Class 5A Championship Preview: Page vs. Sevier County

Championship week has arrived and Prep Redzone Tennessee will have complete coverage on every game taking place in Chattanooga, starting with our game previews. Here we breakdown the 5A matchup between the Patriots and the Smoky Bears in what could be an entertaining, close contest. As the playoff bracket for the TSSAA 5A classification came out, there were immediately two favorites that popped out and those two teams have made it all the way to the state championship to play each other with those teams being Page and Sevier County. These two teams faced off in the state championship last season as Sevier County came out victorious by a score of 27-20 as the early 24-7 lead proved to be too much for the spirited comeback attempt from Page to overcome.   Getting to the state championship is not something fascinating for these two programs as it was simply the expectation and each have been a part of the final game multiple times. Page has been on the doorstep just one drive away it has felt like for a while now, losing in each of the last four 5A state championships, and they will look to turn that around with this impressive squad.   Both of these teams are very similar with both boasting big, athletic teams that have a lot of versatility in the front seven and along both lines of scrimmage that is built on strong run games, solid quarterback play, and stifling defenses.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">KEY PLAYERS TO KNOW -- PAGE PATRIOTS</h2>   '27 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='693877' first='Cameron' last='Kruse']: In his first season at Page, he has provided a reliable quarterback who can hit most throws, especially off play action working off their elite rushing attack. As the Patriots have surrounded him with high-level playmakers, he has been able to be an effective point guard and will be counted on to make some big-time throws in this game.   '26 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1532741' first='James' last='Pierre']: Another player who is in his first season at Page, he has helped provide a second standout running back to the backfield, attacking downhill working from behind a big offensive line. He is a between the tackles rusher that has the angry running style and constant leg churning that makes him nearly impossible to bring down around the line of scrimmage.   '28 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1571091' first='Isaac' last='Otey']: The other face of the backfield duo, Otey has been electric this season, providing the size and strength to pick up tough yards as well as enough athleticism to create constant explosive rushes. He is an exciting young prospect inside the state and will need to generate some explosive rushes in this game to prevent the Patriots from getting left behind.   '26 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='853120' first='Cayden' last='Aukerman']: The Samford commit is one of the most underrated prospects inside the state with very good size, athleticism, and reliable hands. He is the most trusted weapon for Kruse and will be relied on to generate important passing plays, whether that is getting open downfield or getting open in the intermediate to move the chains.   '26 (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='402552' first='Jordan' last='Curll']: It has been exciting to watch the Western Kentucky commit develop over the years and he just keeps getting better. He has good size, power, and athleticism and is an essential part of opening rushing lanes for their standout backs. The offensive line, led by Curll, will need to step up in this game.   '26 (EDGE) [player_tooltip player_id='1178947' first='Cohen' last='Grissom']: In his first year at Page, he has helped replace Eric Hazzard and that has been massive for the Page defense, maintaining and reliable and strong presence. Page has a handful of exciting underclassman that can play the edge but Grissom is the veteran and will need to continue to be disruptive to throw the opposing quarterback off his timing.   '26 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1717949' first='Sean' last='Cunningham']: Page has arguably the best linebacker core in the entire state this season and Cunningham is the veteran leader of the front seven. He is undersized but plays fast, hard and physical, constantly wreaking havoc for opposing offenses.   '27 (CB) Ryder Casillas: Casillas has filled a massive need for this Page football team, providing a reliable cornerback on the back end that can allow for that linebacker core to play so aggressively. He is big and physical which allows for him to disrupt timing in press coverage and how the coaching staff uses him facing an offense built inside-out like this will be very interesting.   '26 (S) [player_tooltip player_id='540028' first='Knight' last='Wilson']: The reliable standout safety is one of the top playmakers on this defense and effectively cleans up plays on the back end against both the pass and run, rounding out an ultra-aggressive defense. This defense is electric and it will be up to Wilson to contain the standout tight ends and make sure everyone on the back end is on the same page.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">KEY PLAYERS TO KNOW -- SEVIER COUNTY SMOKY BEARS</h2>   '27 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1142902' first='Cooper' last='Newman']: The junior quarterback is a reliable distributor that does not try to do too much and takes what the defense gives him. He is an effective point guard as well, especially off a strong play action setup, and can make any throw to get the ball to his handful of playmakers that surround him. He will need to make some big-time throws to help his team pull out the win in this game.   '28 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1661127' first='Nathan' last='Patterson']: Speaking of the play action passing attack, that all starts with a successful rushing attack and that starts with sophomore tailback [player_tooltip player_id='1661127' first='Nathan' last='Patterson']. He has stepped up this season to provide a stable tailback option for the offense and he will be heavily tested against this defense with a trophy on the line.   '26 (WR/CB) Bryson Headrick: The senior two-way standout is the top perimeter option for this team on both sides of the football and he might be the biggest non-quarterback X factor in this game for the team. He will need to generate explosive plays as a receiver. As a defensive back, he will be tasked with covering a D1-type receiver every single snap of the game.   '27 (TE/OLB) [player_tooltip player_id='1577078' first='Parker' last='Newman']: This tight end is another X-factor to watch as one of few things that could be able to beat this defense is a long, athletic receiving tight end that can knife through the defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1316743' first='Parker' last='Keenan'] gave this defense some problems when targeted and Sevier County has a better all-around team this season that will not hold Newman to the line as another blocker. If he makes some big plays in this game, Sevier County could certainly come out on top. Defensively, he is an electric weapon that can play all over the front seven, racking up tackles and TFL's at an impressive rate.   '27 (TE/EDGE) [player_tooltip player_id='1103040' first='Jaxson' last='Perry']: Another one of these big tight end/EDGE types is [player_tooltip player_id='1103040' first='Jaxson' last='Perry'] and he is just as important to this team. He is one of the leading receivers on this team from his tight end position and is a massive part of the defense, being first in tackles for loss and sacks, as well as third in tackles. Look for him to hold a strong edge against a dynamic rushing attack.   '26 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1543020' first='Joey' last='Galazin']: The senior linebacker is another impactful second-level asset for this defense that has been all over the field this season. He has great length for the position and uses it to bring ball carriers down consistently, placing first on the team in tackles and second in tackles for loss.   '28 (CB) Zach Banks: The Sevier County secondary is going to be tested over the course of the game and it is going to be important for the corners to win matchups and not allow downfield shots. Banks has been able to get his hands on the ball this season, whether intercepting it or breaking it up, and that will need to continue in this game.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">How Page Wins the Championship</h2>   Page wins this game from establishing a strong and physical rushing attack immediately and setting up big passing plays off their stellar backfield. On defense, they will need to force Sevier County to throw the ball and disrupt [player_tooltip player_id='1577078' first='Parker' last='Newman']'s timing. Page will not be frightened off from the athleticism and length that their opponent has all across the second level of the defense and that could help them come out on top, if they make it a point to be physical and attack behind those linebackers. Page has the size advantage on the perimeter on both sides and can make some game-changing plays in that aspect.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">How Sevier County Wins the Championship</h2>   Sevier County wins this game from being able to rely on the rushing game and completing long drives in the end zone. This Page defense is going to a very tough challenge, but the tight ends will be an ample weapon in this game, needing to be used consistently. Defensively, they need to make Page earn each yard, prevent explosives, and win the turnover margin.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5A State Championship Game Prediction</h2>   While both of these teams are built very well and could win the 5A state championship in most years, only one team can come out of this game victorious with the trophy in hand. In my opinion, that team will be the Page Patriots as I think their combination of size, athleticism, and premier playmakers at every single part of the field at all times will be tough to overcome.   Yes, I know they have not won a state championship before and have lost in the last four title games, but this team feels different. This is a team that could compete with any team inside the state and they will be looking to prove that in Chattanooga.   This has the chance to be one of the best state championship games of the week!   SCORE: Page 28 - Sevier County 21

Championship week has arrived and Prep Redzone Tennessee will have complete coverage on every game taking place in Chattanooga, starting with our game previews. Here we breakdown the 5A matchup between the Patriots and the Smoky Bears in what could be an entertaining, close contest.

As the playoff bracket for the TSSAA 5A classification came out, there were immediately two favorites that popped out and those two teams have made it all the way to the state championship to play each other with those teams being Page and Sevier County. These two teams faced off in the state championship last season as Sevier County came out victorious by a score of 27-20 as the early 24-7 lead proved to be too much for the spirited comeback attempt from Page to overcome.