By Donovan Stewart
MaxPreps.com
Every four years in Tennessee, the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA) reclassifies the schools in the state.
Ten years ago, the TSSAA split the football scene into two divisions – I (public, non-financial aid), and II (private, financial aid support).
This year under the new Z-plan, private schools without financial aid had the option of staying in Division I and be hit with a 1.8 multiplier or go to Division II to give aid and no multiplier for the 2009-2013 school years.
Several schools, including Franklin Road Academy, Donelson Christian Academy, Zion Christian, Ezell Harding, Mt. Juliet Academy, Fayette Academy, University School of Jackson and Jackson Christian opted to go into Division II.
The next step is for every school in the state – public and private – to opt to go up or down as the state will have six classifications in the public sector and two in the private.
The deadline is Oct. 20 at noon (CST). The ultimate result will be eight state champions crowned in football.
Weekly Highlights
Statement Game – Class 4A No. 2 Henry County 54, No. 4 Brighton 0
Not a misprint. In Paris last week, the high-powered Patriots hammered an undefeated Brighton team into submission, leading 47-0 at halftime as the Patriots scored 33 points in the second quarter.
The Henry County defense forced four Brighton turnovers and held the Brighton offense minus playmaking quarterback Kale Jackson to only 65 yards of total offense.
Patriot quarterback Marsalis Teague (103 passing three TDs, 130 rushing yards and two touchdowns), and junior Lennies McFerren (nine carries, 106 yards, one TD) led the way for the Henry County offense.
Best Comeback – Red Bank 20, Cleveland 19
This Cleveland team was being compared to the 1993-1994-1995 Blue Raider championship teams and this was the year they finally wrestled the region 4-4A crown away from Red Bank.
Cleveland led 19-0 at the halftime and appeared to be fulfilling the championship hype. But Red Bank didn’t quit and behind the arm of quarterback Andy Christopher (22-38, 282 yards, one touchdown) and the legs of running back Tim Dews (two touchdowns), the Lions stormed back to win the game as Dews scored from two yards out with no time on the clock. The victory pushed Red Bank’s region win streak to 26 games.
Best Defensive Battle – South Pittsburg 7, Boyd Buchanan 6
South Pittsburg uber recruit David Jones scored on the Pirates’ second offensive play to give the Pirates a 7-0 lead.
But Boyd Buchanan’s defense tightened up from there and shut down the Pirate attack for the rest of the game. Senior quarterback Nic Hughes hit wide receiver Taylor Shull with 31 seconds left to cut the deficit to 7-6.
After a penalty backed up the Buccaneers, they went for a two-point conversion but Clint Babb was tackled short of the goal line.
The Buccaneers tried an onside kick, which they recovered, but were flagged for an illegal touch before the ball went 10 yards.
Three in a Row – Montgomery Bell Academy 13, Brentwood Academy 7
After seeing a 19-game winning streak snapped a week ago against Ensworth, Montgomery Bell Academy got back in the win column as it held rival Brentwood Academy with under a minute to play to hold onto a 13-7 win. It marked the third-straight win for the Big Red over their rival and sixth victory in the last eight meetings between the schools.
Friday Night Stat Stuffers
Jamal Ramsey, QB, Battle Ground Academy – Threw for 308 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another in a 24-21 win over Baylor.
Zachary Cole, RB, Jackson North Side – Ran for 211 and both Indian touchdowns in 13-0 win over Jackson Central Merry.
Ethan Tummins, RB, McEwen – Rushed for 220 yards and two touchdowns in 27-7 win over Forrest.
Zach Bryson, RB, Tullahoma – Rushed for 270 yards on 38 carries and scored four touchdowns in 48-19 win over Stratford.
Justin Williams, RB, Davidson Academy – Rushed for 226 yards on 34 carries and scored all six Bear touchdowns in 41-7 win over Rossville Christian Academy.
Cody Jones, QB, Jackson Christian – Passed for 379 yards on 27-of 44 and three touchdowns in 35-21 loss to Milan.
Ben Wahlman, WR, Zion Christian – Caught 14 passes for 215 yards and his team’s only touchdown in 27-7 loss to Collinwood.
Jason Overton, QB, Bolivar – Threw for 423 yards on 23 of 36 and three touchdowns in 44-32 loss to Dyersburg.
Xavier Taylor, RB, Dyersburg – Ran for 234 yards on 22 carries and scored twice in 44-32 win over Bolivar.
Alex Heckman, QB, Independence – Threw for 320 and two touchdowns in 42-35 overtime loss to Dickson County.
Nick Reed, RB, Briarcrest – Ran for 313 yards and six touchdowns in 68-34 win over St. Benedict
William Kreis, QB, Scott County – Completed 20 of 35 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns
Anthony Phillips, LB, Knoxville Powell – Made 26 tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery in 28-22 win over Knoxville Halls.
Joe Muir, RB, Marion County – Rushed for 200 yards and four touchdowns on only 16 carries as the Warriors downed Cannon Co. 43-27.
By The Numbers
957 – Combined yardage in the 45-44 Southern Baptist Educational Center win over St. George’s
288.4 – Passing yards per game for University School of Jackson sophomore quarterback Jake Overbey
50.1 – Points per game that defending Class 1A state champ South Pittsburg is averaging
41 – Consecutive region games that David Lipscomb has won dating back to its days in region 4-2A.
39.4 – Average margin of victory for Henry County this season.
26 – Consecutive region 4-4A wins by Red Bank along with four region titles in that same span
22 – Consecutive wins by defending Class 1A champion South Pittsburg
17 – Consecutive losses by Unicoi County
4.7 – Points per game allowed by Alcoa’s defense, tops in state
Big Games
East
No. 7 Boyd Buchanan (6-1, 2-0, 3-2A) at Sequatchie County (6-2, 1-1)
No. 1 Farragut (7-0, 4-0, 2-5A) at No. 9 Ooltewah (5-1, 4-0)
Hampton (4-3, 3-0, 1-1A) at No. 9 Cosby (7-1, 3-0)
Rhea County (6-1, 4-0, 4-4A) at Red Bank (5-2, 4-0)
Middle
No. 4 Battle Ground Academy (7-0, 3-0 Division II-AA East/Middle) at No. 7 Brentwood Academy (5-3, 3-1)
No. 7 Giles County (6-1, 4-0, 5-3A) at No. 1 David Lipscomb (7-0, 4-0)
No. 7 Hunters Lane (7-0, 4-0, 5-5A) at Gallatin (6-1, 4-0)
West
No. 6 Briarcrest (6-2, 2-0, DII-AA West) at No. 2 Memphis University School (7-0, 1-0)
Crockett County (6-1, 3-1, 7-3A) at No. 8 Dyersburg (6-1, 2-1)
No. 5 Evangelical Christian School (5-0, 1-0, DII-AA West) at No. 10 Christian Brothers (5-3, 0-2)
No. 8 First Assembly Christian School (5-0, 4-0, Division II-A) at Harding Academy (6-1, 4-0)
Stew’s Top 10 (Regardless of Classification)
1. Maryville (4A) 8-0
2. Henry County (4A) 7-0
3. David Lipscomb (3A) 7-0
4. Ensworth (DII) 7-0
5. Memphis University School (DII) 7-0
6. Farragut (5A) 7-0
7. Dobyns-Bennett (5A) 7-0
8. Montgomery Bell Academy (DII) 7-1
9. Franklin (5A) 6-1
10. Alcoa (2A) 6-1
For comments or suggestions reach Donovan at dstew4vu@yahoo.com
