The 55th TSSAA high school football playoffs begin at venues across the 5Star Preps coverage area Friday night. Some 110 games across the state are set for the first round of the playoffs, with the ultimate destination the 2023 BlueCross Bowl Nov. … [Read more...]
West Rebels wins Region 2-5A Championship and playoffs 1-seed with dramatic 24-23 overtime win over rival Powell
BY MIKE BLACKERBY Things looked bleak for West early in the third quarter Thursday night in its Region 2-5A championship game against Powell. The host Rebels trailed the Panthers 17-7 and showed little signs of life. But West senior Marshaun … [Read more...]
THE BIG PREVIEW for WEEK 11, powered by Triple F: Bearden vs. Bradley, Powell vs. West, Greeneville vs. Elizabethton, and more games to watch
BY MIKE BLACKERBY The final week of the regular season in high school football is always filled with intrigue. While some teams have already favorably determined their playoff lot, Week 11 outcomes will have season-ending ramifications for … [Read more...]
GREENEVILLE wins at Northview Academy to set up Week 11 Region 1-4A Championship Game against Elizabethton
BY MIKE BLACKERBY KODAK — Once again there’s a monster showdown on the horizon between Greeneville and Elizabethton. The longtime rivals will meet Friday night at Elizabethton for the Region 1-4A championship in the final week of the regular … [Read more...]
THE BIG PREVIEW presented by Triple F — Top Games and Storylines for Week 10 (2023)
BY MIKE BLACKERBY Just two more weeks left in the regular season. Then it’s playoff time. Week 10 of the high school football season figures to help sort out some of the postseason pecking orders in regions across the 70-team 5Star Preps … [Read more...]
Vols commit Kaleb Beasley, Lipscomb Academy knock off host Knoxville Catholic, 33-10, in key Division II-AAA region contest
BY MIKE BLACKERBY CEDAR BLUFF — Lipscomb Academy’s defense, led by dynamic Tennessee commitment Kaleb Beasley, was the difference Friday night as the Mustangs rolled by home-standing Catholic 33-10. … [Read more...]
Gary Rankin’s Boyd-Buchanan team wins at Lakeway to set up Week 10 region-title game Webb School of Knoxville Spartans
BY MIKE BLACKERBY WHITE PINE – Winning just seems to follow Gary Rankin wherever he goes. Friday at Lakeway Christian Academy, Rankin posted career victory No. 482 as Boyd-Buchanan downed the Lions 34-22 in a Division II-AA East Region … [Read more...]
THE BIG PREVIEW (Week 8, 2023): MoWest vs. Sevier County, West at Anderson County, West Ridge at Jefferson County, and more matchups
BY MIKE BLACKERBY It’s going fast folks – we’re already up to Week 8 of the high school football season. Here’s a look at some of the top contests on Thursday and Friday in the 5Star Preps coverage area. … [Read more...]
Powell Panthers win 2023 Battle for Emory Road, 34-17, over rival Halls; Red Devils suffer first defeat of 2023
MIKE BLACKERBY Star running back Connor Wheeler exited early Friday during Powell’s Region 2-5A showdown at Halls. No problem as Panthers sophomore quarterback Deuce Rodgers and back-up senior running back Keshaun Jackson had the games of … [Read more...]
THE BIG PREVIEW FOR WEEK 6 (2023): RIVALRY WEEK – Oak Ridge vs. Clinton, Farragut vs. Bearden, Powell vs. Halls
Three rivalry games with huge playoff implications are featured as we steam into Week 6 of the 2023 high school football season. And one has a peculiar twist. Here’s a look at some of the key contests around the 5Star Preps coverage area … [Read more...]