Tennessee-Georgia all-star series returns this week

Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog

Tennessee-Georgia All-Star Games ScheduleSoccer: Friday at Finley Stadium, 1:30, 3:30Football: Saturday at Boyd-Buchanan, 7Basketball: June 10 at Notre Dame, 6, 7:30Baseball: June 18 at McCallie, 6Softball: June 18 at Frost Stadium, 6

Coaches and athletes in southeastern Tennessee and northwestern Georgia often lament the fact that there is very little in-season competition between area high school programs in the two states. The TSSAA and the GHSA are on different reclassification cycles, so scheduling interstate contests proves difficult.

However, what might be bad timing for the regular season is good news for the Tennessee-Georgia All-Star Games and series founder Stump Martin. What might have started out as a curiosity has turned into a full-fledged rivalry, especially in football, where the 11th annual game is slated for this coming Saturday at Boyd-Buchanan.

"It was tough at first to get kids to commit to play, but they now look forward to it," Martin said. "It's more of a rivalry deal because these kids don't get to play each other during the season, but for one night they do."

Football coaches Tracy Malone of East Ridge and Chad Fisher of LaFayette have put together impressive rosters of recently graduated players, representing 17 counties. Among the players who have committed to compete are 19 Best of Preps football all-stars. Included in that group are nine first-team members, headlined by University of Tennessee at Chattanooga signees Cam Walker and C.J. Fritz from McCallie and Calhoun's Chandler Curtis, who is headed to Mercer.

There are also several athletes from prep programs not in the Times Free Press coverage area, including college signees Tyler Bertolini from Gilmer County and Cass defensive end Montavious Parker. The Volunteer State owns a 7-3 advantage, winning 10-6 last year.

The soccer games actually kick off the series, with the girls and boys playing Friday at Finley Stadium. Basketball returns to Notre Dame on June 10, and the baseball and softball games round out the 2014 series on June 18.

Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6296.

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