by MIKE BLACKERBY Graduation took a mighty toll on Greenback with the departure of its much-decorated Class of 2020. Indeed, losses were massive from Greenback’s 12-3 team that lost 38-23 to Lake County in the 1A state championship game. … [Read more...]
PREVIEW: Powell football ready again for rigorous 5A gauntlet
By MIKE BLACKERBY There’s another donnybrook brewing in Region 3-5A. And once again, Powell figures to be right in the thick of the race in one of the state’s most competitive high school football regions. … [Read more...]
Fulton Football didn’t ‘like the taste’ of 2019 and hope to eat better in 2020
By MIKE BLACKERBY Fulton football took some uncharacteristic lumps in 2019. The combination of young players thrust into spotlight roles and crippling injuries left the Falcons with an unfamiliar record by season’s end. “We’re not used to going … [Read more...]
PREVIEW: Greeneville Football to start new decade with new coach but same expectations
By MIKE BLACKERBY Greeneville was one of the marquee teams of the 2010s in Tennessee prep football. The Greene Devils show no signs of slowing down heading into a new decade under first-year head coach Eddie Spradlen. … [Read more...]
5STAR PREPS 2020 Cross Country Season Preview: The Teams and Runners to Know
It could be a banner season for high school cross country in the 5Star Preps coverage area. Specifically, the deck appears to be stacked locally among Region 2 Large Schools. “It’s kind of back to the way it used to be,” said Hardin Valley coach … [Read more...]
How will lack of scrimmages affect area high school football programs?
It begs the question. Because of Covid-19 restrictions there will be no scrimmages or jamborees before the Aug. 21 season opener for area high school football teams. That means no big measuring-stick scrimmages against other teams like in recent … [Read more...]
Lenoir City Football hoping for major strides in 2020 with 15 starters back
By MIKE BLACKERBY Lenoir City is looking for a sharp turnaround to its football fortunes in 2020. Despite coming off a 1-10 season that ended with a 60-14 loss to Powell in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs, Panthers coach Jeff Cortez is … [Read more...]
With 17 new starters set to debut in 2020, Maryville Football still preparing for same expectations — STATE
By MIKE BLACKERBY The losses off Maryville’s state Class 6A championship football team were staggering, perhaps even historical in nature. All told, 17 senior starters – including longtime fixtures like Tee Hodge, Cade Chambers, Mason Shelton, A.J. … [Read more...]
UPDATED: Governor Bill Lee gives OK for football and girls soccer to start
UPDATE, Friday, July 31, 2020 (5:57 p.m.): Gov. Bill Lee -- three days after announcing he would green light fall sports like football and girls soccer -- signed the executive order to allow for football and girls' soccer to begin on … [Read more...]
Former Knoxville basketball player on circuitous path to big-time college basketball
By MIKE BLACKERBY Brandon Clifford predicts that Jayden Doyle’s high school basketball sojourn will pay off in the long run. Doyle, a 6-foot-5, 184-pound shooting guard who left South-Doyle basketball after his sophomore season, will play for his … [Read more...]