Stephen has covered sports in the tri-state area for the Times Free Press for more than 26 years and was named Sports Editor in February of 2015 after 10 years as assistant sports editor, where he oversaw the prep sports staff. Stephen is among the most decorated writers in the TFP newsroom, having won 54 awards at the state, regional and national level ranging from investigative work to feature and news writing, including 22 awards in the past three years. Stephen was named one of the top 10 sports writers in the nation at the Associated Press Sports Editors' conference in Kissimmee Fla., in 2012, and has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists with Green Eyeshade southeast regional awards three times, where his work was noted for its high standards of ethical journalism. He received an Associated Press national award for a season-long story following the Taft Youth Center football team, became the first writer from the TFP staff to win first-place as the state's top overall sports writer by the Associated Press Media Editors and has also been named the state's overall Writer of the Year three times in the past four years. He has been awarded the state's top prep writer a record 18 times, including each of the past six years, is the first writer on the TFP staff to win the prestigious Lawrenceburg Quarterback Club's Sports Writer of the Year and was recognized with the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association's Sportsmanship Award for Contributor of the Year in the state. He is also a regular contributor previewing and highlighting prep football on local television. In 2013, Stephen co-authored a book about University of Tennessee football entitled "Game Of My Life". Stephen is a lifelong Chattanooga area resident and has two children, Riley and Lauren.
With his team playing flat emotionally and struggling with an inferior opponent, B.J. Harris injected the spark of energy needed Friday night.
by Stephen HargisFor top-ranked South Pittsburg to return to where it wants to be this football season, it first needed to reclaim control of its own county and Region 3-1A.
by Stephen HargisIn an offense that already had an embarrassment of riches, one of the most talented emerging playmakers wasn't even on the team when the season began.
by Stephen HargisThe Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced its newest Hall of Fame class on Thursday and among this year's inductees will be Times Free Press sports columnist Mark Wiedmer, as well as Tommy Bryan (Lebanon) and Teresa Walker (Associated Press).
by Stephen HargisWith his defense worn out and the game on the line, Soddy-Daisy coach Justin Barnes never hesitated in making the decision to either win or lose on a 2-point play in overtime last Friday.
by Stephen HargisThe only thing Ronto Tipton couldn't do Friday night was hold back an ear-to-ear grin.
by Stephen HargisOther than uniform numbers, they are almost indistinguishable. The only thing more enduring than people's inability to tell Dawson and Dixon Riggins apart is the bond between the identical twins.
by Stephen HargisSale Creek got another boost of confidence for its young high school football program last Friday with an impressive 13-0 Region 3-1A win at Whitwell.
by Stephen HargisIn the biggest games their teams have faced so far this season - against rival opponents - a pair of Chattanooga-area quarterbacks were absolutely clutch last Friday.
by Stephen HargisIn a football game that seemingly had an endless list of offensive highlights, it was a late defensive stand that helped lift McCallie to a dramatic 35-28 win over rival Baylor on Friday night at Heywood Stadium.
by Stephen HargisWhen the city's most renowned prep rivalry is renewed Friday night at Heywood Stadium, the outcome of the football game will be heavily influenced - possibly even decided - by which relatively unknown player steps into the spotlight.
by Stephen HargisIt was sometime while I was watching the night sky become a flickering strobe last week that my phone buzzed with the first message.
by Stephen HargisOne of the key factors in Boyd Buchanan's continued resurgence on the football field has been the emergence of quarterback Eli Morris.
by Stephen HargisBoyd Buchanan, Silverdale Baptist Academy, East Ridge and Ridgeland came out winners.
by Stephen HargisThe "100 Yards with Stephen Hargis" series continues with today's guest, Hixson High School head football coach Gary Murray.
by Stephen HargisIt's a game 60 years in the making and will draw the attention of the entire state .
by Stephen HargisWith its 43-14 home win over Sequoyah last Friday, Hixson snapped the state's longest football losing streak.
by Stephen HargisIt's taken only half the prep football season for Javin Burke to not only settle in as Bradley Central's quarterback but to help make the Bears one of the state's most elite offenses. As Bradley continues to rise in the state rankings, Burke is beginning to gain the attention of college recruiters.
by Stephen HargisIt was an aggravated Tyner football team that stepped onto the field for Friday night's Region 3-2A showdown at Marion County.
by Stephen HargisThe "100 Yards with Stephen Hargis" video series continues with today's guest, Baylor head football coach Phil Massey.
by Stephen Hargis