By Donovan Stewart
MaxPreps.com
Finals week.
This is the game over 300 high school football teams in the state of Tennessee hope to be in when the season starts in August.
Unfortunately, only 10 teams are lucky enough to make the title games and only five can call themselves state champions.
There are plenty of surprises in the field this year as really only Blount County neighbors Alcoa and Maryville were really expected to be here.
Both teams are going for a five-peat in their respective classification. Alcoa has a stranglehold on Class 2A while Maryville – winners of 74 consecutive games (second longest streak in nation) – is looking for its eighth Class 4A title in the last 10 years.
Class 1A and 2A title games will be played Friday, while 3A, 4A and 5A take place Saturday.
Talk about a dynasty.
State title previews by classification;
Class 1A
Trousdale County (14-0) vs. JoByrns (13-1)
Trousdale Keys: Play Yellow Jacket football, which is a hard-charging running game and a hard-hitting defense.
JoByrns Keys: Survive the punching of Trousdale County and hit them with a good counter punch. The Red Devils are making their first ever state title appearance.
Prediction: Trousdale County 35, JoByrns 21
Class 2A
Milan (14-0) vs. Alcoa (13-1)
Milan Keys: Do not play intimidated. Alcoa has won several recent state championship games before they started. Don’t expect a Jeff Morris team to be scared.
Alcoa Keys: Play Alcoa football. Run the football to set up the pass, which it has done to perfection in the last four state title games.
Prediction: Alcoa 42, Milan 28
Class 3A
Knoxville Catholic (14-0) vs. Mitchell (10-4)
Knoxville Catholic Keys: Try and slow down the Mitchell passing game and then convert on offense.
Mitchell Keys: Stop the Irish running game and get the Robert Redmond-to-Keiwone Malone passing game on track.
Prediction: Knoxville Catholic 38, Mitchell 30
Class 4A
Maryville (14-0) vs. Hillsboro (12-2)
Maryville Keys: Continue to be efficient on offense and downright nasty on defense.
Hillsboro Keys: Jump on Maryville early and make plays throughout the game.
Prediction: Maryville 35, Hillsboro 14
Class 5A
Oakland (13-1) vs. Franklin (13-1)
Oakland Keys: Make the Franklin running game non-existent and get pressure on Graham Nichols.
Franklin Keys: Make big running lanes for running backs Alex Ford and Keylo Lee while keeping the Oakland offense off the field.
Prediction: Franklin 20, Oakland 17
Friday Night Stat Stuffers
Alex Ford, RB, Franklin – Rushed for 169 yards and three touchdowns in 35-18 win over White Station.
Kevin Ashabraner, RB, JoByrns – Rushed for 197 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-21 win over McKenzie.
Artaves Gibson, RB, Mitchell – Rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns in 31-25 overtime win over David Lipscomb.
Precious Valentine, RB, Oakland – Rushed for 139 yards and three touchdowns in 35-0 win over Ooltewah.
Jordan Howanitz, RB, Knoxville Catholic – Rushed for 185 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-31 win over White House.
Mr. Football Winners
1A Lineman
Preston Gilbreath, Mt. Pleasant
1A Back
David Jones, South Pittsburg
2A Lineman
Tyler Robinson, Alcoa
2A Back
Benjamin Cunningham, Goodpasture
3A Lineman
Daniel Hood, Knoxville Catholic
3A Back
Zach Rogers, David Lipscomb
4A Lineman
Justin Smith, Maryville
4A Back
Marsalis Teague, Henry County
5A Lineman
Jacques Smith, Ooltewah
5A Back
Tausean Holmes, Millington Central
Division II-A Lineman
Blair Arrington, Davidson Academy
Division II-A Back
Marlon Brown, Harding Academy
Division II-AA Lineman
Austin Long, Briarcrest
Division II-AAA Back
Tavarres Jefferson, Ensworth
Kicker of the Year
Jared White, Trousdale County
Stew’s Top 10 (Regardless of Classification)
1. Maryville (4A) 14-0
2. Memphis University School (DII) 13-0
4. Franklin (5A) 13-1
5. Alcoa (2A) 13-1
6. Oakland (5A) 13-1
7. Knoxville Catholic (3A) 14-0
8. Milan (2A) 14-0
9. Trousdale County (1A) 14-0
10. Hillsboro (4A) 12-2
Questions ? Comments ? Contact Donovan at dstew4vu@yahoo.com
