Player: Jacques Smith
The 6-foot-3, 240 pound Ooltewah end, a Tennessee commitment had 79 total tackles – even with teams running away from him – including 21 for loss and 9.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He was the state’s Class AAA lineman of the year and was recently named to USA Today’s All-USA first team.
“He’ll be playing in the All-American (high school) game in San Antonio,” Ooltewah coach Benny Monroe said. “He committed to UT long ago, and I was afraid that might put too much pressure on him. It didn’t. In addition to being a physical specimen, he played all the time at a high level on both sides of the ball. The thing that impressed me the most is that he never stopped. He never took a play to rest.”
Coach: Grant Reynolds
In his fourth season as Boyd-Buchanan’s head coach, Reynolds had his second straight 10-win year and took the Buccaneers to their first state championship game since 2004. They have won league championships three of the last four seasons and went 22-5 the past two. They lost 14-7 to Red Bank in their second game and then reeled off 11 straight wins before falling in the Class 2A state final. Among their victims were 1A state finalist South Pittsburg and playoff participants Marion County, Silverdale Baptist and Copper Basin.
Clint Babb
Boyd-Buchanan
Defensive back
Senior
He contributed 40 tackles along with seven interceptions in the Buccaneers’ 12-2, state-final year.
Anthony Broome
Brainerd
Defensive back
Senior
He had three sacks and 12 pass breakups with four interceptions, returning one for aTD.
Kevin Fortson
Red Bank
Defensive line
Senior
The Lions’ pillar totaled 87 tackles, nine sacks, 21 lostyardage tackles and three forced fumbles.
Paden Gaines
McCallie
Defensive line
Senior
A stalwart for the rebuilding Blue Tornado, he finished the season with 42 tackles.
Malcolm Goines
Red Bank
Defensive line
Senior
He had 75 tackles, including 24 for loss, an interception, three forced fumbles and two recoveries.
David Helton
Baylor
Linebacker
Junior
The 6-4, 215-pounder recorded 95 solo tackles, two sacks, an interception and six fumbles caused.
Keith Mayes
Red Bank
Defensive back
Senior
The versatile Lion scored five touchdowns, intercepted two passes and was in on 60 tackles.
Zach McCarter
Hixson
Defensive back
Senior
He accounted for 15 TDs and had 68 tackles, six interceptions, three fumbles caused and two recoveries.
Gerald Putman
Ooltewah
Linebacker
Senior
He totaled 65 tackles with 16 for lost yardage, including 3.5 sacks, and three fumbles caused.
Jackie Reeves
Brainerd
Linebacker
Senior
He had 32 tackles with six stops for loss and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a TD.
Whit Sitton
Signal Mountain
Linebacker
Senior
He had 89 tackles, 27 for lost yardage, and 15 sacks, plus 544 yards and 17 TDs on 89 carries.
Patton Watkins
McCallie
Punter
Senior
He had 30 punts for a 37.8-yard average with a long of 56.
Second team
Shammell Brummitt: Red Bank, senior, linebacker
Tevin Cowan: Tyner, junior, lineman
Channing Gordon: Baylor, senior, back
Ross Keasler: Boyd-Buchanan, junior, back
Micah Kidd: East Ridge, senior, lineman
Dominique King: East Ridge, senior,back
John Mackey: Baylor, junior, lineman
Hayden Meadows: Boyd-Buchanan, junior, linebacker
Stefan Nelson: East Ridge, junior, linebacker
Trey Skyles: Signal Mountain, senior, linebacker
Tay Vaughn Winn: Lookout Valley, senior, back
Teams of the year
1. Boyd-Buchanan (12-2): The Bucs reached the 2A state final after a 9-1 regular season. The District 6-A champs’ regular-season loss was to Red Bank, and 1A finalist South Pittsburg was one of their victims.
2. Red Bank (12-1): The Lions had their third undefeated regular season in four years and went three rounds into the Class 4A playoffs before losing to state runner-up Greeneville.
3. Brainerd (8-4): The Panthers rebounded from a 3-7 season to earn their third playoff appearance in four years. They won a first-round game before falling to Greeneville.