UCR Announces Midstate Game Of The Week Featuring Jonathan Hutton And Chad Withrow

UCR is proud to announce a key addition to its weekly high school football broadcasts, the UCR Midstate Game of the Week.

Beginning on Friday, August 21 UCR will broadcast a top high school football game from the midstate across its platforms, with sportscasting mainstays Jonathan Hutton and Chad Withrow leading the commentary team. 

“We are excited to expand our broadcasts to Middle Tennessee with two proven names in sports broadcasting,” said UCR co-owner Noah McKay. “Partnering with Jonathan and Chad will help us continue to accomplish our goal of putting a huge spotlight on student athletes in Tennessee as we expand into the middle portion of the state.”

Both Hutton and Withrow spent several years at national outlet Outkick, hosting the daily show Hot Mic where they discussed the top sports headlines of the day. They now produce shows on their own Hutton & Withrow social media channels. 

“Hutton and Withrow represent everything positive that makes high school sports special in Middle Tennessee,” said UCR co-owner Justin Matheney. “We are excited to have them headline UCR’s Midstate Game of the Week in the booth.”

McKay and Matheney have led UCR (Upper Cumberland Reporter’s) growth into one of the top high school sports media companies in the southeast. Amassing nearly 100,000 followers across its platforms, UCR generates millions of views highlighting athletes from the area.

Hutton was a mainstay on the Tennessee Titans Radio Network for 16 years in a variety of roles. He and Withrow were co-hosts of 104.5 The Zone’s Midday 180, the second highest-rated local sports show in the United States, for nine years. In the high school ranks he has done play-by-play for the TSSAA state championships with UCR’s partners at the NFHS Network.

“Friday night high school football is all about celebrating the local communities,” said Hutton. “The rivalries are intense and so is the love of the game. It’s the only level of the sport where you’re guaranteed to find football at its purest.”

In addition to his time at 104.5 The Zone and Outkick, Withrow also has experience calling state championships and was the founder of TNHighSchoolFootball.com where he covered high school sports in Tennessee. 

“One of the things that I have missed the most since leaving local radio is covering high school football,” said Withrow. “There’s nothing quite like Friday Night Lights. I’m energized to get back into that world with UCR. Getting a chance to broadcast the biggest game of the week with my longtime broadcast partner, Jonathan Hutton, makes it even better.” 

All parties in the partnership share the goal of shining a spotlight on student athletes in Middle Tennessee.

“It wasn’t that long ago that I was broadcasting the TV game of the week while Withrow hosted his popular scoreboard show,” said Hutton. “This partnership with UCR allowed us to be back in the booth for a handful of games this season. It’s going to be fun showcasing some of the area’s top teams and the premier midstate talent. We hope to give the players the spotlight they might not otherwise receive, and we hope you’ll watch the broadcast or stop us and say hello at the game. We’re excited to be a part of the great coverage UCR always delivers to the region. It’s going to be a fun season.”

Each week will feature a marquee matchup, beginning week 1 with Smyrna hosting Brentwood. The Midstate Game of the Week joins UCR’s packed lineup focusing on Upper Cumberland teams in the fall which features the UCR HSFB Game of the Week, High School Volleyball Game of the Week, weekly shows and broadcasts of every Cookeville, Livingston, Macon County and Upperman football game. 

For more information on upcoming broadcasts, visit www.uppercumberlandreporter.com