Houston’s Paola Ellis (11) heads the ball away from Clarksville’s Staci Navarro in the first half of Saturday’s game.

MURFREESBORO — The Houston’s girls soccer team has kept Clarksville in its thoughts ever since the Lady Wildcats beat it for the 2014 Class AAA state soccer tournament title.

On Saturday at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex, Houston got the revenge it sought, using its suffocating defense to stifle Clarksville en route to a 3-0 victory and Class AAA state title.

“We would have played anybody in this championship, and there were some deserving teams, some great ones. But we really only wanted Clarksville High,” Houston coach David Wolf said. “That’s all we’ve thought about all year. Our goal was to get back here and play them.”

Houston (22-0) dominated for long stretches. It outshot Clarksville 16-1 and had 16 corner kicks, including eight in the first half. Defensively, Houston killed every attacking run Clarksville (23-5) had.

“Houston is a great team, but their road to this game was a bit easier,” Clarksville coach Jeff Jordan said. “They have great players and they were fresh. We weren’t. Had we had the legs maybe it’s a different story.”

Houston scored late in the first half as freshman Jenna Kemp slid a shot wide to Clarksville goalie Melia Correa’s right for a 1-0 lead with less than nine minutes left in the half. Paola Ellis gave Houston a 2-0 lead with 35:08 left in the second half, drilling a shot into the far right upper corner of the net. Jillian Hildreth added an insurance goal with 28:25 left in the game.

Battle Ground Academy coach Jan Morrissey encourages her team during Saturday’s Division II-A championship against Evangelical Christian School.

Battle Ground Academy’s Chloe Tremblay (26) battles for possession against Evangelical Christian School’s Katie Geisewite during Saturday’s Division II-A championship at Richard Siegel Park.

Battle Ground Academy coach Jan Morrissey encourages her team during Saturday’s Division II-A championship against Evangelical Christian School.

Battle Ground Academy’s Chloe Tremblay (26) battles for possession against Evangelical Christian School’s Katie Geisewite during Saturday’s Division II-A championship at Richard Siegel Park.

MURFREESBORO — After losing five key seniors from last year’s state championship squad, not many thought the Battle Ground Academy girls soccer team had what it took to return to a second straight state title match.

The Lady Wildcats did, but didn’t have enough to take down Evangelical Christian School in Saturday’s Division II-A championship, suffering a 4-1 defeat to the Lady Eagles at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex.

“We battled out there, but our battle was no match for ECS,” BGA coach Jan Morrissey said. “They didn’t have any weaknesses anywhere, and it was hard to take advantage of anything without being on the top of our game.”

BGA (12-9-3), which captured an overtime win over St. George’s in Friday’s semifinal, jumped out to an early advantage, thanks to Chloe Tremblay’s third set piece goal of the tournament, but things quickly went off the rails.

“I’m not sure if we had the legs to complete this game,” Morrissey said. “I think (Friday’s) game, that was a bit of a struggle for us to get through. Playing that extra 20 minutes, I think that makes a big difference.”

Clarksville settles for runner-up in AAA

Tremblay, a junior midfielder, connected on a 22nd-minute corner kick, curving the ball past goalkeeper Sarah Houpt for an unassisted goal to spot BGA an early one-goal lead.

However, the Lady Eagles managed a first-half equalizer, knotting things up on Maddy Stolnicki’s 31st-minute score — the first of four unanswered goals from ECS (17-3).

“The wind got taken out after that first goal,” said Morrissey, whose roster includes just one senior in goalkeeper Aracely Turcios. “You have some youth out there and that may or may not have played a role in it, but it’s a good thing. That’s a good lesson for them to learn, and we’re going to be back here next year we hope.”

Turcios turned away seven of ECS’s 11 shots on goal, but Stolnicki, freshman defender Shae Carruth and junior forward Molly Martin each found the back of the net in a three-minute span early in the second half.

“We’ve got a lot of kids coming back next year,” Morrisey said. “Along the road we learned a lot of good lessons in this postseason run, and I don’t necessarily think we were supposed to be here. We got here, and I think it’s good for them to really understand what it’s all about.”

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.

NASHVILLE Junior tailback Jordan Mason racked up more than 250 yards rushing and three scores on Friday, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a late touchdown as Cane Ridge beat visiting Gallatin, 40-34.

Gallatin HIgh senior wide receiver Izell Williams (8) caught a team-high four passes for 61 yards in Friday evening’s 40-34 loss at Cane Ridge.

After trailing most of the game, Mason broke off a 75-yard run before Gallatin tied the score at 34-34 on sophomore Jalen Porter’s 2-yard run with 4:26 remaining. However, David Solis missed the extra point and the game remained tied.

Cane Ridge (8-2 overall, 5-2 in Region 6-5A) marched the ball downfield in short order, but just when it looked like the Gallatin (4-6, 2-5) defense was going to make a stop, a pass-interference call gave the Ravens new life.

The Ravens made the most of it as D.J. Thorpe made the decision to run after seeing all his receivers tightly-covered, lowered his head and gave Cane Ridge the lead for good at 40-34 with a 6-yard touchdown run that left just 1:05 on the clock.

“We felt like we had it covered,” Gallatin head coach Mark Williams said. “Hats off to the Cane Ridge quarterback for making a play there. We just over-pursued a little bit, and he made a good play.”

Mason added, “It was emotional. It made me want to go out there and hit somebody.”

However, it wasn’t all bad for the junior, who finished with 258 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground, demonstrating big-play ability with runs of 29, 32, 62 and 75 and impressing more than just the Green Wave faithful.

Jordan Mason, Gallatin

“He’s a big physical guy, and he’s a (heck) of a back,” Cane Ridge head coach Eddie Woods said. “He’s an SEC-type (Southeastern Conference-type) back. He’s fast. He’s powerful. He’s strong.”

Williams added, “He’s a special young man, and the first thing he would tell you is he appreciates his offensive line and how hard they block for him. He did a lot of good things tonight, and he’s had to carry the workload this year. That’s something he can build upon and get better, and we expect big things out of him coming in the future.”

Despite the emotional and tough loss to end the Green Wave’s 2015 campaign, Mason said that having such a productive game to end the season should do a lot for his mindset heading into next year.

“It does a whole lot for my confidence,” Mason said. “Hopefully, I can keep it rolling next (year).”

Williams added, “Jordan had a great night tonight. He’s been a workhorse for us all year long, and he wears that as a mantle of pride. He wants to be in those situations. It’s obviously good to know that you’ve got a young man like that coming back that’s high character, good athlete and a hard worker. It makes you feel good, and it’s something you can build upon next year. I’m just proud of the effort our young men gave tonight against a good Cane Ridge High School football team. It’s always tough. Any last game is tough for a senior. For most of them, it’s the last time they will set foot on a football field and the last time they’ll ever be together like this in their life, so you just want to thank them and tell them how proud you are of them.”

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C – E. Barton 2 run, (kick failed); G – J. Mason 2 run (Solis kick); C – C. Lancaster 42 pass from D. Thorpe (C. Velasquez kick); C – E. Barton 2 run (C. Velasquez kick); G – J. Mason 2 run (Solis kick) C – E. Barton 2 run (C. Velasquez kick); G – D. Chambers 63 pass from W. Hayes (Solis kick) C – I. Owens 28 pass from D. Thorpe (C. Velasquez kick); G – J. Mason 3 run (Solis kick); G – J. Porter 2 run (kick failed); C – D. Thorpe 6 run (conversion failed)

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RUSHING:G— Hayes 1- 3, Mason 30- 258, Porter 4- 11. C— Barton 30- 187, Lancaster 4- 20, Terrell 1- 1, Thorpe 2- 6.

PASSING: G— Hayes 15- 5- 1- 124. C— Thorpe 32- 23- 0- 374.

RECEIVING:G— Chambers 1- 63, Williams 4- 61. C— Barton 2- 18, Jackson 4- 85, Lancaster 3- 54, McCray 9- 152, Owens 1- 28, Smith 1- 9, Terrell 3- 28.

A look at the top high school football teams in Middle Tennessee, as ranked by The Tennessean:

Oakland celebrates during its Week 3 win over Siegel.

Franklin Road Academy running back Sam Harvin (right).

10. FRA (10-0) — The Panthers piled up 363 yards rushing and five touchdowns in Friday’s 35-21 triumph over district foe Battle Ground Academy, polishing off a perfect 10-0 regular season in the process. Last week: No. 10. This week: Friday vs. King’s Academy (5-5). 

Hendersonville defenders Jacob Birdsong (80) and Dylan Smith (24) bring down a Hunters Lane players.

9. Hendersonville (9-1) — In their nine wins this season, the Commandos, coming off a 45-8 rout of Region 6-5A foe Hunters Lane, have allowed an average of just 11.6 points per game. Last week: No. 9. This week: Friday vs. Shelbyville (7-3). 

Christ Presbyterian Academy coach Ingle Martin

8. CPA (9-1) — Quarterback Zack Weatherly continued his impressive play on Friday, totaling 205 yards and five touchdowns in a 49-12 victory over Region 5-3A foe Whites Creek. Last week: No. 8. This week: Friday vs. Cheatham County (3-7). 

Ravenwood’s Zack Stallcup (21).

7. Ravenwood (9-1) — The Raptors, coming off a 45-0 win over Antioch in their regular-season finale, defeated their seven Region 3-6A opponents by a combined score of 260-50 this season. Last week: No. 7. This week: Friday vs. Bartlett (3-7).

Centennial coach Brian Rector

6. Centennial (9-1) — The Cougars captured their first region championship in school history Friday, holding on for a 28-20 win over fellow one-loss Region 7-5A squad Henry County. Last week: No. 6. This week: Friday vs. Southwind (8-2).

Blackman running back Taeler Dowdy (3).

5. Blackman (8-2) — Senior running back and reigning Tennessean + TitanUp Player of the Week Taeler Dowdy notched his fifth straight 100-yard rushing performance in Friday’s 49-14 win over Warren County. Last week: No. 5. This week: Friday vs. Dobyns-Bennett (4-6). 

Independence quarterback Andrew Bunch (10)

4. Independence (10-0) — Quarterback Andrew Bunch threw for 415 yards in Friday’s 56-14 win over Region 5-5A foe La Vergne, and Purdue commitment Nate Johnson was on the receiving end of all six of the senior signal caller’s touchdown passes. Last week: No. 4. This week: Friday vs. Cane Ridge (8-2). 

MBA running back Ty Chandler (44)

3. MBA (9-1) — The Big Red had a tougher time with rival Ensworth than expected on Friday, but the defending Division II-AA champions managed to escape with a 23-21 victory. Last week: No. 3. This week: Bye. 

Oakland celebrates during its Week 3 win over Siegel.

2. Oakland (9-1) — The Patriots ran for nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns while limiting their opponent to less than 100 yards on the ground in Friday’s 20-7 victory over Region 2-6A foe Smyrna. Last week: No. 2. This week: Friday vs. William Blount (2-8).

Brentwood Academy’s Jack McDonald (18) hauls in a touchdown reception against Father Ryan.

1. Brentwood Academy (9-1) — Jeremiah Oatsvall and Prince Momodu combined to rush for 307 yards and three touchdowns in Friday’s 41-32 triumph over McCallie — the Eagles’ smallest margin of victory this season. Last week: No. 1. This week: Bye. 

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports. 

Football

Click on the link to see the bracket.

Class 6A bracket

Class 5A bracket

Class 4A bracket

Class 3A bracket

Class 2A bracket

Class 1A bracket

DII-AA bracket

DII-A bracket

The Associated Press’ Top 10 teams in each of Tennessee’s six Division I non-financial aid classifications and in the combined Division II financial aid classification as selected by Tennessee AP-member sportswriters and broadcasters. With first-place votes in parentheses, records through November 2, total points based on 10 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 10th-place vote:

AP high school football rankings

CLASS 6A
Record Pts Prv
1. Maryville (13) 10-0 130 1
2. Oakland 9-1 107 2
3. Whitehaven 9-1 97 3
4. Ravenwood 9-1 82 4
5. Blackman 8-2 68 5
6. White Station 7-3 59 6
7. Science Hill 8-2 49 9
8. Bradley Central 7-3 26 T10
9. Smyrna 7-3 18 8
10. Cordova 8-2 15 7
Others receiving 12 or more points: None.

CLASS 5A
Record Pts Prv
1. Independence (13) 10-0 130 1
2. Hendersonville 9-1 104 2
3. Oak Ridge 9-1 90 3
4. Farragut 9-1 79 4
5. Sevier Co. 8-2 70 6
6. Morristown West 8-2 52 7
7. Centennial 9-1 39 10
8. Ooltewah 8-2 35 8
9. Knoxville West 8-2 33 9
10. Henry Co. 8-2 27 5
Others receiving 12 or more points: None.

CLASS 4A
Record Pts Prv
1. Fulton (12) 9-1 129 1
2. Greeneville (1) 9-1 106 2
3. Memphis East 9-1 93 3
4. Marshall Co. 9-1 80 4
5. Stone Memorial 10-0 69 5
6. Hardin Co. 9-1 61 6
7. Jackson North Side 8-2 48 8
8. Knoxville Central 8-2 48 8
9. Ridgeway 6-4 16 9
10. Sullivan East 8-2 7 NR
Others receiving 12 or more points: None.

CLASS 3A
Record Pts Prv
1. Alcoa (13) 9-1 130 1
2. CPA 9-1
3. Liberty 10-0 98 4
4. CAK 9-1 80 2
5. Elizabethton 9-1 73 5
6. East Ridge 10-0 64 6
7. Notre Dame 7-3 42 7
8. Kingston 8-2 36 8
9. Upperman 8-2 23 9
10. Pigeon Forge 8-2 16 10
Others receiving 12 or more points: None.

CLASS 2A
Record Pts Prv
1. Boyd-Buchanan (11) 10-0 128 1
2. Marion County 9-1 103 2
3. Adamsville 9-1 93 3
4. Hampton (2) 10-0 90 4
5. Forrest 9-1 72 5
6. Waverly 9-1 61 6
7. Trezevant 7-3 46 8
8. Rockwood 8-2 31 9
9. Austin-East 8-2 21 10
10. Sullivan North 8-2 16 7
Others receiving 12 or more points: None.

CLASS 1A
Record Pts Prv
1. Union City (13) 10-0 130 1
2. Wayne Co. 10-0 104 2
3. Nashville Christian 9-1 93 3
4. Dresden 9-1 88 4
5. Huntingdon 9-1 65 5
6. Columbia Academy 9-1 57 6
7. Peabody 8-2 46 7
8. Greenback 8-2 38 8
9. George Carver 9-1 8 NR
10. Jo Byrns 8-2 6 9
Others receiving 12 or more points: None.

DIVISION II
Record Pts Prv
1. Brentwood Acad. (11) 9-1 118 1
2. MBA 9-1 97 2
3. Baylor 8-2 84 4
4. Christian Brothers 8-2 66 6
5. FRA 10-0 62 5
6. MUS 7-3 54 3
7. Northpoint Christian (1) 10-0 42 9
8. St. George’s 9-1 37 7
9. McCallie 5-5 26 8
10. Ensworth 4-6 12 10
Others receiving 12 or more points: None.

All Associated Press members in Tennessee are eligible to participate in the high school football poll. Those who voted for this week’s poll are: Chattanooga Free Press, Chattanooga; Cookeville Herald-Citizen, Cookeville; State Gazette, Dyersburg; The Jackson Sun, Jackson; Johnson City Press, Johnson City; The Knoxville News Sentinel, Knoxville; Marshall County Tribune (Lewisburg); The Tomahawk (Mountain City); The Daily News Journal, Murfreesboro; The Tennessean (Nashville); Union City Daily Messenger, Union City; WVLT, Knoxville; WCMT, Martin.

Scott Wells, left, a Brentwood Academy alumnus and Super Bowl champion with the Green Bay Packers, presents BA athletic director Cody White with golden ball from the NFL.

Brentwood Academy received a visit from a special alumnus last Thursday when Super Bowl champion Scott Wells attended the Eagles’ homecoming rally.

The visit was part of the NFL’s Super Bowl 50 celebration and the Super Bowl High School Honor Roll Initiative recognizing each high school in the nation that had a coach or player on an active Super Bowl roster.

Wells, a 1999 graduate of BA, earned a ring in Super Bowl XIV as the starting center for the Green Bay Packers.

He came bearing gifts and presented BA athletic director Cody White with a commemorative golden football from the NFL and read a letter from Commissioner Roger Goodell.

“Football has always been about more than just wins and losses,” Goodell said in the letter. “The game teaches lessons that last a lifetime. Through your football program, you are building men of high character, instilling values in your student athletes. The NFL is grateful to you and your community and is honored to partner with you in making champions on an off the field. Now, Brentwood Academy will be listed on the Super Bowl High School Honor Roll.”

Tennessee high school football playoff brackets

Fayetteville gets first: Fayetteville High School will add another page to its school history Nov. 11 when one of its student athletes signs with a Division I program.

Senior point guard Nick Hopkins will sign his national letter of intent to play basketball at Belmont University.

Hopkins has played varsity basketball for the Tigers since the school’s first season in 2011, and is the first student from Fayetteville to receive an athletic scholarship from a NCAA Division I program.

He was a candidate for Class A Mr. Basketball last year, when he averaged 22.2 points, 5.0 rebounds 3.25 assists and 3.07 steals per game.

He will sign with the Bruins at 9:30 a.m. in the FHS gym.

McKelvy to play for Union: Zion Christian senior softball standout Molly McKelvy will sign a letter of intent on Nov. 12 to play softball for Union University in Jackson.

McKelvy batted .513 with 16 RBI and 34 runs for Lady Eagles last year in 85 at-bats.

She will sign 3:05 p.m. in the Activities Center at Zion Christian.

Brentwood volleyball among best in nation: After wrapping up the season with its third consecutive Class AAA state title, the Brentwood volleyball team was ranked among the top teams in the nation.

MaxPreps recently released its weekly Xcellent 25 Volleyball Rankings and the Bruins were in the top 25 teams in the nation at No. 24.

The Lady Bruins also sit at No. 20 in MaxPreps weekly high school computer rankings.

The rankings could change as other states continue postseason play.

Time to hit the court: The wait is over for Midstate basketball players as Tuesday marked the first day that teams were allowed to practice.

Coaches won’t have long to get their squads into shape, as the Hall of Champions games take place Nov. 16-21.

Regular-season action kicks off on Nov. 23.

Midstate teams defending state championships include Brentwood Academy (girls and boys), Blackman girls and MLK girls.

Reach Sam Brown at 615-259-8232 and on Twitter @SamBrownTN.

Independence quarterback Andrew Bunch (10).

QB Andrew Bunch, Independence

Bunch was 27-of-41 passing for 415 yards in the unbeaten Eagles’ 56-14 victory over La Vergne, and the 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior fired touchdown passes of 57, 34, 14, one, eight and six yards — each of which were hauled in by senior Purdue commitment Nate Johnson.

RB Antwuan Branch, Kenwood

Branch ran 30 times for 342 yards in Friday’s 26-24 triumph over Lipscomb Academy, and the 6-foot, 200-pound sophomore accounted for all four Knights touchdowns, scoring on runs of three, 61, 25 and 12 yards.

QB Mason Cunningham, Shelbyville

Cunningham was 7-of-11 passing for 222 yards in the Golden Eagles’ 41-14 win over Franklin County, firing touchdown passes of 75, five and three yards, and the 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior also scored on a 76-yard, first-quarter run.

WR Rontavius Groves, Pearl-Cohn

Groves made six catches for 155 yards in the Firebirds’ 47-7 win over Springfield, hauling in touchdown receptions of 64 and four yards, and the 6-foot, 177-pound senior also found the end zone on a 4-yard run.

RB Jordan Mason, Gallatin

Mason amassed 258 yards rushing on 30 carries in the Green Wave’s 40-34 loss to Cane Ridge, and the 6-foot-1, 205-pound junior scored on runs from two, two and three yards out.

QB D.J. Thorpe, Cane Ridge

Thorpe was 23-of-32 passing for a season-high 374 yards in the Ravens’ 40-34 victory over Gallatin, including touchdown passes from 42 and 28 yards out, and the 6-foot-2, 175-pound junior also scored on a six-yard run.

ATH Jordan Tucker, Giles County

Tucker was 4-of-5 passing for 72 yards in the Bobcats’ 35-14 triumph over Tullahoma, and the 5-foot-9, 200-pound senior also ran for 287 yards and three touchdowns.

RB Darius Morehead, Ensworth

Morehead carried 21 times for 172 yards in the Tigers’ 23-21 loss to rival Montgomery Bell Academy, and the 5-foot-8, 180-pound senior scored on runs of 61 and five yards in the narrow defeat.

QB Josh Trueheart, Stratford

Truehart threw for 333 yards on 12-of-18 passing in the Spartans’ 41-0 victory over Greenbrier, and the 6-foot-5, 215-pound junior fired four touchdown passes.

RB Vic Johnson, Cookeville

Johnson ran for 145 yards on 29 carries in the Cavaliers’ 42-21 triumph over Riverdale, and the 5-foot-11, 210-pound senior scored on runs of seven, two, four and two yards.

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.

Ben Brooks has one less decision to make regarding his baseball future.

Pope John Paul II High junior Ben Brooks

The Pope John Paul II High junior recently committed to the University of Memphis to continue his playing career.

Even with two high school baseball seasons to play before departing for college, Brooks said the Tigers were the best fit.

“I went down there for a visit when I got my offer and really loved the atmosphere,” Brooks said. “We went to a football game later on, and I just felt like it was the right fit for me at the right time.”

Brooks said the coaching staff believes he would compete for playing time when he arrives on campus in advance of the 2018 season.

He was recruited at his normal position of shortstop. Brooks said that Memphis was bringing in another middle infielder for competition, but not just for one spot.

“They said they were bringing in another kid and we’d battle it out,” Brooks said. “One of us would play second (base) and the other one would play shortstop. I felt like it was a good option for me. But they envisioned me playing more at shortstop, so that did make a bit of a difference.”

Brooks hit .349 last season with 14 runs batted in, led the Knights with 30 runs scored, tied for a team-high 37 hits and recorded a .462 on-base percentage for the Knights, who finished 24-12 last season and competed in the Division II-Class AA State Tournament for the second time in three years.

Morehead State, Tennessee, Ohio State, Tennessee Tech and Middle Tennessee State University were other schools Brooks was considering.

Pope John Paul II High junior Ben Brooks recently committed to the University of Memphis for continuing his baseball career.

But it came down to how Brooks felt about the coaching staff.

“I have a really good relationship with the coaches there,” Brooks said. “They’re very nice. And they just told me the truth – they laid it all out there for me. I trust them a lot, so I thought it was the right decision.”

The decision won’t keep Brooks from playing football, either. As the starting quarterback for the Knights, he fully expects to return for his senior season under center.

“I’m definitely still going to play football next year,” Brooks said. “I love the game too much.”

Brooks follows other Knights who have played for Division I schools in recent years – Braxton Brinkley (who played for Western Kentucky University before transferring to Walters State Community College) and Brad Jarreau (Middle Tennesse State University), along with Hendersonville High senior Grant Williams, who committed to Vanderbilt University.

“The past three or four years, there’s been at least one person off of almost every team in Sumner County to go Division I,” Brooks said. “It’s a baseball county, and to hear that everybody’s doing so well, that’s great to hear.”

Although graduation is still two seasons away, having the decision made is one less thing to worry about, Brooks said.

“Two years is a long time,” Brooks said. “But it’s good to get it off of my shoulders – just being able to play my last year without having to worry about getting a scholarship – that does feel good.”

Reach Chris Brooks at cbrooks@tennessean.com or at 615-575-7118. Follow him on Twitter @CB_SumnerSports.

Riverdale’s head football coach Ron Aydelott stands on the sidelines during the game against Smyrna at Riverdale, on Friday Oct. 23, 2015. Smyrna won 21 to 14.

MURFREESBORO — Riverdale’s 2015 high school football playoff run will begin a day earlier than expected.

The Warriors (5-5) will play eighth-ranked Bradley Central (7-3) at 7 p.m. (ET) on Thursday in Chattanooga — a day earlier than regularly scheduled.

The game was moved to UT-Chattanooga’s Finley Stadium because of the condition of Bradley Central’s stadium.

Riverdale enters the postseason with consecutive losses to Oakland, Smyrna and Cookeville.

Expectations are lofty once again as the Westmoreland High School girls basketball program prepares to begin the upcoming season.

“At this point, the coaching staff and the kids returning who have played, they expect to win,” Lady Eagle 19th-year head coach Cherie Abner said. “That’s a good thing. It’s also a weakness of our’s, because I don’t know how they’ll handle adversity when we do go up and down. We’re not used to losing.”

The Lady Eagles reached the Class AA State Tournament last season, defeating eventual state champion Martin Luther King Magnet in the process (a win in the Region 5-AA Tournament championship game). Westmoreland set a school record for wins, producing a 32-6 record. The Lady Eagles suffered a 36-30 loss to Grainger in its state opener.

Jesica Eppstein is one of two seniors on the Westmoreland High School girls basketball squad.

One year earlier, the Lady Eagles reached the Class AA sectional round before falling at Creek Wood.

“We’ve come off two successful years, and we need that success to carry over,” Abner said. “This is the first year where I’ve had to replace all three guards. We have a lot of stability coming back, but the main thing is that we’re going to have to redefine some roles.”

Leading the list of returnees are junior forwards Kaitlyn Norman and Karley Smith. Norman averaged 10.6 points per game last season.

“She’s in better shape and more ready to play than she has been,” Abner said or Norman. “With her experience and her stability, we look for her to have a good year.”

Smith tore the anterior-cruciate ligament (ACL) in her knee in the spring and had surgery soon after. She has rehabilitated the injury and expects to be ready to start the season.

Smith averaged a team-best 10.8 points per game last season – 17.8 points per game in the postseason – was selected as the Region 5-AA Tournament Most Valuable Player, was a First Team All-County selection and a Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State honoree.

“She’s been released, and she’s working her way back and will be able to start the first game,” Abner said. “She’ll be limited early on, but the more I see her, the better she looks. She’s getting better day by day, but to be in basketball shape and to be able to move and transition, it’s still up in the air if she’ll be able to work her way back into what she was last year.”

They’ll be joined in the starting lineup by the team’s two seniors – guards Haley Braswell and Jesica Eppstein.

“Those two seniors are going to provide a lot of leadership,” Abner said. “It’s their first year starting. Braswell is going to be someone you are going to have to guard because of her three-point threat. Braswell is going to bring more basketball IQ (intelligence quotient), and she’s versatile. She can play anywhere from a two (shooting guard) to a four (power forward).

“Jesica, her toughness is her biggest positive. She’s going to set the tempo for what we do well, which is play defense. She’s going to help us play fast and aggressive. There’s probably no other player I’ve had who can set that tempo like her.”
Junior guards Lexie McCormick and Gracie Oliver will serve as primary ball-handlers, and classmate Peightyn Gross will provide depth at forward.

Westmoreland High junior guard Lexie McCormick is expected to play extensively this season.

“Lack of guard experience and turnovers is a big concern,” Abner said. “With the adversity we went through with Karley going down and losing a senior point guard (Haley Cook, who wasn’t able to return to the team this season), we haven’t defined our roles. Usually, by now, our roles are defined.”

A pair of sophomore guards – Darby Bowser and Kailan Woodard – could also play extensively.

“They’ve made major strides entering their sophomore year to be able to practice (well) and compete for some playing time,” Abner said.

Abner expects Sycamore and White House Heritage to again be among the favorites in District 9-AA this season.

“Those two are the favorites,” Abner said. “I think it’s going to be just as competitive as it was last year. Who knows … we may have some surprises too.”

Westmoreland opens the season with a Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association Hall of Champions game at Hendersonville on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

The Lady Eagles open the regular season against visiting Portland on Nov. 24, and they will host Cheatham County on Dec. 8 for their district opener.

Reach Craig Harris at charris@mtcngroup.com or at 615-575-7138. Follow him on Twitter @HarrisGNESports. 

It hasn’t been a long journey for Emmanuel Johnson.

He really just moved a few yards, from the playing field to the home stands at Edgar Johnson Stadium … and now back on to the field.

The Portland High junior football standout has gone through an educational endeavor though.

“I had attitude problems,” Johnson said. “I was being young and stupid. I had to mature. I had to put aside (some things).”

Portland High junior Emmanuel Johnson hopes to continue his success as the Panthers open play in the Class 4A playoffs with a game at Kenwood on Friday evening.

Johnson quit the team last season, watching the team conclude a one-win season from the stands.

He repeatedly made home crowd erupt during last Friday evening’s 32-19 victory over visiting Macon County, scoring touchdowns of 79 and 61 yards in addition to a game-clinching interception that he returned 52 yards in the game’s final seconds.

The win propelled the Panthers into the playoffs for the first time since 2012, ending the Tigers’ season in the process.

“It was a one-game season,” Johnson said. “At the beginning of the season, that was our motto.

“We play for each other. We do our assignments. There’s not a lot of arguing on the field. We play as a team.”

Johnson missed back-to-back games against Springfield and Maplewood due to a concussion before returning two weeks ago, in a 21-20 loss to visiting Friendship Christian.

“He was out for three weeks,” Portland second-year head coach Greg Cavanah said. “I’m okay with the guy (freshman Kobe’ Dutcher) who backs him up, but I think we felt lost when we didn’t have him.”

Panther senior fullback/linebacker Kemper Dixon added, “He has brought stability back to the running game and to our pass defense since he has returned. He is also one of the main contributors on special teams.”

Johnson may have felt a little lost when he was away from the team last fall.

Emmanuel Johnson

“Coach Cavanah gave me a second chance,” Johnson said. “I’m trying to make it up to him.”

Cavanah added, “Everybody deserves a second chance. I’ve always allowed a kid a second chance. Although he wasn’t there at the end last year, he still did every workout I asked him do. I think he understood how much he missed this team and the game. It showed (against Macon County).”

Johnson is averaging 7.6 yards per carry, having compiled 536 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. Johnson also has 10 receptions that have resulted in 130 yards and two touchdowns.

“I feel now that it was good that he quit, because it showed him how much he wanted to be on the field with his teammates,” Dixon said. “His absence from the game made him want it more, and I think it shows in the way he has played this year.”

The Panthers snapped a three-game losing skid with last Friday’s season-extending victory.

“It’s hard work in practice,” Johnson said. “We went back to the basics. After the White House game (a 28-17 victory on Sept. 4), it went downhill for a bit. We went back to work. The seniors led us, and it was great coaching.”

Cavanah added, “We’ve had outstanding leadership. Our seniors haven’t jumped on people. They have led by example, and they’ve led by their voice. The kids got more fluid (last week) with what we were trying to do. They were working. We treated (last) week as a playoff week.”

It’s another do-or-die affair for Portland this Friday as the team travels to Clarksville for its Class 4A playoff opener against Region 5-4A champion Kenwood.

“First, we need to defend their running game,” Dixon said. “They have a great running back (junior Antwuan Branch). We also need to continue to playing together as a team, as we did last week against Macon County. We also must control our mistakes and play penalty-free.”

Cavanah added, “We have to get (the Macon County) win behind us and get focused on Kenwood. It’s (a matter of) rallying together and getting it done. We saw it (against Friendship Christian). We saw it (against Macon County), and we are expecting it going forward.”

Reach Craig Harris at charris@mtcngroup.com or at 615-575-7138. Follow him on Twitter @HarrisGNESports. 

The Hendersonville Christian Academy boys prep basketball program was hit hard by graduation.

As a result, the Crusaders will rely on numerous newcomers during the upcoming campaign.

“The big deal is losing so much offensively in Austin (Janco) and Grant (Palmer),” HCA fifth-year head coach John Taylor said. “Cole Hughes provided some offense, in helping us to run and control the ball.

“I have to have some new guys step up offensively.”

Hendersonville Christian Academy junior Andre Hambrick elevates for a layin during Monday afternoon’s practice.

Hendersonville Christian Academy fifth-year head coach John Taylor instructs his players during Monday afternoon’s practice.

Janco, Palmer and Hughes were three of the six now-departed seniors.

Janco and Palmer averaged 18.8 and 18.6 points per game, respectively, in leading the team to a 16-14 record last season.

“Our success will rise and fall on us being blue collar, bring your lunch pail every day to practice and being ready to claw in every game,” Taylor said. “We have to be willing to do the work it takes. It’s not going to be easy. We know that. I have to get these guys to night-in and night-out to be tough, blue-collar, hard-working kids.”

Senior guard Emilio Quemada is expected to provide some offensive firepower.

“He’s going to be our go-to guy,” Taylor said. “He’s a strong guy and good ball-handler, and he’s a scorer. He’s a tough, hard-nosed player. Whenever I need a bucket, he’s my go-to guy.”

Another senior – Joey Fragnoli – will start at point guard.

“Joey got some time for me last year, and he’s ready to step up and run the offense,” Taylor said. “He’s going to be the guy I count on to control our offense. He’s going to be our coach on the floor.

“He’s a smart kid. He’s worked the entire summer and fall, getting ready for his opportunity. I’m excited to see how Joey can produce for us.”

Senior Blake Smith, junior Dillon Andress and sophomore Devin Carlisle will all play in the post area.

“He’s a strong player,” Taylor said of Carlisle. “He’s a battler. He’s going to do a lot of the dirty work. Good things happen for the dirty-work players.

“We’ve struggled against teams who are really good in the post. This team is going to look a lot different than my past four teams. We’re not going to be able to run the ball as fast as we’ve done it in the past. We’re going to have to control the ball offensively and look for a really good shot instead of being able to rely on players like Grant and Austin. We’re going to have to be a little more methodical and little more deliberate. We have to play smart offensively and tough defense. Most of our preseason will be geared toward improvement on the defensive end.”

Sophomore guard Peyton Shoulders is expected to provide a perimeter-shooting threat, and classmate Jalen Cole will also provide depth in the backcourt.

Junior Andre Hambrick is playing basketball for the first time at HCA. Hambrick competed for the Crusader football program this fall.

“I’m excited to see what he brings to the basketball court,” Taylor said.

HCA moves from the Division II-Class A East/Middle Region District 2 to District 1 this season.

“Our goal is to come in the top three and make it to the region,” Taylor said. “That would be our first trip to the region (tournament). I think that’s attainable. At the end of the year, once you get to tournament play, anything can happen. If we put ourselves in a position to advance to the region, I feel like we’ve done a great job. Of course, we want to go farther than that, but that’s a goal. Other than that, we have to improve daily. That goes along with having that blue-collar work ethic.”

Hendersonville Christian Academy freshman Joe Black elevates for a layin during Monday afternoon’s practice.

HCA hosts Nashville Christian for a Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA) Hall of Champions game on Thursday, Nov. 19.

The Crusaders open the regular season at Montgomery Bell Academy on Nov. 24, and they will begin district play with a game at Friendship Christian on Dec. 11.

Reach Craig Harris at charris@mtcngroup.com or at 615-575-7138. Follow him on Twitter @HarrisGNESports. 

The Hendersonville Christian Academy girls prep basketball squad is hoping for better results than last year’s one-win campaign.

The Lady Crusaders return two starters in hopes of seeing improvement this season.

“We want to talk about getting one percent better every day,” HCA fifth-year head coach Jack Keller said. “We are focusing on those incremental small things to get better over time. At the end of each practice, we’re going to look at each other, and we are going to say, ‘did we get better today?’ That’s how want to build what we’re trying to do with the kids.”

HCA lost three seniors from last season’s squad, and three other players opted not to return to the team.

However, sophomore point guard Lauren Batey – who has been in the starting lineup since she was an eighth-grader – will bring experience back to the court.

Hendersonville Christian Academy sophomore Lauren Batey elevates for a shot during Monday evening’s practice.

“The team has a lot of confidence in her,” Keller said. “They look to get her the ball.

“She has really worked on her game. She’s really coming along well. I know she’s worked. She’s been working with a trainer even since the middle of last year. She’s been competing and training with a lot of the girls from different high schools here in town, so, I know she’s been challenged. She’s the one I am looking to to make some big strides.”

Senior guard Marian Silva is the team’s other returning starter.

“She fought through some injuries last year,” Keller said. “She’s been rehabbing during the offseason.

“She plays with a lot of passion. We need her. She has a lot of experience.”

Junior post player Lindsie Mierop – a transfer from White House Heritage High – is also expected to be among the starting unit.

“She brings a lot of size and experience to our program,” Keller said. “Mierop has shown us some things at (summer) camp that we have not seen. We’re excited about that.

“We’re relying on her leadership and experience to help us build a winning culture here.”

Hendersonville Christian Academy junior Lindsie Mierop participates in dribbling drills at the beginning of Monday evening’s practice.

Senior post player Ali Turc returns to the squad after sitting out last season.

“She’s going to be a nice compliment to Lindsey and Morgan on the inside,” Keller said. “We’re excited to have her back. She’s a great kid and a hard worker. I’m looking forward to her adding to the team as well.”

Sophomore post player Morgan Bell received some playing time last year, as did junior forward April Wooley. Junior guard Haley Thornton and sophomore forward Desi Munson are also expected to play extensively.

“She has a nose for the ball,” Keller said of the undersized post player in Munson. “She plays much bigger than her height.”

The Lady Crusader program won two games in 2013-14.

Hendersonville Christian Academy senior Marian Silva elevates for a layin during Monday evening’s practice.

“We know we’re an underdog, but we feel good about this year,” Keller said. “We’ve moved in the Division II bracket (in Class A) over to the east (District 1). I think there are going to be some teams that we can be much more competitive with on that side. I expect to win some games this year, and I told the girls, you need to expect to win some games. Our goal is to cross some thresholds that we haven’t been able to cross since joining Division II.”

HCA will face Friendship Christian, Mt. Juliet Christian, Knoxville Webb, the Kings Academy, Donelson Christian Academy and St. Andrews Sewanee in district competition.

“We have great chemistry in the locker room,” Keller said. “The kids have bought into the reality of what we’re trying to do. Our mantra is that we’re going to fight and rise up each day and fight again. That’s the drum beat we’ve been beating for the last five years. They’ve bought into that. They see the bigger picture of what we’re trying to do here.”

Hendersonville Christian opens play with a Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association Hall of Champions game against visiting Nashville Christian on Nov. 19.

The Lady Crusaders open the regular season in their own Chick-fil-A Tournament, which will be held from Dec. 3-5, and their district opener will be played at Friendship Christian on Dec. 11.

Reach Craig Harris at charris@mtcngroup.com or at 615-575-7138. Follow him on Twitter @HarrisGNESports. 

There’s experience among the starting five for the Merrol Hyde Magnet boys’ basketball team.

Sophomore Connor McCutcheon (25) guards classmate Ollie Talmadge during Tuesday afternoon’s practice.

Beyond the starters, the Hawks will have to develop the experience in hopes of returning to the region tournament for the second time in three years.

The Hawks bowed out in the opening round of the District 8-A Tournament last year, suffering a 78-64 loss at Red Boiling Springs to conclude a 4-18 season under head coach Kory Craighead.

However, three seniors return as starters in what will likely be a three-guard system for the Hawks, largely due to the absence of one key player from last year’s squad.

Senior Zach Shonting would have started in the post area but will likely be out for the season. Shonting has a cyst on his brain and is unable to play.

“It’s nothing life-threatening,” Craighead said. “But contact sports could cause problems, so he’s going to have another MRI done in February to see if it’s growing or not.”

Senior Jenord Taylor returns as the Hawks’ starting point guard.

Without Shonting inside, Craighead said that the system will be different from what he envisioned.

“It changes everything,” Craighead said. “We would have been heavily inside-out, and Zach would have touched the ball on probably every possession, even if he couldn’t shoot. There are going to be a lot more back cuts and more ball movement, just trying to use what we do have, which is speed and stamina. What we don’t have anymore is height.”

Jenord Taylor, Tucker Beals and Kyle Richardson return as seniors, with Taylor running the offense at the point guard spot.

Beals and junior Connor Dunn are the likely starters at the forward spots, while sophomore Connor McCutcheon returns at one of the guard spots after being one of the team’s leading scorers last year.

Senior forward Tucker Beals is expected to play extensively this season.

“(We have) good experience, but not so much depth,” Craighead said. “After (the starters), we’ll have to see how deep we are.”

Junior Graceson Lawrence and sophomore Ollie Talmadge could challenge for playing time as well.

The Hawks might have to rely on their defense to be the team’s backbone, along with a scoring-by-committee approach.

“We’ll have to have some good-shooting games and strong defense, which is what it’ll come down to,” Craighead said. “We’re not going to light it up or have a single person who takes over, which is good news, because (defenses) can’t key on one single guy. But because of that, we’ll really have to move the ball well.”

Craighead is also seeking more consistency, which he hopes will allow his team to perform at a higher level.

“Last year, I thought we underachieved,” Craighead said. “We just never felt normal. It always felt like we were having to figure out a new game plan almost every game, instead of just going back to something reliable.”

Connor Dunn is one of three seniors expected to start for the Hawks.

Goodpasture went to the Class A sectional round last year and could be the favorite to repeat as the District 8-A champion, with Gordonsville and Watertown also seeking region-tournament berths.

That means the Hawks will have to battle to return to the top four.

“Ugly basketball might be our friend this year,” Craighead said. “Whatever it takes to be able to get it done.”

The Hawks open the season at Donelson Christian Academy on Nov. 23 and will open district play at Red Boiling Springs on Jan. 5.

Reach Chris Brooks at cbrooks@tennessean.com or at 615-575-7118. Follow him on Twitter @CB_SumnerSports.

TSSAA

Due to projected inclement weather in parts of the state, several TSSAA state football playoff games have been moved up to Thursday night.

The following first-round playoff games have been moved to Thursday:

CLASS 6A

Riverdale (5-5) at Bradley Central (7-3) at Finley Stadium, 6 p.m.

CLASS 5A

Clinton (4-6) at Ooltewah (8-2), 6 p.m.

Soddy-Daisy (7-3) at Oak Ridge (9-1), 6 p.m.

CLASS 2A

Bledsoe Co. (55) at Forrest (9-1), 7 p.m.

CLASS 1A

Mt. Pleasant (6-4) at South Pittsburg (7-3), 7 p.m.

Chattanooga Grace (5-5) at Fayetteville (8-2), 7 p.m.

DII-AA

Pope John Paul II (2-8) at McCallie (5-5), 6 p.m.

DII-A

Ezell-Harding (4-6) at Friendship Christian (7-3), 7 p.m.

* All times central

Kelley Graham

The Merrol Hyde Magnet girls basketball team returns after a one-year hiatus from varsity action.

Freshman post player Kendall Frisbee is expected to play extensive minutes this season.

The Lady Hawks were unable to field enough players to play at the varsity level last season but will do so this year with new head coach Kelley Graham.

Graham ascends to the prep level after coaching the middle-school program at Merrol Hyde Magnet, bringing four incoming freshmen with her.

Those freshmen make up half of the team’s current roster, so depth is the immediate challenge for the Lady Hawks.

“The good thing is that the freshmen have played together for two years, so they know each other already,” Graham said. “They know each other’s weaknesses. They know each other’s strengths.”

There are no seniors on the Lady Hawk squad and only two juniors, Alex Lloyd and Emilie Boone.

Freshman Gabrielle Steiner is the likely starter at point guard for the Lady Hawks.

However, Boone will be unavailable due to a spinal injury and will likely miss the entire year unless she is cleared by doctors to return late in the season.

Graham said it’s more likely that Boone will rejoin the team next year, so for now, she has seven players to work with.

“Our challenge is to keep each other’s heads up,” Graham said. “Next year, hopefully Emilie (Boone) can come back and be a starting guard. We have a couple of eighth-graders that could come up, and there’s a few that I’m hoping I can pull that are playing other sports. I’m hoping that we can add to our team.”

Of the current players, freshman Gabrielle Steiner is the front-runner to start at point guard.

“Gabrielle’s a great ball handler,” Graham said. “She’s really worked hard. She’s really creative and really tough.”

Another freshman, Caroline Riley, could start at shooting guard, though Graham says that’s an ongoing competition. Sophomore Emily Fenton is another possible option in the Lady Hawks’ backcourt.

Junior Alex Lloyd is one of three post players for the Lady Hawks.

Freshman Grace Riley will likely start at forward, and the Lady Hawks will employ a two-post lineup with three possible candidates.

“The post positions, they’ll go between Alex Lloyd, (freshman) Kendall Frisbee and (sophomore) Lauren Buchanen,” Graham said. “They’ll fight it out for those two positions.”

Graham believes the Lady Hawks will have size and speed, so they will focus on the back end first.

“One of the things we’re really going to stress is defense and protecting the ball,” Graham said. “If we can do those two things, we can build a good base.”

Graham believes that Goodpasture will be the favorite in District 8-A.

Sophomore Emily Fenton dribbles around a chair during a practice drill on Tuesday afternoon.

“We know Goodpasture is going to be tough,” Graham said. “We just need to control what we can control.”

Graham now has control of a program that is not only rebuilding, but restarting as well.

“One of my goals this season is to bring fun back into Merrol Hyde Magnet School girls basketball,” Graham said. “I’ve been playing, watching and coaching basketball since I was young. I remember how much fun it was to go out and compete with my teammates. Every day and game has a new challenge, but as long as it’s still fun, it’s always going to be worth it.”

The Lady Hawks open play at Donelson Christian Academy on Nov. 23 and will travel to Red Boiling Springs on Jan. 5 for their district opener.

Reach Chris Brooks at cbrooks@tennessean.com or at 615-575-7118. Follow him on Twitter @CB_SumnerSports.

When the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association announced new region formats and the “Super 6” classification for 2015, it was easy to predict three ways the new playoff system could go.

Cecil Joyce

Good, bad and ugly.

Now that the playoffs are officially here, let’s break down each of those sentiments.

The good: While many naysayers are focused on the negatives from the Class 6A format (where each of the 32 teams in the class all reach the playoffs), there are certainly some major positives.

The biggest improvement isn’t what’s happening in 6A, but rather what’s happening in divisions below it. Class 5A is the biggest benefactor of the new Super 6.

Tennessee high school football playoff brackets

When the playoff system first went to six classifications in 2009, it didn’t take long for people to notice a big discrepancy. Class 5A was weak as a whole. Sure, there were still some quality teams, but overall the 5A playoff bracket seemed more like (pardon the basketball analogy during football season) an NIT tournament compared to 6A’s NCAA Tournament.

There was more than one season where it seemed all of the even classifications (6A, 4A, 2A) were filled with strong teams and exciting playoff races, while the odd classifications (5A, 3A, 1A) paled in comparison.

Honestly, there were numerous teams that made the playoffs each year in 5A (and other classifications below it) that simply weren’t playoff-caliber teams.

Bracket breakdown: State football playoffs

It’s different in 2015. With only 32 teams in Class 6A, many very talented football teams that once resided in the state’s highest classification have moved down to 5A. Included in that list are Centennial, Independence, Oak Ridge, Hendersonville and Brentwood, to name a few.

That has also created a domino effect in lower classifications, making each considerably stronger.

Another good change with the current format is the elimination of the “quadrants.” There were situations where teams (even archrivals) from the same district would play during Week 10 and then match up in the first round of the playoffs the following week. Quadrants were basically teams from the same two districts beating up on each other in the first three rounds.

The bad: Travel. Not that travel is necessarily a bad thing for playoff fans. Some of the best TSSAA state playoffs came in the 1990s when Midstate teams would travel anywhere from Oak Ridge to Chattanooga to Memphis to Jefferson City. There were some exciting games during that run.

However, travel was one of the biggest points of emphasis when football was divided into five classifications (and especially when it moved to six and added quadrants).

The way the first round is set up in the 6A playoffs, there are no Midstate teams playing each other. It’s East vs. Middle or West vs. Middle. Some teams will be traveling as much as five hours for first-round games. Most trips will be at least two hours.

And as a nice segue…

The ugly: The only thing worse than riding a bus five hours to a football game? Riding that bus back five more hours after you’ve been outmatched for 48 minutes.

There are, for lack of a better word, some potentially ugly matchups in the first round, thanks to every 6A school reaching the playoffs. There is an 0-10 team driving to Memphis to battle a 9-1 team that is just three years removed from a 6A state championship. There is a 1-9 team traveling three hours east to battle a nationally ranked squad that has won 40 games in a row and 83 of its last 84.

Those matchups, while giving that “we shocked the world” potential, will likely make for long nights for a lot of players, coaches and fans.

Strap on your helmets and lace up the cleats. This year’s state football playoffs should be an interesting ride, if nothing else.

High School Sports Editor Cecil Joyce can be reached at 615-259-8017 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

Riverdale’s Austin Bryant (6) carries the ball against Smyrna.

As of Wednesday evening, a handful of playoff games involving Midstate teams were moved to Thursday because of the threat of inclement weather on Friday. Most of those were in the Chattanooga area.

Among the games rescheduled for Thursday are Riverdale vs. Bradley Central (at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga), Pope John Paul II at McCallie, Eagleville at Boyd-Buchanan, Mt. Pleasant at South Pittsburg, Grace Academy at Fayetteville and Ezell-Harding at Friendship Christian.

There is a less than 10 percent chance of rain on Thursday in Middle Tennessee while Friday’s forecast calls for a considerable chance of rain during the morning and afternoon, but just more than a 10 percent chance of precipitation at game time.

The chance of rain in the Chattanooga area Friday evening is heavy (50-60 percent chance at game time).

Tennessee high school football playoff brackets

Giles County student section cheers on the Bobcats during the 2013 Class 4A championship appearance.

Turnaround: A coaching change in the middle of a high school football season is rare, and usually an immediate impact is not expected.

Giles County is an exception to that rule.

Bobcats head coach Walt Smith, who had guided the team to the Class 4A championship game in 2013 before the team fizzled to 5-7 a year ago and 0-6 to start this season, was asked to resign following the sixth setback.

He was replaced on an interim basis by former assistant Scott Blair, who has guided the team to three wins in its last four games and a trip to the 4A  playoffs again.

Giles County (3-7) enters as a No. 4 seed after having defeated Spring Hill 56-46, Signal Mountain 10-0 and Tullahoma 35-14. The only blemish in Blair’s four games is a 49-27 setback to Page.

Converted running back Jordan Tucker has been instrumental in the Bobcats’ recent success, rushing 107 times for 862 yards and 11 touchdowns in the last four games, while completing 22 of 39 for 280 yards.

Giles County plays at unbeaten Stone Memorial on Friday.

Independence quarterback Andrew Bunch (10) looks downfield.

What if? Independence quarterback Andrew Bunch leads his unbeaten and top-ranked Eagles into the 5A playoffs with mammoth passing numbers.

He has completed 120 of 181 passes for 1,867 yards and 25 touchdowns with just two interceptions.

The most remarkable statistic? He did it in 5-1/2 games.

Bunch was injured midway through the Eagles’ second game and missed the next four with an elbow injury. His replacement, Adam Swayze, passed for 735 yards and seven TDs, giving the two a combined 2,602 yards and 32 touchdowns.

Brentwood Academy quarterback Jeremiah Oatsvall (4) races away from a Father Ryan defender.

Big stage, big plays: Brentwood Academy quarterback Jeremiah Oatsvall’s 2015 statistics don’t exactly jump off the page, especially when compared to prolific Midstate passers such as Bunch, Marshall County’s Ashton Posey and BGA’s Clayton Beathard.

Oatsvall has completed 88 of 134 attempts for a modest 1,289 yards and eight touchdowns, and his rushing numbers (73 carries for 775 yards and eight scores) aren’t out of this world, either.

The numbers themselves might not be overly impressive, but the way in which the 6-foot-1, 190-pounder has gone about getting them is.

In top-ranked Brentwood Academy’s 42-30 Week 5 win over No. 3 Baylor, Oatsvall threw for 255 yards, ran for 139 more and tallied five total touchdowns. Three weeks later against Montgomery Bell Academy, the dual-threat junior put together another monstrous performance, blistering the second-ranked Big Red for 412 total yards and five scores in a 49-14 win.

Oatsvall, a two-time Tennessean + TitanUp High School Player of the Week, has consistently come through in big-game situations, and, fortunately for the Eagles, it doesn’t get any bigger than the postseason.

Bracket breakdown: State football playoffs
The Tennessean Midstate Top 10
Top prep performers from Week 11
Prep notebook: Brentwood Academy gets gold NFL ball

The Tennessean’s Cecil Joyce and Michael Murphy contributed to this report. 

BGA’s Clay Beathard won the 2014 Division II-A Mr. Football Back of the Year award.

Twenty-five high school football players from the Midstate area have been named semifinalists for the 2015 Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards. The 68 semifinalists include four from eight of the state’s eight classifications for both Back of the Year and Lineman of the Year, in addition to four for Kicker of the Year.

Two finalists for each category will be announced Thursday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m., while the 31st annual awards will be presented Monday, Nov. 30 at Nissan Stadium.

“We are obviously excited and appreciative about being involved with the Tennessee Titans for the ninth consecutive year,” TSSAA Executive Director Bernard Childress said. “They have helped make the recognition of these 68 student-athletes, their families, and schools possible. The sponsorship of the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards and numerous contributions to high schools across the state since the team moved to Tennessee have meant a great deal to the member schools of the TSSAA.”

Semifinalists for the 2015 Mr. Football Awards include:

CLASS 1A
Lineman
Daniel Bituli, Nashville Christian
Jamison Blackwell, Union City
Trey Peters, Harriman
Josh Silvey, Greenback
Back
Preston Rice, Wayne County
Taylor Thompson, Columbia Academy
Stavonski Wilkes, Lake County
Dresser Winn, Dresden

CLASS 2A
Lineman
Jake Harden, Boyd-Buchanan
Alex Kirkendoll, Marion County
Boone Sweeney, Forrest
Justin Swift, Trezevant
Back
Andrew Goldsmith, Trinity Christian
Darius Harper, Austin East
Josh Henderson, Marion County
Cordarrian Richardson, Trezevant

CLASS 3A
Lineman
Jonathan Decker, Alcoa
Tyler Enos, Notre Dame
Matthew McClurg, Alcoa
Christian Williams, Milan
Back
Dustin Clabough, Alcoa
Traneil Moore, East Ridge
Cole Smith, CAK
Zack Weatherly, CPA

CLASS 4A
Lineman
Emmit Gooden, Haywood
Darron Johnson, Ridgeway
Cade Mays, Knoxville Catholic
Rutger Reitmaier, Lipscomb Academy
Back
Desmond Dabbs, Greeneville
Ashton Posey, Marshall County
Amari Rodgers, Knoxville Catholic
Kentel Williams, Fulton

CLASS 5A
Lineman
Tyrel Dodson, Centennial
Maleik Gray, La Vergne
Jeremiah Jackson, Ooltewah
Gunner Osborn, Henry County
Back
Jerry Craine, Wooddale
Tee Higgins, Oak Ridge
Nate Johnson, Independence
Deuce Wallace, Sevier County

CLASS 6A
Lineman
T.D. Blackmon, Maryville
Ty Nix, Oakland
Delvin Salter, Whitehaven
Kalani Smith, Mt. Juliet
Back
Cole Copeland, Bradley Central
Taeler Dowdy, Blackman
Dillon Mitchell, White Station
Jacoby Stevens, Oakland

DII-A
Lineman
Michael Flowers, DCA
Will Lawrence, Harding Academy
Trey Smith, USJ
Jacob Still, St. George’s
Back
Clay Beathard, BGA
Chase Hayden, St. George’s
Spence Jones, FRA
Christian Saulsberry, Northpoint Christian

DII-AA
Lineman
Ben Hill, Christian Brothers
Ryan Johnson, Brentwood Academy
Bryce Mathews, Brentwood Academy
Ryan Parker, Baylor
Back
Ty Chandler, MBA
Austin Lee, Christian Brothers
Jeremiah Oatsvall, Brentwood Academy
Thomas Pickens, MUS

KICKER
Ryan Courtright, Lexington
Thomas Garrison, Columbia Academy
Crews Holt, Ravenwood
Jacob Smith, Siegel

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.