BY JESSE SMITHEY In a game that generated preseason buzz over the ample amount of offensive stars involved, Halls-Oak Ridge wound up being decided by defense. Oak Ridge used a pair of first-half, interception-return touchdowns Thursday night to … [Read more...]
TSWA/USA Today State High School Football Rankings — Week 1 (2025)
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association and USA Today Network have formed a partnership for the 2025 high school season for a weekly football poll beginning with today’s Preseason Poll for six Division I classifications and three … [Read more...]
WEEK ONE (2025) GAME PREDICTIONS – presented by Triple F
BY JESSE SMITHEY The 2024 season was not a banner season for 5Star Preps game predictions. Most years, the predictions usually hit 80-84 percent of the time. Last season, though, it dipped to 76 percent. Small setback for a major comeback, … [Read more...]
5SP FIVE PLAYER WATCH for Week 1 (2025) presented by Triple F
The 2025 season is just hours away from its first kick. For the last handful of months, 5Star Preps has prepared you with previews, analysis, video highlights and more. Even still, some names might have slipped from your memory banks. Or, … [Read more...]
5STAR PREPS 2025 TOP FOOTBALL TEAMS presented by TRIPLE F
BY JESSE SMITHEY Week 1 is here. It's time to check out the top teams in the 5Star Preps coverage area — from state-title contenders to teams that could cause surprise. … [Read more...]
5STAR PREPS 2025 VOLLEYBALL SEASON PREVIEW
It just may be time for the drought to end. No high school volleyball team from the 5Star Preps coverage area has played for or won a TSSAA state championship since 2021. The Knoxville Catholic Lady Irish won the Division II-AA State … [Read more...]
THE LOOK AHEAD at WEEK 1 of the 2025 SEASON
BY JESSE SMITHEY The jamborees are done. And that means so are the preseason preparations. The 2025 high school season has arrived. Time to turn the page to the first game week. Here's a look at 15 key games/storylines from the Aug. … [Read more...]
THE NEXT STEP: Kingston RB Taeshaune Hamilton
BY JESSE SMITHEY One could make the case that Taeshaune Hamilton's prep football career has yet to reach its peak. The Kingston tailback hopes that apex happens this fall in his senior season. … [Read more...]
THE NEXT STEP: Oak Ridge RB Damillyan Porter
BY JESSE SMITHEY As injuries to key ball-catchers within the Oak Ridge offense piled up last season, Damillyan Porter’s role for the Wildcats grew more significant. By November, Porter had rounded into an all-around back — one who could not only … [Read more...]
2025 High School Football Season Preview HUB
2025 POWER RANKINGS — Read HERE. LOOK AHEAD to Week One — Read HERE. 2025 Preseason DREAM TEAM — Read HERE. Top 20 Games to See in 2025 — Read HERE. New Classifications/Regions to Debut in 2025 — Read HERE. Breakout Players for 2025, … [Read more...]