In just a few short weeks, state champions will be crowned at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga. As it is every year, the 615 will likely be represented well in this year’s state championship matchups.
Nashville-area schools are in the state championship conversation seemingly every year and this year’s no different. How many actually bring home that coveted gold ball, now that’s a different conversation.
Here’s a look at the most recent state champions from each of the major counties in our coverage area, going back to when the playoff system began in 1969:
Davidson County
It’s been a while since a Davidson County public school has brought home a gold ball.
Hillsboro is the last to claim that title as the Burros won their second state championship in 2008 beating Maryville 10-7. A 20-yard field goal by Jacob Noe with 8:52 remaining was the deciding factor.
Private schools have fared much better over the last 10-15 years. Between state titles from CPA, Davidson Academy, DCA, Ensworth, Lipscomb Academy, MBA, and Nashville Christian, the area has seen 14 state titles.
Lipscomb Academy is the last of that bunch, repeating as DII-AA champions last year with a 42-0 win over CPA. The win was the last of Trent Dilfer’s during his tenure at the school before leaving for UAB.
Photo by Scott Burton
Montgomery County
Clarksville-area teams haven’t had much postseason luck when it comes to football, and no public school has played for a title under the playoff format. Clarksville Academy had one BlueCross Bowl appearance in 1997, finishing runner-up.
Robertson County
There have been a lot of talented Robertson County teams over time, but only one can call itself state champions.
That group was the 1993 Springfield Yellow Jackets who went 13-2 and beat McMinn Central 28-6 in the Class 3A championship game. Springfield ran for 188 yards and four touchdowns that night while limiting McMinn Central to 107 total yards of offense including -41 yards rushing. Jarrell Summers took home Offensive MVP honors, while McMinn Central’s Mike Johnson was named Defensive MVP.
Springfield is the only Robertson County school to compete for a state title since that championship losing to Greeneville in 2017 and Elizabethton in 2019.
Rutherford County, after Oakland
Looking over time, two schools have dominated the football scene in Rutherford County – Oakland and Riverdale. The Patriots have been the team to beat in 6A in recent memory, cementing a three-peat last year.
So who was the last team other than Oakland to win a state title from Rutherford County?
That honor would go to Smyrna. The Bulldogs were back-to-back Class 5A champions in 2006 and 2007 beating Ravenwood 35-14 in 2006 and Independence 46-20 a year later.
Future MLB standout pitcher Sonny Gray threw for 166 yards and two touchdowns in the 2007 matchup, while future MTSU standout back Jeremiah Bryson was the game’s MVP rushing for 170 yards and four touchdowns.
Photo by Scott Burton
Sumner County
Sumner County schools are frequently in the state championship picture. Between Beech, Gallatin, Portland, and White House, the county has produced seven state championship teams
Jalen Hurd’s 2012 Beech team was the last state champion from the county. That year the Buccaneers went 15-0 and beat Columbia 56-35 in the championship. Hurd rushed for an absurd 395 yards and four touchdowns in the win.
That year’s 5A Mr. Football winner, Hurd set the season-rushing record with 3,357 yards. To this day, that’s a record that continues to be the standard.
Williamson County
There was no stopping the Summit trio of twins Destin and Keaten Wade alongside standout receiver Brady Pierce in 2020. After a state championship loss the year before, that trio led Summit to its first state title that season beating Oak Ridge 28-7 to go 14-1 on the year.
Destin was named the game’s MVP, accounting for 228 total yards and three touchdowns.
As for the private school side of the equation, Brentwood Academy’s state championship in 2018 was the latest of what was a long run of success for the Eagles. That 28-6 win over MUS was the fourth state title in a row for the Eagles and 14th overall.
Photo by Alivia Schwan
Wilson County
No Wilson County public school has played for a state title under the playoff format. However, there’s been one private school that’s won multiple.
Friendship Christian is a four-time champion, winning its first state title in 2011. The Commanders would go on to win again in 2012, 2017, and most recently last year.
The 2022 group went 13-0 like the 2017 group and capped off the year with a 34-27 win over Nashville Christian. Garrett Weekly connected with Brock Montgomery seven times for 111 yards and three touchdowns to secure the win.
Photo by Scott Burton
Smaller counties
They may not play out of a large county like the schools above, but it’s worth noting Dickson County, Trousdale County, and Gordonsville when it comes to state championship runs.
Led by current Oakland head coach Kevin Creasy, Trousdale County won its ninth state championship in 2013 beating Adamsville 21-12.
Gordonsville brought Smith County state titles in 2012 and 1984, while Dickson County won its only state championship in 1988.
List of area state champions in playoff era (since 1969)
14: Brentwood Academy (1974, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1995, 1996, 2006, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
9: Trousdale County (1972, 1990, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2013)
7: Oakland (1984, 1998, 2008, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022)
6: Davidson Academy (2005, 2006, 2008, 2018, 2019, 2020); MBA (1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2014)
5: Lipscomb Academy (1994, 2002, 2007, 2021, 2022); CPA (2000, 2002, 2014, 2018, 2020); BGA (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003)
4: Friendship Christian (2011, 2012, 2017, 2022); DCA (1988, 1996, 2004, 2021); Ensworth (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013); Riverdale (1994, 1997, 2001, 2004)
3: Goodpasture (1995, 1999, 2001); Gallatin (1978, 1989, 1992)
2: Ravenwood (2005, 2015); Beech (2009, 2012); Gordonsville (1984, 2012); Hillsboro (2003, 2008); Smyrna (2006, 2007); Pearl-Cohn (1996, 1997); Father Ryan (1974, 1997)
1: Summit (2020); Independence (2015); Nashville Christian (2015); Brentwood (2002); Ezell-Harding (2001); Portland (2000); White House (1997); Springfield (1993); FRA (1991); Dickson County (1988); Overton (1981)
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