By MIKE BLACKERBY NEW TAZEWELL – Pigeon Forge’s remarkable turnaround continues. The Tigers stunned Claiborne early with a pair of quick-strike touchdowns and the Bulldogs never recovered as Pigeon Forge walked away with a 42-15 win Friday in the … [Read more...]
Hardin Valley boys wins TSSAA State XC by landslide; Farragut girls claim runner-up; Alcoa boys third
By MIKE BLACKERBY That blue and white tidal wave Thursday at Sanders Ferry Parkway in Hendersonville, Tenn., was Hardin Valley’s boys running away with the Division I Large Schools state cross country championship. It wasn’t even close. … [Read more...]
The Pigeon Forge/Claiborne clash, Oneida’s fresh start, Gatlinburg-Pittman back at home
By MIKE BLACKERBY Here’s a review of the final week of the regular season and a look forward to Friday’s opening slate of playoff games in Classes 1A-3A in the 5Star Preps high school football coverage area: Pigeon Forge-Claiborne in 3A … [Read more...]
Fulton football returns to action, Powell faces tough road game, Bearden surging, MoEast vs. Central, Sevier survives
By MIKE BLACKERBY Here’s a look back at the final week of the regular season and a glance forward to Friday’s opening slate of playoff games in Classes 4A-6A in the 5Star Preps high school football coverage area: Fulton finally back in … [Read more...]
Central Bobcats secure 1-seed, home playoff game and region championship in Week 11
By MIKE BLACKERBY Central’s defense turned the tide in customary fashion, and then the Bobcats found their rhythm offensively on their way to claiming the top spot in Region 2-5A Friday night. Central came in needing a win to clinch the region … [Read more...]
What happened at the 2020 TSSAA Region 2 Cross Country Championships
By MIKE BLACKERBY There’s a misconception that cross country is exclusively an individual sport. Nothing was further from the truth during Tuesday’s Region 2 Large Schools cross-country meet at Tommy Schumpert Park in North Knoxville. The focus … [Read more...]
SETTING THE SCENE: Week 11 will decide the TSSAA playoffs fate of many area teams
By MIKE BLACKERBY It’s Week 11 of the regular season, and last-gasp time for several high school football teams in the 5Star Preps coverage area. The end of the regular season is upon us. While many teams have already secured their positioning in … [Read more...]
Oak Ridge football survives second-half rally by Powell; claims 2-seed for 5A playoffs
BY MIKE BLACKERBY OAK RIDGE – Unlike last season, Oak Ridge managed to weather Powell’s furious comeback bid Friday night on Blankenship Field. But just barely. The Wildcats, up by three touchdowns midway through the third quarter, hung on for a … [Read more...]
COUNTED OUT: Central Bobcats fire back at doubters with 27-19 win over South-Doyle
BY MIKE BLACKERBY Central served up another familiar reminder Thursday night in Fountain City. Don’t ever count out the two-time defending state Class 5A champion Bobcats. … [Read more...]
Meigs County wins fourth region in a row; Loudon now 8-0, Oliver Springs’ win streak
By MIKE BLACKERBY With the playoffs looming, here’s this week’s high school football report in Classes 1A-3A in the 5Star Preps coverage area: Meigs takes fourth region title in a row Loudon moves to 8-0 Oliver Springs wins fourth … [Read more...]