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Last week, nine gold balls were awarded in Chattanooga. As crazy as it may sound, we’re ready for the 2025 season to go ahead and kick off.
It’s never too early to look ahead and we’ve done that now with our rankings. How about answering who we have raising gold next December?
Knowing what we know about each team currently, our crew went ahead and picked their way-too-early state championship favorites for the 2025 season.
ONE LAST AWARD: Three area players named Mr. Football winners
TOP OF THE TOP IN 2024: Final 2024 area rankings
Class 6A
Cam, Oakland: The 2024 Patriots broke in a fairly new offensive line and they return most of that line in 2025. If their playoff run was an appetizer on what to expect, the Patriots will be a juggernaut again.
Chris, Oakland: Now that they remembered who they were in the title game this season, Chip Nobody pushes them to repeat in 2025.
Isaac, Ravenwood: I liked the Raptors more and more as this year went on. Either one of their quarterbacks are enough for me to believe Ravenwood can reload for next year.
Joe, Oakland: Sure the Patriots lose a lot but they just reload annually. Craig Tutt Mr. Football season incoming as they repeat as the 6A champs.
Scott, Ravenwood: The Raptors return a bunch of talented stars that are justifiably upset they could not get by Houston. This will be a vengeance tour.
Tyson, Oakland: It’s Oakland’s world and we’re just living in it. This, combined with limited competition on the western half, makes the path to Chattanooga a wide road for the Patriots.
Class 5A
Cam, Sevier County: The Smoky Bears return a lot from their championship, which makes them the early favorite. I look for 5A to be one of the most competitive classes in 2025, but, “to be the man, you have to beat the man.”
Chris, Sevier County: With a lot returning, the Smoky Bears won’t need all the bounces to go their way this time as they run it back.
Isaac, Munford: Freshmen phenom Tay Starks impressed this year, and will only be getting better. With the reemergence of Memphis football, I’ll take the Cougars to bring home gold.
Joe, Sevier County: As much as I want to pick an area team like Beech or Page, it’s hard to do that until the glass ceiling is broken. The Smoky Bears return a ton next season including standout quarterback Cooper Newman.
Scott, Sevier County: Cooper Newman has a gold ball as a sophomore taking down one of the best defenses in recent TSSAA history in the process. The Smoky Bears have young talent behind the current senior skill players and the defense is going to be even better.
Tyson, Sevier County: Oh, Page. I don’t even know what to say. Anyway, Sevier County returns its two biggest weapons and I see them repeating.
Class 4A
Cam, Springfield: Surprise! The Jackets return all five on the offensive line as well as just about every skill position on offense. If they can find answers to the holes left on defense, Dustin Wilson’s team could be destined for a magical season.
Chris, Springfield: The eastern half of the bracket could take a step back, and the Yellow Jackets could be the team that ends Alcoa’s title streak.
Isaac, Marshall County: Marshall County will return Mr. Football winner Tyler Thompson and be just as dangerous next year. They’ll be challenged by Springfield to get to Chattanooga next year.
Joe, Springfield: Why not the Jackets? The move down to 4A is a good thing for Springfield with the group they have coming back and the east side of the bracket could beat itself.
Scott, Springfield: Class 4A will be loaded next year but I’ll take the team who surprised everyone in 2024. Late in the season, Springfield found something that brought out the best of them and I think they carry that into 2025.
Tyson, Anderson County: They fell short to Macon County this year, but Macon should regress and open up Anderson’s route to state.
Class 3A
Cam, Westview: The Chargers return their core of playmakers as well as rising sophomore quarterback Graham Simpson. Simpson put up video game numbers as a freshman and his sophomore campaign won’t be much different.
Chris, Westview: Graham Simpson – who should have won Mr. Football this year – goes scorched earth and leads the Chargers to the title.
Isaac, Westview: Alcoa is finally gone and Westview is the new favorite. Graham Simpson will repeat his insane stat line from this year and lead the chargers to state.
Joe, Westview: With Alcoa gone, 3A is Westview’s to run the next three seasons with Graham Simpson running the show. The Chargers should roll to the gold ball next season.
Scott, Westview: Westview could not be caught until they ran into the force that is Alcoa. However, with the Tornadoes playing up, there may not be an offense that can outscore Graham Simpson and the Chargers next year.
Tyson, Westview: No more Alcoa and extra Graham Simpson is like mixing bleach and ammonia: Toxic.
Class 2A
Cam, East Nashville: This Eagles team was just a few plays away from their 4th straight 3A state title game in 2024. They return KJ Johnson among others on a team that will look to bring their first gold ball back to East Nashville.
Chris, East Nashville: A team with East Nashville’s talent getting to move down? Sign me up.
Isaac, East Nashville: With the Eagles moving down to 2A next year, I like them to finally get that gold ball they’ve been chasing the last few years.
Joe, East Nashville: As soon as I saw that the Eagles were moving down, they were my pick to win 2A next season. KJ Johnson Mr. Football season incoming.
Scott, East Nashville: Going a class down into 2A put the Eagles right back into gold ball contention. Dallas Covington had a standout sophomore season and having both Kinnie Fuller and KJ Johnson back only makes them more dangerous.
Tyson, East Nashville: They’ve been killing it at 3A, and I don’t see them regressing even in a tough 2A bracket.
Class 1A
Cam, South Pittsburg: The Pirates will head into the 2025 season trying to redeem themselves from a silver finish in 2024. The last time the Pirates came up short was in 2020 and they proceeded to win gold in 2021.
Chris, South Pittsburg: The revenge tour takes the Pirates all the way to a gold ball.
Isaac, South Pittsburg: With MASE losing most of their top producers and McKenzie graduating their star quarterback in Tate Surber, I think South Pitt wins it with returning talent such as Jamychal Buckner.
Joe, South Pittsburg: 1A is going to see an angry Pirates squad next year after what happened in this year’s championship. They’re the favorites nearly every season for a good reason.
Scott, Moore County: Senior quarterback Gavin Wise returns alongside running back Isaac Petty. Together they combined for over 2,600 yards and 30 touchdowns and should be even better next season.
Tyson, Gordonsville: South Pitt is a powerhouse, but I think Gordonsville shakes it up this year.
Division II-AAA
Cam, Baylor: David Gabriel Georges was just a sophomore in 2024 as hard as that may be to believe. The Canadian is one of the best prospects in the state for the 2027 class and they also bring back starting quarterback Briggs Cherry.
Chris, Baylor: Until the Nashville schools become boarding schools (better start breaking ground now), it’ll be a tough time for them trying to catch Baylor or McCallie.
Isaac, CPA: Moving up a class in Division II would be detrimental for most teams, but CPA is not most teams. Rawls Patterson will lead this team back to Chattanooga and dethrone whichever of the Chattanooga teams stand in their way.
Joe, Baylor: I was convinced the Red Raiders would roll to the title this year but man, that second half collapse was brutal. They’re sick of silver and I think they get back to the top next year.
Scott, Baylor: Much like 4A, there are a lot of talented teams that have just enough flaws to tilt them one way or another, but think one team has the pieces in place to take charge and the motivation to get it done. With a healthy David Gabriel Georges and returning Briggs Cherry, the Red Raiders will put this year behind them.
Tyson, Ensworth: Yeah, it’s probably gonna be a Chattanooga boarding school, and maybe it’s the Christmas spirit, but I’m in the advent of a Middle Tennessee messianic figure in either Ensworth or CPA.
Division II-AA
Cam, BGA: The Wildcats got a taste of the championship game in 2024 but ran into the big bad wolf, CPA. I look for that offense to even be better next season as they win their title since 2003.
Chris, BGA: FRA will seriously contend, but the Wildcats take full advantage of CPA’s move up and become the top dogs.
Isaac, BGA: I picked BGA as my dark horse this year and they didn’t disappoint. Next year will be theirs for the taking with only FRA standing in their way.
Joe, FRA: This is a coin-flip pick between BGA and FRA. The Wildcats made it this year and very well could win it next season but the talent FRA has coming back makes me think they bring home gold in 2025.
Scott, BGA: The Wildcats arrived earlier than expected and with force. A lot of team speed will be lost with the graduations of Arnett Hayes and Locke Kennedy, but Bobby Bentley has the foundations in place and good players returning.
Tyson, FRA: When daddy’s away (CPA) the cats will play. BGA and FRA are my two favorites to fill the power vacuum, but I think FRA will come out on top with Hassell returning for his senior year.
Division II-A
Cam, Nashville Christian: It’s crazy to consider this Eagles team could be better than they were in 2024, but signs point to that exact thought. Led by Jared Curtis and TJ Ward, the Eagles will look to obtain perfection in 2025.
Chris, Nashville Christian: Jared Curtis and the Eagles repeat as state champions and it’s not particularly close.
Isaac, Nashville Christian: TJ Ward and Gatorade Player of the Year Jared Curtis return next year. The Eagles will run through DII-A on the warpath for back-to-back gold.
Joe, Nashville Christian: As scary as they were this year, the Eagles will be even better next year. Jared Curtis and T.J. Ward in a backfield together in DII-A is just not fair.
Scott, Nashville Christian: Nashville Christian’s Jeff Brothers labored through a nine-year drought and now all that hard working is paying off. The Eagles ready to double down with this year’s Mr. Football Jared Curtis back.
Tyson, Nashville Christian: Jared Curtis. Enough said.
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