While storms made their presence known, it was a memorable weekend for the athletes who gathered at the 2025 Bigfoot Blast from April 4–6 at Cross Creek Clays in Palmyra, TN. Between Sporting Clays (main event), Super Sporting (side event), and 5-Stand (side event), the competition drew a total of 400 event registrations—a new record.
Riding Out the Storm
“Floods, mud, lightning, wind, temperature changes—our Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program athletes faced it all. I’m proud of how our teams handled the weekend,” said Dillon Barnes, Tennessee SCTP manager.
Despite the weather, Cross Creek Clays’ scenic courses remained beautiful, allowing athletes to enjoy the surroundings while shooting the main and side events on the sprawling grounds. Sporting Clays featured two courses—one designated for Junior Varsity (JV), Varsity, and Collegiate athletes, and another for Rookie and Intermediate divisions. Side games added to the fun, with Glow Clays happening Friday night and the Coach/Parent 5-Stand Challenge taking place throughout Saturday and Sunday.
Photo by Brooke Evans
After the success of last year’s inaugural event, dates for the 2025 Bigfoot Blast were set early to meet growing demand. That early planning enabled the event to become an official part of the Triple Crown Series.
This series challenges athletes across multiple disciplines, with scores from the 200-target main events at the Smashtown Skeet Classic (American Skeet), Bigfoot Blast (Sporting Clays), and Muletown Trap Showdown (American Trap) combined for a total of 600 targets. The top competitors in each category will be recognized as Triple Crown Champions at the State Championships in June.
An athlete’s last chance to advance in the series is just around the corner at the Muletown Trap Showdown on May 3–4, 2025.
The weather at the 2025 Bigfoot Blast may have been unpredictable, but it only highlighted the dedication of everyone involved. We appreciate all the athletes, coaches, families, staff members, and volunteers who powered through, rain or shine. The high over all (HOA) winners from the weekend are as follows. For the full list of winners click here.
2025 Bigfoot Blast HOA Awards
HOA Varsity Grand Champion: Evan Gray, East Tennessee Straight Shooters (281)
HOA Intermediate Grand Champion: Taylor Hilliard, McKenzie Shooting Sports (287)
HOA Varsity Team Champion: Unaka Shooters – Robby Hinman, Scott Dunn, Lawson Frizzell, Reed McCown, Jacob Sexton (879)
HOA Varsity Team Runner Up: Clarksville Academy – Logan Price, Zachary Catellier, Zieke Blaine, Aaron Gilman, Shelby Maynard (842)
HOA Intermediate Team Champion: McKenzie Shooting Sports – Taylor Hilliard, Peyton Hilliard, Lexi Orr, Mason Smith, Hunter Smith (869)
HOA Intermediate Team Runner Up: HSSC Crush – Channing Garrett, Drake Owens, Beckett Brandon (790)
HOA Collegiate Champion: Gabby Worthen, University of Tennessee – Knoxville (261)
HOA Collegiate Runner Up: Ellie Huddleston, UT Southern (253)
HOA Varsity Men Champion: Ben Yarbrough, HSSC Crush (280) (Shoot Off 7)
HOA Varsity Men Runner Up: Carson Spurgeon, Houston County Lucky Shots (280) (Shoot Off 6)
HOA Varsity Ladies Champion: Morgan Hilliard, McKenzie Shooting Sports (268)
HOA Varsity Ladies Runner Up: Isabella Carr, Warriors (244)
HOA Intermediate Men Champion: Channing Garrett, HSSC Crush (281)
HOA Intermediate Men Runner Up: Brooks Kelley, T-County Clay Busters (280)
HOA Intermediate Ladies Champion: Peyton Hilliard, McKenzie Shooting Sports (277)
HOA Intermediate Ladies Runner Up: Skylar Stanfield, USJ Shooting Team (265)
HOA Rookie Champion: Jaxon Price, Clarksville Academy (250)
HOA Rookie Runner Up: Mason Smith, McKenzie Shooting Sports (219)
