BGA Dominates FRA For Program’s First State Title Since 2003

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chattanooga, Tenn. – </strong>Battle Ground Academy and Franklin Road Academy met in the TSSAA Division II-AA State Championship Game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both sides appeared to be even heading into the contest, but that was not the case at all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats jumped on the Panthers quickly and never let up, dismantling FRA 61-27 for the school's first state title since 2003.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Since we lost last year, the seniors and I have been looking forward to this day for a really long time. We got the opportunity this year to go back to the state championship game, and we knew we had to finish better this time,” BGA quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='914547' first='Kaedyn' last='Marable'] said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/connersmith04/status/1996656931696791965?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/connersmith04/status/1996656931696791965?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>BGA's offense started with a three-and-out, but that's when the struggles ended. The very next drive was quick, resulting in one of Max Curry's three touchdowns on the day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcat defense forced a turnover on downs, then scored again on a short pass to Curry to make it 14-0. Just two minutes later, Marable called his own number and walked into the end zone, stunning the FRA sideline.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They would get on the board the next drive when [player_tooltip player_id='1037670' first='Jack' last='Nimitz'] broke multiple tackles on his way to paydirt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both sides traded touchdowns, but BGA got the ball back with under seven minutes to go, looking to make something else happen before halftime. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They did just that when Curry hauled in a 56-yard touchdown reception for the hat trick. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a big defensive stop, the Wildcats led 35-13 at the intermission.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It took no time to score once more in the second half, except this time, it was BGA's defense that made something happen. Will Johnson intercepted a pitch to FRA's running back and took it to the house for a pick-six.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/connersmith04/status/1996642437989847147?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/connersmith04/status/1996642437989847147?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers recovered and put a score on the board to make it 41-20, then the Wildcats went on another surge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marable scored on a designed quarterback run, then [player_tooltip player_id='2054772' first='Evan' last='Kellum'] recorded the defense's second pick-six of the third quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nimitz found Mike Hassell in the back of the end zone with 6:06 left in the game, but it was far too late.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>BGA added one more score to ice things when Marable hit freshman sensation [player_tooltip player_id='1537396' first='Maddox' last='Porter'] for his seventh touchdown, tying a state championship record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>FRA let the time expire as the BGA Wildcats dominated, winning 61-27 for the school's first state title under Bobby Bentley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Player of the Game</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["914547"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6931f0e1ddc5a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Was there any doubt that Marable would be the player of the game after his unreal performance? The senior signal caller accounted for 445 total yards and seven touchdowns in a blowout victory over FRA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He not only put up big numbers but was highly efficient doing so. The Columbia signee is a true dual-threat player who's outstanding both through the air and on the ground. He dominated this game and is the main reason why BGA is the Division II-AA State Champs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Other Notable Players</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2029 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1537396' first='Maddox' last='Porter'] - BGA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Porter is an unbelievable talent, finishing his freshman season with over 1,600 receiving yards and now a ring. He's a bigger receiver at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, with great athleticism and explosiveness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He had a good game with well over 100 yards and a score at the end to put the cherry on top of a big win. Porter is easily the best 2029 player in Tennessee and will continue to improve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 WR Max Curry - BGA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Curry is no slouch either; he's one of the top 2028 wide receivers nationally. The shifty offensive weapon had a big day with nearly 200 receiving yards and three touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a great compliment to Porter as he possesses great speed to beat opposing defenses over the top, but is also effective in the short game and with screens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Will Johnson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson had a good day, including his vital pick-six. The senior defensive back had double-digit tackles and an interception returned for a score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's undersized, but he plays big, being fearless and highly competitive to make plays no matter how they happen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1403370} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/20240823_192057-rotated.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1403370" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: BGA linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1103031' first='Elijah' last='Fernandez'].</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103031' first='Elijah' last='Fernandez']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior linebacker has been one of the top defenders in the state for the past two seasons, but had another strong game against FRA. [player_tooltip player_id='1103031' first='Elijah' last='Fernandez'] had double-digit tackles, two TFLs and a sack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He had the middle of the field on lockdown for the majority of the game, while being very productive rushing the passer and stopping the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->