In a year when nothing has been ordinary, three Chattanooga-area prep football teams can still accomplish the extraordinary.
A TSSAA season that was in doubt four months ago culminates this week with the annual BlueCross Bowl state title games at Tennessee Tech University. The schedule is for nine games during a three-day stretch in Cookeville, with an area team competing for a title in its classification each day. It will be only the third time – and the first time in a decade – to have so many from the Scenic City area reach championship weekend.
Competition for area teams begins with the Division II-AAA matchup between McCallie (8-3) and Memphis University School (10-2) at 8 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, with the Blue Tornado trying to repeat as champions.
South Pittsburg (13-1) will face Fayetteville (12-2) for the Class 1A title at 4 p.m. Friday, while Meigs County (14-0) takes on Peabody (13-0) for the 2A crown at 4 p.m. Saturday in a rematch of last year’s title game that was won by Peabody, which is trying to secure its third consecutive title and fourth in seven seasons.
The 1994 season was the only time three area teams (Cleveland in 4A, Marion County in 3A and South Pittsburg in 1A) won state championships.