Ranking every TSSAA football playoff team's chances to win a state championship

Who has the best chances at winning a TSSAA football state championship in each bracket?

We've ranked every playoff team in each classification, based on chances of winning a BlueCross Bowl state title:

Class 6A

1. Bradley Central (10-0): The Bears are one of three unbeaten teams in 6A as they try to end Maryville's streak of state semis appearances. Tennessee commitment Boo Carter and Co. have averaged more than 35 points a game.

2. Germantown (10-0): The Red Devils have rolled this year; their closest game is a 14-13 win over rival Houston. Germantown should ride the West bracket at least into the quarterfinals.

3. Brentwood (10-0): The Bruins tossed back-to-back shutouts to finish the regular season and Baylor Hayes and Co. have put up good offensive numbers. They could meet Germantown in the semifinals for a trip to the BCB.

4. Oakland (8-2): Oakland is a No. 2 seed for the first time since 2014, but junor RB Daune Morris and the Patriots have the talent and experience to get back to the BCB. They might have to get past rival Riverdale in the quarters first.

5. Riverdale (8-2): The Warriors are coming off a 25-24 win at rival Oakland, and a tough regular-season schedule should help in the playoff run. Senior QB Braden Graham has passed for more than 2,500 yards with 36 TDs.

6. Houston (8-2)

7. Bearden (7-3)

8. Jefferson County (9-1)

9. Clarksville (10-0)

10. Maryville (6-4)

11. Ravenwood (7-3)

12. Bartlett (7-3)

13. Cleveland (6-4)

14. Science Hill (7-3)

15. Collierville (7-3)

16. Green Hill (7-3)

17. Mt. Juliet (8-2)

18. Smyrna (6-4)

19. Cookeville (7-3)

20. Gallatin (7-3)

21. Antioch (4-6)

22. Stewarts Creek (7-3)

23. Summit (4-6)

24. Independence (5-5)

25. Dobyns-Bennett (5-4)

26. Rossview (7-3)

27. Siegel (5-5)

28. Rockvale (5-5)

29. Dickson County (6-4)

30. West Creek (4-6)

31. Cane Ridge (2-8)

32. West Ridge (5-4)

Class 5A

1. Knoxville West (9-1): The defending champs have been tested lately but remain favorites in the East. A quarterfinal matchup with Powell would be a must-see.

2. Henry County (9-1): The Patriots have topped 40 points seven times, including four times over 50. They will try to reach the state title game for the first time since 2018 after three straight losses in the semifinals.

3. Page (9-1): The Patriots finished the regular season with seven straight wins, including throttling Centennial and Nolensville after getting OL and Clemson commitment Ronan O'Connell back from an injury.

4. Oak Ridge (8-2): The Wildcats have a good path to the semifinals, but getting past that point will be a tough chore with West, Powell and Sevier County in the upper part of the East bracket.

5. Southwind (10-0): The Jaguars have rolled, including outscoring their final two regular-season foes 104-0. The playoffs will provide a different level of competition.

6. Beech (6-4)

7. Powell (7-3)

8. Sevier County (9-1)

9. Centennial (8-2)

10. Munford (8-2)

11. Knoxville Halls (8-2)

12. Walker Valley (8-2)

13. Shelbyville (9-1)

14. McMinn Central (6-4)

15. Nolensville (8-2)

16. Hendersonville (7-3)

17. Tullahoma (7-3)

18. East Hamilton (6-4)

19. Hillsboro (6-4)

20. Tennessee High (7-3)

21. Rhea County (5-5)

22. Columbia (7-3)

23. Lenoir City (6-4)

24. Morristown West (5-5)

25. Springfield (4-6)

26. Knox Central (5-5)

27. Clinton (4-6)

28. Campbell County (4-6)

29. Memphis Overton (5-5)

30. Memphis Central (5-5)

31. Daniel Boone (3-6)

32. Franklin County (3-7)

Class 4A

1. Pearl-Cohn (10-0): The defending 4A runners-up have routed every opponent on their schedule, with the exception of close wins over MBA (21-14) and CPA (15-11). The Firebirds are clearly favorites in the West.

2. Greeneville (8-0): Greeneville outscored its past five opponents 238-27, including topping Elizabethton 23-13 in Week 11.

3. Upperman (10-0): The Bees will be one of several tough outs in the tough East bracket, having allowed just 27 points in their past five games. QB Bronzdon Chaffin has 1,850 combined yards with 18 TDs.

4. Hardin County (10-0): Senior QB Carter Smith has 2,584 yards passing and 26 TDs, a big reason the Tigers are averaging 38 points per game. A potential quarterfinal clash with Pearl-Cohn may be in store.

5. Elizabethton (8-1): The Cyclones are another contender in a loaded East bracket, having lost only to rival Greeneville. Sophomore QB Rhett Slagle has more than 1,400 yards passing with 18 TDs.

6. Macon County (9-1)

7. Haywood (7-3)

8. Marshall County (8-2)

9. Anderson County (6-4)

10. Red Bank (7-3)

11. Gibbs (8-2)

12. South Gibson (8-2)

13. Melrose (7-3)

14. Hixson (7-3)

15. Northview Academy (7-3)

16. Loudon (7-3)

17. Millington (8-2)

18. DeKalb County (5-5)

19. Dyer County (5-5)

20. Crockett County (6-4)

21. Knoxville Carter (6-4)

22. Sullivan East (6-4)

23. Stone Memorial (6-4)

24. Obion County (4-6)

25. Station Camp (5-5)

26. Jackson North Side (4-6)

27. White House (6-4)

28. Craigmont (4-6)

29. East Ridge (4-6)

30. Kirby (3-7)

31. Knox Fulton (2-8)

32. Lexington (4-6)

MORE: Why TSSAA hammered Lipscomb Academy football with postseason ban, including Deuce Knight's role

Class 3A

1. Alcoa (9-1): Despite a regular-season blip against rival and 6A foe Maryville, the Tornadoes are still favorites to hoist the title trophy for the ninth consecutive season and 18th time since 2000.

2. Dyersburg (10-0): The Trojans enter the playoffs unbeaten for the second time in three years, thanks to a defense that has allowed just 8.5 points per game.

3. East Nashville (8-2): The Eagles have lost only to 6A Smyrna and DII-AA FRA, both playoff teams. Sophomore running back Keith Johnson has 1,028 yards with 17 touchdowns.

4. Meigs County (10-0): The Tigers are trying to reach the BlueCross Bowl for the third time in five years, but the last two were in 2A. Alcoa could await in the semifinals if Meigs reaches that point.

5. Gatlinburg-Pittman (9-1): The Highlanders have scored at least 49 points in each of their past five games and have allowed just 21 total points during that span.

6. Covington (8-2)

7. Giles County (7-2)

8. Westview (6-4)

9. Sheffield (8-2)

10. McMinn Central (7-3)

11. Fairview (7-3)

12. Hamilton (6-4)

13. Bolton (7-3)

14. Liberty Creek (6-4)

15. Unicoi County (7-3)

16. Sequatchie County (6-4)

17. Johnson County (6-4)

18. Kingston (7-3)

19. Ripley (6-4)

20. Watertown (4-6)

21. Tyner (4-6)

22. Memphis East (5-5)

23. Chuckey-Doak (6-4)

24. White House Heritage (5-5)

25. Stratford (5-5)

26. Brainerd (4-6)

27. Grundy County (5-5)

28. Sycamore (3-7)

29. Austin-East (3-7)

30. Cheatham County (3-7)

31. Union County (3-7)

32. Maplewood (1-9)

MORE: TSSAA football playoffs: Here are 5 storylines and 25 players to keep an eye on in the Nashville area

Class 2A

1. Marion County (10-0): The Warriors are in a very tough East bracket, but the talent is there to bring home the program's fifth championship trophy and first since 1995.

2. York (10-0): The No. 1-ranked Dragons have not allowed more than 17 points in a game and are poised to reach the BlueCross Bowl for the first time after getting to the state semis last season.

3. Huntingdon (9-1): The Mustangs have been tested just once (22-15 win over Riverside) since a season-opening loss to 1A power McKenzie.

4. Riverside (8-2): The Panthers enter the playoffs on a roll, including an impressive 48-14 win over Milan in Week 11.

5. Smith County (8-2): The Owls have held opponents to a touchdown or less in seven of their 10 games but will have a tough East bracket to navigate to the title game.

6. Loretto (10-0)

7. East Robertson (9-1)

8. Milan (8-2)

9. Lewis County (9-1)

10. Hampton (8-2)

11. Fairley (8-2)

12. Happy Valley (7-3)

13. Mt. Pleasant (8-2)

14. South Greene (8-2)

15. Mitchell (9-1)

16. Waverly (7-3)

17. Memphis Business (6-3)

18. Bledsoe County (8-2)

19. Oneida (7-3)

20. Fayetteville (5-5)

21. Peabody (4-6)

22. Monterey (5-5)

23. Westmoreland (5-5)

24. Cascade (5-5)

25. Forrest (4-6)

26. Trezevant (4-6)

27. Oakhaven (4-5)

28. Polk County (4-6)

29. Eagleton (4-6)

30. Hillcrest (2-8)

31. MLK Prep (0-10)

Class 1A

1. South Pittsburg (10-0): QB Kamden Wellington and the Panthers have rarely been tested this season, scoring an average of 44 points per game while allowing an average of five.

2. Moore County (10-0): Quarterback Dawson White has been outstanding this season, but the defense is very good as well.

3. Dresden (10-0): The Lions have averaged more than 40 points per game as they try to win their first state title since 2016.

4. McKenzie (9-1): McKenzie has allowed just seven points per game since a Week 2 loss to Dresden. The two could meet again in the state semifinals.

5. MASE (8-1): The Mets reached the semifinals last year before falling to McKenzie, and they're riding an eight-game winning streak into the playoffs this season.

6. Coalfield (9-1)

7. Collinwood (6-3)

8. Union City (7-3)

9. Gordonsville (6-4)

10. Oliver Springs (7-3)

11. Whitwell (7-3)

12. Middle College (6-4)

13. Eagleville (6-4)

14. Cornersville (6-4)

15. West Carroll (5-4)

16. Lake County (5-5)

17. Clay County (6-4)

18. Sale Creek (7-3)

19. Cloudland (6-4)

20. Jellico (6-3)

21. McEwen (4-6)

22. Greenback (4-6)

23. South Fulton (6-4)

24. Rockwood (5-5)

25. Westwood (4-6)

26. North Greene (4-6)

27. Red Boiling Springs (5-5)

28. Chattanooga Prep (3-7)

29. Houston County (4-6)

30. Unaka (2-8)

31. Middleton (1-8)

32. Jo Byrns (1-9)

PLAYOFF ROAD: The easiest — and toughest — paths to TSSAA football state championships in Chattanooga

Division II-AAA

1. McCallie (9-1): The Blue Tornado were stunned by Lipscomb Academy 34-28 in Week 11 but still have the talent to bring home the championship, thanks to QB Jay St. Hilaire and RB Javon McMahon.

2. Baylor (8-2): The Red Raiders are one of the state's hottest teams entering the playoffs, having shut out MBA and Knox Catholic by a combined 77-0.

3. MUS (9-1): The Owls have consistently been one of the top teams in DII-AAA all season, thanks to a balanced offense and a defense that has allowed just 21 points in their past three games.

4. Ensworth (8-2): The Tigers have one of the best defenses in the class, having allowed just 9.7 points per game. Brentwood Academy transfer Max Holtzclaw has been a steady force at quarterback.

5. MBA (4-6): The Big Red will have to find consistent offense to make a run to the title game, but they have ridden the legs of Brooklen Davis and a solid defense to some big wins in league play.

6. Knoxville Catholic (5-5)

7. Brentwood Academy (1-9)

8. Christian Brothers (6-4)

9. Father Ryan (4-6)

10. Briarcrest (4-6)

RANKINGS: Tennessee high school football rankings: The final Associated Press poll of the regular season

Division II-AA

1. CPA (9-1): The Lions have rolled to eight consecutive wins since a 15-11 loss to 4A power Pearl-Cohn, thanks to the play of QB Braden Streeter (1,378 yards, 16 TDs) and RBs Crews Law and Rawls Patterson.

2. Boyd Buchanan (10-0): The Buccaneers haven't lost since last year's playoffs, thanks to a defense that's allowing just 8.1 points per game. Coach Gary Rankin knows how to win state titles, and his squad is primed to make a run.

3. FRA (9-1): The Panthers' balanced offense, led by RB Ty Clark III and QB Logan Kinnard, has scored more than 80 points eight times, including topping 50 four times.

4. Lausanne (8-1): The Lynx have reeled off seven straight wins, averaging 41 points during that stretch.

5. Knoxville Webb (9-1): Led by senior quarterback Jack Wagner, the Spartans will have to contend with a tough bracket that includes CPA and FRA.

6. Davidson Academy (8-2)

7. Northpoint Christian (7-3)

8. USJ (6-4)

9. Lakeway Christian (5-4)

10. Chattanooga Christian (6-4)

11. Pope John Paul II (3-7)

12. BGA (5-5)

13. ECS (4-6)

14. Silverdale (4-6)

15. Goodpasture (3-7)

16. CAK (3-7)

Division II-A

1. MTCS (9-1): A strong defense and senior RB Eli Wilson (15 yards per carry) running behind Tennessee OL commitment Jesse Perry have led the Cougars to arguably their best season to date.

2. Trinity Christian (8-2): Quarterback Cooper Vailes (1,648 yards, 24 TDs) has led the Lions to five consecutive wins, including a 27-17 victory over No. 1 Jackson Christian last week.

3. Friendship Christian (8-2): The defending champs should be in the mix for another title, thanks to senior RB Tyson Wolcott (2,233 yards, 38 touchdowns).

4. Jackson Christian (9-1): The Eagles are explosive on offense, led by WR Ja'Lyn Mosely, who has several SEC offers. He has 74 receptions for 1,482 yards and 24 TDs.

5. Columbia Academy (7-3): The Bulldogs have a high-powered offense, led by junior RB Montae Baldwin (1,536 yards, 21 TDs).

6. FACS (8-2)

7. DCA (6-4)

8. Nashville Christian (4-6)

9. Grace Christian (5-4)

10. Fayette Academy (5-5)

11. Providence Christian (5-5)

12. Ezell-Harding (4-6)

13. Mt. Juliet Christian (4-6)

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: TSSAA football playoffs: Ranking every team's championship chances