High school football spread offenses continue to put up video-game type numbers – 25 area players already have had games of 200-plus yards of rushing, passing or receiving this season – causing opposing defensive coordinators sleepless nights.
But the most mind-boggling stat of the season is that, with still two weeks remaining in September, we’ve already reached the halfway point.
Tennessee teams that don’t qualify for the playoffs will put their equipment away before Halloween.
So as our Friday nights cool off and the playoff chases heat up, expect three of the area’s usual suspects to make deep playoff runs again: Boyd-Buchanan in Class 2A, South Pittsburg in 1A and defending champion Calhoun in Georgia AA. All three are currently ranked No. 1 in their respective classifications and appear primed to play past Thanksgiving.
One other team that looks to be built for a deep playoff run, after reaching the playoffs for the first time in program history last season, is East Hamilton. The Hurricanes have a well-deserved open date tonight after a 4-1 start and have risen to No. 4 in the Tennessee 4A poll.