Sports - Chattanooga Times Free Press

Prep football surprises: Irish stun Eagles with late rally

Surprises happen every week on the high school football field and the Times Free Press staff is all over them. Here are four notable surprises from this past week's action:

By Lindsey Young, Patrick MacCoon August 31, 2026

Staff File Photo by Matt Hamilton / Notre Dame's Jacorrion Tramble played a large part in the team's fourth-quarter rally Friday night against Rhea County.

Devers hits his 30th homer as the Giants snap the Braves’ 7-game streak

Rafael Devers hit his 30th home run of the season and rookie Turner Hill had a two-run double as the San Francisco Giants snapped the Atlanta Braves' seven-game winning streak with a 7-3 win Monday night.

By BILL TROCCHI / Associated Press August 31, 2026

San Francisco Giants designated hitter Rafael Devers hits a solo home run against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

Carlos Alcaraz returns to the US Open with a victory, Aryna Sabalenka also wins her first match

Carlos Alcaraz was nervous. He was excited. Best of all, he was pain-free.

By BRIAN MAHONEY / AP Sports Writer August 31, 2026

Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, reacts during a match against Roman Safiullin, of Russia, during the first round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Curt Cignetti’s sustained success has changed the game for No. 6 Indiana on the recruiting trail

Branden Sharpe started his prep career with lots of potential and endless college options.

By MICHAEL MAROT / AP Sports Writer August 31, 2026

FILE - Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti watches during warm ups before the College Football Playoff national championship game between Miami and Indiana, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

Lionel Messi says he’s retiring from playing for Argentina

Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer on Monday after two decades representing Argentina.

By DÉBORA REY / Associated Press August 31, 2026

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi reacts following an unsuccessful scoring attempt during the first half of an MLS soccer match against CF Montreal, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

New starting QB Louis Fortier backs up McCallie coach’s confidence

The Times Free Press has selected McCallie junior quarterback Louis Fortier as its prep football player of the week.

By Patrick MacCoon August 30, 2026

Staff File Photo by Matt Hamilton / McCallie junior Louis Fortier passed for 441 yards and four touchdowns in a 67-17 home win Friday night, helping the Blue Tornado to a 2-0 start in his first season as their starting quarterback.

Vols expecting more ‘chills’ as Saturday’s opener approaches

Wrangling up more than 100,000 people can be quite the difficult challenge. Unless, of course, the Tennessee Volunteers are playing inside Neyland Stadium.

By David Paschall August 30, 2026

Tennessee Athletics photo by Peyton Collinmore / Tennessee fans cheer for their Volunteers inside Neyland Stadium last September during the 44-41 overtime loss to Georgia.

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Chattanooga natives, McCallie alumni manage $250M US Soccer headquarters build

As Chattanooga prepared to host the Spanish national soccer team for World Cup training, two Chattanooga natives wrapped up their work managing another milestone for the sport: construction of U.S. Soccer's new $250 million headquarters.

By Daniel Dassow August 30, 2026

Contributed Photo / After growing up in Chattanooga and graduating from McCallie, Tommy Ellis, left, and Xander Gothard served as senior project manager and project manager for Brasfield & Gorrie on the $250 million Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Atlanta. The new headquarters for the federation opened in May 2026.

Golf roundup: Scottie Scheffler leaves no doubt as FedEx Cup champ

Scottie Scheffler's second FedEx Cup title and his 22nd career victory on the PGA Tour was different from all the others, even if it looked all too familiar.

By The Associated Press August 30, 2026

Scottie Scheffler smiles during a news conference Sunday at Atlanta's East Lake Golf Club, where he won the Tour Championship and his second FedEx Cup title in three years. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

US Open’s long first day includes stunning loss for Novak Djokovic

Having a Sunday start at the U.S. Open gives some tennis players a chance to get a nice head start on the final major championship tournament of the year.