5 takeaways: Yes, Stratford did it again; Spartans beat Fairview to reach semifinals with 5-8 record

Stratford did it again Friday night.

The Spartans, who entered the TSSAA Class 3A playoffs with a 2-8 record, pulled off another upset.

Stratford beat Region 6-3A champion Fairview 26-14 to reach its first state semifinal since 1993 when it lost to eventual state champion Lincoln County in the Class 5A playoffs.

"These kids believe in themselves," said Stratford interim coach Thomas Porter, who replaced Jerrel Cogmon as coach after the first game of the season. "No one ever picks us to win and I hope you don't pick us next week."

Stratford (5-8) plays at Covington (13-0) at 7 p.m. Friday in a Class 3A state semifinal. Covington lost in the Class 3A state championship in 2017.

Stratford is the last of the 49 teams that reached the state playoffs with a losing record.

James Moore scored three touchdowns for the Spartans. Teammate Rod Reed added a score.

Beech moves on

Stratford isn't the only surprise left in the playoffs.

A year after graduation decimated its starting lineup that finished Class 5A runner-up, Beech is one win away from another championship game berth.

Beech came from behind to edge Hillsboro 20-19.

Ja'Sean Parks led Beech (10-3) with 17 carries for 150 yards and two touchdowns. Teammate Tysean Jefferson added 56 yards on three carries with a touchdown.

Beech travels to Henry County for its 5A semifinal on Friday.

Hillsboro fights itself after loss 

At the conclusion of the Beech-Hillsboro game, a fight ensued as several Hillsboro players got into a physical altercation with one another.

Hillsboro coach Maurice Fitzgerald declined to comment on the fight after the game.

Hillsboro finished the season 8-4 despite not playing a single home game at the school due to construction. Hillsboro's quarterfinal with Beech was played at John Overton.

Springfield inches closer to return to state championship game

Dayron Johnson, who was a Class 4A Mr. Football semifinalist, continues to make big plays when needed. Johnson, who is coming off an ankle sprain, had 14 catches for 211 yards with two touchdowns in a 41-34 win over Jackson North Side on Friday.

That including the game-winning TD catch with 16.3 seconds left, where he fought off multiple tackles to score.

Quarterback Bryan Hayes was 20 of 25 passing for 265 yards and four TDs.

Springfield (11-2) plays at Haywood (9-4) on Friday in a rematch of last year's Class 4A semifinal. Springfield won that game 35-28.

Springfield finished runner-up to Greeneville a year ago in the Class 4A championship game. 

BGA makes DII-AA title game with dominant defense

BGA will go into the Division II-AA state championship with confidence after routing FRA 50-7. The Wildcats held FRA to just 80 total yards.

First-year starter Nick Semptimphelter was 13 of 18 passing for 240 yards with two touchdowns. Teammate Garnett Hollis had four catches for 155 yards with a TD.

BGA is making its first championship game appearance since 2014. The Wildcats haven't won a football championship since 2003. BGA plays CPA on Nov. 30 at Tennessee Tech in the DII-AA title game.

TSSAA PLAYOFFS:Nashville area's top performers from the third round of high school football playoffs

TSSAA PLAYOFFS:All the scores from the third round of the Tennessee high school football playoffs

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: Tennessee high school sports coverage that you can't get anywhere else, on sale now

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.