#PRZTN Championship Preview: Sevier Co. vs. Page

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Could the fourth time be the charm for the Patriots? They have arrived yet again in the 5A title game, facing a new opponent in Sevier County in what could be one of the best games down in Chattanooga! </h2>     Sevier Co. vs. Page Patriots   Records: Smoky Bears (14-0)  Patriots (14-0)   - - -   When: Dec. 6th - 7:00 PM Central   Where: Chattanooga, TN (Finley Stadium)   TV/Internet: WUXP-30, TSSAAsports.com   - - -   Head Coaches   Sevier Co.:  Todd Loveday   Page:  Charles Rathbone    - - - - -    Key Players to Watch    Through the entire 2024 season, Newman has been one of the best quarterbacks in the entire state, putting up big numbers while leading his team to a current undefeated record. His play in the 5A championship will be critical towards the Smoky Bears coming out on top. He will also need to receive strong play from his offensive line as Page has the best defensive front Newman has seen all year.      Avera has been a big addition to the Sevier Co. offense this year that has provided balance and big play abilities from his running back position. He has the jets to make a difference in this game and someone that could play an X-Factor type role towards his team's success. If Avera is able to run for 100 plus yards, Sevier Co. could be going home with a state championship.     Akers has become the team's go-to receiving target this year and produced at a high level, especially in these playoffs where he has come up with big play after big play. Where Akers can make a big difference in this matchup is with his speed. Page has been known to give up the long pass here and there, so Akers has a chance to stand out as a potential deep threat.     The heart of the Smoky Bears defense is this senior linebacker that will be tasked to slow down the Patriots rushing attack while also contributing in space versus the pass. Galazin is one of the biggest rankings risers this year from his linebacker position that can continue boosting his recruiting stock with a strong game against a talented Page team.    - - -    Jumping into the lineup as a true freshman this year, Otey has provided balance and big play skills to the backfield, which has made the Patriots offense even more formidable. The future appears bright for Otey as a potential college ball carrier. Performing on the big stage against Sevier Co. could boost his stock higher but his play could be important towards the Pats winning the 5A title.     Wiebush does just about everything for his Patriots team. If he handles the quarterback role in this matchup, he will be tasked with producing big plays while playing a clean game without turnovers. He can make the occasional pass but his running ability could be a game changer. His ball hawking skills back at safety will be important as well.     The state's top sack artist might prove to be the biggest difference maker in this championship matchup. Hazzard has a nose for the backfield and his pressure against Newman will be needed to slow down a potent Smoky Bears offense. If this future Louisville Cardinal is able to go unblocked and harass Newman throughout the game, I feel the Patriots will have a great shot at coming home as a state champion.     Ranked as the top linebacker in the state for the #TN2025 class, Anes will be a guy the Smoky Bears key on to keep dormant because if this future Tennessee Volunteer is able to be let loose, Page could be bringing home the “Gold Ball.” This 6 '2 fast linebacker can cause a lot of damage on defense with his instincts and speed but could be equally important on offense, carrying the ball and catching passes at tight end.    - - - - -   Game Preview   - For the fourth year in a row, Page has made it to the Class 5A championship game but can the Patriots finally bring home the trophy after striking out three times? It's very possible but they have a challenge on their hands with a talented Sevier Co. team that has been tested in a big way through these playoffs to find themselves on the other side, set to compete for a state title. What the Smoky Bears bring to the field is something Page has had troubles with the last three years in these title games and that's a passing attack that can push the ball down field.    Sevier Co. has a potent passing game, led by sophomore sensation [player_tooltip player_id='1142902' first='Cooper' last='Newman']. His ability to make all the throws, including being able to throw deep, gives the Smoky Bears a potential advantage versus the Patriots secondary but that's where [player_tooltip player_id='219439' first='Eric' last='Hazzard'] and [player_tooltip player_id='390716' first='Brenden' last='Anes'] come in. These two Power Four prospects and seniors are two of the better defensive players in the state that does a lot of damage around the line of scrimmage. Hazzard has a nose for the backfield as one of the top sack artists in the state while Anes is a athletic dude that can make plays all over the field, including sacking the quarterback.    The fun matchup to watch in this game will be Hazzard, Anes and the Patriots defensive front seven against a good Sevier Co. offensive line. The Smoky Bears have a veteran unit on the line that has done a great job of keeping Newman clean while allowing him time to cook. They are led up front by future MTSU Blue Raider [player_tooltip player_id='616543' first='Otto' last='VanRensburg'], senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1261919' first='Lataveus' last='Booker'] and versatile interior O-lineman [player_tooltip player_id='801918' first='Colby' last='Cunningham']. If the Sevier Co. O-line can keep the Pats pass rushers in-check, the team from out East has a great chance at winning.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/ovrensburg2.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1242088" style="width:283px;height:auto" /></figure>   Looking at the Page offense, they have gone back and forth with [player_tooltip player_id='219351' first='William' last='Wiebush'] and Mitchell Grandjean at quarterback while implementing [player_tooltip player_id='1571091' first='Isaac' last='Otey'] in at running back and so far, it has worked. Otey in particular has become a revelation and a star in the making but he's still a freshman and this is a big stage. The Pats freshman could prove to be the X-Factor in this contest but he will be running against a solid Sevier Co. defensive front, led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1543020' first='Joey' last='Galazin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1102513' first='Jude' last='Costner'] with talented sophomore defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1103040' first='Jaxson' last='Perry'] bringing heat off the edge.    Page leans more on their defense while expecting their offense to score enough. Could that recipe work in this contest versus the Smoky Bears? We will see but what I do know is that this Page team is tired of losing in the state title game and are hungry to bring a “Gold Ball” back to Rudderville. The Patriots come in as the favorite but Sevier Co. is legit with the kind of offense that can work over Page. This should be a fun game to follow and watch as either team is equipped to win the 5A title but only one can make it out as the victor.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/banes4.webp?w=427" alt="" class="wp-image-1263913" style="width:234px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Game Prediction   - I am looking forward to this game as this could be one of the more exciting contests of all state championship matchups down in Chattanooga. Neither team has tasted defeat yet this year but somebody must. Both teams bring strong defenses to the field but Sevier Co. may have the edge on offense. The game within the game will be the Smoky Bears offense versus possibly the best overall defense in the state of Tennessee in Page.    It's hard not to think about past results for the Patriots and how the deep pass has bitten them in the backside multiple times in the 5A championship and Sevier Co. has the kind of quarterback in Newman that could do the same. Putting constant pressure onto Newman will be of most importance for the Patriots and their hopes at winning the title.    For the Smoky Bears, they must get off to a fast start and put pressure on Page. They also must provide good balance on offense with Newman and his receivers along with Avera running the ball in the backfield. Their defense must play at a high level too, going against a strong Pats O-line, led by [player_tooltip player_id='808035' first='A.J.' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='853121' first='Jacob' last='Rathbone'] and [player_tooltip player_id='402552' first='Jordan' last='Curll'] that could slow up the Sevier Co. pass rush.    I foresee this game being one of the more hard fought, close contests we have down in Chattanooga this week. It could be a back and forth affair but I feel each defense will stand tall on multiple occasions throughout to keep the game close. If that's the case, I believe that favors Page.    Sevier Co. can certainly upset the Patriots and find themselves in the winners circle but my gut goes with Page. This program has been on the brink of bringing home a state title for three years now and I think they finally get it done with a close but glorious win over the Smoky Bears.   Score: Page 27 Sevier Co. 24   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/IMG_20240915_144630.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-1452213" style="width:311px;height:auto" /></figure>