Page defeats Sevier County 21-14, wins first ever championship

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- The TSSAA football 5A state championship looked to be headed to a familiar outcome after the first quarter as Sevier County scored on a methodical seven minute drive and followed up with getting a defensive stop against Page to set the tone early.   As the Smoky Bears began to put together yet another methodical drive, there was a sense of 'well here we go again' surrounding the stadium rooted from last season in which Sevier County jumped out to a 24-7 lead to eventually give Page their fourth straight loss in the state championship game.   That early five-yard touchdown rush from quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1142902' first='Cooper' last='Newman'] gave Sevier County a 7-0 advantage heading into the halftime break.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/1997099622783729864?s=20 </div></figure>   However, the Page Patriots had to overcome deficits through the postseason this year and felt right at home in the visiting locker room at Finley Stadium facing a one-score deficit.   "We have been down in so many other games in the postseason and there was not a single thought of doubt in that locker room when we went in there," said standout receiver [player_tooltip player_id='853120' first='Cayden' last='Aukerman'].   The Patriots would finally formulate their response in the later part of third quarter when senior tailback James Pierre punched in a three yard touchdown rush that knotted the score at seven points apiece.   The Page response would not start there, however, as [player_tooltip player_id='540028' first='Knight' last='Wilson'] would take a catch, turn upfield, uses some blocks and scores a touchdown that ultimately covered 15 yards, putting Page up 14-7 midway through the fourth quarter.   "It was nothing that I did. Drew (Rempel) comes out and blocks an outside linebacker that is 6'5 and way bigger than him, he just puts his heart into it and Cayden blocks the corner. All I do is just walk in. I did not have to do anything. Just those guys man, it shows the effort of this team," said Wilson.   <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/1997125943669019055?s=20 </div></figure>   An excellent Sevier County offense, led by standout junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1142902' first='Cooper' last='Newman'], was not going to wither away and would put together a touchdown drive of their own in response.   With 2:16 left on the clock, Bryson Headrick rushed from 12 yards out to reach the end zone and tie the game at 14 points each.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/1997129097969906128?s=20 </div></figure>   However, Page noticed a flaw in the armor of a strong Smoky Bears defense and they were about to unleash their method of attack if given the chance to.   "Our whole motto going into this game is 'Take the Profit.' We knew they were going to play a lot of Cover Four, so we decided we're going to run a lot of hitches and five-yard outs and just take that profit," Aukerman said. "We noticed going into halftime, the safety and corner were biting down on these short routes."   WIth the defensive backs biting down on the out-breaking underneath routes, how would the team get their top receiving option the football with the game on the line?   "Coming out of halftime, we said at some point, we are going to go with a five-yard out and then a post with the outside receiver, and obviously it came down to that," Aukerman said on how he got so open for the game-winning score.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/joe_spears7/status/1997130540554559732?s=20 </div></figure>   It was a fitting way to end the high school football careers of several seniors on this Page football team that has dealt with so much heartbreak and a special moment for the senior receiver that caught the touchdown.   "That is a dream come true, because as a receiver, you want the ball to be going to you in big-time situations. The line did a great job blocking, great snap by Sloan (Bass). Cam (Kruse) gave me a perfect ball and it is pretty easy to score when you got no one on you, so very grateful for the play call that we got. The coaches were able to see that and Cam was able to deliver."   There were new players to the program that shined this season such as [player_tooltip player_id='693877' first='Cameron' last='Kruse'] and James Pierre, but perhaps the greatest example of that was edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1178947' first='Cohen' last='Grissom'].   The Air Force football commit recorded 13 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks to help his team earn the victory.   PAGE WINS. PAGE WINS. PAGE WINS.   It has happened. The Page Patriots football program can now hang a TSSAA football state championship banner inside their facilities and bring the trophy home to Franklin, Tennessee.

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- The TSSAA football 5A state championship looked to be headed to a familiar outcome after the first quarter as Sevier County scored on a methodical seven minute drive and followed up with getting a defensive stop against Page to set the tone early.