Cooper Newman and the Sevier County Smoky Bears faced the Oak Ridge Wildcats in a TSSAA Class 5A state semifinal on Blankenship Field at Jack Armstrong Stadium on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Sevier County won 45-34. (Photo by Danny Parker)
BY MIKE BLACKERBY
The very nature of the marquee state championship football matchup lends itself to even more intrigue than usual.
In fact Friday’s 7 p.m. TSSAA BlueCross Bowl Class 5A game between Sevier County and Page at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga may be the best pairing of the nine-game state championship weekend.
It’s the only state championship game featuring two undefeated (14-0) teams.
And then there’s the stark contrast in styles.
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Sevier County’s high-powered offense averages 39 points a game while Page’s historically outstanding defense allows only 2.2 points an outing.
Not one opponent of Page’s this season has put more than seven points on a scoreboard.
Something has got to give.
“They (Page defense) don’t have a weak spot,” said Sevier County coach Todd Loveday, at Monday’s TSSAA media event.
“A lot of times you watch film, and you say, ‘OK, we’re going to pick on this person here or this or that.’ But our guys know it’s going to take four quarters of everything we’ve got.”
Page features linebacker Brenden Anes (6-2, 220), end Eric Hazzard (6-3, 245) and safety William Wiebush (6-0, 180) on defense.
Anes has committed to Tennessee, Hazzard to Louisville and Wiebush to Wake Forest.
“Obviously, the defensive staff does a great job in preparing these guys,” said Patriots coach Charles Rathbone.
“(But) with any unit, it’s the old saying: ‘It ain’t about the Xs and Os, it’s about the Jimmy’s and Joe’s.’ It comes back to the players,” Rathbone continued.
“The players on the field make plays (and) these guys have done this week after week for years now. This year’s has been a special group. They’ve been committed this season. The whole team has bought into the senior class leadership and pride in defense.”
On the flip side, the Patriots are tasked with slowing down a dynamic Sevier County offense led by sophomore quarterback Cooper Newman, a deep cast of skill players around him and a talented offensive line.
The unflappable Newman has passed for 3,335 yards and thrown 43 touchdown passes with just one interception.
“Before I get to him (Newman), I believe it always starts up front,” said Rathbone.
“They’re extremely talented in their offensive line. They’re big up front, they get after it, they’re physical blockers, they’re good pass setters,” he continued.
“Their quarterback, Cooper, moves around well. This kid can throw it 65 or 70 yards down the field, but (can) also move and get out of trouble. He takes what the defense gives him. Extremely talented. It’s obvious why he’s been offered by Virginia Tech and some other schools.”
Balanced Sevier County averages 400 yards a game in total offense, with 246 coming through the air and 154 on the ground.
Four Smoky Bears have caught at least 42 passes.
Tight end Jude Costner leads the way with 55 grabs for 779 yards and 14 TDs.
Newman’s other top targets are Bryson Headrick (47-782, 7 TDs), Roman Gibbons (43-435, 4 TDs) and Hayden Akers (42-623, 9 TDs).
Rathbone said it will be the ultimate test for his defense this season.
“It’ll be a challenge for us,” said Rathbone.
“That’ll be the best offensive line we’ve played this year and it’ll be the best quarterback we’ve played this year. We’re excited for the challenge and the opportunity.”
BLONDES HAVE MORE FUN
Sevier County’s players are going with the bleached blonde look, courtesy of the mom of sophomore lineman Jaxson Perry, for the state championship game.
It’s somewhat of a tradition for the Smoky Bears, who won their only state championship in 1999 and were state runners-up in 2015.
“I mean, I think it’s just a tradition when any sports team goes to the state championship, everyone kind of dyes their hair,” said Sevier County all-state offensive lineman Otto Janse van Rensburg.
“But for us, it’s more than that,” said the MTSU commit.
“In 1999, the state championship team bleached their hair. And then in 2015, when we were runners-up, we didn’t bleach our hair. So I figured we needed to go back and bleach it.”
If the newfangled hair style helps the Smoky Bears beat Page, Loveday said he’s all for it.
“I didn’t know they were doing it,” said Loveday.
“Then I see coach (Shane) Kelley. He was the originator of it back in 1999 as our quarterback. So he went and did it too. I guess they just followed suit. I leave that to the young coaches and players.”
Tennessee Vols signee Brenden Anes (22) of the Page Patriots in the 2023 TSSAA Class 5A state championship at Finley Stadium on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Chattanooga, Tenn. (Photo by Danny Parker)
TRY, TRY, TRY, TRY AGAIN
This marks the fourth-straight appearance in the 5A state championship game for Page.
The Patriots lost to West 24-19 and 47-13 the previous two seasons. In 2021, Powell edged Page 42-34 in the title game.
Rathbone wants his team to enjoy the moment and not dwell on past state championship disappointments.
“We’re going to keep it like any other game week,” Rathbone said.
“I know that’s hard to do. Every year is different. The first year (2021) we line up and Powell is a good team. We try and make a comeback and fall short,” he continued.
“The next year we get smoked by Knox West. Last year, we obviously felt like we blew it. And then you see Sevier County, which is an extremely good team.”
Rathbone said the Smoky Bears are an outlier from the past two East Tennessee teams the Patriots have faced in the state championship.
“They’re different from all three of those teams. So it really goes into game planning and trying to keep the guys on an even keel, slowly building up to that Friday event instead of being up (emotionally) all week.”