Final 615 Preps area football rankings: Four area teams bring home gold

After 15 long weeks, the high school football season has come to an end.

Eight teams from the 615 earned their chance at playing for a state championship down in Chattanooga. Half of that field accomplished the ultimate dream finishing the year on top.

With that mix of results, the final area rankings had a bit of a shake up.

The 615 Preps staff has put together a list of the top five large, medium, and small class teams in our coverage area following last week’s action. This rankings are based off of results, head-to-head matchups and current form for teams.

Large Class teams include 6A and Division II-AAA. Medium Class teams include 5A, 4A, and Division II-AA. Small Class teams include 3A, 2A, 1A, and Division II-A, and each grouping has roughly 30 teams in it.

Large Class

1. Oakland (15-0): Led by a seven touchdown performance by Craig Tutt, Oakland beat Ravenwood 62-21 proving that the Patriots aren’t just the best team in the area, but the best team in the state.

2. Brentwood Academy (11-1): In a battle against one of the nation’s best, the Eagles took Baylor down to the wire ultimately losing 28-24. Junior back Larry Sanders shined in the loss rushing for 215 yards and three touchdowns.

3. Ravenwood (14-1): Matthew Anderson and Maverick Chance did everything they could but Oakland proved too much for the Raptors in their first championship appearance since 2019.

4. Blackman (12-1): The Blaze’s season came to an end in the semifinals with a 42-14 loss to Oakland.

5. Green Hill (10-3): The Hawks season came to an end in the quarterfinals with a 21-17 loss to Oakland.

The rest of the top 10

6. CPA (4-9)

7. Riverdale (8-4)

8. Ensworth (7-4)

9. Antioch (10-2)

10. MBA (6-5)

Medium Class

1. Page (14-0): After years of heartbreak, the Patriots finally made it to the mountain top. Cayden Aukerman’s 45-yard touchdown reception with 58 seconds remaining lifted Page past Sevier County 21-14 in a rematch of last year’s championship game.

2. BGA (13-1): Kaedyn Marable had a performance for the ages accounting for seven total touchdowns as the Wildcats beat FRA 61-27 to claim their first state championship since 2003.

3. FRA (11-2): In their first championship appearance since 1991, the Panthers defense just couldn’t stop the Wildcats offense. Jack Nimitz closed his sophomore season throwing for 291 yards and three touchdowns.

4. Pearl-Cohn (10-5): Down early, LJ Funk got the Firebirds within striking distance but too many self-inflicted errors doomed Pearl-Cohn in. 47-27 Class 4A championship loss to Alcoa.

5. Beech (10-2): The Buccaneers season came to an end in the quarterfinals with a 31-21 loss to Page.

The rest of the top 10

6. Centennial (7-5)

7. Springfield (11-2)

8. Nolensville (9-3)

9. GCA (8-4)

10. Goodpasture (7-4)

Small Class

1. Nashville Christian (13-0): USJ had no answers for Jared Curtis. The five-star Vanderbilt signee threw for five touchdowns and ran another in as the Eagles crushed the Bruins 59-7 for their second consecutive Division II-A championship.

2. East Robertson (12-1): The Indians season came to an end in the quarterfinals with a 42-20 loss to Huntingdon.

3. Gordonsville (12-1): The Tigers season came to an end in the quarterfinals with a 42-14 loss to Marion County.

4. Providence Christian (9-3): The Lions season came to an end in the semifinals with a 31-12 loss to USJ.

5. East Nashville (6-6): The Eagles season came to an end in the quarterfinals with a 38-21 loss to Milan.