The Maryville vs. Alcoa game is by far the biggest game in the Knoxville area, and possibly the state of Tennessee, pitting two state powerhouse programs against each other annually. Both teams won their respective State Title in 2013, Maryville in 6A and Alcoa in 3A, and the two teams have a combined 27 state titles between them. It’s easy to see how this is the biggest, most anticipated game by the teams, students, and the community.

MVP

Jaylen Burgess

Maryville

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Matthew Howard

Maryville

Matt is a two year starter on the football team at right tackle. He is a member of the National Honor Society, and he plans to major in engineering in college.

Brody Hess

Alcoa

Brody is a 3 sport varsity letterman. He has started for the Tornadoes at both fullback and defensive line and was named the all-distict academic team last season. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Honor Society of High School Scholars. He has a 4.2 GPA and is the top of his class. After graduation, Brody plans to pesue a degree in teaching.

HALL OF FAME

Oliver "Buzz" Thomas

Maryville

The 1972 Alcoa game was probably the best game this tenacious linebacker ever had. It what got Alabama, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Duke and Georgia Tech interested in Buzz Thomas. After his high school career Buzz decided to walk on at UT. A third concussion during spring practice ended his collegiate career at UTK. He played in three Alcoa games during his high school career which included the 1970 game as part of the state championship team. He was the defensive captain and leading tackler in the 1971 and 1972 games- back to back shoutouts. 20-0 in ’71 and 32-0 in 72’.

Billy Williams

Alcoa

Billy Williams is a 4 year starter at Alcoa High School from 1986 to 1990. Billy played wide receiver and defensive back. He was a member of the 1989 championship team and was an All District, Region and State team member. Billy continued his football career at North Eastern Oklahoma Junior College then transferred to the University of Tennessee. After finishing at UT he was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals, however traded and played from 1995-97 for the St. Louis Rams.

GAME SUMMARY

Although Alcoa won the toss and began the game with the ball, they were unable to get off to the start they would need to put up a fight against the much larger Maryville team. Once the Red Rebels had the football they quickly put together a 80 yard drive caped off by a 10 yard pass to Wide Receiver Kelby Brock, and that was only the begging. The Alcoa Tornadoes weren't able to put a stop to Maryville scoring, leading to a 20-0 halftime score. The second half was much of the same as MVP Jaylen Burgess scored his second touchdown of the night early in the third. Alcoa was able to get on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter scoring two late touchdowns before falling by a final score of 41-14 Maryville.