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Summer is here and that means we’re all patiently awaiting the start of the 2025 high school football season.
At the time this story is published we’ll be officially 76 days away from the first night of games.
Taking an even further look ahead, we’re 182 days away from the first of nine state championship games that will once again be held in Chattanooga.
That’s what we’re going to take a look at today.
Knowing what we know, so far, our crew went ahead and made their way-too-early state championship picks for the 2025 seasons. Here’s a look at who each of the guys have bringing home gold in December:
Class 6A
Cam, Oakland: Last season, the Patriots broke in a fairly brand new offensive line. They return most of that line in 2025 and if their playoff run was an appetizer on what to expect, they will be a juggernaut again.
Chris, Oakland: This is no longer a no-brainer, as the top-end competition is better in 6A. But we learned in 2024 that picking against the Patriots is not a great idea. I’ll stick with Chip Nobody this year until I’m proven wrong. However, if anyone’s going to do it, look no further than Ravenwood even in the post-Will Hester era.
Isaac, Ravenwood: This Raptors squad is absolutely loaded coming into this year. They lose last year’s Mr. Football in Donovan Starr, but return key players like Femi Babalola and Maverick Chance. Oakland will be a major obstacle as always, but I think this Ravenwood team has what it takes to raise gold.
Joe, Ravenwood: Look I get it, Oakland is the standard for Class 6A, but at some point the Raptors have to take that next step right? If they’re going to do it any year, this is it.
Konner, Oakland: I would say this was the toughest pick out of all, I see five teams competing for this title. However Oakland’s maintains a ton of returning talent, which should give them the edge on opponents this year.
Scott, Oakland: The king is the king until he gets dethroned, and it will take a lot to topple this program. Do-it-all athlete Craig Tutt returns for his senior season.
Tyson, Houston: I think the Mustangs are going to be the next Class 6A powerhouse. They have elite coaching and play their best football in the postseason.
Class 5A
Cam, Sevier County: The Smoky Bears return a lot from their state championship team, 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: The Smoky Bears were a year early getting their first one, and with Cooper Newman just getting better, number two is very much within reach.
Isaac, Sevier County: With a state title under the Smokey Bears’ belt already, they know what it takes to win. Returning a lot of their talent from last years squad, Sevier County will be the favorite to make it back to Chattanooga.
Joe, Sevier County: While I think Beech or Page could make a run, the Smoky Bears are still loaded. Having a talent at quarterback like Cooper Newman just gives them a leg up on everyone else.
Konner, Sevier County: Having a sophomore quarterback who threw for more than 3,400 yards and 45 touchdowns last season isn’t something you see too often. Cooper Newman and company are in a great position to go back-to-back.
Scott, Sevier County: Smoky Bears quarterback Cooper Newman shocked most of Tennessee last year putting up yards against a record-setting Page defense. The Smoky Bears are young and talented enough to start their own dynasty.
Tyson, Sevier County: Sevier County stunned Page last year and they were just dominant. I could see them going on a nice winning stretch for the next couple years.
Class 4A
Cam, Alcoa: The Tornadoes have their work cut out for them in 2025 as they graduated several key pieces and finally have moved up to 4A. But the fact is, historically, they don’t have much trouble beating 4A, 5A, and 6A teams.
Chris, Upperman: Could be the deepest field of contenders in any classification, and Alcoa could absolutely walk in and make it 11 straight. However, their playoff competition gets a giant upgrade and it sets them up to get knocked off. I think the title stays in Region 4-4A as the Bees finally get golden.
Isaac, Alcoa: One classification’s gain is another classification’s loss. For 4A, that means having the juggernaut that is Alcoa entering the ranks. While it probably won’t be as easy as past years, I expect the Tornadoes to capture their 11th straight gold ball.
Joe, Upperman: Class 4A has about six teams that realistically could raise gold at the end of the year. I think the Bees, with all of their returning senior talent, finally get it done.
Konner, Alcoa: It’s hard to not be boring here and choose against Alcoa. They haven’t lost a state championship in the last decade and I believe that’s enough evidence to why I have them repeating again.
Scott, Alcoa: The Tornadoes finally make the move up, and opponents are lining up to be the team that stops their championship streak at 10.
Tyson, Alcoa: Alcoa could’ve moved up years ago and won some titles, but they wanted the easy route. That being said I think they transition well to 4A.
Class 3A
Cam, Westview: The Chargers return their core of playmakers as well as rising sophomore quarterback Graham Simpson. He put up video game numbers as a freshman and his sophomore campaign won’t be much different.
Chris, Westview: Now that Alcoa’s gone, Graham Simpson-led teams will win 3A until further notice. The bigger question is who gets out of the east?
Isaac, Westview: With Alcoa finally moving up, the 3A throne seems ripe for the taking by the Chargers. Graham Simpson should have another record breaking year and give Westview their first state title since his older brother Ty brought one to home to Martin.
Joe, Westview: Graham Simpson, Asa Barnes and Miles Brown are a trio no one in 3A will be able to stop. The Chargers run 3A as long as Simpson is in Martin.
Konner, Westview: As a freshman, Graham Simpson took Westview all the way to the championship. I think he has what it takes to do what his brother did in 2021.
Scott, Westview: Graham Simpson returns and his legend enters year two. Asa Barnes returns as well and this team will endanger the TVA and scoreboards throughout the West.
Tyson, Westview: With Alcoa out of the way (finally) sophomore Graham Simpson, the best 3A quarterback, is only going to get better.
Class 2A
Cam, East Nashville: This Eagles team was just a few plays away from their fourth straight Class 3A title game in 2024. The Eagles return KJ Johnson among others that will look to bring their first gold ball back to East Nashville.
Chris, East Nashville: A 2A team with better talent spells trouble for the rest of the class, but their biggest challenge lies in their own region with East Robertson.
Isaac, East Nashville: Moving down to 2A this year, the Eagles are bringing their 3A talent with them. Players like KJ Johnson, Kinnie Fuller, and Cam Wade should be enough to get them past the finish line this year.
Joe, East Nashville: Down a class and returning the talent they have, it’s hard to see any team topping the Eagles this season. KJ Johnson and Kinnie Fuller should put up video game-like numbers.
Konner, East Robertson: East Robertson is one of those loaded teams year-by-year constantly producing next-level talent. East Nashville seems to be the one of the few teams that can compete for this spot, however I’m taking Zach Groves and the Indians.
Photo/ Isaac Leedham
Scott, East Nashville: The Eagles drop down a class, but bring a team loaded with 3A experience and talent.
Tyson, East Nashville: The Eagles were a contender in Class 3A, and they should be one in 2A. They are also playing in a tough region alongside East Robertson that should prepare them for playoffs.
Class 1A
Cam, South Pittsburg: The Pirates will head into 2025 trying to redeem themselves from a silver finish in 2024. The last time they came up short was in 2020 and then they proceeded to win gold in 2021.
Chris, South Pittsburg: Think the Pirates learn from last year’s disappointment and write their redemption story in 2025.
Isaac, Coalfield: The Yellow Jackets have been pounding on the door, making the semifinals 2 of the past 4 years. With a lot of returning talent this year, I think Coalfield finally breaks through and hoists the gold ball in Chattanooga.
Joe, South Pittsburg: After what happened in last year’s championship game, I think we’ll see an angry and motivated Pirates squad in 2025. The rest of Class 1A needs to be on high-alert.
Konner, South Pittsburg: South Pittsburg fell just one game short of a state title last season, but with junior quarterback, Dayon Cooper leading the offense and towering 6’6″ defensive end J.R. Hardick anchoring the defense, the seven-time state champion Pirates look poised to bring home their eighth state title this year.
Scott, South Pittsburg: The Pirates lose some talent but have several experienced linemen returning, along with electric quarterback Dayon Cooper.
Tyson, South Pittsburg: The Pirates are the 1A powerhouse and they’ve been a contender for as long as I can remember. After getting shocked by MASE last year I see them returning to glory.
Division II-AAA
Cam, Baylor: David Gabriel Georges was just a sophomore in 2024 and the Canadian is one of the best prospects in the state for the 2027 class. While he is great, the Red Raiders also return Briggs Cherry which will keep teams from keying on Georges.
Chris, Baylor: One of the Chattanooga teams wins gold again, but – spoiler alert – they’re not dominant in doing so, surviving multiple upset efforts in order to avenge last year’s heartbreak.
Isaac, Baylor: Last year’s loss in the BlueCross Bowl to McCallie will give Baylor all the motivation it needs to get back to the promised land. David Gabriel Georges is the best football player in the state in my opinion and he should be able to lead his team to a gold ball.
Joe, McCallie: Sure Baylor may be the most talented team in the state, but they were last year too only to get upset by their crosstown rival. I’m not picking against the Blue Tornado again until they give me a reason to.
Konner, McCallie: I personally believe McCallie has the most talented roster in the entire state. Keeyshawn Tabuteau, Chaston Smith, and Moussa Seck are just a few household names on the roster, I also see them going back-to-back.
Scott, McCallie: The Blue Tornado continues to add more talent to the guest list at McCallie. It is difficult to see anyone overtaking that team anytime soon.
Tyson, Ensworth: The Hasselbecks could be the ones to dethrone the Chattanooga schools, and even though they lost star power, they still return some heavy hitters.
Division II-AA
Cam, BGA: The Wildcats got a taste of the championship game in 2024 but ran into the big bad wolf, CPA. Similar to Nashville Christian, this team was loaded with juniors.
Chris, BGA: It’s between BGA and FRA with the gap to the rest being quite large. Give me the Wildcats with the tiebreaker being the experience of playing in last year’s title game, but it’s a razor-thin margin and I always reserve the right to change my mind at any point.
Isaac, BGA: BGA had an amazing explosion of skill come to the forefront last year, and unfortunately ran into the buzz saw that is CPA in Chattanooga. I think this year BGA will beat out the other DII-AA favorite FRA for the gold ball.
Joe, FRA: I’ve flip-flopped between BGA and FRA. Adding Hudson Holman at quarterback fills the one hole an already loaded Panthers squad had entering the year.
Konner, BGA: I’m a strong believer Kaedyn Marable has what it takes to take BGA all the way. On the opposite side of the ball, Nate Fleming leads the defense, which I believe puts the Wildcats in a position to take gold.
Scott, BGA: The Wildcats shocked everyone early as their rebuilding year was expedited to mere months. They take that next step this season.
Tyson, BGA: BGA had always been right on the cusp of success, usually missing out due to CPA or Lipscomb Academy, but both teams are DII-AAA. Now it’s BGA’s time to shine.
Division II-A
Cam, Nashville Christian: It’s crazy to consider this Eagles team could be better than they were in 2024 but all 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: As long as they stay healthy, it’s hard to see anyone challenging them, let alone beating them.
Isaac, Nashville Christian: The Eagles are the favorite to repeat for a reason. Jared Curtis will be finishing off his record setting career as the No. 1 quarterback in the country and TJ Ward will be a force in the backfield.
Joe, Nashville Christian: The Eagles are once again loaded and getting TJ Ward for a full season just isn’t fair. They run away with their second state championship in a row winning by a record margin.
Konner, Nashville Christian: No surprise here. Nashville Christian arguably returns more talent than any team in the state. With an offense stacked with next-level athletes, they look poised to cruise to another championship run.
Scott, Nashville Christian: Jared Curtis has made his decision to head south, and that has to disappoint the rest of DII-A as he can just focus on football now. But this team is more than Curtis as TJ Ward is poised for a breakout season.
Tyson, Nashville Christian: The Eagles might’ve had the most dominant season in class history and they return their best player in school history. That’s a recipe for success.
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