It doesn’t get any bigger than this in the regular season. Alcoa is ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 3A. Greeneville is ranked second in 4A. The teams – both perennial state powers – square off in a 7 p.m. Thursday TV game at Burley … [Read more...]
THE BIG PREVIEW: What To Look For in Week 3 of the 2023 Season
BY MIKE BLACKERBY They’re no longer in the same region, but it doesn’t matter. Powell vs. Oak Ridge has turned into one of the most heated rivalry games in the 5Star Preps coverage area over the last 15 years. The Class 5A teams square off in this … [Read more...]
The 20 Best Area High School Football Teams in TSSAA History (since 1969)
BY MIKE BLACKERBY So here they are. The following 20 teams are the best of the best in high school football in the 5Star Preps coverage area since the inception of the TSSAA playoffs in 1969. Since Morristown East (Class AAA) and Loudon … [Read more...]
Elizabethton Cyclones win weather-shortened game at Morristown West, 20-7
BY MIKE BLACKERBY MORRISTOWN – It’s hard enough to beat perennial Class 4A power Elizabethton. Throw in an avalanche of penalties and a couple of critical mistakes in the kicking game and it’s darn near impossible. Class 5A Morristown West (1-1) … [Read more...]
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN WEEK 2 OF THE 2023 SEASON, presented by Triple F
BY MIKE BLACKERBY It’s Week 2 of the high school football season and three area teams are ranked No. 1 in their respective classifications in the first Associated Press poll of the season. Defending state champions West (5A) and Alcoa (3A) … [Read more...]
Connor Wheeler never found fatigue in leading Powell to Week 1 win over Anderson County
BY MIKE BLACKERBY Anderson County was coming off a perfect 15-0 season and a state Class 4A championship. Meanwhile, Powell advanced to the 5A state semifinals in 2022. But both teams suffered heavy losses to graduation heading into their season … [Read more...]
FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK — details, stats, comments and more from the 2023 5Star Preps Jamboree, presented by TOC
BY MIKE BLACKERBY JEFFERSON CITY – The dress rehearsals are winding down. It’s about time for the 2023 high school football season to begin in earnest. Several of East Tennessee’s finest teams and top players were on display Thursday night at … [Read more...]
SCRIMMAGE REPORT (8.4.23): Knoxville Catholic Fighting Irish at Knoxville West
BY MIKE BLACKERBY There’s a new star in the making at Catholic. Sophomore wide receiver Tyreek King put on a show Friday night at West High School as the Division II Fighting Irish scrimmaged the defending 5A state champion Rebels. … [Read more...]
SCRIMMAGE REPORT: Jefferson County at West Rebels – Friday, July 28, 2023
BY MIKE BLACKERBY West lost some major firepower off its 2022 state Class 5A championship team, but don’t fret for the Rebels. There appears to be no shortage of players ready to pick up the slack and step forward on offense for coach Lamar Brown … [Read more...]
TIME TO SHINE: Oak Ridge senior RB DeJauvis Dozier could be headed towards special 2023 season
BY MIKE BLACKERBY It’s really time for De’Jauvis Dozier to shine, and Oak Ridge’s standout tailback is more than ready to be the feature running back for the Wildcats in 2023. After sharing time with Kendall Jackson and Jai Hundley, respectively, … [Read more...]