TSSAA football playoffs: What to know about Nashville area teams in BlueCross Bowl games

The final week of the 2021 TSSAA high school football season is here and 10 Nashville area teams have the opportunity to bring home a gold ball from the BlueCross Bowl state championships.

The games kick off Thursday and run through Saturday at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga.

Here is what to know about the championship games featuring Nashville area teams:

Division II region rematches

In a rare feat, each of the Division II matchups are all regional rematches.

DCA and Nashville Christian will play for the DII-A championship after the Wildcats beat the Eagles 7-3 on Oct. 29.

The DII-AA championship is a rematch of last year's BlueCross Bowl where CPA defeated Lipscomb Academy 35-28. The Mustangs got some revenge on Oct. 22, crushing the Lions 38-0.

MBA and McCallie are familiar foes as well. McCallie beat MBA 28-7 for the 2019 DII-AAA championship and also won this year's meeting 34-31 in Week 3.

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Dominating after moving up

Returning several key players from the Class 5A championship team last season, Summit was expected to play a part in the Class 6A championship picture in some way. However, the Spartans have probably fared better than most may have expected.

Summit (14-0) has won its games by an average of 27.1 points and has only trailed three times throughout the season for a total of 6:17. The Spartans have never trailed by more than six points in each of those games.

The Spartans average just over 40 points on offense while their defense is giving up 12.5 points and have not given up more than 30 points. 

Oakland has won 29 straight and Summit 25 for the longest active win streaks in the state.

McNamara vs. Potts

There may not be a better quarterback matchup this week than the one scheduled for the Class 5A championship when Page's Jake McNamara takes on Powell's Jordyn Potts.

Potts, a junior, is one of the best quarterbacks in East Tennessee completing 66% of his passes for 3,480 yards and 33 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. He also has 431 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.

McNamara, a Colorado State commitment, has been one of the best quarterbacks in the Midstate, completing 61% of his passes for 3,290 yards and 39 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. 

In Page's come-from-behind 56-52 win over Henry County in the semifinals, McNamara was 25-for-47 with 442 yards and seven touchdowns.

Players to Watch

These may not be their team's headliners, but here are the players that will hold crucial roles in their respective BlueCross Bowl games.

Jerry Campbell, East Nashville: Campbell is the Eagles defensive leader and will need to have a huge game against Alcoa. He's recorded 77 tackles, two fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown. 

Max Collins, Page: The Patriots are going to need another big game from Collins to keep up with Powell. Collins had a team-high 162 receiving yards to go along with two touchdowns, including the game-winner in the Patriots'  win over Henry County.

KeiShawn Cummings, Tullahoma: Cummings has played a key role in the Wildcats' undefeated season, rushing for 929 yards and 18 touchdowns on 115 carries.

Rhett Hayles, MBA: Hayles anchors an MBA rushing attack that averages 207 yards on the ground. He's carried the ball 211 times for 1,305 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Kade Hewitt, Oakland: With Summit keying in on the run, the Patriots may need to pass more. Hewitt has been efficient when needed to pass completing 62% of his passes for 1,263 yards and 16 touchdowns to two interceptions.

London Humphreys, CPA: Humphreys is the Lions' top receiving threat with 43 receptions for 1,078 yards and 12 touchdowns

Ashton Jones, DCA: Bradford Gaines may steal all of the headlines but Jones has been equally impressive with 1,644 yards and 23 touchdowns on 200 carries.

Tyler Morris, Nashville Christian: Morris manages the Eagles' offense, passing for 1,324 yards and 14 touchdowns but can also run the ball when needed rushing for 253 yards and five more touchdowns.

Maddox Reed, Summit: A 6-foot-5 defensive end, Reed anchors the side of the line opposite Keaten Wade with 35 tackles, eight tackles for loss and five sacks.

Junior Sherrill, Lipscomb Academy: Sherrill, a sophomore, is having a breakout year for the Mustangs catching 68 passes for 814 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Championship schedule

Thursday 

DII-AA: CPA vs. Lipscomb Academy, 11 a.m. ET

DII-A: DCA vs. Nashville Christian, 3 p.m.

DII-AAA: McCallie vs. MBA, 7 p.m.

Friday

Class 3A: Alcoa vs. East Nashville, 11 a.m. 

Class 1A: South Pittsburg vs. McKenzie, 3 p.m.

Class 5A: Powell vs. Page, 7 p.m.

Saturday

Class 4A: Elizabethton vs. Tullahoma, 11 a.m.

Class 2A: Hampton vs. Westview, 3 p.m.

Class 6A: Oakland vs. Summit, 7 p.m.

Reach Joe Spears at jspears2@gannett.com or 731-343-4923. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @joe_spears