The 11th Annual Tennessee/Georgia All-star Football Classic, presented by Physicians Care, should be another competitive game highlighting the graduating seniors on the gridiron.
The All-star Classic will be held on Saturday, June 6 at 7 p.m. at Boyd-Buchanan High School off of Moore Road in Chattanooga.
Stump On Sports television host Stump Martin said the event he originated in 2004 at Ridgeland High School has grown to be a popular game.
"The players on these teams know about the Tennessee/Georgia All-star Classic and they want to be in the game," he said. "We have had players from this game go on to play at major colleges as well as the Southeastern Conference and professional football. The week of practice and the game creates friendships and memories that will never be forgotten."
Mr. Martin said the players in the game are more athletic than ever.
"The players seem to get bigger and faster each year," Mr. Martin said. "But what hasn't changed is that coaches and players from Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia read and hear about football on the other side of the border all year and this is an opportunity to prove who plays the game better."
Boyd-Buchanan head coach Grant Reynolds has been either the head coach or assistant coach for Team Tennessee in many of these Classics. This is the first time Boyd-Buchanan is hosting this game.
"The game to me is about relationships," Reynolds said. "As coaches its meaningful to get the opportunity to impact kids (lives) even if it's just for a week. The relationships you build are everlasting."
Reynolds said he's honored to host the game at Boyd-Buchanan.
"We're excited about putting on a quality event," he said.
East Ridge head coach Tracy Malone got the call to serve as head coach of Team Tennessee.
He said it's a "tremendous honor" to be selected to be the head coach in this game.
"I'm very excited to be a part of such a great event," said the former McMinn County and Tennessee Wesleyan football player. "I expect this year's game to be extremely competitive. I'm grateful to the 10 men who have volunteered their time to coach in this game with me. It's truly all about the kids and the assistant coaches."
Malone said after an overwhelming response from players and coaches in the 14 counties the team is selected from in Southeast Tennessee, he couldn't be more proud of the group he's assembled.
"We have talented quarterbacks, a solid stable of running backs and an exciting group of wide receivers," Malone said. "But I believe the offensive line is as good, if not better, than last year's (All-star Classic) group and that's saying a lot."
Malone said the Team Tennessee defensive squad he's helped put together offers "speed all over the field."
"Our secondary is a definite strength for Team Tennessee," he said. "And I have all the faith in the world in our kicker/punter Tad Whitaker (East Ridge). This should be a great game."
Lafayette head coach Chad Fisher has been selected to lead Team Georgia.
"It's an honor to be selected as Team Georgia head coach," Fisher said. "I've been an assistant twice and now being the head coach is a great honor."
Fisher said the Team Georgia All-star Classic coaching staff has put together a "very athletic" squad.
"Our defensive line is going to be loaded with top talent," Fisher said. "And our skill position players are extremely athletic. I believe we have put together a very athletic and competitive team."
Tennessee holds a 7-3 advantage in the series. Tennessee utilized strong performances from the Lookout Valley duo of (MVP) Van Scribner and Tennessee Player of the Game , Jamal Jones, to defeated Georgia 10-7 at McCallie last June. Here's a look at the all-time All-Star Classic records.
The rosters are set to be released on May 26.
TENNESSEE/GEORGIA ALL-STAR CLASSIC
WHERE: Boyd-Buchanan High Chattanooga
WHEN: June 7 at 7:00 p.m.
WHO: 2014 seniors from 14 SE Tennessee counties vs. seniors from 14 NW Georgia counties
UNIFORMS: Tennessee (White jerseys and Orange pants; Georgia (Black jerseys, Black pants)
COACHES: Tennessee Tracy Malone (East Ridge); Georgia Chad Fisher (LaFayette)
PRACTICE: Tennessee at Boyd-Buchanan; Georgia at Christian Heritage (Dalton) starting June 2
SPONSORED BY: Physicians Care at Nine Southeast Tennessee locations www.phycare.net
FOR MORE INFO: 423-421-2595, StumpOnSports@aol.com or www.stumponsports.net
Tennessee/Georgia All-Star Classic Records
Results
2004 – Tennessee 28, Georgia 7 (at Ridgeland)
2005 – Georgia 29, Tennessee 7 (at East Ridge)
2006 – Tennessee 9, Georgia 5 (at Finley Stadium)
2007 – Georgia 14, Tennessee 13 (at Finley Stadium)
2008 – Tennessee 41, Georgia 0 (at Finley Stadium)
2009 – Tennessee 31, Georgia 14 (at Ridgeland)
2010 – Tennessee 17, Georgia 0 (at Baylor)
2011 – Georgia 31, Tennessee 21 (at Baylor)
2012 – Tennessee 7, Georgia 3 (at Ringgold)
2013 – Tennessee 10, Georgia 7 (at McCallie)
Players of the Game
2004 – MVP: Michael Davenport (Central), TN: Eric Marsh (Red Bank),
GA: Justin Rogers (Chattooga)
2005 – MVP: Caleb Callahan (Northwest Whitfield), TN: Josey Rutley (Tyner),
GA: Blue Cooper (Coosa)
2006 – MVP: Chris Ricketts (Soddy-Daisy), TN: Drew Nelson (Notre Dame),
GA: Darius Benham (Cartersville)
2007 – MVP: Tymon Hudson (Rome), TN: Caleb Wilson (Rhea County),
GA: Rhett Headden (NW Whitfield)
2008 – MVP: Tim Benford (Red Bank), TN: Wilson Jackson (Rhea County),
GA: Scottie Talley (Dade County)
2009 – MVP: Josh Blake (Grace), TN: Nic Hughes (Boyd-Buchanan),
GA: Matt Talkington (Ringgold)
2010 – MVP: Terrell Robinson (South Pittsburg), TN: Jackie Reeves (Brainerd),
GA: Jalen Fields (Dalton)
2011 – MVP: Paul Walton (Ridgeland), TN: Joseph Derrick (Brainerd),
GA: Offensive Line
2012 – MVP: Kameno Watson (Red Bank), TN: Trent Lusk (McCallie),
GA: Justin Adekoya (Heritage)
2013 – MVP: Van Scribner (Lookout Valley), TN: Jamal Jones (Lookout Valley),
GA: Darrell Bridges (Ridgeland)
Most Rushing Yards
106 – Jamal Jones (Lookout Valley, 2013)
89 – Trey Wesley (Hiram, 2011)
87 – Paul Walton (Ridgeland, 2011)
80 – Josh Blake (Grace, 2009)
74 – Drew Akins (Boyd-Buchanan, 2005)
Longest TD Run
47 yards – Paul Walton (Ridgeland, 2011)
Most Yards Passing
167 – Drew Nelson (Notre Dame, 2006)
148 – Nic Hughes (Boyd-Buchanan, 2009)
135 – Caleb Callahan (Northwest Whitfield, 2005)
121 – Cameron Tallent (Rhea County, 2011)
Most Completions
11 – Drew Nelson (Notre Dame, 2006)
Longest TD Pass
78 yards – Tim Benford (Red Bank) to Eric Penn (Brainerd), 2008
Most Yards Receiving
112 – Tim Benford (Red Bank, 2008)
100 – Joseph Derrick (Brainerd, 2011)
78 – Eric Penn (Brainerd, 2008)
68 – Orlandus Harris (Brainerd, 2008)
Longest Reception
78 yards – Eric Penn (Brainerd, 2008)
Longest Kick Return
68 yards – Chas Scruggs (Lookout Valley, 2008)
Most Touchdowns
2 – Michael Davenport (Central, 2004)
2 – Stan Ingram (Darlington, 2005)
2 – Tim Benford (Red Bank, 2008)
2 – John Hampton (Dade County, 2011)
Most Extra Points
5 – Mike Hammonds (Polk County, 2008)
Longest Field Goal
42 yards – John Long (Ooltewah, 2010)
41 yards – Cameron Carter (East Hamilton, 2013)
34 yards – Dustin Lewis (Heritage, 2012)
31 yards – Josh Davis (Rhea County, 2009)
30 yards – Gorge Galvis (Coosa, 2006)
Longest Punt
70 yards – Weston Perry (Boyd-Buchanan, 2006)
Most Tackles
14 – Dan Turner (East Ridge, 2004)
Most Sacks
2 – Darius Benham (Cartersville, 2006)
2 – Tymon Hudson (Rome, 2007)
2 – Cody Thomas (Boyd-Buchanan, 2008)
2 – Micah Kidd (East Ridge, 2010)
2 - Justin Adekoya (Heritage, 2012)
Most Interceptions
2 – Joe Muir (Marion County, 2009)
2 – Blue Cooper (Coosa, 2005)
Longest Interception for TD
45 yards – Blue Cooper (Coosa, 2005)
Most Points, Team
41 – Tennessee, 2008
Largest Margin of Victory, Team
41 – Tennessee, 2008 (41-0)