Only six total votes in this week’s state rankings prevented a first for area prep football rivalries. Signal Mountain, which debuted atop the Class 2A poll but was overtaken by two-time defending state champion Trousdale County last week, closed the gap but remained six votes shy of retaking the top spot.
Had the Eagles (4-0) been ranked No. 1, Friday’s mammoth District 6-A game at Class 1A’s top-ranked South Pittsburg (3-0) would have marked the first time that two area teams would face off while ranked atop their respective classifications.
In 2001 McCallie was ranked second in Division II when it knocked off Class 4A’s top-ranked and defending state champion Red Bank. In 1994, Marion County was ranked No. 1 in 3A and defeated 1A’s second-ranked South Pittsburg to open the season.
Also in this week’s state rankings, Red Bank fell to eighth in 4A after being beaten by Soddy-Daisy, and Polk County remained No. 7 in 3A. Howard entered the 3A poll at No. 10 and Boyd-Buchanan fell to 10th in 2A. Copper Basin is up one spot to fourth in 1A, while Baylor remained second in D-II and McCallie dropped to ninth.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or (423) 757-6293.