Here are four surprise outcomes that stand out following last week’s prep football games across Georgia and Tennessee:
› Fighting Irish resurgence: The excitement level surrounding Notre Dame football heading into week eight of the TSSAA regular season is the highest for the program since last making the playoffs in 2018.
The Fighting Irish (4-3, 2-2 region) have been tough to stop with 120 points during a three-game winning streak that has seen them land multiple Division II-AA East Region victories for the first time in seven seasons.
Senior Cooper Campbell has thrown for 283 yards per game in the last three games, while junior receiver Jacorrion Tramble has scored 11 touchdowns during the win streak. In last Friday’s 50-40 home victory over Knoxville Webb, Campbell threw for a career-high 349 yards on just 14 completions as three different receivers had at least 73 yards, with Akeem Cox leading the way with 89 yards.
After winning just one game last season, in which star running back EJ Carter was lost early to an ACL injury, Notre Dame, if it can extend the win streak to four Friday at home in a region clash with Chattanooga Christian, will bring a long playoff drought to an end.