Playoff-Bound: Teams gear up for postseason
The final week of the 2024 high school football season has arrived, with the three local teams set to close out their regular seasons later this week.
All three teams have already clinched spots in the TSSAA playoffs, which begin in the second week of November. This is the second consecutive season that all three will compete in the postseason.
Anderson County (7-1, 4-0 in Region 2-4A) will head to South Knoxville for a Halloween matchup against South-Doyle (1-8, 0-4) on Thursday night. The Mavericks secured the region title with last week’s win over Gibbs in Corryton. With a victory over the Cherokees, Anderson County can complete its eighth-consecutive perfect run through the region schedule, marking eight straight region championships.
In Region 3-5A, Oak Ridge won its second consecutive region title with a 17-7 win over Lenoir City in Loudon County.
The Wildcats (5-4, 3-0) will close out the regular season Friday at Campbell County.
Under first-year Coach Mark Pemberton, the Cougars (2-7, 0-3) have struggled and were eliminated from playoff contention after their loss to Karns.
A win by Campbell County would force Oak Ridge to share the region title with the Panthers if Lenoir City wins its season finale at home against Karns.
Oak Ridge, however, holds the No. 1 seed from Region 3 and will open the playoffs at home.
Clinton (3-6, 2-2 in Region 3-5A) has finished league play and will face Heritage (4-5) to close out the season.
The Mountaineers, who went 0-4 in Region 2-5A, are coached by former Tennessee assistant Joe Osovet.
