BY JESSE SMITHEY Alcoa High School never used the term "coach in waiting" in regards to longtime defensive coordinator Brian Nix. But it has always been understood that he was. Whenever the day came that Tennessee high school football … [Read more...]
5Star Preps Top High School Sports Moments of 2021 – Nos. 11-15
By JESSE SMITHEY Before you know it, the 2022 calendar will already be flipping its pages. So take a moment to pause and appreciate some of the top moments and storylines that happened in the 5Star Preps coverage area during 2021. Here is … [Read more...]
WAY TOO EARLY TOP 15 Football Teams for the 2022 season
BY JESSE SMITHEY Only a couple days have passed since the end of the 2021 high school football season. That should be plenty of time for you to have caught your breath and now turn your attention to 2022. Hey, this is Tennessee. We eat, … [Read more...]
5STAR PHOTOS: Alcoa Tornadoes 45, East Nashville 14 – 2021 BlueCross Bowl (3A)
CHATTANOOGA - Check out this 86-photo FREE GALLERY from the Class 3A BlueCross Bowl Championship between the Alcoa Tornadoes and the East Nashville Eagles. All pictures are by Danny Parker and presented to you free by Matt Daniels of Century 21 … [Read more...]
Alcoa Tornadoes kicks back upset-minded East Nashville, 45-14, for seventh consecutive title
BY JESSE SMITHEY CHATTANOOGA — With 9 minutes, 30 seconds, left in the first half of Friday’s Class 3A BlueCross Bowl Championship, Alcoa senior quarterback Caden Buckles powered in from the 1-yard line for a score and immediately sought out … [Read more...]
2021 TSSAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BLUECROSS BOWL PREDICTIONS
Thanks, first and foremost, for Matt Daniels of Century 21 for making ALL our state championship coverage this week FREE to the public. Last week, we went 9-3 in our 12 statewide semifinal picks, bringing our season total to 370-97 … [Read more...]
2021 BlueCross Bowl 3A PREVIEW: Alcoa (13-1) vs. East Nashville (10-4)
By JESSE SMITHEY The Alcoa football team will definitely be out of its comfort zone Friday when it goes for a seventh consecutive Class 3A BlueCross Bowl championship. Not only will the Tornadoes be kicking off eight hours before they normal do … [Read more...]
2021 BLUECROSS BOWL CHAMPIONSHIPS PRIMER – Classes 3A, 4A, 5A
By JESSE SMITHEY Just three teams from the 5Star Preps coverage area reached Championship Week this year. Alcoa in Class 3A. Elizabethton in Class 4A. Powell in Class 5A. More in-depth previews on those three BlueCross Bowls will be … [Read more...]
Alcoa thumps Giles County, 42-12, in 3A semifinals; Tornadoes have chance at 7th title in a row
By DAVE LINK ALCOA – Gary Rankin wasn’t taking any chances Friday night. The Alcoa football coach benched his starters at halftime of the 42-12 victory over Giles County in the Class 3A state playoff semifinals. Rankin didn’t have a good … [Read more...]
STATE SEMIFINAL PREDICTIONS – Friday, Nov. 26, 2021
By JESSE SMITHEY The finish line to the 2021 high school football season is nearing. Fewer than 10 days remain. And in the 5Star Preps coverage area, only five teams still have a chance to reach next week's state championships in … [Read more...]