#TNHSFB: Week One Recap/Top Stories
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Well, football is back and Week One was a hit with several teams making statement wins and others taking surprise losses. Inside we recap all the top stories in each region from last week’s action within the great state of…
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Continue ReadingWell, football is back and Week One was a hit with several teams making statement wins and others taking surprise losses. Inside we recap all the top stories in each region from last week’s action within the great state of Tennessee!
East Tennessee
Cleveland 49 Clinton 36
– Headed into the 2023 season, Clinton was viewed as a possible state title contender and that still may be the case but our emotions have to be tempered now after the Dragons fell at home on Friday night to ClevelandThe Blue Raiders put it on Clinton early and often then continued to score points throughout the game. The Dragons defense did not have an answer for Cash Bandy Cash Bandy 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2025 TN , Isaiah Davis Isaiah Davis 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH Cleveland | 2025 State TN and the Blue Raiders offense and now they must go back to the drawing board and fix their issues.
Clinton still has everything in front of them when it comes to winning a region title and going deep in the playoffs, especially with Joshuah Keith Joshuah Keith 5'10" | 180 lbs | QB Clinton | 2024 State TN at the helm but their defense must be fixed or things might snowball over the next few games. For the Blue Raiders, this was an impressive opening performance that tells us Cleveland might be better than we thought and a team to watch the rest of the football year.
The Blue Raiders will have an explosive offense this year and score a lot of points but if they want to contend for a region title, their defense must get better. Overall for Cleveland, this was an outstanding debut win for Chandler Tygard and his Blue Raider team against a talented Clinton squad and a statement to others that this East Tennessee team is one to not sleep on.
Rabun-Gap (Ga) 35 Baylor 24
– Week one wasn’t the way the Red Raiders wanted to start their 2023 season but it should be a good learning opportunity for a Baylor team that still has aspirations for a repeat at the D2-Class AAA state title. A strong and talented Rabun-Gap team out of Georgia came in and just outmuscled and outplayed the Red Raiders and showed the Baylor coaching staff that they have more work to do with this 2023 team.
The Red Raiders are replacing several important players from last year’s state championship squad but return tons of talent too, however the makeup of the team could be different. We will see their character over the coming weeks as Baylor bounces back from this loss and gets back on track. They have dudes to do so with Whit Muschamp Whit Muschamp 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Baylor | 2024 State TN at the helm and pass catchers like Max LeBlanc Max LeBlanc 6'5" | 225 lbs | TE Baylor | 2024 State TN , Amari Jefferson Amari Jefferson 6'2" | 195 lbs | ATH Baylor | 2024 State TN and Cameron Sparks Cameron Sparks 6'4" | 210 lbs | TE Baylor | 2025 State TN at his disposal.
There is no need to be alarmed about this loss for Baylor as I think they will be just fine and will still be a D2-Class AAA title contender but it does show that more work must be done by the Red Raiders if they want to play up to their championship standards.
McCallie, Boyd Buchanan Have Strong Opening Statements
– The Chattanooga area has gotten stronger over the last few years with their football and the 2023 season looks to provide top level competition with teams like McCallie and Boyd Buchanan sporting talented teams. Well both the Blue Tornado and Buccaneers flexed their muscles big time on opening night last Friday with commanding victories and statements to others that these two Chattanooga based programs are legit and region title contenders.
McCallie took down a solid Chatt. Christian team, 53-13 without question and showed why they might be the best overall team in the state this year. Boyd Buchanan will see stiffer competition moving forward but they opened the 2023 season in strong fashion with a 52-0 victory over Chatt. Prep.
What both these teams proved is that they should have high scoring, explosive offenses this season and enough talent to compete for titles. The Blue Tornado however might have the best defense in the state with players like Carson Gentle, Marcellus Barnes, Jr Marcellus Barnes, Jr 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB McCallie | 2024 State TN , Olivier Camerlain Olivier Camerlain 6'6" | 260 lbs | DL McCallie | 2024 State TN and Paul Marie-Dogui Paul Marie-Dogui 6'2" | 230 lbs | DL McCallie | 2024 State TN leading the way as in the preseason they were dominant and against the Chargers, they continued their ferocious ways.
The Buccaneers have a junior quarterback in Houston Hicks Houston Hicks 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB Boyd Buchanan | 2025 State TN the coaching staff can build around and he impressed them on Friday night with a strong seasonal debut. It was their defense that made the biggest statement with a shutout victory and they have a dude at linebacker Jaylon Sanderfer Jaylon Sanderfer 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Boyd Buchanan | 2024 State TN that can be a difference maker. There is much to learn about the Bucs moving forward but this was an opening statement win for a team on the rise.
Knox. Central 53 Fulton 20
– Prior to the start of the 2023 season, we predicted that Knox. Central was in-store for a big year and if their 1st win over Fulton is any indication, the Bobcats are indeed what we thought they were and a team others on their schedule must pay attention to moving forward. Central put points on the board in a variety of ways, including their defense that was very opportunistic and they will need to remain that way the rest of the year, if the Bobcats plan to have a successful season.
They have a stud running back in Frank Johnson IV Frank Johnson IV 5'10" | 200 lbs | RB Knox. Central | 2024 TN to lean upon on offense that should keep the defense fresh enough to close out games. While they did Fulton to score more than they would have liked, the Bobcats defense did their job while showing room for improvement. Central will take on stronger opponents as the season goes but I like our prediction for the Bobcats to be a contender this year that could get better as the year goes on.
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Mid-Tennessee
Page Sneaks By Giles Co.
– One of the best games in the state from our opening slate was the Patriots going on the road to pick up a 35-34 victory over a very good Giles Co. team that is a contender for the 3A title. From all accounts, this was a back and forth game that saw big plays happen from both teams with Page being just one point better. What this game was for both Page and Giles Co. was a test, a game that will make both teams better for the long run and a great chance to see where both are to start the 2023 season.
Page had a dual threat approach at quarterback in this game with Jonathan Palmer Jonathan Palmer 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Page | 2024 TN and William Wiebush William Wiebush 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Page | 2025 TN running the show and they both contributed in ways to help the Pats win. Their defense may need a little work though as they allowed several big plays, especially to Bobcats senior Kamauri Turner Kamauri Turner 5'9" | 165 lbs | ATH Giles Co. | 2024 State TN , who torched the Page defense all night long.
No matter how it gets done, a win is a win and the Patriots coaching staff will take it. The close victory over Giles Co. gives the Page coaches something to show the team and what they must improve upon moving forward as they are the top team in the 5A ranks that has their eyes on another trip to Chattanooga.
Pearl Cohn 21 MBA 14
– Billed as the top Mid-Tennessee matchup for Week One, the Firebirds went into the Big Red Stadium and walked away as victors, defeating a rebuilding MBA team that is still talented and pushed Pearl Cohn to the limit. This is an impressive win for the Firebirds as they beat a top tier private school program on their home field while living up to the expectations placed on them prior to the season as a state title contender.
Even though it turned out to be a win for Pearl Cohn, they did have to fight for it as MBA is a well coached team that plays technique sound, tough football. The Firebirds had to battle in the trenches, where they won that matchup with guys like Jason Overton Jason Overton 6'3" | 290 lbs | OL Pearl Cohn | 2024 State TN taking care of business. They also had guys like Donovan Higgins Donovan Higgins 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Pearl Cohn | 2025 TN breakout into stardom as this fast and athletic junior caught two touchdown passes on the night, presenting tons of problems for the Big Red secondary.
Overall, this was an excellent outcome and battle for the Firebirds as this victory should make them better and definitely prepare them for the long season ahead.
Strong Win Over NCS for Davidson Academy
– Many people in attendance at Davidson Academy on Friday night came to see Nash. Christian sophomore quarterback Jared Curtis Jared Curtis 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Nash. Christian | 2026 State TN and while he had a solid game, the home Bears came away with the 27-20 win over the road Eagles. Now this doesn’t change anything for Nash. Christian and their 1A title hopes but it does say that Davidson Academy could be better than we thought and a team that could compete for a region title. It’s only one game and there is a long season to go but with Knox Roberts Knox Roberts 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Davidson Acad. | 2024 State TN at the helm and Glenn Seabrooks Glenn Seabrooks 6'3" | 300 lbs | DL Davidson Acad. | 2024 State TN in the trenches, the Bears could be in-store for a big 2023 season.
I expected the Davidson Academy offense to be solid this season with Roberts back for his senior year but their defense was a little of an unknown and they still are but the Bears performance against a good Nash. Christian offense shows signs of a potential top tier unit.
Their schedule sets up pretty well for the Bears to actually compete for a region title but they must stay healthy and take care of business for that to happen. Their two biggest games come at the end of the season against FRA and CPA and if Davidson Academy stays on the winning path, the possibility of winning a region title remains within grasp.
Upperman 26 Fayetteville 0
– Did anyone across the Mid-State area see this shutout coming? I know I didn’t as I actually expected Fayetteville to pull out a close road win but that definitely didn’t happen as the home Bees completely shut down the Tigers. From all accounts, the Bees had control of this game from start to finish, especially in the line of scrimmage where the Upperman offensive and defensive lines set the tone and continued their physical dominance till the end of the game.
Fayetteville has some good athletes but one thing myself and others should have taken into consideration in the preseason was that the Tigers were replacing some key players from last year’s team and placing youth into key roles. That apparently showed up on Friday night where the veteran Upperman team handled business and then some.
Neither team should let this game go to their heads as we have a long season to go but both need to continue getting better as teams will be gunning for them and trying to knock them off the top of the hill within their classifications. For just one game though, the Upperman Bees were very impressive and just might be a state title contender in the 4A ranks this season.
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West Tennessee
MUS Dominates Bartlett
– There is no question in my mind that MUS dominating and shutting out Bartlett, 37-0 was the biggest surprise of Week One as nobody saw this coming and it makes me wonder a bit about the Panthers offense this season. It’s not surprising to see MUS win this game but to shut out Bartlett while seeing the Panthers defense allow 37 points, makes me wonder but it’s only week one, so you can’t overreact.
What this outcome does say to me though is that MUS might be legit, especially their defense that could compete with others for being the best defense in the state. Led by studs Brandon Nicholson Brandon Nicholson 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB MUS | 2024 State TN , Gavin Helton Gavin Helton 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB MUS | 2024 State TN and Makhi Shaw Makhi Shaw 6'0" | 190 lbs | ATH MUS | 2024 State TN , the Owls defense was suffocating on Friday night, barely allowing the Panthers offense to move the ball and being opportunistic when the time called for it.
Bartlett may need to go back to the basics this week and figure out what went wrong against MUS and what has to be done to fix their problems. The Panthers should be ok but their schedule is tough, so it will be interesting to see how they compete the rest of the way. MUS also has a tough schedule ahead as well but they have the quarterback in Brady Hughes Brady Hughes 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB MUS | 2025 TN and a stout defense to compete for the D2-Class AAA region title.
Mustangs Hammer Briarcrest Christian
– Yet another surprising outcome out of the West Tennessee region was Houston dominating Briarcrest Christian, 42-6 and while I knew the Mustangs would be good, I didn’t know the Saints would struggle this bad, especially on offense. The Houston defense absolutely shut down the Briarcrest offense, allowing them to do much of nothing with their secondary locking down receivers and their front seven causing havoc. The Mustangs held senior quarterback Cade Carlson Cade Carlson 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Briarcrest Chrst. | 2024 State TN to 6-22 passing and less than 100 yards. It was an impressive opening showing by Houston but can they keep it up the rest of the year?
It’s going to be a challenge for the Mustangs as they have a tough schedule ahead of them, especially with region games against Bartlett, Collierville and Germantown but this opening statement win versus Briarcrest says that Houston will be ready to compete and shouldn’t be slept on.
Star running back Damon Sisa Damon Sisa 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB Houston | 2024 State TN is the headliner but watch out for junior quarterback Chandler Day Chandler Day 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Houston | 2025 TN as well. He had a strong showing in Week One and is someone that will only get better as he continues to grow and mature. The Mustangs defense is a unit that I have to look further into because they were dominant last Friday and according to inside sources, Briarcrest was hit in the mouth early and could not respond. That shows good coaching and determination, so the Mustangs may be more balanced than I thought while sporting a championship caliber defense.
Arlington-Cordova-Jackson Chrst.-West Carroll All Impress
– Four teams across the West Tennessee landscape had strong opening season wins on Friday while telling those across the state that they could be teams to watch out for the remainder of the football year. Arlington had to fight and claw to pull out the win but they got it done, 20-12 over a solid Memp. Overton team. The Tigers needed this win as their schedule is extra tough, so any victory Arlington can pick can provide confidence for them moving forward.
Possibly the biggest win of all four teams listed here was Cordova’s 27-14 victory over a good Sheffield team that many had as the favorite headed into this contest. The Wolves made a statement here with this win as a team to follow the rest of the year and a team that could become a region title contender with continued strong play.
Jackson Christian kicked off their 2023 season in strong fashion with a hard fought, 21-14 win over a good Northpoint Christian team. The Eagles received a monster performance from junior Jaylen Mosley Jaylen Mosley 6'0" | 190 lbs | ATH Jackson Christian | 2025 State TN , who produced 156 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns as well as a strong showing from their defense that held down an All-State caliber quarterback in Jack Patterson Jack Patterson 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Northpoint Christian | 2024 State TN . The Eagles were predicted by us to win their region this year and this win over the Trojans helps prove our point as this Jackson area team is legit.
One of the top teams in the Class 1A ranks this year is West Carroll and they started their season in a big way with a 45-28 win over Gibson Co. and a high powered offense that can lead the War Eagles to Chattanooga. The defense did their job but it’s the West Carroll offense that leads the way, headlined by junior Jayden Milton Jayden Milton 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB West Carroll | 2025 TN , who ran 24 times for 294 yards and 5 touchdowns Friday night against the Pioneers. More offensive performances like this one could lead the War Eagles to a region title and beyond.
Milan 28 South Gibson 21
– Back on Thursday night, the Bulldogs of Milan added their 1st win of the season and it was a big one as they took down a South Gibson team that has been labeled as a 4A title sleeper team and a squad with multiple college prospects on their roster. This was a strong statement win for Milan too as they moved down to the 2A level this year, which was viewed as an interesting choice but beating a 4A Hornets team shows the rest of the 2A teams that Milan is a team to watch out for.
The Bulldogs appear to have a well balanced team that brings good play to the field on both sides of the ball. Their offense should be solid this year with Carson Pruitt Carson Pruitt 6'2" | 205 lbs | WR Milan | 2024 State TN as their focal point but it will be their defense that carries them to success. Holding South Gibson to 21 points is a good sign that Milan should have the defense needed to win a lot of ball games. They just need to keep developing and stay healthy but Milan could be in-store for a big 2023 football season.