The Times Free Press continues its prep football primer series with TSSAA Region 3-1A.
Overview: While every area region has undergone significant changes since last season, this one saw fewer than any other. Chattanooga Prep, which played three of the five other teams as a nonregion opponent last season, officially joins what should be a very competitive league.
The only other real change came when Sale Creek hired Jason Fitzgerald to take over its program, bringing in a veteran coach who has 170 wins and guided Meigs County to back-to-back 2A state championship game appearances in 2019 and 2020. The trademark for Ftizgerald’s teams through the years is a physical style on offense and he has already worked the school’s hallways to coax more kids to join the team, breaking spring practice with more than 50 on the roster. Jackson Moore and Khari Escobar will each see time at quarterback as well as other offensive skill positions as the Panthers will have more depth than in years past.
Staff photo by Olivia Ross / Sale Creek High School football Head Coach Jason Fitzgerald talks to players at practice on Tuesday, May 9, 2023.Can anyone challenge South Pittsburg for the top spot?
After playing in consecutive state championship games in 2020 and 2021 (when it claimed the program’s sixth title), the Pirates were knocked out in the second round last year. South Pittsburg has won seven region titles in the past eight years and will have enough talent returning to make them the favorite once again.