Team History and Awards
Jefferson County High School, located at 115 W Dumplin Valley Rd in Dandridge, Tennessee, fields athletic teams known as the Patriots, sporting red, white, and blue colors. The school opened in August 1975 through the consolidation of four existing high schools—Jefferson, Maury, Rush Strong, and White Pine. Since the first graduating class was to be the class of 1976, the Bicentennial year, Patriots was chosen as the ideal mascot name.
The Patriots’ varsity football program achieved its greatest triumph when they won the Tennessee AAA State Championship in 1987, completing a perfect 15-0 season. This championship marked a significant culmination of years of making it to at least the semi-finals and remains one of the most celebrated moments in the program’s history. The Patriots defeated Gallatin High School 20-10 to capture the state title and finished the season ranked number one in Tennessee. This achievement followed five consecutive years of semi-final appearances, making the 1987 championship particularly meaningful for the players, coaching staff, and community. The program competes in TSSAA Division I Class 6A, Region 1.
OEB Law LOVES local High School Football!
To support local youth high school football programs, OEB Law donates a $1,000 check every week to different Knoxville area high schools and we sponsor the championship games!
Team Highlights and Notable Players
1987 State Championship Season: The Patriots’ perfect 15-0 season culminated in a 20-10 victory over Gallatin High School for the AAA state title. The team finished ranked number one in Tennessee, cementing their place in school history.
Program Legacy: Following five years of semi-final appearances leading up to 1987, the Patriots’ championship victory represented perseverance and excellence that continues to inspire current teams.
Notable Jefferson County Patriots:
- Ricky Upton – Holds school records for single-season rushing yards with 1,886 yards in 1998 and 1,674 yards in 1996 (including a school-record 285 carries)
- Chris Shiverdecker – Recorded 1,732 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in 2004
- Kris Hawkins – Rushed for 1,547 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2018
- Dearies Jones – Achieved 1,522 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns in 2012
- Shawn Jackson (Current, Sr.) – Member of the school’s 1,000-yard rushers list
- Wallace Thomas (Current, Jr.) – Among the team’s top rushers
- Mason Henderson (Current, Sr.) – Part of the current roster’s 1,000-yard rushers club
Coaching Excellence:
- Craig Kisabeth – Served as head coach for 20 seasons with a record of 169-75
- Scott Meadows – Coached for two seasons, achieving a record of 19-6
- Spencer Riley – Current head coach entering his eighth season (2023). Riley was hired in May 2016 after spending seven seasons coaching the offensive line at Tusculum College, where his teams led their league in pass offense for four seasons. His coaching experience includes assistant coaching positions at the University of Tennessee and three years at the University of West Georgia. Riley began his coaching career in 2001 at Karns High School as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.
Meet the Team – 2026 Roster Snapshot
Head Coach: Spencer Riley
Assistant Coaches: Hunter Burke, Darren Cunningham, Trevor Denton, Austin Gramann, Jason Kelly, Yogi Kinder, Mark Moore, Austin Ramey, Dewayne Simpson, Gabe Tabor, Brandon Tuggle, Tucker Williams
2026 Season Schedule
(District games marked with *)
- Aug 21 – at Cocke Co. HS (Away), 7:30 PM
- Aug 28 – vs Sevier Co. HS (Home), 7:30 PM
- Sep 4 – at Morristown-Hamblen HS West (Away), 7:00 PM
- Sep 18 – vs Mt. Juliet HS (Home), 7:00 PM
- Sep 25 – at Science Hill HS* (Away), 7:00 PM
- Oct 2 – vs Dobyns Bennett HS* (Home), 7:00 PM
- Oct 9 – at Daniel Boone HS (Away), 7:00 PM
- Oct 16 – vs Powell HS (Home), 7:00 PM
- Oct 23 – vs Morristown-Hamblen HS East* (Home), 7:00 PM
- Oct 30 – at West Ridge HS* (Away), 7:00 PM
