Tennessee high school football state championship previews

Here’s a look at all nine of this week’s TSSAA BlueCross Bowl football championships at Tennessee Tech’s Tucker Stadium in Cookeville. The USA TODAY Network — Tennessee’s Tom Kreager, Michael Murphy, Cecil Joyce, Diana C. Nearhos, Michael Odom, Luis Torres, George Robinson and John Varlas will be picking the winners. 

Class 1A
Cornersville (13-1) vs. Greenback (12-1) 

When: Thursday, 11 a.m.

Expect plenty of points as Cornersville and Greenback have averaged more than 35. Quarterback Bryce Hanley and running back Breeden Gilbert have accounted for 3,256 yards and 43 touchdowns for Greenback, which is making its third straight BlueCross Bowl appearance. The backfield trio of Eli Woodard, Cameron Whitaker and Kolbe McMahon has rushed for nearly 4,500 yards and 42 touchdowns for Cornersville. 

• Tom Kreager, The Tennessean: Greenback 35, Cornersville 14
• Michael Murphy, The Tennessean: Cornersville 31, Greenback 30 
• Cecil Joyce, Daily News Journal: Greenback 31, Cornersville 17
• Diana C. Nearhos, Knoxville News Sentinel: Greenback 35, Cornersville 31
• Michael Odom, The Jackson Sun: Cornersville 21, Greenback 20
• Luis Torres, The Jackson Sun: Greenback 21, Cornersville 14
• George Robinson, The Leaf Chronicle: Greenback 28, Cornersville 10
• John Varlas, The Commercial Appeal: Greenback 34, Cornersville 6

Class 3A
Covington (13-1) vs. Alcoa (12-2) 

When: Thursday, 3 p.m. 

Covington pulled off perhaps the state’s biggest semifinal upset in order to reach its first BlueCross Bowl since 2012, edging Pearl-Cohn 31-28, but the road doesn’t get any easier for the Chargers. Fifteen-time state champion Alcoa has outscored its four playoff opponents by a combined 165-14, pitching three shutouts en route to a fifth straight finals appearance. 

• Kreager: Alcoa 27, Covington 13
• Murphy: Alcoa 30, Covington 17
• Joyce: Alcoa 28, Covington 13
• Nearhos: Alcoa 32, Covington 31
• Odom: Alcoa 35, Covintgon 14
• Torres: Alcoa 38, Covington 21
• Robinson: Alcoa 35, Covington 20
• Varlas: Covington 24, Alcoa 14

Class 5A
Knoxville Catholic (11-3) vs. Beech (14-0)

When: Thursday, 7 p.m.

In addition to Class 5A Mr. Football winner Cade Mays paving the way up front,  Catholic’s offense also boasts a 2,000-yard passer (Jack Sompayrac) and a 1,000-yard receiver (Dashon Bussell). Beech hasn’t been near as flashy, but it hasn’t needed to be. Led by undersized-but-explosive back Kaemon Dunlap (2,365 yards, 33 TDs), the  Buccaneers have relied almost entirely on its ground game. 

• Kreager: Catholic 17, Beech 14
• Murphy: Beech 21, Catholic 17
• Joyce: Catholic 34, Beech 27
• Nearhos: Catholic 35, Beech 31
• Odom: Beech 31, Catholic 28
• Torres: Beech 28, Catholic 21
• Robinson: Beech 27, Catholic 14
• Varlas: Catholic 10, Beech 7

Class 2A
Tyner (12-2) vs. Union City (12-2)

When: Friday, 11 a.m. 

Tyner’s first championship appearance since 1997 should have a familiar feel as the Rams once again face Union City. A lot has changed since the Rams’ 13-10 win over the Golden Tornadoes, but Tyner’s coach, 27-year veteran Wayne Turner, has not. Jeremy Elston has rushed for 1,360 yards and 10 touchdowns. Union City’s Braxton Waddell and Trey Jones have combined to rack up 3,705 yards and 49 scores.

• Kreager: Union City 28, Tyner 21
• Murphy: Tyner 20, Union City 14
• Joyce: Union City 21, Tyner 6
• Nearhos: Union City 24, Tyner 21
• Odom: Union City 24, Tyner 21
• Torres: Union City 31, Tyner 17
• Robinson: Union City 24, Tyner 17
• Varlas: Union City 42, Tyner 7

Class 4A
Greeneville (14-0) vs. Springfield (11-3)

When: Friday, 3 p.m.  

Led by Class 4A Mr. Football Cade Ballard’s 2,900 yards passing and 51 total touchdowns, Greeneville is averaging 35.3 points. Springfield, led by versatile athlete Dayron Johnson, has grown accustomed to playing the role of underdog, upsetting Jackson South Side and Haywood en route to its first championship appearance since 1993.  

• Kreager: Greeneville 42, Springfield 28
• Murphy: Greeneville 31, Springfield 21
• Joyce: Greeneville 38, Springfield 20
• Nearhos: Greeneville 35, Springfield 21
• Odom: Greeneville 38, Springfield 21
• Torres: Greeneville 35, Springfield 17
• Robinson: Springfield 38, Greeneville 35
• Varlas: Greeneville 28, Springfield 22

Class 6A
Cane Ridge (13-1) vs. Maryville (13-1) 

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Cane Ridge can become the first Metro Nashville team to win a title in the TSSAA’s highest classification in nearly four decades, but the Ravens will have to knock off 15-time state champion Maryville. The Rebels, led by Mr. Football finalist Dylan Hopkins, captured a 31-28 semifinal win over previously unbeaten Oakland to secure their 12th BlueCross Bowl appearance in 13 seasons. Cane Ridge junior Devon Starling has rushed for 2,180 yards and 25 touchdowns. 

• Kreager: Cane Ridge 20, Maryville 17
• Murphy: Cane Ridge 28, Maryville 27
• Joyce: Maryville 31, Cane Ridge 27
• Nearhos: Maryville 24, Cane Ridge 17
• Odom: Maryville 35, Cane Ridge 17
• Torres: Maryville 24, Cane Ridge 20
• Robinson: Maryville 31, Cane Ridge 14
• Varlas: Cane Ridge 27, Maryville 24

Division II-A
Friendship Christian (12-0) vs. DCA (9-3)

When: Saturday, 11 a.m.

This matchup featuring East Region rivals is a rematch of a Week 5 meeting in which Friendship coasted a 20-point victory. DCA has won six of seven since suffering that 47-27 defeat, including the Wildcats’ 27-21 semifinal upset of previously unbeaten Davidson Academy. Running backs Jajuan Foutch and Justin Seagraves have combined to rush for 2,450 yards and 37 touchdowns for Friendship. 

• Kreager: Friendship 49, DCA 35
• Murphy: Friendship 28, DCA 13
• Joyce: Friendship 40, DCA 23
• Nearhos: Friendship 24, DCA 21
• Odom: Friendship 42, DCA 24
• Torres: Friendship 31, DCA 14
• Robinson: Friendship 28, DCA 21
• Varlas: DCA 35, Friendship 13

Division II-AA
Lausanne (12-0) vs. Notre Dame (11-1)

When: Saturday, 3 p.m.

Two-time Mr. Football recipient Eric Gray, a four-star junior running back, has racked up close to 3,000 yards with 40 touchdown runs for Lausanne, which has strung together 26 straight wins. Versatile four-star Tennessee commitment Cameron Wynn has served as the catalyst for Notre Dame.

• Kreager: Lausanne 17, Notre Dame 10
• Murphy: Lausanne 24, Notre Dame 10
• Joyce: Lausanne 28, Notre Dame 14
• Nearhos: Lausanne 31 Notre Dame 30
• Odom: Lausanne 38, Notre Dame 21
• Torres: Lausanne 35, Notre Dame 31
• Robinson: Lausanne 35, Notre Dame 7
• Varlas: Lausanne 42, Notre Dame 14

Division II-AAA
Brentwood Acad. (11-0) at MBA (10-2)

When: Saturday, 7 p.m. 

This is the third straight BlueCross Bowl meeting between the two with Brentwood Academy claiming the first two by a combined five points. Junior Tomario Pleasant has rushed for 1,351 yards and 16 touchdowns for Brentwood Academy, which is No. 6 in the USA TODAY Super 25 national rankings. MBA, coming off a 14-7 upset of previously unbeaten Christian Brothers, has averaged 300 yards en route to its fourth straight championship appearance. 

• Kreager: BA 28, MBA 14
• Murphy: BA 17, MBA 0
• Joyce: BA 41, MBA 24
• Nearhos: BA 42, MBA 28
• Odom: BA 32, MBA 17
• Torres: BA 38, MBA 14
• Robinson: MBA 21, BA 20
• Varlas: BA 35, MBA 10

Reach Michael Murphy at mfmurphy@tennessean.com, 615-259-8026 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.