Written by: Donnell Murphy (D)

Category: News > Rankings

The stage is set. One win separates every remaining program from a bus ride to Chattanooga and a shot at a BlueCross Bowl championship.

The Tennessee High School Football Semifinals are here, and every matchup across Division 1 brings pressure, momentum, and legacies on the line. Below is a full class by class breakdown with correct home field and neutral site locations, plus keys, edges, and championship implications.

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Class 1A Semifinals

South Pittsburg (12-1) at Coalfield (11-2)

Location: Coalfield (home game)

Vibe: Classic 1A smashmouth semifinal where Coalfield will lean on home crowd energy and physical football. South Pittsburg is used to playing deep in November and thrives under pressure.

South Pittsburg keys:

• Use speed in space to create explosive plays.
• Stay aggressive in the return game and special teams.
• Protect the football and avoid drive killing penalties.

Coalfield keys:

• Control tempo with a physical run game.
• Win time of possession and limit South Pittsburg possessions.
• Limit deep shots and keep everything in front defensively.

Edge to reach the championship: South Pittsburg

Coalfield at home is dangerous, but South Pittsburg has more high level playoff experience and the ability to flip a game with one or two explosive plays.

Fayetteville (7-5) at McKenzie (12-1)

Location: McKenzie (home game)

Vibe: On paper the records say mismatch, but Fayetteville is scrappy. McKenzie at home is the steady favorite that has handled business all year.

Fayetteville keys:

• Start fast and punch early to build belief.
• Hit vertical shots and take calculated risks downfield.
• Win the turnover battle and create short fields.

McKenzie keys:

• Stay balanced on offense and avoid getting one dimensional.
• Win the line of scrimmage on both sides.
• Play clean football and force Fayetteville to earn every yard.

Edge to reach the championship: McKenzie

At home with a more consistent profile, McKenzie is the safer pick to reach Chattanooga in Class 1A.

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Class 2A Semifinals

Marion County (12-1) at Eagleton (10-3)

Location: Eagleton (home game)

Vibe: A tough, physical 2A matchup with both sides built to win in November. Eagleton has the home crowd, Marion County brings a balanced and battle tested identity.

Marion County keys:

• Lean on a balanced offense to stay ahead of the chains.
• Set a physical tone early and control the line of scrimmage.
• Force Eagleton into obvious passing downs.

Eagleton keys:

• Use home energy to fuel an aggressive start.
• Create explosive plays on offense or special teams.
• Protect the football and avoid giving Marion County short fields.

Edge to reach the championship: Marion County

Eagleton at home keeps this close, but Marion County looks slightly more balanced front to back, which matters in a semifinal setting.

Huntingdon (12-1) at Milan (12-0)

Location: Milan (home game)

Vibe: A heavyweight 2A showdown that feels like a BlueCross Bowl preview. Both teams are physical and tested, but Milan is trying to keep a perfect season alive.

Huntingdon keys:

• Establish the run game and keep Milan on the sideline.
• Control tempo and keep the score within one possession.
• Avoid early deficits that force them out of their comfort zone.

Milan keys:

• Use offensive balance to stress the Huntingdon defense.
• Feed off home crowd energy in high leverage moments.
• Stay disciplined on defense and limit chunk plays.

Edge to reach the championship: Milan

Huntingdon is capable, but Milan being undefeated and at home makes them the slight favorite to advance in a physical battle.

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Class 3A Semifinals

Tyner Academy (12-1) at Gatlinburg-Pittman (13-0)

Location: Gatlinburg-Pittman (home game)

Vibe: Gatlinburg-Pittman is trying to finish off a perfect run. Tyner Academy has the athletes to make this uncomfortable if they can create chaos.

Tyner Academy keys:

• Use team speed to attack the edges and create mismatches.
• Be disruptive on defense with sacks, tackles for loss, and pressure.
• Turn this into a game of big plays instead of methodical drives.

Gatlinburg-Pittman keys:

• Stay efficient and limit self inflicted mistakes.
• Control the pace and force Tyner into a more structured game.
• Win third down on both sides of the ball.

Edge to reach the championship: Gatlinburg-Pittman

Tyner is dangerous, but a 13-0 Gatlinburg-Pittman team at home with a clean résumé gets the nod.

Covington (12-1) at Westview (12-0)

Location: Westview (home game)

Vibe: Two complete teams meet with a championship trip on the line. Covington brings physicality, Westview brings an undefeated record and offensive juice.

Covington keys:

• Shorten the game and limit possessions.
• Stay ahead of the chains with a consistent run game.
• Force Westview into long field drives and tough third downs.

Westview keys:

• Start fast and put scoreboard pressure on Covington.
• Use explosive weapons to flip the field.
• Protect the football and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Edge to reach the championship: Westview

Covington will make this physical, but Westview’s undefeated record and offensive balance at home make them the favorite.

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Class 4A Semifinals

Alcoa (12-1) at Greeneville (12-1)

Location: Greeneville (home game)

Vibe: This feels like a state title game one week early. Two powerhouse programs, both 12-1, meeting in a true heavyweight clash.

Alcoa keys:

• Lean into championship experience in tight moments.
• Win special teams and hidden yardage situations.
• Limit explosive plays from Greeneville’s offense.

Greeneville keys:

• Use home crowd energy to spark an aggressive start.
• Win the line of scrimmage consistently on both sides.
• Finish drives with points and avoid empty red zone trips.

Edge to reach the championship: Alcoa (slight)

Greeneville’s home field is a real advantage, but Alcoa’s long track record in big playoff games gives them the smallest of edges.

South Gibson (10-3) vs Pearl Cohn (9-4)

Location: Neutral site

Vibe: A neutral field matchup that sets up as discipline versus explosiveness. South Gibson has been solid all year, but Pearl Cohn has a higher athletic ceiling when locked in.

South Gibson keys:

• Stay efficient on early downs to avoid long yardage situations.
• Limit penalties that stall promising drives.
• Force Pearl Cohn to execute long drives instead of quick strikes.

Pearl Cohn keys:

• Come out with urgency and avoid a slow start.
• Use speed and athleticism to create mismatches on the perimeter.
• Apply pressure defensively and force South Gibson into mistakes.

Edge to reach the championship: Pearl Cohn

On a neutral field, Pearl Cohn’s overall athleticism and ceiling give them the advantage if they play clean football.

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Class 5A Semifinals

Halls (8-4) at Sevier County (12-1)

Location: Sevier County (home game)

Vibe: A true Cinderella versus contender matchup. Halls has already pulled off surprises, while Sevier County has looked like one of the most complete 5A teams in the state.

Halls keys:

• Embrace the underdog role and take calculated risks.
• Use trick plays or special situations to steal possessions.
• Keep belief high and respond quickly to adversity.

Sevier County keys:

• Stay composed and do not get rattled by early swings.
• Lean on offensive balance to keep Halls off balance.
• Clamp down in the red zone and force field goals instead of touchdowns.

Edge to reach the championship: Sevier County

Halls has been a great story, but Sevier County’s consistency, balance, and home field advantage make them the favorite.

Centennial (7-5) vs Page (12-0)

Location: Neutral site

Vibe: A Middle Tennessee showdown at a neutral site. Page has been steady and undefeated, while Centennial has gotten hot at the right time and fits the dangerous spoiler profile.

Centennial keys:

• Force turnovers and create short fields.
• Match Page’s physicality at the line of scrimmage.
• Capitalize on every scoring chance.

Page keys:

• Stay true to their identity and avoid pressing.
• Finish drives with points and avoid stalled possessions.
• Limit big plays and make Centennial drive the length of the field.

Edge to reach the championship: Page

Neutral site takes away home advantage, but Page’s undefeated season and overall consistency still give them the edge.

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Class 6A Semifinals

Blackman (12-1) at Oakland (13-0)

Location: Oakland (home game)

Vibe: A heavyweight Region 3 clash that everyone in the state has been eyeing. Blackman is coming off a statement quarterfinal win, while Oakland is the undefeated standard.

Blackman keys:

• Hit explosives in the passing game to loosen up the Oakland defense.
• Match Oakland’s physicality for four quarters.
• Finish drives with touchdowns, not field goals.

Oakland keys:

• Control the line of scrimmage and wear Blackman down.
• Use depth and rotation to stay fresh late.
• Limit turnovers and play to their identity.

Edge to reach the championship: Oakland

Blackman is good enough to push Oakland, but the undefeated record, home field advantage, and big game experience give Oakland the edge.

Southwind (13-0) vs Ravenwood (13-0)

Location: Neutral site

Vibe: The game of the weekend. Two undefeated programs, a neutral field, and a trip to Chattanooga on the line. Something has to give.

Southwind keys:

• Win one on one matchups on the perimeter.
• Use tempo to stress the Ravenwood defense.
• Turn this into a high possession, high scoring game.

Ravenwood keys:

• Stay disciplined in coverage and limit free access throws.
• Control field position with special teams and smart play calling.
• Execute at a high level on third down on both sides of the ball.

Edge to reach the championship: Ravenwood (slight)

On a neutral field this feels like a true coin flip, but Ravenwood’s playoff experience and ability to win in multiple styles gives them a slight edge.

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Quick Takeaways

• Undefeated or near perfect teams carry real confidence into semifinal week.
• Several underdogs have real upset potential if they can create turnovers and explosive plays.
• Most of these games will be decided by red zone efficiency, turnover margin, and first quarter momentum.

More Rankings and Official Brackets

Click here for more Tennessee high school football rankings and playoff coverage on Triple ThreatNews Sportscast.

Click here to view the official TSSAA football playoff brackets.

© 2025 Donnell Murphy (D)

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