Best Tennessee High School Football Programs

[FlyBy]

We have a fantastic high school football history in the state of Tennessee. I am curious to see which programs stand out in your minds as the best over all programs in the state. History should factor in as a big part of your argument. I don't want to hear about teams that have emerged on the scene in the last 10 or 15 years.

 

Now we're getting somewhere.... This is what it is all about....tradition. Input from the East and West is greatly appreciated. Being from the midstate, I don't know the legendary names of coaches and programs from the East and West that shaped the landscape of High School Football as we know it today. Around here, it's names like Tommy Owen and Calvin Short that all others try to become. I am familiar with the Potter family in Chattanooga, but tell me more.

[Edited by FlyBy on 11-13-02 9:04P]

 

[Blue21SallyAt7]

Maryville and Brentwood Academy

[DCCATVOICE]

Oak Ridge as a school has only been around since 1943 and has over 500 wins. Its also one of the few programs to have won a State Championship in the 50's 60's 70's 80's and 90's. It also won a national Title in 1958. It has to be on a list such as this.

[FlyBy]

Riverdale has been a great program for the last 15 years. What did they accomplish before that?

 

Brentwood Academy has been one of the best performers in the last 25 years, but much of that was while they were competing at lower levels.

 

Maryville cetainly has had a consistent quality program through the years.

 

KDB has as well.

 

I thought I would hear a lot more from places like Gallatin, Lincoln County, MBA, and the other schools with solid histories dating back to the 40's and 50's and before. Those type schools seem to have the real tradition.

 

Interesting though

[DCCATVOICE]

Do you think Oak Ridge doesn't belong here? Oak Ridge also has more playoff wins than any other team in 5A football. 46 since 1973. Gallatin has the next highest total of playoff wins at 45.. This is of the 5A teams of course. Brentwood Academy has a ton of wins.

[LordInfamous]

Alcoa High needs to be mentioned. They have had some top notch programs throughout the years.

[finalsay]

Big Dave, you are most certainly right Oak Ridge belongs on here with their play off record which is second to none in the highest classification- first 3A then 5A.

 

I bet you have seen most if not all of them....How many play off games have you seen?

[FlyBy]

Oak Ridge would certainly belong. Who else from the East?

 

What about West Tennessee? Anything of substance on a consistent basis there? Germantown, MUS, Etc...

[DCCATVOICE]

Well, as hard as it is for me to say it. I have been to all of them. I was young for the first few but I was there. From the game at Neyland Stadium against Central to the win this past Friday night over Sevier County. I hope to see a few more this year. The only three teams left in 5A football are teams with a long history too. Germantown, Gallatin and Jackson Central-Merry. Of note to Oak Ridge fans, these are three schools that Oak Ridge beat in State Championship games.

[SPbacker54]

south pittsburg is one of the best programs in tennessee we have 20 playoff apprences and our record in playoffs is 42-16

[dan]

MBA is playing its 104th year of football. They have won numurous state titles including 3 recent ones in '98, '99, '00. During that stretch there was also a 32 game winning streak. MBA was also ranked in the top 20 in the USA today in 99 and '00, and was easily the best team in TN those two years. They have had success in the past and in the present.

[rollredroll]

I'll throw out some numbers for MBA. While I readily admit that a few other programs out there have more impressive numbers on the field (including but not limited to our beloved rival Brentwood Academy, as well as Dobyns-Bennett, which I believe holds the most wins in Tennessee), there is a rather long tradition at MBA. Here are some stats:

 

Program began playing in 1899; record through 2001 season was 586-292-45 (roughly; some old data may not be reliable)

 

Best stretch has been since 1982 (the last losing season), with the teams going a collective 157-42 (.789) through 2001 and garnering two USA Today national rankings.

 

Most dominant three-year stretch was in "the day of leather helmets and no facemasks": 1925-1927. Team went 23-0, outscoring opponents by a score of 1,191-0 (average game score of 52-0).

 

Most famous football alum: Bill Wade. Top pick in 1952 draft, played 13 years with the Rams and Bears. 18,000+ passing yards, 124 TDs, 2 Pro Bowls, led Bears to its first NFL title in 1963.

 

[Edited by rollredroll on 11-13-02 12:09A]