Championship Teams without a Running Game

[osunut2]

This came up in another thread, and I felt that this question deserved its own thread.

Excluding the small schools, when was the last time a team won a TSSAA title without a real running game? CAK did it in 3A with Charlie High in the early 2010s, but I can't think of any other recent example(s). Other teams have tried and had some success (e.g., Anderson County, Campbell County), but they've failed to get to Cookeville.

Are there any examples that I'm forgetting?

[MSURacer]

What do you mean by “real” running game? Is there criteria that have to be met to qualify as “real”? I know Independence was very pass heavy when they won state a few years ago, but they could also run the ball if needed. 

[sportsguy22]

Just now, MSURacer said:

What do you mean by “real” running game? Is there criteria that have to be met to qualify as “real”? I know Independence was very pass heavy when they won state a few years ago, but they could also run the ball if needed. 

They lost actually. Blew a massive lead to Farragut in the second half. But I get your point.

[MSURacer]

Just now, sportsguy22 said:

They lost actually. Blew a massive lead to Farragut in the second half. But I get your point.

They won in 2015. Lost to Farragut in 2016. 

[sportsguy22]

3 minutes ago, MSURacer said:

They won in 2015. Lost to Farragut in 2016. 

Yep. That’s right...beat Sevier County.  I had forgotten that. They should have won two straight!

[Rerun92]

1 hour ago, sportsguy22 said:

They lost actually. Blew a massive lead to Farragut in the second half. But I get your point.

I've heard of a "pick six", but that game was the "Six Picks" game.  what a meltdown.

Edited October 27, 2020 by guthook

[MSURacer]

3 minutes ago, sportsguy22 said:

Yep. That’s right...beat Sevier County.  I had forgotten that. They should have won two straight!

Probably so. I didn't see them at all the year they lost to Farragut, but I saw them twice in 2015. They were unreal that season. That whole "super 32" format robbed us of some great match ups that year. I still think that team could've won 6A.   

[sportsguy22]

Definitely. I remember the Farragut game vividly and Indy led 28-0 I think and blew it! Had no business losing that game...they were the better team. A lot of crazy plays and some stupid decisions. I think they would have beaten Farragut in 9 out of 10 tries....but that’s sports for ya? That’s why we love it!

[osunut2]

1 hour ago, MSURacer said:

What do you mean by “real” running game?

Pretty tough to quantify, so I recognize that is very subjective. I was just hoping some folks would mention a few teams, and see where this goes.

[MidTennFootball]

2 hours ago, MSURacer said:

Probably so. I didn't see them at all the year they lost to Farragut, but I saw them twice in 2015. They were unreal that season. That whole "super 32" format robbed us of some great match ups that year. I still think that team could've won 6A.   

Don't think it's a leap to say Independence was the best team in the state that year, regardless of classification

[MSURacer]

10 minutes ago, MidTennFootball said:

Don't think it's a leap to say Independence was the best team in the state that year, regardless of classification

Agreed. Definitely the most impressive team I saw that year. Had a 3500 yard passer and 3 or 4 guys who could catch and run. 
 

I know the transitive property doesn’t really work in football, but it still bears noting that the 6A champ that year, Ravenwood, lost to a team that Independence beat in the semifinals 56-13. 

[Red Rebels]

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Edited October 28, 2020 by Red Rebels
I thought we were talking 2016. Nevermind.