Scrimmaging in the same venue where prep football state championship dreams come true at the end of each TSSAA season, the Boyd Buchanan Buccaneers gave themselves reason Friday night at Finley Stadium to feel encouraged about their title chances with the 2026 schedule set to kick off next week.
A big reason for that confidence is the monster defensive line the Bucs have built this offseason, led by senior defensive end Mason Bates, who was an all-state selection last fall.
Boyd Buchanan junior Noah Deane also consistently disrupted the Heritage offense as he and Bates each recorded a sack during the 14-7 varsity portion of the scrimmage, which concluded at halftime. The Bucs and the Generals met in the opening matchup on the second night of the three-day Prelude to a Championship jamboree at Finley Stadium, which will host the BlueCross Bowl title games again in December.
“Those four to five guys we have are trouble,” Boyd Buchanan first-year head coach Charles Fant said of his defensive line, which also includes senior Koreyon Redding and sophomore TJ McReynolds. “All summer we kept saying: ‘If we can block our guys, we have a good chance to block everybody else.’
“Noah was one of those guys we said, as an athlete, we had to find a place for him to play. He didn’t get a whole lot of opportunities last year, but we knew he had a chance to be great. We are excited for him.”
That same front four have also provided quarterback Drew Rivers with a difficult test throughout the offseason.
Rivers showcased his arm and tight spiral throughout the scrimmage, along with his ability to make plays while escaping the pocket. The Bucs’ new dual threat, who is the cousin of Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Eric Rivers, could emerge as one of the Chattanooga area’s sophomore standouts this season
Rivers showed chemistry with fellow second-year playmaker Jo Sledge, who hauled in an impressive 38-yard contested catch deep downfield in the second quarter.
Prep football jamboree at Finley Stadium on Aug. 14, 2026
While the Bucs appear to have one of the area’s biggest breakout candidates at quarterback, they also have a talented trio of running backs in junior Jack Ferguson, senior Justin McGoy and McReynolds.
Following several big blocks from his offensive line, Ferguson showcased his elite burst on a 35-yard touchdown run, looking like a blur as he raced past defenders.
“Justin, Jack and TJ are guys who can take the football the distance at any time,” Fant said. “That is an amazing and incredible gift to have those three backs. To have those guys along with Drew is really special.”
Heritage opened the scoring when Dynamite Dozen selection Brayden Stoker caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Caden Hight in the middle of the end zone. Sophomore running back Cole Pritchett shined on the opening drive with four touches for 31 yards.
Stoker showed his toughness, too, with the senior receiver through a broken nose to finish with four catches for 50 yards.
Boyd Buchanan sophomore safety Maddox Medlock helped close the varsity action with an interception in the back of his own end zone.
Afterward, Fant showered his team with praise after the Bucs wrapped up a challenging preseason that included scrimmages against three teams — Heritage, Georgia’s Central-Carroll and Covington of Memphis — that combined for a 31-7 record last season.
“When you talk about putting together something to see where you are, I really feel like we have been tested three times in the preseason,” Fant said. “So we are ready for the regular season. I am really happy with my kids. They play so hard. It was an emotional game, especially in front of a big crowd like this in a big place where state championships are held.”
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Marion County 7, Cleveland 0: Junior linebacker Mason Swafford delivered a jarring hit that forced a fumble, which turned into seven points for the Warriors just two plays later.
On the ensuing possession, Dynamite Dozen selection Zaiden Humphrey took a perfectly executed halfback draw 43 yards for Marion County, which reached the Class 2A BlueCross Bowl last year but fell short of a state championship repeat. Humphrey’s big play set up a short touchdown run by senior Ashton Richards around the left end.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.