September 10- Claiborne High hosted a thrilling middle school football clash against rival Cumberland Gap, giving fans an exciting back-and-forth game. The evening began with Claiborne honoring their eighth graders before the teams took the field, with Claiborne sporting a throwback to the Blue Devils era. Claiborne’s opening possession ended in a quick four-and-out, setting up the Panthers with great field position. Cumberland Gap capitalized as Charlie Southern powered in the first touchdown of the night. The conversion missed, but they led 6-0. Claiborne answered with a 70-yard pass to Theo Green, tying it at 6-6 after a missed conversion. Just before halftime, Southern ran in his second score, putting the Panthers ahead 12-6 at the break. In the second half, Claiborne’s defense forced a turnover on downs, leading to a long run by Max David and a touchdown by Wyatt Blankenship to tie things at 12. Rain made conditions slick, but late in the fourth, Mark Wade’s touchdown run gave Claiborne the lead. The Panthers still had hope until Jordan Yoakum intercepted a pass and returned it deep into Panther territory. A few kneel downs later, the Blue Devils sealed an 18-12 win in a hard-fought, entertaining matchup. Photos by The Zone- AE. 
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