Syndication: The Augusta Chronicle - Source: Imagn — Tennessee High School football team joins elite list after winning 10th straight state championship in a row - Source: Imagn

Tennessee High School football team joins elite list after winning 10th straight state championship in a row

Modified Dec 09, 2024 18:14 GMT

Alcoa High School's football team created history by winning their 10th consecutive state championship on Friday. The Tornadoes triumphed over Westview (Martin) with a commanding 40-21 victory in the Division I Class 3A title game, etching their name alongside some of the most dominant teams in high school football history.

This extraordinary accomplishment puts Alcoa in the company of the elite, together with Saint Louis (Honolulu, Hawaii), Washington (Sioux Falls, S.D.), and Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nevada) as the only teams to win more than ten state titles successively.

Washington’s streak from 1951 to 1964 and Saint Louis’ from 1986 to 1999 each lasted 14 seasons, while Bishop Gorman also secured ten titles from 2009 to 2018. Alcoa's streak began in 2015 when they defeated Christ Presbyterian Academy to claim their first title in this historic run.

Their journey has been marked by exceptional leadership, with Tennessee’s all-time wins leader, Gary Rankin, coaching the team to seven championships before stepping down in 2022.

Brian Nix, Rankin’s former defensive coordinator and the 2021 Broyles Award recipient for top assistant coach, has maintained the team’s dominance, compiling a stellar 41-3 record since taking the reins.

Macon County secures first Tennessee state championship in historic fashion

On Saturday, after a 20-time run in the TSSAA football playoffs starting in 1969, Macon County finally got to its first state title. The Tigers (13-2) overpowered Melrose 45-14 to take home the Class 4A BlueCross Bowl championship. Thus, the Tigers made history.

Twin brothers Zach and Gabe Borders delivered exceptional performances to lead Macon County to victory. Zach showcased an incredible ground game, amassing 249 rushing yards on 25 carries and scoring four touchdowns.

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Meanwhile, Gabe contributed with 117 rushing yards on 18 carries and added a 32-yard touchdown pass to his impressive outing.

The first quarter ended scoreless as both teams struggled with fumbles and other costly errors. However, Macon County came alive in the second quarter, posting 17 unanswered points.

A 32-yard pass from Gabe Borders to Luke Gammon and a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Brennan Flowers gave the Tigers a commanding 17-0 halftime advantage.

Although Melrose responded with two touchdowns in the third quarter, Macon County extended its lead as Zach Borders scored all four of his touchdowns in the second half.

His final TD, a five-yard run, pushed the Tigers’ lead to 45-14 with just under three minutes remaining. Rhyan Brown was a standout for Melrose, rushing for 91 yards and two touchdowns.

About the author

Aman is a journalist who has been covering college sports at Sportskeeda since 2023. Graduating with a specialization in Transportation Technology, he believes his educational background, although seemingly unrelated, helped him develop the research, analysis and critical thinking skills important for his current role.

Aman is adept at contextualizing current events within historical narratives. He is also good at technical deep dives and presenting comprehensive report strategies, coaching tactics, and player performances with precision. Through meticulous research, multiple sourcing, timeliness, transparency, and adherence to ethical standards, Aman works to ensure accuracy and relevance in articles.

Caitlin Clark's recent achievement of becoming the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer is his current favorite college sports moment. He also admires Clark and Angel Ree¬se, Caleb Williams, Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. Iowa Hawkeyes basketball, LSU, Alabama Football, Michigan Football are his all-time favorite college teams.

Aman finds relaxation and inspiration in activities like reading, hiking, playing badminton & table tennis.

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