The postseason has finally arrived which means it’s time to make some way too early state championship picks.
Overall, the 615 Preps crew, Reggie included, have fared well when it comes to making picks this season with each guy batting close to .800. Now that the postseason has arrived though, anything can happen.
Here’s a look at who Cam, Chris, Joe, KJ, and Scott have right now advancing to Chattanooga and bringing home that coveted gold ball the first weekend of December.
Class 6A
Cam Reid: Brentwood 24, Oakland 21
All we can do is guess with such a loaded 6A bracket. Oakland has to go through a gauntlet to get back to Chattanooga and it is visibly noticeable in the second half, as an Issac Hayes field goal gives the Bruins revenge for the 2020 title game. Potential Spoilers: Bradley Central/Riverdale/Germantown
Chris Brooks: Brentwood 26, Oakland 23
It’s a little harder to pick this bracket this time around. A series of wild playoff games ends with a thriller in Chattanooga and the Bruins bring it home. Potential Spoilers: Riverdale/Bradley Central/Germantown
Joe Spears: Riverdale 28, Brentwood 24
I’ll likely get a lot of flack for this pick but why not switch it up a bit? Braden Graham and Brock Montgomery are on fire right now and that fire stays lit throughout the postseason. Potential Spoilers: Bradley Central/Germantown
KJ Harris: Brentwood 24, Oakland 21
This year presents a unique opportunity for a potential upset as Brentwood’s offense, spearheaded by quarterback Baylor Hayes, can challenge the Patriots’ dominance. With Hayes leading the charge, the Bruins could be poised to dethrone Oakland and make this season one to remember. Potential Spoiler: Riverdale
Scott Burton: Oakland 35, Germantown 31
Oakland will be on a mission as a No. 2 seed for the first time in Kevin Creasy’s tenure, but Cordero Walker is as dynamic a playmaker as any they’ve seen this year. Daune Morris may break records and maybe some Red Devil ankles to keep Walker off the field. Potential Spoiler: Brentwood
Class 5A
Cam Reid: Page 22, Knoxville West 21
Rematch! The Patriots make it back for the third year in a row, and risk it all on a late two-point try. Knox West has not seen a defense this season as complete as Page, and that proves to be the difference. Potential Spoiler: Henry County
Chris Brooks: Page 34, Knoxville West 31
Three is a magic number for the Patriots, who win their first gold ball in their third consecutive attempt behind a late defensive stand. Potential Spoilers: Henry County, Centennial
Joe Spears: Page 24, Knox West 23
Is the third time the charge for the Patriots? The Rebels crushed them last year in the Class 5A title game but there’s something different about this year’s group, especially on defense. Potential Spoiler: Henry County
KJ Harris: Page 31, Knoxville West 7
Page’s defense should pose a formidable obstacle that Knoxville West’s offense may struggle to overcome, ultimately paving the way for Page to secure the win. Potential Spoiler: Henry County
Scott Burton: Page 24, Powell 20
The Patriots return to Chattanooga for a third time in a row to face the team that held them to silver two years ago. This time the boys in the trifold hats walk away with gold. Potential Spoiler: Knoxville West
Class 4A
Cam Reid: Pearl-Cohn 35, Greeneville 24
Finally! Metro Nashville has its first football state champion since Hillsboro won it all in 2008. The Firebirds’ dynamic weapons on offense, Javion Kinnard and D’Arious Reed, prove to be too much for the Devils. Potential Spoilers: Upperman/Elizabethton
Chris Brooks: Pearl-Cohn 48, Elizabethton 19
The Firebirds are still angry about last year and silver won’t be acceptable this time around. They’ll wreck this bracket and bring a gold ball back to Metro Nashville in style. If anyone gets within 21 points of them in the playoffs, they’ll have done well. Potential Spoiler: Upperman
KJ Harris: Pearl-Cohn 28, Greeneville 14
Pearl-Cohn’s depth and balance are precisely why the Firebirds are poised to secure a victory, as they have the tools to counter Greeneville’s offensive strength and emerge triumphant. Potential Spoiler: Macon County
Joe Spears: Pearl-Cohn 35, Upperman 20
The Bees’ time is coming but the Firebirds’ time is now. Avenging last year’s heartbreaking loss, Pearl becomes Metro Nashville’s first state champion since 2008. Potential Spoiler: Elizabethton
Scott Burton: Pearl-Cohn 42, Anderson County 20
Pearl-Cohn has been on a mission all year long and the Mavericks will be their reward in Chattanooga. The good news is we get to see Ella the kickoff retriever a couple of times. Potential Spoiler: Marshall County
Class 3A
Cam Reid: Alcoa 28, Dyersburg 7
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Dyersburg reaches their first-ever state title game but must face the most dominant program in recent Tennessee history. Potential Spoiler: East Nashville
Chris Brooks: Alcoa 38, East Nashville 21
East Nashville runs it back to the final with a strong four-week run, but unless they can crack the Alcoa code, it’s silver again. There will be renewed calls for Alcoa to move up to tougher competition after they win another gold ball, and they’ll be 100 percent correct. But we all know they won’t. Potential Spoiler: Meigs County
Joe Spears: Alcoa 31, East Nashville 17
Another year, same result, but East gives the Tornadoes another challenge. Alcoa continues to dominate 3A with its ninth straight title. Maybe it’s time for the Tornadoes to move up a class or two? Potential Spoiler: Meigs County
KJ Harris: Alcoa 42, East Nashville 41
East Nashville is poised to make it the closest contest yet. However, Alcoa’s resilience and determination will once again prevail as they find a way to secure the win, extending their streak of dominance. Potential Spoiler: Liberty Creek
Scott Burton: Alcoa 38, Dyersburg 28
The Tornadoes haven’t lost the last game of the season since 2015, and although the Trojans have stopped several teams this year, the wind is inevitable. Potential Spoiler: East Nashville
Class 2A
Cam Reid: Huntingdon 34, East Robertson 21
The Indians have found their groove late in the season, but the Mustangs are the team to beat in 2A this year. Mustangs outlast the talent-loaded Indians. Potential Spoilers: York Institute, Riverside
Chris Brooks: York Institute 19, Huntingdon 8
A fire-breathing Dragon defense goes scorched earth in the playoffs en route to the title. Potential spoilers: East Robertson, Smith County
Joe Spears: York Institute 14, Huntingdon 10
The west side of the bracket has plenty of exciting teams who could make a run to Chattanooga. Give me York coming out of the east and the Dragons’ defense being able to shut down whoever that team is to win their first state title. Potential Spoiler: East Robertson
KJ Harris: East Robertson 35, Loretto 14
With their versatile defense, East Robertson has a strong chance of shutting down Loretto’s offense and securing a victory in the game. Potential Spoiler: Smith County
Scott Burton: Huntingdon 21, Smith County 20
The Mustangs have come close several times of late, but this could be their year. Impressive wins at Columbia Academy, Milan, and home against Riverside make for an impressive resume. It will take all they can muster to beat the Owls, who have one of the best defenses in the state. Potential Spoiler: East Robertson
Class 1A
Cam Reid: South Pittsburg 27, Dresden 24
The Lions make it back to the big one for the first time since winning it all in 2016. However, I believe the Pirates are destined to find gold in their own backyard. Potential Spoiler: Moore County
Chris Brooks: South Pittsburg 28, Moore County 19
Dawson Moore gives Moore County a chance, but ultimately the Pirates find the treasure chest in Chattanooga – with a gold ball in it. Potential Spoiler: McKenzie
Joe Spears: South Pittsburg 34, Moore County 27
Dawson White and the Raiders put up a good fight, but the Pirates have a little too much firepower to overcome in their own backyard. Potential Spoiler: Dresden
KJ Harris: South Pittsburg 14, Moore County 10
South Pittsburg and Moore County have established themselves as defensive powerhouses. The challenge lies in the fact that both teams’ offenses are equally proficient at scoring, making this a nail-biting showdown. Potential Spoiler: McKenzie
Scott Burton:
South Pittsburg 42, Moore County 30
Last year the Pirates ran roughshod In the regular season only to get the boot by Gordonsville. They will face off against probable Class 1A Mr. Football, Dawson White. After a year hiatus, South Pitt is back and ready for prime time. Potential Spoiler: Dresden
Division II-A
Cam Reid: Friendship Christian 17, MTCS 14
These two met in the regular season, a 16-14 win for the Cougars. Tyson Wolcott has been the most impactful player in DII-A this season and he leads the Commanders to back-to-back state titles. Potential Spoiler: Columbia Academy
Chris Brooks: Friendship Christian 21, MTCS 20
The rematch is as advertised, and Friendship Christian avenges their regular-season loss to the Cougars. Potential Spoilers: Columbia Academy, DCA
Joe Spears: Friendship Christian 17, MTCS 16
MTCS won round one between these two teams but give me Tyson Wolcott doing just enough to lead the Commanders to their second straight DII-A title. Potential Spoiler: Trinity Christian Academy
KJ Harris: Friendship Christian 31, MTCS 28
While MTCS made them work for it in their Week 6 matchup, Friendship Christian is determined to seek redemption after that close loss. This promises to be another closely contested game. Potential Spoiler: Trinity Christian
Scott Burton: Friendship Christian 17, MTCS 14
Two possible candidates for the Mr. Football awards continue their duel as the Commanders get their rematch with the Cougars about 135 miles south. Friendship rides home with another gold ball for the case. Potential Spoiler: Columbia Academy
Division II-AA
Cam Reid: CPA 24, Boyd Buchanan 10
The Lions no longer have to worry about their nemesis from the last couple years, and they bring home the gold ball. Gary Rankin has arrived in DII-AA, but this CPA team is on a mission. Potential Spoiler: FRA
Chris Brooks: CPA 28, Boyd Buchanan 17
The best coaching matchup of the weekend between Ingle Martin and Gary Rankin goes to the Lions, who get back on top after back-to-back runner-up finishes. Potential Spoiler: FRA
Joe Spears: CPA 28, Boyd Buchanan 14
CPA in the postseason is a different beast and the Lions tend to peak during November and December. After back-to-back championship losses, Ingle Martin’s group ends the year back on top. Potential Spoiler: FRA
KJ Harris: CPA 14, Boyd Buchanan 7
Boyd-Buchanan has been a consistent and dominant performance, cruising their way to this stage. However, CPA’s earlier season battles and hard-fought victories have prepared them for the postseason. Potential Spoiler: Lausanne
Scott Burton: CPA 27, Boyd Buchanan 21
The Lions are playing their best ball and spoil Gary Rankin’s return to the Blue Cross Bowl. Crews Law and Rawls Patterson get to add their names to the CPA trophy case. Maybe they should design theirs like the Stanley Cup. Potential Spoiler: FRA
Division II-AAA
Cam Reid: Baylor 38, McCallie 34
These two played to a 34-31 Blue Tornado victory in the regular season and points should be plenty again in this one. This game may draw the biggest crowd for a single BCB game that we’ve seen in decades. Potential Spoiler: MUS
Chris Brooks: Baylor 43, McCallie 42
An all-Chattanooga final electrifies the crowd with an even more exciting finish. Give me the Red Raiders on a two-point conversion for all the marbles. Potential Spoiler: MUS.
Joe Spears: Baylor 38, McCallie 35
This is the matchup the entire city of Chattanooga hopes to see at Finley Stadium in December. In front of a near-sellout crowd, Amari Jefferson scores a late touchdown to propel the Red Raiders to their second straight state title. Potential Spoiler: Ensworth
KJ Harris: McCallie 45, MUS 42
If history is any indicator, McCallie is poised to take care of business again and emerge victorious in this exciting clash. With both teams known for their offensive prowess, this potential game will surely be a must-watch for football enthusiasts. Potential Spoiler: Baylor
Scott Burton: Baylor 38, McCallie 35
These two teams get a home game to face off as the Blue Tornado gets an opponent that is not MBA for the first time since 2018. The bad news is it’s a rematch with Whit Muschamp and Amari Jefferson. It’s hard to beat a good team twice. If Lipscomb survives their appeal, though, all bets are off. Potential Spoiler: MBA