as he completed five of his eight passing attempts and didn’t throw an interception.