Patrick MacCoon

Patrick MacCoon is an avid sports lover who joined the Chattanooga Times Free Press January 2, 2019. He covers prep sports along with the Chattanooga Football Club and Chattanooga Lookouts. Patrick is a fan of Atlanta professional sports and began reading newspapers at an early age to analyze the MLB box scores. He is a graduate from Red Bank High School and the University of Tennessee (Knoxville).

Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6311.

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Chattanooga to host TSSAA wrestling state tourney this season

by Patrick MacCoon ·September 9, 2026

The Sports & Events Corporation announced Wednesday that the state traditional tournaments for TSSAA Division I wrestling will return to Chattanooga in 2027.

Staff File Photo by Matt Hamilton / Cleveland's Cody Chittum, right, wrestles Jefferson County's Landon Fisher in the TSSAA Class AAA 145-pound championship match during the state traditional tournament at the Chattanooga Convention Center on Feb. 26, 2021.

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Zaylee Wilkey’s 19 kills help lead Rhea County comeback win over Soddy Daisy

by Patrick MacCoon ·September 8, 2026

Rhea County volleyball is confident they have the necessary components to create one of the most memorable seasons in the program's history.

Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / Rhea County sophomore Zaylee Wilkey hits the ball through a pair of Soddy Daisy blockers in Tuesday's 3-2 road victory for the Lady Golden Eagles.

TSWA prep football poll: Grundy County rising, Baylor and McCallie top DII-AAA

by Patrick MacCoon ·September 7, 2026

Here are four observations from this week's Tennessee Sports Writers Association prep football poll, which features 10 local teams.

Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter / Grundy County head coach Nick Bryant has his team off to a 3-0 start for a second straight year. The Yellow Jackets defense has yet to allow a point this season.

Old friends team up to lead Ringgold past tough Gordon Lee

by Patrick MacCoon ·September 4, 2026

Ringgold junior receiver Bryant Marshall capped the best performance of his prep career late in the fourth quarter of a tightly contested affair with Gordon Lee on Friday night.

Staff Photo by Patrick MacCoon / Ringgold juniors Bryant Marshall (2), a receiver, and Luke Wood (3), the starting quarterback, teamed up for 145 yards and three touchdowns through the air in Friday's 28-14 home win over Gordon Le.

East Ridge football team off and running with star transfer Jerl Young

by Patrick MacCoon ·September 3, 2026

"Beast Mode" is a fitting description of the way East Ridge senior Jerl Young and the Pioneers have started this football season.

Contributed photo / East Ridge senior Jerl Young (2) has scored 10 touchdowns to lead an explosive offense that has helped the Pioneers score a combined 101 points during a 2-0 start heading into Friday's home game against Brainerd.

Boyd Buchanan softball slugger Keke Jordan commits to Missouri

by Patrick MacCoon ·September 3, 2026

Even after Boyd Buchanan junior Keke Jordan's prep softball career ends, she will still have gold in her future.

Staff File Photo by Matt Hamilton/ Boyd Buchanan junior Keke Jordan announced her commitment Thursday night to Missouri. Jordan was named the Buck Johnson Best of Preps softball player of the year after a standout sophomore season last spring.

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Chattanooga-area prep football teams adjust to stay safe in extreme heat

by Patrick MacCoon, Lindsey Young ·September 2, 2026

East Ridge High School football players spent part of Tuesday afternoon unloading more than 20 cases of sports drink donated by a local food pantry.

Staff Photo by Patrick MacCoon / The wet-bulb globe temperature monitor at East Ridge High School reads 94.9 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday afternoon. Per TSSAA rules, outdoor practices are not allowed when the device shows a temperature above 92 degrees or if the heat index is above 104.

Baylor boys, girls sweep City Prep titles as young golfers shine

by Patrick MacCoon ·September 2, 2026

When it comes to the golf course, Baylor School eighth grader Charlee Spearman and sophomore Zack Bourgeois are playing beyond their years.

Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter / Baylor eighth grader Charlee Spearman walks off the 18th green at the Bear Trace at Harrison Bay during the 83rd City Prep tournament Wednesday. Spearman was the girls' tourney medalist and helped the Lady Red Raiders win the team title at the event for the eighth straight time.

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Saylor Schalk scores four second-half goals to fuel Notre Dame in comeback road victory

by Patrick MacCoon ·September 1, 2026

Instead of letting frustration get the best of her in a scoreless first half, Notre Dame's Saylor Schalk locked in and was masterful the rest of the way.

Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / Notre Dame junior Saylor Schalk (14) scored four goals in the second half to help the Lady Fighting Irish to a 5-1 comeback road victory over East Hamilton on Tuesday.

Five takeaways from state prep football polls, including area 3A dominance

by Patrick MacCoon ·August 31, 2026

High school football in the Scenic City delivered once again in Week 2, which included a 22-point fourth-quarter rally on the road, a defensive slugfest at Silverdale Baptist, and some major statement victories.