On Friday, Feb. 5 the MaxPreps travel team made a stop at
Independence (Thompson's Station, TN) High School to honor the football team on the 11th Annual MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard, which is in its 11th year honoring football.
The Eagles won their first state championship in school history and capped a perfect 15-0 season under third-year head coach Scott Blade. Independence scored with such proficiency, the mercy rule was implemented to keep the clock running in 10 of their 15 games. The Eagles finished ranked No. 31 in the nation out of more than 15,000 high school varsity football teams and No. 1 in Tennessee according to the MaxPreps rankings system.
Photo by Precision Sports Entertainment
The award presentation took place during an all-school pep rally in the gym with an audience of 2000 students. Tennessee Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Jason Tracey handed out the commemorative Tour of Champions t-shirt to each member of the football team prior to the celebration.
The cheerleaders got things started with a lively performance as the crowd found their seats. Athletic Director Kurt Jones then invited the football team and coaches out to midcourt to a rousing ovation from the audience.
Next, MaxPreps representative Dean Craig explained the Tour of Champions selection process and reminded the audience of their football team’s tremendous accomplishments. Craig then introduced Staff Sergeant Tracey who presented the Army National Guard national ranking trophy, also known as the Minuteman trophy, to Coach Blade and the Eagles. As Coach Blade hoisted the trophy high into the air, the crowd cheered wildly.
Coach Blade and the players were very appreciative of MaxPreps and the Army National Guard for bringing national recognition to their team in recognizing this first-time championship.
Congratulations to the Independence Eagles on a great season and high national ranking!
To view the Independence TOC Photo Gallery, click
here.
Photo by Precision Sports Entertainment
