Five Takeaways From the Second Round of The TSSAA Playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second round of the TSSAA playoffs did not disappoint. There was plenty of excitement, great last-second plays and some surprising upsets that leave you craving more football. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After having a week to digest what happened, I've decided to talk about some of the opinions I gathered following an outstanding opening round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've compiled five of my takes about this year's postseason throughout the state. Let's get into it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1919013} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/KB1t.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1919013" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Brentwood Academy WR [player_tooltip player_id='378855' first='Kesean' last='Bowman']. Taken by Drew Toennies, Prep Redzone.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brentwood Academy is a true state championship contender</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Division II AAA is loaded with teams, but it seemed like Baylor and McCallie were your two clear-cut state championship teams. Well, after an impressive win to begin the postseason, Brentwood Academy is in that same tier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles dismantled a solid Montgomery Bell Academy team 42-14, while their skill players looked outstanding.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>BA's offense has multiple stud wide receivers, boasting three of Prep Redzone's top five-ranked guys in 2027, with No. 1 [player_tooltip player_id='378855' first='Kesean' last='Bowman'], No. 5 Lex Baskin and No. 6 [player_tooltip player_id='1118087' first='Eli' last='Ferguson']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not to mention that they have junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='834810' first='Crews' last='Jenkins'], who's enjoying a breakout campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their defense is among the best in the classification, surrendering just 11.5 points per game. While it will be tough to win it all, Brentwood Academy has the roster and coaching staff to do so.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1977143} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Photo-Oct-25-2025-12-29-00-AM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1977143" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Oakland ATH [player_tooltip player_id='856867' first='Craig' last='Tutt']. Taken by Conner Smith, Prep Redzone.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oakland has the best defense in Tennessee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a surprise, the Oakland Patriots have another elite defense under Kevin Creasy. However, this may be the best unit he's ever had, top to bottom.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pats have Ole Miss commit [player_tooltip player_id='856867' first='Craig' last='Tutt'] and Tennessee commit [player_tooltip player_id='1281472' first='Joel' last='Wyatt'] patrolling the secondary, with a ferocious front seven that's been harassing opposing offenses all season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 12 games played, that unit is giving up just 6.25 PPG while recording 78 TFLs, 28 sacks, 21 turnovers forced, four defensive scores and six shutouts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not only are they dominant, they're doing this in arguably the toughest classification in Tennessee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Oakland may not have a ton of star power past Tutt and Wyatt, everybody on that defense does their jobs perfectly and executes at an elite level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1971836} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/mporter.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1971836" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: BGA WR [player_tooltip player_id='1537396' first='Maddox' last='Porter']. Taken by Drew Toennies, Prep Redzone.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Boyd-Buchanan versus BGA will be the game of the year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Battle Ground Academy and Boyd-Buchanan are undoubtedly two of the best teams in the state, so the game was already going to be a great matchup between two titans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, after comments by Boyd-Buchanan's Gary Rankin earlier in the week, the competitive juices will be even higher than they already would have been.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/TheRealJayPace/status/1990254626571231329?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TheRealJayPace/status/1990254626571231329?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats enter this game 11-1, with their only loss coming to FRA. On the other side, the Buccaneers are a perfect 11-0 and will host this Division II AA semifinal matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams are incredibly talented, with two legendary high school coaches at the helm, so I'm eager to see how it unfolds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1639402} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/kwilson.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1639402" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Page DB [player_tooltip player_id='540028' first='Knight' last='Wilson']. Photo by Page Athletics.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Page is the frontrunner for 5A state champion</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Page Patriots have cruised through the 2025 campaign, including a pair of dominant postseason victories where they outscored their opponents 86-7.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They have a great challenge this week against Beech High School. While the Buccaneers will be a tough matchup, I still think Page is your state title frontrunner for the 5A classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They have a top-five defense in Tennessee, along with a potent running back duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1571091' first='Isaac' last='Otey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1532741' first='James' last='Pierre']. The Pats also have a solid signal caller in junior Cam Kruse, who's done a good job of running the offense this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sevier County and Beech are both outstanding teams, but Page is a step above those two.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1925303} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Photo-Oct-02-2025-4-06-28-PM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1925303" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Melrose QB [player_tooltip player_id='1037302' first='Thomas' last='Heffner']. Taken by Braiden Headley, Bheadley_photograpy.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The winner of Melrose versus Westview will cruise to a state title</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I said last week that Westview is the clear-cut best team in 3A, and I still believe that. However, this quarterfinal matchup between them and Melrose is one of the most intriguing games of the week, with huge implications.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It features two terrific sophomore quarterbacks with Westview's [player_tooltip player_id='424594' first='Graham' last='Simpson'] and Melrose's [player_tooltip player_id='1037302' first='Thomas' last='Heffner'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chargers destroyed their first two playoff opponents, both games being decided by at least 48 points. But it won't be that easy against the 10-1 Golden Wildcats, who have also been dominant.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whichever team wins this game will have a clear path to the state championship, where they should capture another ring for their respective program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->