Stephen Hargis

Stephen has covered sports in the tri-state area for the Times Free Press for more than 35 years and was named Sports Editor in February of 2015 after 10 years as assistant sports editor, where he oversaw the prep sports staff. Stephen is among the most decorated writers in the TFP newsroom, having won more than 60 awards at the state, regional and national level ranging from investigative work to feature and news writing. Stephen was named one of the top 10 sports writers in the nation at the Associated Press Sports Editors' conference in Kissimmee Fla., in 2012, and has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists with Green Eyeshade southeast regional awards three times. He received an Associated Press national award for a season-long story following the Taft Youth Center football team, was named the state's top overall sports writer by the AP Media Editors as well as Tennessee Sports Writers Association three times and has also been named the state's top prep writer 19 times by the TSWA. Stephen is a lifelong Chattanooga area resident and has two children, Riley and Lauren.

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.

Hargis: Rams’ years of work pay off in single moment

by Stephen Hargis ·December 3, 2022

The longest run of the day by a Tyner Academy ball carrier did not count in the game's statistics.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Tyner's Julius Allen, left, and Rayshaun Hinton sandwich Decatur-Riverside's Aiden Creasey to make a tackle during the TSSAA Class 2A BlueCross Bowl state title game Saturday at Finley Stadium.

Hintons’ unique Tyner football legacy special as Rams go for state title

by Stephen Hargis ·December 2, 2022

Even in the hectic few seconds between plays, Rayshaun Hinton can still hear his dad's voice in his mind.

Staff photo by Olivia Ross / Rayshaun Hinton, left, and his father Rory pose at Tyner Academy's Wayne Turner Field at Bob Evans Stadium. Rory was the school's quarterback in 1997, when the Rams won the Class 2A title for their lone TSSAA football state championship. Rayshaun is a senior safety for Tyner, which will face Decatur-Riverside in the BlueCross Bowl on Saturday at Finley Stadium and attempt to add a second gold ball to the program's trophy case.

Hargis: First-year Baylor coach Erik Kimrey brings ‘big magic’ back to program

by Stephen Hargis ·December 1, 2022

It was just three games into the football season, and the first of what would be three straight mercy rule wins for Baylor.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Baylor football coach Erik Kimrey talks into his headset as he walks the sideline at Finley Stadium during Thursday night's TSSAA Division II-AAA BlueCross Bowl against Montgomery Bell Academy. After less than a full year on the job, Kimrey has led the program to its first state title since 1973.

Baylor beats MBA to win first football state title in 49 years

by Stephen Hargis ·December 1, 2022

One year shy of the golden anniversary for Baylor's first football state championship, the Red Raiders are golden once again.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Baylor senior Evan Haynie holds the TSSAA Division II-AAA football championship trophy as the Red Raiders celebrate their win against Montgomery Bell Academy in the BlueCross Bowl on Thursday night at Finley Stadium.

Baylor’s Whit Muschamp, Amari Jefferson among top prospects to watch at BlueCross Bowl

by Stephen Hargis ·November 30, 2022

A reunion in Chattanooga between a quarterback and his former coach has played a big part in Baylor's deep playoff run this fall.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Baylor quarterback Whit Muschamp, with ball, spots fellow junior Amari Jefferson (7) during a Nov. 11 home game against Memphis University School in the second round of the Division II-AAA playoffs. Both players are among the top college prospects who will be at Finley Stadium over the next three days for the BlueCross Bowl, the TSSAA's nine-game football state championship event.

Chattanooga’s Finley Stadium ready to host BlueCross Bowl for second straight year

by Stephen Hargis ·November 30, 2022

For the second straight year, Chattanooga will be the epicenter for Tennessee's largest high school state championship event as Finley Stadium once again hosts the BlueCross Bowl.