By MIKE BLACKERBY D.J. Burks has emerged as a force on both sides of the ball for Maryville this season, but make no mistake about it. Burks still considers himself a defense-first guy. “Defense is a lot of fun,” said Burks, a 6-0, 185-pound … [Read more...]
Freshman-infused Fulton boys basketball starts season off with a tight win at Gibbs
By MIKE BLACKERBY CORRYTON - There’s a youth movement afoot, but Fulton’s veterans still have a lot of basketball left in them, too. The Falcons, with three freshmen playing significant minutes, hung on for a 53-52 non-district win at Gibbs on … [Read more...]
AS GOOD AS ADVERTISED: West Rebels defensive unit helping construct postseason run
By MIKE BLACKERBY West has a well-earned reputation for playing great defense under coach Lamar Brown. But these 2020 Rebels have taken it to even another level. Consider West’s gaudy team numbers on defense ... Seven teams have scored … [Read more...]
West Rebels football cruise past upset-minded Walker Valley, 32-3, in 5A playoffs
By MIKE BLACKERBY Nothing like a little football to shake the COVID blues. Shannon Blair, who missed West’s last two games due to contact-tracing quarantine, had a big hand in Friday’s 32-3 second-round 5A playoff decision over Walker Valley in … [Read more...]
Pigeon Forge football looks to make history; Rockwood faces Mr. Football hopeful
By MIKE BLACKERBY Class 1A-3A teams move into the second round of the TSSAA high school football playoffs Friday night. Here’s a look at some of the headliners in the 5Star Preps coverage area this week: Big rivalry game at G-P Rockwood at … [Read more...]
ROUND 2: West vs. Walker Valley, AC vs. Greeneville, Halls vs. Central, Oak Ridge vs. Rhea, SoDo at Crockett
By MIKE BLACKERBY Looking ahead as Classes 4A-6A move into the second round of the TSSAA high school football playoffs. We take a gander at some of the most intriguing matchups in the upper-three classes this week in the 5Star Preps … [Read more...]
Pigeon Forge football team upsets top-seed Claiborne in Class 3A first round
By MIKE BLACKERBY NEW TAZEWELL – Pigeon Forge’s remarkable turnaround continues. The Tigers stunned Claiborne early with a pair of quick-strike touchdowns and the Bulldogs never recovered as Pigeon Forge walked away with a 42-15 win Friday in the … [Read more...]
Hardin Valley boys wins TSSAA State XC by landslide; Farragut girls claim runner-up; Alcoa boys third
By MIKE BLACKERBY That blue and white tidal wave Thursday at Sanders Ferry Parkway in Hendersonville, Tenn., was Hardin Valley’s boys running away with the Division I Large Schools state cross country championship. It wasn’t even close. … [Read more...]
The Pigeon Forge/Claiborne clash, Oneida’s fresh start, Gatlinburg-Pittman back at home
By MIKE BLACKERBY Here’s a review of the final week of the regular season and a look forward to Friday’s opening slate of playoff games in Classes 1A-3A in the 5Star Preps high school football coverage area: Pigeon Forge-Claiborne in 3A … [Read more...]
Fulton football returns to action, Powell faces tough road game, Bearden surging, MoEast vs. Central, Sevier survives
By MIKE BLACKERBY Here’s a look back at the final week of the regular season and a glance forward to Friday’s opening slate of playoff games in Classes 4A-6A in the 5Star Preps high school football coverage area: Fulton finally back in … [Read more...]