Phoenix rises over South Pittsburg for first state championship

BY JEFF CATE (TEAM FYN SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR)

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – MASE, Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering, was making their first BlueCross Bowl appearance in school history while South Pittsburg made their 15^th appearance on the biggest stage for high school football in Tennessee, taking home 7 gold ball trophies and looking for number 8. The Phoenix would make a statement in their inaugural showing by taking home the first football state championship, in addition to the first team championship in school history, with a 36-14 victory over the Pirates at Finley Stadium on Friday afternoon in the BlueCross Bowl 1A championship game.

South Pittsburg scored 1:08 into the game on a 59-yard Dayon Cooper run to cap a quick 3 play, 65-yard drive to give the Pirates the early 7-0 lead. MASE would answer on their first possession of the game with a quick drive of their own. 4 plays, 68 yards, and 1:50 off the clock was all it took on a 15-yard Deuante Jones touchdown run to cut the South Pittsburg lead to 7-6 with 8:57 left in the first quarter. MASE would force a punt and get points on their second possession, ending with an 18-yard Christopher Watson touchdown run to extend the Phoenix’s lead to 14-7 with 2:48 to go in the opening quarter. Cooper would race in from 38 yards out on the next Pirates possession to tie the game up 14-14 on the final play of the first quarter. Neither team would put a dent in the scoreboard in the second quarter, sending both teams to the locker room tied up at 14-14.

MASE took the second half kickoff and went on a 11 play, 59-yard drive and took the lead back 20-14 when Brody Whitaker found Kadience Nelson on a 14-yard touchdown pass with 5:46 to go in the third quarter. South Pittsburg tried to run a reverse on the ensuing kickoff, but the handoff was fumbled and the Phoenix recovered at the Pirates’ 22-yard line. Watson would get his second rushing touchdown of this championship battle to end the drive and after the 2-point conversion, MASE led 28-14 with 3:26 to go in the quarter. South Pittsburg only had the ball for just over 3 minutes in the third quarter while MASE held on to the football for 8:34.

MASE would have their best drive of the game midway through the 4^th quarter, saving the best for last and leaving something for everyone to remember. The Phoenix would go on a 10 play, 83-yard drive and getting their final points of the game on Watson’s 3^rd touchdown run of the matchup from 14 yards out.

Cooper would be the leading rusher (22 rushes for 187 yards and 2 scores), passer (2 of 6 for 55 yards) for the Pirates while game MVP Watson had 10 carries for 76 yards and 3 touchdowns in addition to 1 reception for 40 yards.

MASE finishes the 2024 season with a 13-1 record, winning 13 straight games after losing week 1 to Lausanne, and capturing the first state championship in school history. South Pittsburg completes their 2024 campaign with a 12-3 mark.

Follow Jeff on “X” at @TheJeffCate