Brian Nix and the Alcoa Tornadoes defeated the East Nashville Eagles in the TSSAA Class 3A state championship at Finley Stadium on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Chattanooga, Tenn. (Photo by Danny Parker)
BY MIKE BLACKERBY
Over the past nine years, Alcoa Football has beaten all comers in the BlueCross Bowl.
Beating Alcoa. The task seems impossible — at state, anyway.
Westview, out of Martin in West Tennessee, will try its hand, though, at 11 a.m. Friday in the TSSAA BlueCross Bowl 3A state championship game at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga.
The Tornadoes have won 22 all-time football titles and are seeking a 10th consecutive 3A championship.
And they are formidable.
To begin realizing your financial future with resources that fit both you and your values, click on the graphic above.
Alcoa has won 49 consecutive playoff games since dropping a 7-0 decision to CPA in the 2014 state championship game.
The Tornadoes have won the last nine state title games by an average of 21.4 points.
“Their (Alcoa’s) success speaks for itself,” said Westview coach Matt McConnell, during Monday’s TSSAA BlueCross Bowl media event.
“They’re well coached. Their kids play extremely hard. They go out and execute what their coaches ask of them, and they do it at a high level. We’re excited for an opportunity to go out and compete with them.”
Alcoa (12-1) has won 12 games in a row since dropping a 27-17 decision to 6A Ravenwood in its season opener.
Westview (14-0) is an offensive powerhouse that features legacy quarterback Graham Simpson.
The freshman prospect, the younger brother of Alabama backup quarterback Ty Simpson, threw for a state-record 620 yards and eight touchdowns in a 59-54 win over Covington earlier this season.
He has 56 touchdown passes thus far, the third-most in a single season in TSSAA history.
The Chargers have scored 50 or more points in nine games this season.
Simpson said Friday’s state championship game is everything you could ask for.
“It’s going to be like two giants going head to head for four quarters of football,” said Simpson.
“Like coach McConnell said, (Alcoa is) like the Alabama of high school football. You know what they’re going to do coming into a game, but they’re going to prepare like we do. They still have 11 guys (on the field) like we do.”
Standout senior Alcoa tight end/linebacker Eli Owens said the opportunity to win state championships never gets old.
“For us, we’ve been grateful to have a 15-week season for the last 12 years,” said the Michigan commit.
“It’s just important to understand, at the end of the day, you’re playing another high school football game,” Owens continued.
“I think everybody on our team understands what’s at stake, whether it’s their first one or fourth time playing (here). We all want to win.”
The Tornadoes have defeated East Nashville the past three seasons in the state championship game, but Alcoa coach Brian Nix said playing somebody new isn’t necessarily a good thing.
“If you’ve watched their offense, there’s nothing refreshing about playing Westview – I can promise you,” said Nix.
“No matter who you play, this game is always unique and special.”
Nix said Simpson and Westview’s offense would be fun to watch, if you didn’t have to play defense against it.
“It’s not just his arm, it’s his accuracy and the way he executes. And they can run the football. They do a great job with formation shifts and motions. It’s a fun offense to watch and to game plan and attack.”
Jamir Dean (0) and the Alcoa Tornadoes defeated the West Rebels (Knoxville), 28-10 on Friday, October 4, 2024 in Alcoa, TN. (Photo by Charles Mays)
NIX ON PLAYERS WHO’VE EMERGED
Alcoa has seen the steady maturation of several players throughout the season, according to Nix.
“I think Dee Sudderth on defense, as a sophomore, has really been strong for us, as far as the underclassmen,” said Nix.
“Micah Jones, in that Maryville game, played a ton for us both ways and played really well. Demauri Dubose as a secondary player from that sophomore class. And then Jamir Dean, who played a ton as a freshman at receiver, has really excelled and continues to have a bigger role.”
Nix said Dean’s productivity is catching up with his talent. He has 34 catches for 710 yards and nine touchdowns.
“He’s learning how to be a high-level player,” said Nix.
“He’s always had high-level talent. He’s learning what it takes to excel in big games and make big plays against quality opponents,” Nix continued.
“His maturity and growth as an athlete have been great to see this season. From how he played in that opening game against Ravenwood to last week, it’s like two different players.”
ALCOA’S LAST RIDE IN 3A
Alcoa makes the jump from 3A to 4A next season, but Nix hardly sounds sentimental about making one last statement before moving up in class in 2025.
“Our program is always about our seniors,” he said.
“It’s not about Alcoa winning a state championship. It’s not about Brian Nix winning a state championship. It’s about this senior class leaving as winners,” Nix continued.
“It’s always to focus on our program – to avoid complacency (and) to avoid worrying about next year. I have zero concerns for what’s going to happen Friday, and I don’t have one bit of complacency from what we’ve done before, because that’s not going to do anything against this Westview team. We’re going to have to show up and play and compete.”