Advertise on podcast: High School Sports Saturday with Tate Mathews

Head coach Josh Adkins joins the show the morning after Franklin’s 24–21 win over Summit in Region 6-6A, a game the Admirals had to win to make the playoffs. He starts with the play of the night. With three seconds left in the first half, Franklin fair-caught a punt and used a rarely seen rule to take a free kick. Kicker Henry Ruth put it through from about 50 yards, and those three points ended up being the margin. Adkins credits kicking coach Joey DeFotta, a Franklin alum, for the idea, and says it was one of several firsts for the program that night. Another was winning despite five turnovers, including two interceptions returned for touchdowns.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Week 11 preview, Tate  talks with Tom Kreager of The Tennessean about the region titles still at stake before the Tennessee high school football playoffs. Brentwood and Ravenwood, both unbeaten in Region 6-6A, meet for the title in a game Kreager calls a toss-up. Oakland visits unbeaten Riverdale, and depending on results that region could end in a three-way tie. The Green Hill–Lebanon region could technically produce a five-way tie, though Green Hill wins it if both teams win. Nolensville, 9-0, faces Page for the Region 5-5A title, and unbeaten East Robertson hosts East Nashville in the “Battle of the East.” In the private-school division, CPA earned its first win of the season by upsetting Knoxville Catholic 14-13. Brentwood Academy can finish first or third depending on its game with Lipscomb Academy, and Ensworth plays Baylor next week. The pair also note that splitting Week 11 between Thursday and Friday lets fans catch two games before the playoffs begin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tate opened with the Week 10 scores, the first full slate of games back from fall break, with one regular-season week left. In the Midstate top 10, Brentwood Academy beat Father Ryan 45-7 behind Cruz Jenkins (22 of 25, 400 yards, 5 TDs). BGA shut out Goodpasture 49-0, Riverdale beat Rockvale 54-21, MBA edged McCallie 31-28, and Lipscomb Academy fell to Briarcrest. The biggest stat was Antioch’s Andre Adams: he reached 12,732 career total yards and broke the TSSAA all-time record. Tate also pointed out Will Butler’s big all-around night for Green Hill, Centennial’s and CPA’s first wins of the season, and CPA’s 14-13 upset of Knoxville Catholic. He congratulated the volleyball state champions too, including Franklin’s 3A title team, which went 33-1. Coach Bill Alexander talked about Liberty Creek’s 35-10 road win over Watertown. The Wolves are now 7-2, the most wins in the program’s five-year history. He praised sophomore QB Barrett O’Brien as a dual threat, called the offense balanced, and talked up Malachi and Marcus, two brothers who moved from Washington state and changed his kicking game. He also gave credit to his defensive staff and to what he learned under Anthony Crabtree and Paul Wade. Next is a home game with Pearl-Cohn on Oct. 30 for a share of the region title. Coach Josh Atkins then explained Franklin’s 24-21 win over Summit, a game they had to win to make the playoffs. The key play was a rare fair-catch free kick: Henry Ruth made a 60-yard field goal as the first half ended, and those 3 points were the final margin. Franklin also overcame five turnovers, including two pick-sixes. They finish with a “business trip” to Cordova in Memphis to get ready for a possible playoff run there. In the last segment, Tom Kreager and Tate previewed Week 11’s biggest region games: Brentwood vs. Ravenwood, Oakland at Riverdale, Nolensville vs. Page, East Robertson vs. East Nashville, and MBA vs. Lipscomb Academy in a wild D-II AAA picture. They also went through playoff scenarios, including a possible five-way tie in the Green Hill/Lebanon region and Centennial possibly reaching the playoffs at 2-8. Tate pointed out that Week 11 games are split between Thursday and Friday, so fans can see two games, and he signed off ahead of Halloween week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liberty Creek Head Coach Bill Alexander joined the show the morning after the Wolves beat Watertown 35–10 on the road, moving to 7–2 on the season. Alexander credited Watertown’s coaching staff for trying to slow the game down, and said his team got past a slow start to go up 21–3. He praised his sophomore quarterback, who threw for 135 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 69 yards and another score. He also talked about the offense’s balance, with three running backs sharing carries and the ball spread across several receivers. A big topic was the brothers who moved to Liberty Creek from Washington State this summer, and whose father played in the Super Bowl. The senior is a linebacker and kicker who went 5-for-5 on extra points and returned an interception for a touchdown. His younger brother handles kickoffs and starts at strong safety. Alexander also pointed to the defense for keeping Watertown’s standout running back in check most of the night. The conversation then turned to the coaching staff. Alexander talked about how much it helps to have former head coaches as assistants, since the job “can be pretty lonely” when tough decisions come up. He described what he learned from the two head coaches he worked under for 15 years: one taught him to delegate and “let coaches coach,” and the other taught him to have an answer for every gap and assignment. The segment ended with a look ahead to the October 30 home game against the Pearl-Cohn Firebirds, who are unbeaten in the region. Liberty Creek is 2–1 in Region 6, and a win could earn a share of the region title and a better playoff position. The team already has the most wins in program history. Alexander called Pearl-Cohn fast, physical and battle-tested, singled out their quarterback, and said the keys would be special teams, controlling the clock and limiting big plays. He also recalled the program’s early days practicing on an elementary school playground.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fall break is over, the playoff race is heating up, and two teams have made a statement. Station Camp survived a 45–42 thriller against Hendersonville, while East Nashville continued its roll with a dominant shutout. Coach Chris Bain explains how Station Camp leaned on its running game and reshaped offensive line to earn a crucial region win, with Colton Overby and Caden Simpson helping power the Bison. Then Coach Damian Harris discusses East Nashville’s tough non-region schedule, quarterback Dallas Covington’s emergence, and the team’s physical, disciplined identity heading into the postseason. The episode also features Tom Kreager of the Tennessean with a look at the week in Tennessee high school football: key results, breakout performances, changing region races, and injuries that could affect one of the state’s most competitive classifications. From Battleground Academy and Green Hill to Smyrna, Columbia, and Fairview, get the results and storylines shaping the playoff picture. For fans following playoff positioning, rivalries, Mr. Football chatter, and Middle Tennessee teams building momentum, this episode brings the week’s biggest developments into focus. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's Warner Athletic segment of High School Sports Saturday, Tom Kreager of The Tennessean breaks down a critical slate of mid-state matchups following the conclusion of fall break. After briefly touching on the weekend's major college slate—including Tennessee hosting Alabama and Ohio State playing Indiana—the focus shifts to Battleground Academy, who leaned on a Wildcat offense to defeat JP2 after an injury sidelined Bo Bryan. The recap also highlights Green Hill’s 22-19 rivalry win over Lebanon, driven by a spectacular two-way performance from Will Butler, who recorded 13 tackles, a forced fumble, 72 rushing yards, and two touchdowns. The playoff picture continues to crystallize as Smyrna’s 21-14 victory over Blackman keeps them alive for a share of their region title and a home playoff game. Further south, Columbia secured back-to-back region titles with a decisive win over Lincoln County. To ensure top-tier officiating for these pivotal late-season matchups, the TSSAA is splitting the Week 11 schedule between Thursday and Friday nights. The segment closes by previewing a massive upcoming Middle Tennessee showdown, featuring David Gabriel George and Baylor visiting EJ Gibson at Ensworth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Station Camp head football coach Chris Bain praised his team's execution following a massive 45-42 victory over their crosstown rival, the Hendersonville Commandos. Adapting to Hendersonville's defensive alignment, offensive coordinators Kevin Stevens and Jared Neal committed heavily to the run, resulting in an uncharacteristic 40 rushing attempts and five touchdowns on the ground. The rushing attack was anchored by a breakout performance from Kaden Simpson, who stepped into the starting lineup due to injuries and delivered 140 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries behind a dominant offensive line. Despite facing what Bain described as potentially the toughest 5A schedule in the state and enduring a recent losing streak, the Bison roster has maintained focus and refused to fold on the season. Senior quarterback Colten provided crucial veteran composure in the huddle during the final two minutes, confidently managing the offense to seal the victory. The win elevates Station Camp to a 1-1 region record, keeping them squarely in the hunt for a top-two finish and a potential home-field playoff advantage as they prepare to close out the regular season against Hunters Lane and Portland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

East Nashville Eagles head coach Damian Harris joined the broadcast to break down his team’s dominant 40-0 shutout victory over Hickman County, marking their third consecutive win. The Eagles were powered by a near-flawless performance from three-year starting quarterback Dallas Covington, who threw for 265 yards and four touchdowns on 8-of-9 passing. Covington's main targets included senior Micah Graves, who racked up 104 receiving yards and two offensive touchdowns alongside a punt return for a score, and Kivonte Pitts, who announced his return from a shoulder injury with a 90-yard touchdown catch on the game's first offensive possession. Defensively, Jaylen Mays secured another interception for the season, rounding out a complete team effort on both sides of the ball. Now sitting at 5-3 overall and 2-0 in Region 6-2A, Coach Harris attributes the team's battle-tested readiness to a grueling non-region schedule that featured matchups against larger 4A, 5A, and 6A programs. The Eagles are maintaining a one-game-at-a-time mentality as they head on the road to face Houston County, leading up to a massive regional showdown against East Robertson on October 30th. Looking ahead to next season, Harris noted that the program will drop down to the Single-A classification due to declining student enrollment in their district, a shift that the coach anticipates will make the hard-nosed Eagles a highly disruptive force in the smaller division. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this October 10th episode of High School Sports Saturday on 104.5 The Zone, Tate breaks down the latest fall sports action and previews a lineup of local sports leaders: Week 8 Football Roundup: A comprehensive recap of Friday night's game scores, highlighting Brentwood Academy's 42-7 win over Briarcrest, Antioch's tight 34-31 victory over FRA, and Ensworth's 28-17 defeat of CPA. Kirkwood Cobras Football: Head Coach Chad Watson joins the show to discuss the Cobras' impressive 7-1 season, their dominant region victory over Creek Wood, and a standout 296-yard, 5-touchdown performance from quarterback Miles Reding. Page Patriots Golf Championship: Williamson County Schools District Athletic Director Patrick Whitlock stops by to celebrate the Page boys golf team's massive victory in the AA state championship. TSSAA Insights: Tom Kreager from The Tennessean makes a guest appearance to provide expert analysis on the local high school sports landscape. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tate is joined by Tom Kreager to break down the latest high school football action and upcoming classification shifts. Here is a summary of the key segments from their discussion: Antioch vs. FRA: Antioch secured a tight 34-31 comeback victory over FRA in a highly entertaining matchup. Andre Adams delivered a Mr. Football-caliber performance, while Matthew Coleman was a major factor with 162 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Brentwood Academy vs. Briarcrest: Undefeated Brentwood Academy dominated Briarcrest with a 42-7 blowout win. Larry Saunders led the charge for Brentwood, racking up 195 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 21 carries. New Classifications: Enrollment-based classification changes will see East Nashville move down to Class 1A and Pearl-Cohn shift to Class 2A next year. This realignment sets the stage for a potential East Nashville versus South Pittsburg matchup in the 1A playoffs. College Football Outlook: The segment closed with a quick look at college football, noting that an Indiana Hoosiers win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers would set them up to host Ohio State as an undefeated team. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tate sits down with Patrick Whitlock, Athletic Director for Williamson County Schools, to break down the week’s local sports highlights and preview a big college football matchup. State Golf Champions: The Page Patriots boys golf team claimed the AA state championship at Sevierville Golf Course, finishing 11 strokes under par as a team. Jake Ikoff took the individual title in a playoff against teammate Reed Bosselman after the two tied at five under par. The Patriots’ two-day total also tied for the second-lowest in TSSAA history. High School Football: Most Williamson County teams are on fall break, but Nolensville stayed sharp, improving to 8-0 with a 31-0 shutout of Centennial. Tate and Patrick also look ahead to the Week 11 showdown between Nolensville and Page, with a regional championship on the line. Vanderbilt vs. Ole Miss: The conversation wraps with a preview of Vanderbilt’s home game against the Ole Miss Rebels. Heavy rain and wind could throw off both passing offenses, and the hosts predict a close 28-24 win for Ole Miss, though they’re pulling for a Vanderbilt upset. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tate is joined by Coach Chad Watson, the head football coach for the Kirkwood Cobras. Season Performance: The Cobras are currently 7-1 overall and 3-0 in their region, coming off a 45-7 Thursday night victory over Creekwood. The junior varsity team is also undefeated with a 7-0 record. Player Spotlight: Watson praised quarterback Miles Reding for his leadership and dedication to early-morning film study. Reding recently threw for 296 yards and five touchdowns in the first half against Creekwood. Weather Challenges: Coach Watson noted this has been the hottest football season of his 20-plus-year career, which forced the team to hold morning practices in week five due to the heat index. Upcoming Schedule: The team will rest during fall break before facing Clarksville Northwest and Henry County in their final two region games. Weekend Plans: Coach Watson plans to spend his Saturday watching Austin Peay State University ("the Govs") play Tarleton State and grabbing a meal at Johnny's Big Burger. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode of High School Sports Saturday on 104.5 The Zone, hosted by Tate Matthews, features headlining guest Coach Ed Cunningham, Head Coach of the Lincoln County Falcons, alongside mentions of upcoming show guests Charles Pulliam (from the Williamson Herald and High School Power Hour) and Tom Kreager (high school sports reporter for The Tennessean). The primary live interview focused on Coach Ed Cunningham following Lincoln County’s dominant 40–7 victory over Tullahoma, which elevated the Falcons to an undefeated 6–0 record and earned them their first region win of the season. During the discussion, Coach Cunningham praised his team's flawless offensive performance—highlighting touchdown drives of 95 and 98 yards, key goal-line defensive stands early in the game, and individual contributions from multi-sport athlete Clint Quick and star quarterback Dason Ogle, who logged five total touchdowns while maintaining the top academic rank in his class. In addition to the segment with Coach Cunningham, host Tate Matthews provided a comprehensive breakdown of Week 7 high school football action across Middle Tennessee, sponsored by Jimmy Kelly’s Steakhouse. The broadcast detailed score recaps and notable individual statistics for top-ranked programs—such as Brentwood Academy's 63–14 win over Memphis University School and Battle Ground Academy's 56–7 victory—as well as historic milestones like Nashville Collegiate Prep’s first-ever program win. The host also shared travel warnings for listeners heading toward poor weather conditions in Knoxville, promoted membership details and liability insurance updates for the Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association (TACA), and previewed further high school sports coverage with scheduled appearances by Charles Pulliam and Tom Kreager See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom discuss recent reclassification news and scheduling dynamics in Tennessee high school football under the TSSAA. The main discussion centers on Nashville Christian School choosing to move up to Division II-AA, which heightens competition in that division alongside teams like BGA and FRA, while opening up opportunities for frontrunners in D2-A like Davidson, Friendship, and USJ. They also examine the fallout surrounding non-region (independent) schedules, highlighting the financial and logistical strain placed on Division II-AAA programs that must now travel out-of-state or pay non-conference opponents to fill out their schedules. Beyond administrative developments, the conversation shifts to top individual game performances from Friday night across the mid-state region. Key highlights include Battle Ground Academy quarterback Bo Bryan throwing seven touchdown passes, as well as Kirkwood's Miles Redding, who also scored seven total touchdowns, including two rushing touchdowns. The host and Tom conclude by recognizing the high level of talent in local high school football as the season progresses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tate is joined by Eddie Cunningham, head football coach of the Lincoln County High School Falcons. In the broadcast, Coach Cunningham recaps the Falcons' dominant 40–7 victory over Tullahoma, detailing how the offense scored on all six of its possessions—including long scoring drives of 95 and 98 yards—and praising a goal-line defense that made two critical fourth-down stops near the goal line. The interview highlights several key playmakers, most notably converted linebacker and top-ranked student Dace Nogle, who threw for 150 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 111 yards and two additional scores. The coach and host also discuss wide receiver Clint Quick's big-play efficiency and two-sport athleticism, alongside the versatile play of twin running backs Carson and Colton Carter. Looking ahead, the segment covers the Falcons' undefeated 6–0 record as they enter an open bye week coinciding with fall break. Coach Cunningham notes that the time off will allow injured players to recover and give the coaching staff extra time to game-plan for a crucial region battle against Columbia Central and their star quarterback. The interview concludes with a look at the growing community enthusiasm in Fayetteville, with rising crowd energy and high expectations surrounding the program's strong season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.