Friday nights in Tennessee aren't just about sports. They're basically a secular religion. If you grew up in a place like Maryville, Alcoa, or South Pittsburg, you know the smell of concession stand popcorn and the sound of a marching band is the only real way to mark the change in seasons. But the tennessee high school football playoffs we just witnessed in late 2025 were something else entirely. It wasn't just another postseason; it was a total overhaul that left some fans thrilled and others scratching their heads.
The TSSAA finally pulled the trigger on a new classification cycle. Change is hard. People in small towns hate it when you mess with their brackets. Yet, seeing Finley Stadium in Chattanooga packed to the gills for the BlueCross Bowl this past December proved that the hunger for "Gold Balls" is higher than ever.
The 2025 shakeup and why it worked
Most folks don't realize how much the 2025-2027 classification cycle messed with the traditional power structures. The TSSAA Board of Control moved to a new playoff format for Division I that debuted this past November. The goal was simple: make the path to the championship more competitive. Did it work? Honestly, look at the scores. We saw some of the most lopsided finals in years, but the road to those finals was a gauntlet.
Take Class 6A. Everyone expected a war between Oakland and Ravenwood. Both came in undefeated. Both looked like juggernauts. But then Craig Tutt happened. The Ole Miss signee put on a clinic, rushing for 226 yards and—get this—seven touchdowns. Seven. That’s not a typo. Oakland walked away with a 62-21 victory, proving that even with new playoff structures, the dynasty in Murfreesboro isn't going anywhere.
Then you have the Alcoa factor.
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Death, taxes, and Alcoa winning a state title. They took down Pearl-Cohn 47-27 in the Class 4A final. It’s their 21st state championship. Think about that for a second. There are kids in Alcoa who have never lived a year of their life without a state championship trophy in the school lobby.
What most people get wrong about the TSSAA brackets
There’s a common misconception that the biggest schools always have the best games. That's just wrong. If you weren't watching Class 1A or 2A, you missed the heart of the tennessee high school football playoffs.
South Pittsburg is a tiny town with a massive football ego, and they backed it up again by handling McKenzie 42-14. But the real "tear-jerker" was over in Class 2A. Huntingdon finally got back to the mountain top for the first time since 2003. They beat Marion County 20-7. It wasn't a high-flying offensive explosion; it was a muddy, defensive struggle that reminded everyone why we love small-town ball. Kenton Smith ran like a man possessed, picking up 111 yards and the MVP trophy.
2025 BlueCross Bowl State Champions
- Class 1A: South Pittsburg (def. McKenzie 42-14)
- Class 2A: Huntingdon (def. Marion County 20-7)
- Class 3A: Westview (def. Gatlinburg-Pittman 62-21)
- Class 4A: Alcoa (def. Pearl-Cohn 47-27)
- Class 5A: Page (def. Sevier County 21-14)
- Class 6A: Oakland (def. Ravenwood 62-21)
- DII-A: Nashville Christian (def. USJ 59-7)
- DII-AA: Battle Ground Academy (def. FRA 61-27)
- DII-AAA: Baylor (def. Brentwood Academy 28-24)
The private school side (Division II) was equally wild. Jared Curtis is a name you’re going to hear on Saturdays very soon. The Vanderbilt signee led Nashville Christian to a back-to-back title by dismantling USJ. He accounted for six touchdowns. It looked like a video game. Meanwhile, the DII-AAA game was the actual "Game of the Week." Baylor had to mount a massive comeback to beat a previously undefeated Brentwood Academy 28-24. Briggs Cherry’s 6-yard toss to Braxton Rein with three minutes left was the kind of moment kids dream about in their backyards.
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The Jared Curtis and Craig Tutt era
We are currently living through a golden age of individual talent in Tennessee. In the past, the state was known for big linemen. Now? It’s a skill-player factory.
Donovan Starr at Ravenwood and Shekai Mills-Knight at Baylor are national-level recruits for a reason. Watching these guys navigate the tennessee high school football playoffs provides a glimpse into the future of the SEC. When you watch a kid like George MacIntyre at Brentwood Academy, you aren't just watching high school sports. You’re watching a pro-style progression that would make some NFL coordinators jealous.
But it’s not all about the five-stars. The playoffs are where the "no-name" kids from places like Westview or Page become local legends. Page winning Class 5A over Sevier County 21-14 was a masterclass in coaching and discipline. They didn't have the flashiest recruits, but they had the best "team" on that Friday night.
Why the host-site rules still cause drama
If you want to start a fight in a Middle Tennessee barbershop, ask about the TSSAA's "odd/even" year hosting rules.
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For the quarterfinals and semifinals, the host is determined by whether the year is odd or even, unless two teams from the same region meet (then the higher seed hosts). In 2025, an odd-numbered year, the top team in the bracket hosted. This led to some massive travel for teams in West Tennessee coming East. Fans hate the 4-hour bus rides on a school night. But honestly, it’s part of the charm. There is nothing like a caravan of fans from Martin, TN, driving all the way to Chattanooga to watch Westview put up 62 points.
What’s coming in 2026?
Expect the 2026 tennessee high school football playoffs to be even more chaotic. Since we’ll be in an "even" year, the bottom team in the brackets will host the third round and semifinals. This flip usually rewards teams that had to travel the year before.
Also, keep an eye on the transfer portal. Yes, it’s hitting high schools now. We’re seeing more "super teams" form in Division II-AAA, which is making that bracket feel like a mini-NFL. If you’re a fan, you need to stay on top of the reclassification updates because enrollment numbers are shifting fast in growing areas like Rutherford and Williamson counties.
Actionable steps for the 2026 season
- Check the 2026-27 Region Alignments: Many teams are in new regions since the 2025 shakeup. Familiarize yourself with your school's new rivals.
- Get the GoFan App: Most playoff gates have moved entirely to digital. Don't be the person stuck at the gate trying to find a signal.
- Track the "Mr. Football" Finalists: Usually, the winners of this award are the ones who carry their teams through the November cold.
- Watch the DII-AAA East Region: It is arguably the toughest collection of high school football talent in the entire Southeast right now.
The road to the BlueCross Bowl in Chattanooga is long, but for the teams that survived the 2025 tennessee high school football playoffs, the glory is permanent. Whether it's Alcoa’s 21st title or Huntingdon’s drought-breaking win, these games define communities for decades.