Story by Noah McKay
For the first time in school history, the Macon County Tigers are football state champions.
The Tigers captured the 2024 Class 4A state championship in dominant fashion via a 45-14 win over Melrose on Saturday at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga.
“I don’t even know how I feel,” said MCHS head coach Kyle Shoulders. “We have been so locked in for so many weeks now. We knew we had some business to take care of this week.”
The Tigers ran for 370 yards and 5 touchdowns, including 249 yards and 4 touchdowns by senior tailback Zach Borders as they secured the gold ball trophy.
Facing opposing quarterback Jamarion Morrow, a Texas A&M signee, the Tigers’ defense held the Golden Wildcats to 134 yards rushing and Morrow to 42 yards.
“Our defense played absolutely lights out,” said Shoulders. “I could not be more proud of those guys. We battled a lot of things this week with the weather..: to get a true look at what (Melrose does). Those guys staying locked in through all of that is really phenomenal.”
A scoreless first quarter saw both teams fumble the football, but the Tigers found success on their third drive out of the “Tiger Cat” with Gabe Borders at quarterback. He found Luke Gammon on a 32 yard touchdown pass. Eli Gammon’s PAT made it 7-0 with 9:17 remaining in the second half.
The Tigers scored on every ensuing possession in the game with five more touchdowns and a field goal.
The Golden Wildcats scored touchdowns on their first two possessions of the second half, but had no answers for the under-center running of the Tigers as Macon County cruised to the running-clock victory.
“We had such an elaborate game plan” said Shoulders. “Who would’ve thought we could’ve just come out and gotten into the I (formation) and run power and take care of business.”
Gabe Borders ran for 117 yards on 18 carries while throwing for the touchdown to Gammon. Brennan Flowers ran for a touchdown. Eli Gammon converted all six of his extra point tries while also making a 35-yard field goal late in the first half.
The championship is the first in football program history and came in the Tigers’ first championship game appearance. They finished the season 13-2 and battled back from a third-place region finish to win the gold ball.
More content including photos, stories and highlights from the championship game is coming to uppercumberlandreporter.com
Photos by Ben Craven
