Class 3A Championship Preview: Alcoa vs. East Nashville

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Tornadoes are the clear cut favorite but East has been playing a high level of late and has some athletes to make a difference but can they finally knock Alcoa off their championship tower? Find out below inside our 3A title preview! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alcoa Tornadoes (12-1) vs. East Nashville Eagles (12-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Where: </strong>Chattanooga, TN (Finley Stadium)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>When: </strong>December 1st, 10 am Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coaches</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tornadoes: <strong>Brian Nix</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eagles: <strong>Desmond Harris&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":528254,"width":"473px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/alcoa3.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-528254" style="width:473px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR) [player_tooltip player_id='674370' first='Brandon' last='Winton, Jr'] - Alcoa: </strong>This guy has been playing on a different level of late as he has dominated opponents and shown scouts, coaches and more that he is one of the best playmakers from our #TN2024 class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='258669' first='Joe' last='McCord'] - Alcoa: </strong>A veteran and multi year starter for the Tornadoes defense, McCord is a force off the edge that the Eagles O-line should know well as they had troubles with him in last year's 3A title game and I wouldn't expect any difference this Friday.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘25 [player_tooltip player_id='219408' first='Eli' last='Owens'] - Alcoa: </strong>Owens has had a breakthrough season as a consistent pass catcher that can work underneath or stretch it deep for his quarterback. His redzone work could be a big factor in this title game against East Nashville.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DE) [player_tooltip player_id='480630' first='Tion' last='Curry'] - East Nashville: </strong>Curry could be a problem for the Tornadoes offense as his length, quick burst and speed off the edge might be tough to deal with. The Eagles senior pass rusher could be the X-factor in this matchup with his speed being a difference maker.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1073695,"width":"293px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/tcurry.jpeg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1073695" style="width:293px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DL) [player_tooltip player_id='287426' first='Malik' last='Bolling'] - East Nashville: </strong>A multi year starter and key team leader, Bolling goes both ways for the Eagles and will be key in the trenches in getting after the quarterback on defense while keeping <strong>Martez Lamb </strong>clean for most of the contest.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='971296' first='Keith' last='Johnson'] - East Nashville: </strong>Johnson has burst onto the scene in a big way this year, becoming one of the top running backs from the greater Mid-Tennessee area and his skills will be needed in hopes of upsetting Alcoa.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Preview</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- What do ya know, Alcoa is back in the 3A title game yet again and they have a familiar opponent in East Nashville, who the Tornadoes defeated last year with a lot of players from both teams returning for this matchup. Could things be different this time around for the Eagles? We shall see but a strong positive they have going for them in this game is a good offensive line and a pair of running backs in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='971296' first='Keith' last='Johnson'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834600' first='Kelan' last='Anderson'] </strong>that can produce big yards and points against the Tornadoes defense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That is where East Nashville must lean on to win this game as Alcoa has proven to be tough to beat in these types of contests and the Eagles know that very well as they have been at the end of some of the losses in years past. The Eagles have a veteran O-line with guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='287426' first='Malik' last='Bolling']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='433098' first='Daveion' last='Johnson'] </strong>and others up front that can open holes and provides lanes for Johnson and Anderson to run through and if they are able to do this on a consistent basis, East Nashville could be there in the 4th quarter with a shot at victory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":459450,"width":"307px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/mboling3-e1664302857239.jpeg?w=612" alt="" class="wp-image-459450" style="width:307px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Nashville has to establish that run game because their passing attack is still a work in progress with sophomore <strong>Martez Lamb </strong>at the helm. He has shown flashes of good play but some youthful play as well. Lamb not turning the ball over will be the biggest win for East and their passing game on Friday morning.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He will need to keep the turnovers down and his O-line will need to keep him clean against a solid Alcoa defense that sports two active players up front in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='258669' first='Joe' last='McCord'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='306264' first='Kaden' last='Bogan'] </strong>that can get after Lamb, move him off his spot and force him into bad throws.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of throwing the ball, Alcoa has done more of that this year than year's past but who will be the starting quarterback. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='148864' first='Cody' last='Pagach'] </strong>has been the guy for most of the year but of late, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='783053' first='Eli' last='Graf'] </strong>has taken over the lead spot and continued to lead the Tornadoes to victories. Whoever is behind center for the Tornadoes has two Power Five level pass catchers to throw to in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='674370' first='Brandon' last='Winton, Jr'] </strong>and junior tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219408' first='Eli' last='Owens']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the passing game has been showing more of late, Alcoa is still a run first team and last year's title game MVP in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149381' first='Elijah' last='Cannon'] </strong>returns to earn that award back. He is a two way player that is important on both sides of the ball but his ability to churn out tough yards and keep the clock in the Tornadoes favor will be key in this game vs. East.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":908501,"width":"289px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/ecannon3.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-908501" style="width:289px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cannon will be running up against a solid defensive front seven with the Eagles. They have Bolling and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834597' first='Jordan' last='Houston'] </strong>up front making plays but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480630' first='Tion' last='Curry'] </strong>is the X-Factor as his speed off the edge will be huge in trying to get after the Tornado quarterbacks. If he is allowed to get free and play consistently in the Alcoa backfield, the Eagles will be in the mix at the end.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alcoa will have the upper hand when it comes to overall talent and experience in this situation but East Nashville has several players that can excel too and guys who have played this Tornadoes team before in last year's title game, so I will be interested to see how both teams come out in the 1st quarter and establish each others will then see who adjusts and starts to pull away.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Prediction</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- I am going through every scenario where I can find a way where East Nashville goes into Chattanooga and puts an end to the Alcoa state title reign but I just can't see it happening this year. This isn't the best Alcoa team to play for a state title but they are still good enough to be the best out of the 3A ranks this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Nashville has some athletes but they have had athletes the last several years when they still lost to Alcoa and I just don't see this game being any different. The line of scrimmage and run game will be critical for East as I see that being their lone glaring hope to victory. I think the Eagles may be able to gain some positivity early and keep the game close but in the end, the lore of the Tornadoes program will prevail and they will once again go home as 3A state champs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Score: Alcoa 34&nbsp; East Nashville 20</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":437774,"width":"600px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/alcoa-scaled-crop-2560x1681-1662482417.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-437774" style="width:600px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Times Free Press (Chattanooga) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->