Historic Spears Stadium on the campus of the McCallie School will once again serve as the host for the annual Tennessee-Georgia All-Star Football Classic, presented by Great Clips and Stump on Sports.
The 12th version of the border battle will take place on Saturday, June 13. Opening ceremonies and player introductions will begin at 7 p.m. with kickoff slated for 7:30.
Once again, the game will feature recent graduates from southeast Tennessee against their counterparts from northwest Georgia.
Including this contest, more than 1,000 athletes have suited up to play in the Classic during its history.
Team Tennessee will be coached this year by Notre Dame’s Charles Fant.
Fant said he has enjoyed this week of practice and the opportunity to coach Team Tennessee.
Fant had a memorable year with the Irish in 2014, shaking off a three-point loss to perennial power Knoxville Catholic to win 12 consecutive games.
Notre Dame would eventually bow out to state power Alcoa, 28-19, in the TSSAA Class 3A state semifinals.
A total of seven Irish players went on to sign scholarships on National Signing Day.
Set to match wits against Fant is North Murray’s David Gann, who will direct the Peach State stars.
Gann believes Georgia will put one of the best sets of skill position players on the field Saturday night that have played for the Peach State since this series started in 2004.
Gann guided the Mountaineers to a 5-5 mark this past fall behind a high-octane offense that has averaged 34 points a game during the three seasons Gann has been at the helm.
This past fall, those numbers helped quarterback Hinton McConkey become the second North Murray quarterback in Gann’s three seasons to earn All-State honors, joining Brady Swilling in 2012.
“This has been a memorable experience for all of those who have been involved in this All-Star series in any way,” said Classic founder Stump Martin. “We have had All-Star Classic Alumni go on to play and star in college and some have made it to professional football.
“However, the All-Star Classic can now boast about having a NFL first-round draft selection in former Adairsville linebacker Vic Beasley (Clemson), who was selected by the Atlanta Falcons. That’s pretty special.”
McCallie previously served as host for the game in 2013, which saw Tennessee hang on for a 10-7 victory.
The Volunteer State currently holds an 8-3 advantage in the all-time series and has won three straight, including last year’s record-setting 45-7 win at Boyd-Buchanan.
Tennessee set a Classic record for points in the victory, behind 103 yards rushing from game MVP Isiah Robinson (Hixson) and 90 yards rushing from Tennessee Player of the Game Denzel Boyd (McMinn Central).
Linebacker Jacob Mitchell (Gordon Central) tied a mark with two sacks, earning him Georgia Player of the Game honors.
Tickets prices are $10 per person at the gate for fans 13 and older. Kids 12 and under are free.
Football (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)
2014 – Tennessee 45, Georgia 7 (at Boyd-Buchanan)
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)
2014 – MVP: Isiah Robinson (Hixson), TN: Denzel Boyd (McMinn Central), GA: Jacob Mitchell (Gordon Central)
Most Rushing Yards
106 – Jamal Jones (Lookout Valley, 2013)
103 – Isiah Robinson (Hixson, 2014)
90 – Denzel Boyd (McMinn Central, 2014)
89 – Trey Wesley (Hiram, 2011)
87 – Paul Walton (Ridgeland, 2011)
Longest Run
59 yards – Terry Tiller (Chattanooga Central, 2014)
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)
103 – 2 tied
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 TD 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
6 – Tad Whitaker (East Ridge, 2014)
5 – Mike Hammonds (Polk County, 2008)
Longest Field Goal
42 yards – John Long (Ooltewah, 2010)
41 yards – Cameron Carter (East Hamilton, 2013)
36 yards – Tad Whitaker (East Ridge, 2014)
34 yards – Dustin Lewis (Heritage, 2012)
31 yards – Josh Davis (Rhea County, 2009)
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)
2 – Jacob Mitchell (Gordon Central, 2014)
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
45 – Tennessee, 2014
Largest Margin of Victory, Team
41 – Tennessee, 2008 (41-0)