Macon Co. Earns 1st Ever State Championship

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The community of Lafayette, Tennessee can sleep happy tonight as their home town Tigers are bringing home a "Gold Ball" for the first time in school history after a commanding win over Melrose. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a magical ride for the Tigers this playoff season that was capped off on Saturday with their 1st ever football state championship. They took down a postseason surprise in Melrose, 45-14 in a game that wasn't real close as the Tigers commanded this game from start to finish.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Except for one pass play from <strong>Luke Gammon </strong>to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1310950' first='Gabe' last='Borders']</strong>, the Tigers ran the ball around and through the Golden Wildcats defense all game long. There was nothing Melrose could do to stop the Tigers rushing attack and the guy they couldn't stop was senior back <strong>Zach Borders</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers running back had his best game of his high school career as Borders ran the ball 25 times for 249 yards and four touchdowns on his way to game MVP honors. It was a stellar performance from Z. Borders, who performed well in the first half but really turned it on in the second period where his power and speed proved to be a problem for the Melrose defense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1574815,"width":"320px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_0838.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1574815" style="width:320px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Golden Wildcats showed flashes early that they might contend but they continued to hurt themselves with undisciplined play. False starts, fumbles, blown assignments in the line, Melrose had a hard time getting out of their own way.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Macon Co. certainly took advantage! Just about every time Melrose gave the ball away or was forced to punt after stalled drives, the Tigers scored. Being able to score so easily in the run game was due to outstanding play up front from their offensive line.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throughout the entire game, the Tigers O-line did a great job of getting to the second level and driving Melrose defenders off the ball. They opened consistent holes for Zach and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1310950' first='Gabe' last='Borders'] </strong>till the final whistle while maintaining outstanding physicality in the trenches. Macon Co. has run the ball all season long but Saturday might have been one of the O-line's best performances of the 2024 season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest takeaway from this game was how cohesive a team Macon Co. is and how much they enjoy playing with each other. This Tigers team is a family that doesn't have a bunch of college talent or a bunch of transfers but they are home grown and know each other very well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is awesome to see a small town school like Macon Co. win a state title, especially with it being their first ever. Now this program has something to talk about and build upon going forward to help and grow the Tigers brand into something special.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1574818,"width":"356px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_0506.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1574818" style="width:356px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player of the Game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Zach Borders","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"173","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Macon Co. ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6754d833dee74"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sharing the backfield with his brother, Zach had himself a day! He was the difference maker in this contest and a force the Golden Wildcats defense could not stop. His 249 rushing yards has to sit at the top of charts for playoff performances in school history. It was a memory making day for Borders that will live with him for the rest of his life, so to being called a champion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Runner-Up MVP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Gabe Stephens","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"220","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Macon Co. ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6754da5316435"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Tigers offense will get top billing in this game but their defense was excellent as well, especially Stephens, who had a stellar performance with 8 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1 sack. This senior edge defender was nearly unblockable as Stephens played most of the day in the Melrose backfield. His speed and power off the edge was difficult to handle but so was his motor. You could tell Stephens wanted to give everything he had in his final high school game to achieve victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1310950' first='Gabe' last='Borders'] - Macon Co.: </strong>Usually this Borders is your star player for his Tigers team but he took a backseat to his brother, however this Mr. Football finalist still had his moments. Handling quarterback, running back and receiver during this 4A title game, Borders displayed excellent athleticism along with the ability to create big plays. Several times, Borders broke loose to do damage, including a touchdown reception in the 1st half.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='616519' first='Rhyan' last='Brown'] - Melrose: </strong>The top performer for the Golden Wildcats in this game was Brown, who ran the ball 14 times for 91 yards and two touchdowns. The biggest thing that stood out about his performance today was his hard running style and willingness to gain every yard possible. The way Brown ran today told me I should have ranked him a little higher than I did because I love his competitive spirit.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1574816,"width":"377px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_1076.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1574816" style="width:377px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) Julius Fletcher - Melrose: </strong>The Golden Cats defense had a hard time for most of the day but Fletcher was one guy who flashed for me with an active motor and desire to find the football. For all the defensive players on the field today, Fletcher led everybody in tackles with 12 with most of the damage coming against the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) Ty Young - Macon Co.: </strong>Along with Stephens on the defensive side of the ball, Young had a stellar showing in this title game where he made several big plays at or behind the line of scrimmage. He produced seven tackles on the night with 0.5 tackle for loss along with a forced fumble and recovery. Young played like he desired that “Gold Ball” and it shows in the stats. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1574817,"width":"444px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_1416.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1574817" style="width:444px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->