Prep Baseball Report

2020 Bluecross Bowl Preview + Predictions


Colton Provey
Tennessee Scouting Director

It’s that time of year as gridiron faithful head to Cookeville, TN for the TSSAA Bluecross Bowl Championships, which open up tomorrow at 11pm.  It’s been a roller coaster season for many programs with the fight against covid and game cancellations, and as we reach the conclusion of the season, much is to be celebrated as we can reward programs with the title of Tennessee state champion.  


As a scout, I have not watched a single high school football game this season, but I wanted to have some fun and highlight the weekend’s matchup with some predictions and breakdowns.  I’ve followed along this season with much of baseball twitter, and have some fond memories of the Bluecross Bowl as both a high school student and student-athlete at Tennessee Tech.  This past year, I told our PBR Future Gamers that I would attend the Bluecross Bowl if they made it, but given the circumstances, I’ll be tuning in on TV and indulging in the final weekend of high school football for 2020.  Below, we take a look at the state title matchups and highlight some familiar faces.  

 

BlueCross Bowl Preview

D2-AA
Lipscomb Academy (10-2) vs CPA (10-1)
Highly anticipated rematch between two juggernaut offenses with the state title on the line.  Trent Dilfer’s Lipscomb Academy team edged out CPA on Oct 23rd in a tight 20-14 game, but this is CPA’s third straight championship appearance, claiming a title in 2018.  In two playoff games, the teams have combined to outcore D2-AA opponents by a score of 227-52.  2020 PBR Future Gamer Cade Law (22’ Catcher; Uncommitted) leads the huddle for CPA Lions at QB and 19’ Future Gamer Cade Reynolds (21’ 1B; Uncommitted) two-ways at TE and LB. Mix in LB Hunter High (23’ 3B; Uncommitted) for Lipscomb Academy as well. Two familiar foes should bring an exciting game to open the weekend, but I’m taking CPA 28-20

  

D2-A
USJ (10-2) vs Davidson Academy (12-0)
A 2019 D2-A championship rematch, as Davidson Academy looks to pull off a three-peat in Cookeville.  The Bears defeated USJ last year 31-21 and also won the Oct 9th matchup 31-9.  19’ Future Gamer QB Jared Vetetoe (21’ Catcher; MTSU Commit) reclaimed the reins of the offense after sitting out last season, and he hasn’t missed a beat leading the Bears to a perfect season thus far.  USJ provides a splash of speed with All-State S/WR Tyke Tabor (21’ Outfielder; Uncommitted) and LB Nick Stamper (22’ Infielder; Uncommitted). Not to mention Jr Future Gamer Knox Roberts (24’ 1B)  starts at LB as a true freshman.  Threepeats are fun, so I’m taking Davidson Academy 31-17.


D2-AAA
McCallie (8-3) vs MUS (10-2)
Not as many familiar faces on the teams’ depth charts, but a sprinkle of dual-sport athletes on the roster. WR Clarkson Shoaff (22’ RHP; Uncommitted) will start outside and DT Nash Stewart (21’ Catcher; Uncommitted) will slow down the rushing attack upfront for MUS. Not as familiar with McCallie’s roster, but both teams have championship experience, MUS went runner up in 2018 and McCallie looks to repeat as champion.  Both teams are playing well this postseason taking out the top seeds from East and West, so it’s a toss up, but give me MUS 24-21.  


AAA
Milan (11-1) vs Alcoa (13-1)
I was actually at Tucker Stadium when Alcoa completed their seven-peat in 2010, and over the past decade they’ve added 6 more state title to their trophy case, including a streak of 5-straight.  The defense hasn’t allowed more than 14 points in a game while pitching seven shutouts.  Alcoa is a heavy favorite, but don’t sleep on Milan, a team looking to break through after making four championship appearances since 2008 (0-4).  I’m not familiar with many players from the depth chart, but tough to go against the Tornadoes.  Alcoa 35-10


 A
South Pittsburgh (13-1) vs Fayetteville (12-2)
Fayetteville makes their first championship appearances in their young history after making the postseason for the fifth time.  Similar to Alcoa, I remember the 2010 South Pittsburgh state championship team, and they look to bring another challenging squad to Cookeville. Not familiar with any players, but I’ll take South Pittsburgh and the playoff experience, 27-17.  


AAAAA
Oak Ridge (11-3) vs Summit (13-1)
An interesting matchup for the 5A state title with two different playing styles, Summit fast paced and high scoring, Oak Ridge hard-nosed slugfest.  Summit dropped the state championship last season, and Oak Ridge hasn’t appeared in a title game since 2005.  I’ll be watching 5A Mr Football finalist Destin Wade at QB for Summit, but I think this will be a stout test from Oak Ridge. Summit edges late 23-20


AAAA
Elizabethon (14-0) vs Haywood (10-3)
Elizabethton is looking to make it back to back titles behind a high-octane offense that loves putting points on the board, and they face off with a Haywood team who has a roller coaster year with four covid cancellations.  Haywood has played well down the stretch, but I think the Fighting Cyclones will be too much.  Elizabethton 35-17


AA
Meigs County (13-0) vs Peabody (13-0)
Another rematch of the 2019 state title game, where Peabody defeated Meigs Co. 27-16 to claim back to back state titles.  Strong offenses with stout defenses has helped lead these squads to perfect seasons thus far, but only one can post an undefeated season and claim the title of state champion. I don’t have a dog in the fight, but I’m going with Meigs County 20-14.  


AAAAAA
Oakland (14-0) vs Brentwood (11-3)
Probably the most highly-anticipated matchup to close out the weekend.  Oakland with a perfect season after taking down traditional power Maryville last week in Murfreesboro, and QB Cade Granzow (21’ RHP; Auburn dual-sport commit) has a knack for the heroics with some late game magic.  2020 Future Gamer TE Aaron Walton (22’ OF; Uncommitted) is one of the top outfielders in his class and received has football offers will look to get into the endzone for the Bruins.  Oakland owned Brentwood in early October in 37-0 victory, but I like a good underdog under the lights. Give me Brentwood 31-30


Congrats to all the student athletes playing at the Bluecross Bowl this weekend, truly an honor to be the last teams standing, but you can only crown one champion.  Enjoy it and we’ll see you this Spring! Now back to baseball...

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