TNHSFB Quarterfinal/D2-Semi’s Statewide Recap

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Friday saw some major upsets take place while several favorites handled business and advanced. Here we recap all the best stories coming from the quarterfinal round along with some look ahead towards some big semifinals matchups. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterfinal/Private School Semifinals Top Stories&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Possibly the biggest story coming out of the quarterfinal round was seeing <strong>Maryville </strong>end their season by the hands of <strong>Blackman</strong>, which honestly dominated the Rebels from start to finish. This might have been the best overall performance the Blaze have had all season long and a good sign headed into their semifinal cross town matchup against <strong>Oakland</strong>. The biggest takeaway I have from this contest is how well the Blackman defense performed. They did something nobody has been able to do all year and that's shut down <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1723184' first='Will' last='Jones'] </strong>and the Rebels high octane offense. The Blaze defensive front was exceptional as they penetrated the Maryville offensive line on a consistent basis, making it difficult for the Rebels to establish their run game and force them into long down and distances.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blackman defense was key to victory but their offense performed well too. Running Back <strong>Jabari Kemp </strong>was excellent, producing two rushing scores while the connection between <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1699904' first='Jaevion' last='Elliott'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103038' first='Brylan' last='Oduor'] </strong>was potent. I don't know how many people expected the Blaze to be where they are but you have to give credit to their coaching staff for developing their roster and keeping them focused throughout a tough schedule. They do have a big hurdle to get over, facing the Patriots next week but regardless, this has been a great year for the Blaze.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1593294,"width":"238px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/boduor2.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1593294" style="width:238px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- For at least the next year, the city of Chattanooga belongs to <strong>Baylor</strong>, especially after their semifinal 49-35 victory over rival <strong>McCallie</strong>. This was the second win of the year for Baylor over the Blue Tornado and the second time <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1210671' first='David' last='Gabriel-Georges'] </strong>ran through and around the McCallie defense. The Red Raiders junior running back was unreal as he ran for 431 yards on 32 carries while scoring seven times. McCallie had nothing to stop Gabriel-Georges as he was the difference maker in this game that pushed Baylor into the D2-Class AAA title game for the second year in a row.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though Baylor won and advanced to the title game, I'm sure the staff will be working on some things during their week long break, especially on defense. The Red Raiders defensive unit allowed McCallie to score quickly on multiple possessions with a lot of the damage coming through the air. Baylor is set to see <strong>Brentwood Academy </strong>for the title and the Eagles have a solid passing attack, led by <strong>Crew Jenkins </strong>and one of the best receiving corps in the state, spearheaded by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378855' first='Kesean' last='Bowman']</strong>. That matchup is in two weeks, so Baylor has time to prepare but for now, the Red Raiders can celebrate and claim the city of Chattanooga as their turf.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- For the first time since 1991, <strong>Gatlinburg-Pittman </strong>is headed to the semifinal round after their hard fought, close 34-30 win over <strong>Meigs County</strong>. This was the Highlanders best win of the year as Meigs Co. was legit and gave them everything they wanted but in the end, the power running of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182191' first='Brayden' last='Maples'] </strong>and the Highlanders opportunistic defense pushed them to victory. Defeating the Tigers showed me and possibly others that Gatlinburg-Pittman is a good football team. Their schedule hasn't been the toughest but they've handled business each week and played the cards that were dealt to them. What the Highlanders have been is consistent and football savvy on both sides of the ball that now has them one game away from competing for a Class 3A state title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1708044,"width":"241px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/braymaples.jpg?w=927" alt="" class="wp-image-1708044" style="width:241px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Gatlinburg-Pittman RB [player_tooltip player_id='1182191' first='Brayden' last='Maples'].</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- At one point in the season, it looked like <strong>South Gibson </strong>wasn't living up to the hype put on them in the preseason but guess what, the Hornets are now one win away from competing for a Class 4A state title after their overtime victory over <strong>Springfield</strong>. It took till the final play to advance but South Gibson found a way to win after trailing early to the Yellow Jacket on a muddy, cut up field that presented problems for both teams. Both teams had a hard time scoring early but eventually, the Hornets and Yellow Jackets found ways into the end zone but it was South Gibson that came up with big defensive stops late in the game along with a last second score to keep them right there.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Once overtime started, the Hornets finished the comeback after a physical, tough run by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1188598' first='Cade' last='Beaver'] </strong>that sealed the victory and pushed South Gibson into the semi's against a talented <strong>Pearl Cohn </strong>football team. One area about the Hornets that I like against the Firebirds and possibly into Chattanooga is their defensive line. They have a stud in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='889227' first='Yahya' last='Gaad'] </strong>that provides occasional pressure but also does good work setting the edge versus the run but the interior has been sensational, led by underrated nose tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854396' first='Jack' last='Smith']</strong>. You have to be good in the line of scrimmage to win championships and the Hornets have the trench monsters to accomplish the ultimate goal. They must regroup and prepare for a good Pearl Cohn squad but it's been a great ride for the Hornets and a building block towards the future.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- As we head into the Class 5A semifinals, everything is pointing towards a rematch of last year's title game between <strong>Page </strong>and <strong>Sevier County. </strong>Both teams received a scare last Friday but both the Patriots and Smoky Bears held on for victories and now are one game away from going toe to toe once again for the “Gold Ball.” The Patriots received a test from a good <strong>Beech </strong>team last week where their defense had a stellar performance as they held one of the best rushing teams in the state below 100 yards. The Smoky Bears almost slipped up as<strong> Lincoln Co. </strong>gave them everything they wanted and even held a lead late until sophomore back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1661127' first='Nathan' last='Patterson'] </strong>put them over the top for good.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Page is set to see a familiar foe next week in <strong>Centennial</strong>, who is on a roll right now and upset <strong>Henry Co. </strong>last Friday while the Smoky Bears take on <strong>Knox. Halls</strong>. Both teams should be favored in these games and as long as they handle business, Page and Sevier Co. should be meeting for the second year in a row, chasing after a state title. The Smoky Bears won last year's matchup but Page is well balanced this year with a running game, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1532741' first='James' last='Pierre'] </strong>that could do a lot of damage. I'm interested to see how both teams perform in the semi's and if either squad is looking ahead. If they are, their seasons will be over but I expect all to go according to plan with a rematch set for Chattanooga.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A team rounding into form and beginning to look like a state title winning team is <strong>Huntingdon</strong>, especially after their 42-20 quarterfinal win over previously undefeated <strong>East Robertson</strong>. The Mustangs commanded this game from start to finish against a high caliber Indians team that had no answers for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='932932' first='Kenton' last='Smith'] </strong>and the Mustangs rushing attack. The game was close for a good portion of the night until Huntingdon started to run away with things late in 3rd as the physicality up front began to wear down the Indians defense. Over the last two months, the Mustangs have been on a roll, playing high level football that has continued into the playoffs and now has them one win away from competing for a state championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Many across the state, including myself, had East Robertson destined for Chattanooga but Huntingdon had other plans. Beating the Indians proves to me that Huntingdon is legit and a team more than capable of winning a state title. They do have a tough challenge next Friday against <strong>Milan</strong>, who could return to Chattanooga for the second year in a row but right now, I'm liking what I see from the Mustangs and their chances at continuing their strong 2025 campaign.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2063986,"width":"240px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/kensmith.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2063986" style="width:240px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- We get a rematch in Chattanooga for the D2-Class AA state title with <strong>FRA </strong>taking on <strong>BGA </strong>after both teams easily won their semifinal matchups. These two programs know each other well and you can bet BGA is eager to see the Panthers again after they defeated the Wildcats earlier this year. That first game between the two Mid-Tennessee programs was somewhat surprising as the Panthers did a good job of managing the explosive play from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='914547' first='Kaedyn' last='Marable'] </strong>and the Wildcats offense. The FRA defensive front was exceptional in the first matchup with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866750' first='Keilan' last='Neal']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='903033' first='Omarii' last='Sanders'] </strong>and others doing a good job of pressuring the backfield while slowing down the BGA rushing attack.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>FRA will have to do the same thing in Chattanooga because BGA has been firing on all cylinders lately and I'm sure eager to see the Panthers again. The Wildcats reached the title game last year but fell short to CPA, so their goal has been to get back to this point and leave with that “Gold Ball” but FRA won't make it easy. This should be a fun championship game to watch because both are high caliber programs that sport multiple college level players along with the familiarity between the two. Only one can win but we do know a Mid-Tennessee school will be coming home with a state title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Looking at all the teams still remaining in the Tennessee High School playoffs, <strong>Fayetteville </strong>is the biggest underdog left after their 43-20 upset win over number seed <strong>Middle College</strong>. The Tigers went into the playoffs with a losing record, so nobody expected a lot from them but yet here they are, one game away from competing for a state title and I wouldn't put it past them to do it. Fayetteville is hot right now and playing confident football. They have beaten some good teams on their path to the semis with wins over <strong>Wayne Co.</strong>, <strong>Dresden </strong>and last week against the Bulldogs. It's been an impressive run for the Tigers but they aren't done yet with a big game looming this coming Friday.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the Tigers to reach their destination of competing for a state title, they must get past perennial favorite <strong>McKenzie</strong>. That will be a tall task for Fayetteville as the Rebels have a strong roster with outstanding culture surrounding their program and the game is at their place. At this point, Fayetteville is playing with house money with the opportunity to put everything on the line in hopes of advancing against the Rebels. No matter what happens on Friday, the Tigers have something to build upon in the off-season after their great run in the playoffs that may end in Chattanooga but we shall see how that turns out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2063990,"width":"309px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/fayetteville-crop-676x444-1763939461.webp?w=675" alt="" class="wp-image-2063990" style="width:309px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Elk Valley Times</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->