BY MIKE BLACKERBY SEVIERVILLE – The way Sevier County coach Jonathan Shultz figures it, somebody is always going to have the hot hand for his balanced Bearettes. Friday against Jefferson County, it was senior Aubree Laney. … [Read more...]
5STAR PREPS GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR (2023): Kate Robinson, West High School
BY MIKE BLACKERBY Kate Robinson well remembers the heartache of missing her junior cross-country season at West because of shin splints. But in retrospect, Robinson said the injury was probably the best thing that could have happened to … [Read more...]
5STAR PREPS BOYS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR (2023): Colin Eckerman, Webb School of Knoxville
BY MIKE BLACKERBY Webb coach Bobby Holcombe admits he has never seen anything like the ascension of Colin Eckerman during his high school cross-country career. The transformation of Eckerman, the 5Star Preps 2023 Boys Cross Country Runner of the … [Read more...]
2023 All-5Star Preps Boys & Girls Cross Country Teams
2023 ALL-5STAR PREPS CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS BOYS FIRST TEAM Colin Eckerman, Webb, sr. 2023 5Star Preps Boys Runner of the Year Won the Division II-AA state meet in 14:51.54 Took second in the KIL Championship in 15:00.13 Was third at … [Read more...]
West defense continues to stifle playoff opponents; Rebels eliminate Walker Valley, 38-3, in 5A semifinal to earn chance to defend state title
BY MIKE BLACKERBY West’s impenetrable defense held its fourth consecutive playoff opponent out of the end zone Friday night as the Rebels blitzed Walker Valley 38-3. The win moves West into the state championship for the second year in a … [Read more...]
THE BIG PREVIEW: What Alcoa, West, Greeneville, Oliver Springs face in semis
BY MIKE BLACKERBY We started with 110 games in the first round of the 55th annual TSSAA high school football playoffs back on Nov. 1. The field is now down to 12 games in six classifications as semifinal action commences Friday across the … [Read more...]
Carson Quillen’s four-TD performance boosts Greeneville past Anderson County, 28-17, in 4A state quarterfinals
BY MIKE BLACKERBY GREENEVILLE – Greeneville is one win away from returning to its first state championship game since 2018. The Greene Devils rode the running of Carson Quillen and a determined defensive effort to a 28-17 win over … [Read more...]
THE BIG PREVIEW: Powell/West, Anderson County/Greeneville, Catholic/Baylor headline Nov. 17 TSSAA Playoff Matchups in East Tennessee
BY MIKE BLACKERBY It’s time for the TSSAA state high school football playoff quarterfinals. Or in other words, call it rematch Friday. Four games this week feature teams that met during the regular season. Redemption certainly could … [Read more...]
Powell Defense dominates in Class 5A second-round win at Sevier County
MIKE BLACKERBY SEVIERVILLE – Powell dominated Sevier County from start to finish in its Class 5A playoff game Friday night, setting up a much-anticipated quarterfinal showdown with West. The Panthers’ smothering defense held the Smoky … [Read more...]
THE BIG PREVIEW for Round 2 of the 2023 TSSAA Football Playoffs, presented by Triple F Elite Sports Training
It’s Round 2 of the TSSAA high school football playoffs and there’s no shortage of marquee matchups this week. Here’s a detailed look at some of the top games and a glance at all of the playoff contests involving teams across the 5Star Preps … [Read more...]