#TNHSFB: Week 5 Recap/Top Stories
The midway point of the 2021 season is here and Week Five provided some great games and surprising outcomes. Here we recap all the best stories from last week’s action.
BGA Snaps Bears Long Term Winning Streak
The Wildcats of BGA have played some good football this year but last Friday was the best they have played yet as they took down the longest winning streak in the state at 49 games by defeating the Davidson Academy Bears, 45-30.
This was not just a big win overall but a huge statement win for BGA, who is positioning themselves nicely for a possible deep run in the D2-Class AA playoffs. It was not an easy win but the Wildcats got the job done and put up a lot of points against a pretty good Davidson Academy defense.
Led by star running back Sean Williams Sean Williams 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB BGA | 2022 State TN who put up over 300 yards of offense himself, the Wildcats took it to the Bears early and didn’t let off the gas pedal. They had to withstand the fight from the Bears but BGA would hold on for the victory and put everybody else in the D2-Class AA ranks on notice as the Wildcats are legit and serious about going after a state title
Davidson Academy will be just fine. The Bears are a well run program that knows how to win, so the loss to BGA could be just what they needed to re-group and get back on path.
For the Wildcats, this was a program-defining win that could propel them to greater things this season but they must stay focused and take one game at a time as they are now a marked team that others will be coming after
Could McCallie Go For A Three-Peat??
The back to back defending D2-Class AAA state champs in McCallie was thought to possibly take a small step back this year after having to replace several talented prospects over the past two years but the Blue Tornado doesn’t miss a beat as this season they look just as good as ever, especially after defeating a talented Knox. Catholic team last Friday, 44-7.
This year’s Blue Tornado team is led by a senior quarterback in William Riddle William Riddle 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB McCallie | 2022 State TN , who is putting up some big numbers this season along with a young but talented defense, led by current Vanderbilt commit, Kenzy Paul Kenzy Paul 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB McCallie | 2022 State TN . McCallie may not have all the pieces like they did over the past two years but they have the winning tradition and enough talent to come away this season with yet another state title.
While the season has started off well for the Blue Tornado and they have wins over good teams, they must keep their head as D2-Class AAA have several high caliber teams this year that can up and beat McCallie, if they are not prepared and ready.
As of right now, McCallie is playing at a high level and is not afraid to play anybody, so whoever sits in their path better watch out because the defending state champs are legit.
Saints, Purple Wave Created a Classic
The game of the week had to be Briarcrest Christian vs. Christian Brothers as you had two D2-Class AAA rivals competing against one another in what ended up being a classic of all time as the Saints came away with a close, hard fought 43-42 victory over the Purple Wave.
This was a back and forth contest that was not settled to the very end. You had two highly talented teams going toe to toe with one another without either giving an inch. It wasn’t until the very end where the Saints took the lead until the game looked settled.
The Saints did a good job of keeping star running back Dallan Hayden Dallan Hayden 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Christian Brothers | 2022 State TN in check, even though he still had several impressive runs but they did well at not allowing Hayden to break loose for big runs. Junior two-way talent Max Carroll Max Carroll 6'3" | 210 lbs | ATH Briarcrest Christian | 2023 State TN was a big force on both sides of the ball for the Saints and was a key factor behind the Saints win over Christian Brothers.
Coming away with this victory was big for the Saints. This win solidifies them as a top contender in D2-Class AAA but also gives them confidence going forward as the schedule doesn’t ease up and the path to Chattanooga will be tough but the Saints are up for the challenge.
Multiple Teams Have Season Defining Wins
– Battle of the Woods took place last week in Brentwood, Tennessee and the game did not disappoint. Ravenwood came away with the 21-16 win over the home Bruins in what was a close, hard fought game that saw Brentwood almost make a comeback after a big time touchdown catch from tight end Aaron Walton Aaron Walton 6'3" | 220 lbs | TE Brentwood | 2022 State TN .
The Raptors started their season with a loss vs. MBA but has since ran off four victories in a row to move their record to 4-1. This win over Brentwood might be the confidence gaining win the Raptors need going forward as they have multiple big games remaining, including a showdown with title contender Summit.
– Whitehaven picked up a big win last Friday with a 24-10 win over Houston. The Tigers were coming off back to back losses by the hands of Germantown and Brentwood Academy but they bounced back with a nice win over a talented Houston team. Whitehaven is a perennial power that is working with youth this year but has enough pieces to cause damage in the Class 6A playoffs.
– The clash between Arkansas commits, Jaylen Lewis Jaylen Lewis 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB Haywood | 2022 State TN and Anthony Brown Anthony Brown 6'2" | 195 lbs | DB Milan | 2022 State TN last Friday went to Lewis as his Tomcats put a beating on Brown and his Milan Bulldogs, beating them, 40-7. At one time before the season started, Milan was viewed as a title contending team but they have struggled of late and last Friday, they continued. Teams on the 4A level better watch out for the Tomcats because they have the talent and experience to go deep this year in postseason play.
– One of the biggest upsets of the week was Melrose coming away with a 32-29 victory over MTSU commit, Kyle Lowe Kyle Lowe 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Fayette Ware | 2022 State TN and his Fayette-Ware Wildcats. This win was a little surprising as the Wildcats, led by Lowe had been playing well and looked primed for a deep postseason run, which still may happen but they slipped up and Melrose took a win that certainly helps their program head into the right direction.
Melrose has some good young talent, which should make them a formidable team next season but for Fayette-Ware, this season is still in play for them and their goals of making it to Chattanooga is still possible. This loss very well could be what the Wildcats need to get things right.