This article has been revised due to an error in the previous version. After 20 appearances in the TSSAA football playoffs dating back to 1969, Macon County has secured its inaugural state championship. The Tigers (13-2) triumphed over Melrose with a score of 45-14 on Saturday, claiming the Class 4A BlueCross Bowl title. Brothers Zach […]
This article has been revised due to an error in the previous version. After 20 appearances in the TSSAA football playoffs dating back to 1969, Macon County has secured its inaugural state championship.
The Tigers (13-2) triumphed over Melrose with a score of 45-14 on Saturday, claiming the Class 4A BlueCross Bowl title.
Brothers Zach and Gabe Borders were instrumental in the victory for Macon County. Kyle racked up 249 rushing yards on 25 carries, scoring four touchdowns, while Gabe contributed 117 yards on 18 carries and also completed a 32-yard touchdown pass for the Tigers.
The first quarter ended without a score, as both teams experienced a lost fumble and other pivotal errors.
Macon County surged ahead with 17 points in the second quarter, leading 17-0 by halftime. A 32-yard connection from Gabe Borders to Luke Gammon and a 2-yard touchdown run by Brennan Flowers provided the Tigers with an advantage.
Melrose managed to score two touchdowns in the third quarter, but Macon County not only maintained their momentum, but also extended their lead, with Kyle Borders scoring all four of his touchdowns in the second half.
Rhyan Brown rushed for 91 yards and celebrated two touchdowns for Melrose.
This marked Melrose’s first state championship appearance since 2005, as the team aimed for their first title since 1998.
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Zach Borders secures fourth TD for Macon County, extending lead to 45-14
Zach Borders recorded his fourth touchdown of the match with a 5-yard rush, pushing Macon County to a 45-14 advantage against Melrose with 2:49 remaining in regulation. He now totals 249 rushing yards.
Once more, it’s Zach Borders as Macon County leads 38-14
Zach Borders sprinted 47 yards for a touchdown, marking his third of the match, as Macon County surged ahead with a 38-14 lead over Melrose with 7:54 left in regulation. Borders has accumulated 218 yards on 20 carries.
Zach Borders tallies second touchdown as Macon County begins to distance itself
Zach Borders crossed the goal line from the 1-yard line, making it his second touchdown of the game, widening Macon County’s lead over Melrose to 31-14 with 9:42 remaining in regulation. Borders earlier rushed 23 yards to set up the score.
Brown finds the end zone for Melrose again in escalating scoring frenzy
Rhyan Brown notched his second touchdown of the third quarter, this time from 20 yards away, narrowing Macon County’s lead to 24-14 with 3:07 to go in the quarter. That was the score heading into the fourth quarter. Both teams collectively scored 38 points within a less than two-quarter span.
Macon County responds to Melrose TD as Zach Borders extends lead to 24-7
Zach Borders galloped 20 yards for a touchdown, allowing Macon County to respond to Melrose’s score and regain a 17-point lead with 5:44 remaining in the third quarter. He now has 12 carries totaling 105 yards.
Zach Borders breaks Macon County’s single-season rushing record
Zach Borders had a pair of carries for 18 yards during the initial possession of the third quarter, enabling him to surpass the program’s single-season rushing record of 1,743 yards. He currently sits at 1,750 yards and counting.
Melrose gets on the scoreboard with TD run by Brown
Melrose chipped away at Macon County’s lead right after halftime, as Rhyan Brown dashed 25 yards, breaking several tackles en route to a touchdown. The score was now 17-7 in favor of the Tigers with 9:09 left in the third quarter.
Gammon’s 35-yard field goal elevates Macon lead to 17-0 at halftime
Eli Gammon successfully kicked a 35-yard field goal with four seconds remaining in the half, increasing Macon County’s advantage over Melrose to 17-0 at halftime. This followed a six-play, 36-yard drive after the Tigers forced a Wildcat punt. Gabe Borders led the Tigers with 14 carries totaling 90 yards. Macon County is set to receive the kickoff to open the third quarter.
Second Melrose turnover results in Macon County TD, extending lead to 14-0
Following Melrose’s fourth fumble (the second lost) at the Macon County 49, the Tigers capitalized with a 2-yard touchdown run from Brennan Flowers, putting Macon County in front 14-0 with 6:17 remaining in the second quarter.
Borders to Gammon grants Macon County early 7-0 lead in second quarter
Gabe Borders connected with Luke Gammon for a 32-yard touchdown pass with 9:17 left in the second quarter, granting Macon County a 7-0 edge over Melrose. This marked Borders’ initial pass attempt. He also has 63 rushing yards to his name.
A scoreless first quarter filled with errors
By the end of the first quarter, Macon County and Melrose remained scoreless. The Wildcats committed three fumbles (one lost), while Macon County punted twice and lost a fumble as well. Together, both teams managed a total of 114 yards, with Gabe Borders contributing 38 rushing yards for the Tigers.
Macon County averts Melrose TD with turnover at the one-yard line
Following Macon County’s initial punt, Melrose advanced deep into the Tiger territory but was thwarted by a fumble recovery by the Tigers at the one-yard line, preventing a touchdown. Macon County would need to cover 99 yards. A 41-yard catch by Tavarco Jackson helped set up Melrose’s scoring opportunity.
How to view TSSAA football playoffs: BlueCross Bowl matches
The championship games will be broadcast statewide on these channels (channel numbers over the air, cable channel listings are available here):
- Nashville: WUPX MyNetwork TV Channel 30
- Memphis: WMC-TV+ Channel 5.5
- Knoxville: WKNX Channel 7
- Chattanooga: WFLI MyNetwork TV Channel 53.2
- Jackson: Jackson Energy Authority E+ broadband Channel 6 (not OTA)
- Tri-Cities: WCYB.2 CW Network Channel 5.2
TSSAA football championship schedule: Complete BlueCross Bowl lineup
All times listed are Eastern; Games will be held in Chattanooga
Thursday, Dec. 5
Friday, Dec. 6
Saturday, Dec. 7
- Class 4A: Macon County (12-2) vs. Melrose (10-3), 11 a.m.
- Class 2A: Marion County (12-2) vs. Milan (13-1), 3 p.m.
- Class 6A: Oakland (13-1) vs. Houston (12-2), 7 p.m.
Key information
Macon County’s senior running backs, twin brothers Zach and Gabe Borders, lead the Tigers into the state championship as a formidable duo in the backfield. Zach has rushed for 1,667 yards along with 18 touchdowns, while Gabe has accumulated 1,491 yards and 23 touchdowns. The pair combined for 370 rushing yards and five touchdowns during their 43-41 semifinal victory against Anderson County.
Gerald and Jarrett Morrow, also twin brothers, have led Melrose back to their first state title game in nearly two decades, aiming to end a 26-year championship drought. Jarrett’s son, Jamarion Morrow, is a highly-rated four-star running back who joined the team after transferring from Germantown. The senior Texas A&M commitment scored his team’s sole touchdowns last week in an upset victory against defending 4A state champions, Pearl-Coh, 14-7. Jamarion Morrow has tallied 1,013 yards and 26 touchdowns over eight games this season following a recovery from a preseason injury. Melrose will also look to senior running back Rhyan Brown, who has gained 1,117 yards and scored 14 touchdowns.
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Contact sports journalist George Robinson at georgerobinsontheleafchronicle.com and connect on the X platform (formerly Twitter) @Cville_Sports
