Hargis: A high school football season unlike any other prepares to kick off

Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / Boyd Buchanan football coach Jeremy Bosken works with the Buccaneers' offensive linemen during practice on Aug. 3 at David L. Boyd Field.
Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / Boyd Buchanan football coach Jeremy Bosken works with the Buccaneers' offensive linemen during practice on Aug. 3 at David L. Boyd Field.

It has been a year unlike any of us has ever experienced. Lives, jobs, security and our general sense of normalcy have sadly been lost to the pandemic we're still dealing with. Rightfully, sports were put on hold for months and only recently began to trickle back into action.

Even as high school football is scheduled to kick off, it is with a cloud of uncertainty as no one truly knows whether the full season will be played. Those of us who believe the positivity of prep sports and the life lessons they teach are needed in teenagers' lives are hopeful that health concerns remain at a level that allows for a safe return to the field.

As late as the last week of July, whether prep football - and even contact practices - would be allowed to begin in Tennessee was in question. But Gov. Bill Lee's office and the TSSAA worked out a plan to open the door for the season to be played, provided the number of in-state cases of COVID-19 do not spike in the wrong direction. So with three weeks to prepare, teams across Tennessee have reached opening night with the plan being to play the season as originally scheduled.

Throughout the season, the Times Free Press will cover any stories of how COVID-19 might affect the sport. This special section, however, is dedicated to previewing area players and teams and their upcoming season.

In a uniquely uncertain time, our staff felt we owed it to the teams and our readers to provide the same in-depth information, and possibly a sense of normalcy, that we have for decades.

It may seem like a lifetime ago, but it has been just a little more than eight months since McCallie won the only state title earned by an area team in the 2019 season. The Blue Tornado return a good foundation of talent for their attempt to repeat as Division II-AAA champions and add what would be the third title in program history.

Some of the area's usual suspects, along with a few up-and-coming programs, could also emerge as title contenders in their classifications. Baylor might be the biggest threat to knocking rival McCallie from its championship perch, while Boyd Buchanan and Chattanooga Christian are fast risers in DII-AA. Bradley Central and McMinn County each has enough talent to contend with perennial state power Maryville in Class 6A; likewise, Red Bank is loaded for a run at 3A powerhouse Alcoa. East Hamilton could be ready to take a huge jump in 4A, Meigs County has plenty returning from last year's state runner-up team to make another deep run in 2A, and South Pittsburg is the preseason favorite in 1A.

Teams in Georgia are set to kick off on Sept. 4 and, like TSSAA teams, are scheduled to have a full regular season and playoffs. Once they begin, watch for Christian Heritage to compete at an elite level, while Calhoun must step up in classification and Ridgeland has a chance to put together a special season.

The only advice I would share with players, coaches, parents and fans (aside from practicing the required safety measures) would be to enjoy every moment - each practice and game.

The lesson I've learned the past few months is just that: appreciate and enjoy each day.

Now let's tee it up and hope for another memory-filled season of Friday nights.

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.

Upcoming Events