BY MIKE BLACKERBY The big stage and bright lights never seemed to faze Anderson County quarterback J.D. Gillum. For his superlative efforts, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Gillum is the 2025 5Star Preps Offensive Underclassman of the Year. The … [Read more...]
5STAR PREPS DEFENSIVE UNDERCLASSMAN OF THE YEAR: Joshua Kay, Powell
BY MIKE BLACKERBY If Joshua Kay’s style of play on the football field looks familiar, it’s by design. That’s because Powell’s sack-happy standout sophomore end – the 5Star Preps Defensive Underclassman of the Year – has the perfect template to … [Read more...]
5STAR PREPS BOYS XC RUNNER OF THE YEAR (2025): Trey Bailey (Greeneville)
BY MIKE BLACKERBY Greeneville coach Larry Blalock thought he might have something special on his hands after watching Trey Bailey as a 10th grader at the state cross-country meet. Bailey took a nasty spill and was spiked after getting caught up … [Read more...]
5STAR PREPS GIRLS XC RUNNER OF THE YEAR (2025): Calysta Garmer (Webb School of Knoxville)
BY MIKE BLACKERBY No matter the size of the stage, Calysta Garmer ran each race like it was her last. It was a strategy that served the formidable Webb standout well during her remarkable high school career, which included back-to-back state … [Read more...]
2025 ALL-5STAR PREPS CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS
2025 ALL-5STAR PREPS CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS BOYS FIRST TEAM Trey Bailey, jr., Greeneville RUNNER OF THE YEAR The latest in a long line of top-shelf runners for the Greene Devils, Bailey was state Class AA champion in 15:12.89 and the Section 1 … [Read more...]
2025 SEMIFINALS PREVIEW presented by Triple F — Halls at Sevier County
BY MIKE BLACKERBY The similarities will be striking when Halls (8-4) and Sevier County (12-1) tee it up Friday night at 7 in Sevierville in the Class 5A state semifinals. · There are top-tier quarterbacks on each side. · Both teams … [Read more...]
2025 SEMIFINALS PREVIEW presented by Triple F — South Pittsburg at Coalfield
BY MIKE BLACKERBY South Pittsburg is the gold standard in Class 1A football in Tennessee, ever since the Pirates won their first TSSAA state championship in the playoff era way back in 1969. Exactly 56 years ago to the day Friday in Nashville, … [Read more...]
THE BIG PREVIEW for ROUND THREE (2025) — presented by Triple F
BY MIKE BLACKERBY The high school football playoffs traditionally offer some blockbuster matchups locally in the state quarterfinals. Friday night is no exception. The remaining playoff teams in the 5Star Preps area are one win away from reaching … [Read more...]
THE BIG PREVIEW powered by Triple F — Round 2 of the 2025 Playoffs
BY MIKE BLACKERBY These second-round high school football playoff matchups look a little different than usual, don’t they? Due to the reshuffling of the playoff deck by the TSSAA, many of the teams in the 5Star Preps coverage area find themselves … [Read more...]
THE BIG PREVIEW for Round One of the 2025 Playoffs, presented by Triple F
BY MIKE BLACKERBY OK, here we go. The challenging road to the 2025 BlueCross Bowl TSSAA state football championships begins Thursday and Friday night across Tennessee. Courtesy of the Big Preview, here’s a look at some of the key playoff openers … [Read more...]