TNHSFB Playoffs: Next Stop, Chattanooga! (Semifinal Recap)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The semifinal round provided some fireworks but also expected results as some of the state's top powers took care of business &amp; advanced to state title games. Here we recap the semi's as well as look forward to action in the "Scenic City."</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 Tennessee high school football season is coming to end but before we close the door on another good year of ball, we have state championships to complete first and we have some top level matchups set for Chattanooga.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everything kicks off on Thursday at 11 am central when CPA takes the field to compete against Boyd Buchanan for the D2-Class AA state title. That game is followed by the other two private schools game with Middle TN Christian squaring off with Nashville Christian then the night is capped by one of the best games of the championship slate with cross town rivals in Baylor vs. McCallie going toe to toe for the 2nd time this year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All the private schools listed above had stellar season's in their own right but only one team from each classification can come out of the “Scenic City” with a state title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everybody will be looking at the Baylor vs. McCallie matchup but I like that CPA vs. Boyd Buchanan game as many will pick the Lions to come out with the win but the Buccaneers are a well coached team with several talented prospects, including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219427' first='Houston' last='Hicks']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1209539' first='Jayden' last='Moore'] </strong>and others that could pull off the upset. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":958613,"width":"454px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/boydbuchanan.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-958613" style="width:454px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throughout the entire season, Bradley Central had looked near flawless but they met their match last Friday night when perennial power Oakland came to town and put the Bears to sleep, defeating them 38-17 to advance to the 6A title game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriots were dominant from the opening kickoff till the final whistle. They received an excellent performance from their defense while junior running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219387' first='Daune' last='Morris'] </strong>went off, scoring multiple touchdowns and proving to be the difference maker in Oakland's semifinal win.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another running back who took over in the Semi's and led their team to the 6A title game against Oakland was senior stud <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277794' first='Damon' last='Sisa']</strong>. The Mustangs playmaker was too much to handle for the Brentwood defense as Houston went into Williamson County and shut out the previous undefeated Bruins, 28-0.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was an absolute beatdown by Houston and an exceptional defensive performance from the Mustangs defense, who shut out a solid Brentwood offense. Houston must now move on from that big victory to refocus on beating possibly the best football program in the state with Oakland.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class 5A state title game will be familiar as Page will take on Knox. West this coming Friday in a repeat game from last year's championship match where the Rebels took down the Patriots for that elusive “Gold Ball.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year could be a bit different as Page has an experienced team with several players that have competed in the past two Class 5A title games, so the Patriots know what territory they are walking into but so does Knox. West. The Rebels are the defending state champs and have strong defensive pieces like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301377' first='C.J.' last='Smith']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='864980' first='Ryan' last='Scott']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465287' first='Anderson' last='Smith'] </strong>and others that can shut down the Patriots offense and push them to their 2nd straight state title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":431811,"width":"522px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/08/cjsmith.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-431811" style="width:522px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Did anyone not expect to see Pearl Cohn in the 4A title game. If you did, you would be wrong as the Firebirds will be back in Chattanooga to compete for that “Gold Ball” for the 2nd year in a row with this year's opponent being Upperman.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bees took down Greeneville on the road, 21-14 to advance to the title game and bring a veteran squad to town that won't back down to the Firebirds but I don't know if they will have enough athleticism and speed to keep up with this ultra athletic Pearl Cohn team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What's new, Alcoa is back in the Class 3A title game for the ninth year in a row. The Tornadoes had some challenges this year but come into Chattanooga on fire, playing their best football of the season and they have a familiar foe looming in the East Nashville Eagles.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two teams met up in Chattanooga last year where Alcoa handled the Eagles with ease but maybe East Nashville has some new tricks up their sleeve for this matchup and they will need them as nobody has been able to take down the Tornadoes and I don't expect things to change come Friday.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 2A presents one of the best championship games of next week's slate as you have a talented East Robertson team chasing after that title against a veteran Riverside team that knows how to win big games.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers and Indians both have Mr. Football finalists in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='572242' first='Stone' last='Wallace'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='497421' first='Isaiah' last='Groves'] </strong>that can be game changers and difference makers in this contest that pushes their teams to victory. Groves in particular is someone that must be kept in check by Riverside if they want to hold up the “Gold Ball” in Chattanooga, otherwise East Robertson will be going home as champs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class 1A championship pits two state powers up against each other as undefeated and dominating South Pittsburg stays close to home to face off with McKenzie, who is your 1A reigning and defending state champs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rebels are a bit different this year compared to their title team last season as they are more youthful, led by juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1102448' first='Tate' last='Surber'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1102430' first='Jacob' last='Smith'] </strong>but are still highly competitive and well coached.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Pitt has been exceptional all season long and has barely been tested. This should be their hardest test of the year but I still feel the Pirates are destined to be state champs this year as they are loaded with talented seniors, especially <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301360' first='Kamden' last='Wellington']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='258684' first='Jamarion' last='Farrior']</strong>, <strong>Martavious Collins </strong>and others.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year's championship slate should be another fun weekend of action where you have several favorites that will prevail but it's the upsets nobody sees coming that makes these games so exciting.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everything kicks off Thursday morning and goes into Saturday night where by that point we will have nine new state champs then officially move into the offseason, looking ahead to the 2024 football year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1072979,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/08/cpa-crop-646x424-1698790447.jpg?w=645" alt="" class="wp-image-1072979" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->