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Beech ready to “give everything” for 6A title




Anthony Crabtree talks with Justyce Law before a play against Cane Ridge earlier this postseason.Joel Clinger/FILE

Anthony Crabtree talks with Justyce Law before a play against Cane Ridge earlier this postseason.Joel Clinger/FILE

The stage is set in Chattanooga, and the Shackle Island boys will be the last to perform as they try to win the school its first gold football since 2012 and their first Class 6A title.

Their opponent — back-to-back defending Class 6A champion Oakland High School and well-respected head coach Kevin Creasy.

The Patriots have won seven in a row since having their 36-game winning streak snapped at Christ Presbyterian Academy on October 6. The Bucs ride their own impressive streak, 13, into Saturday’s contest at Finley Stadium in the Class 6A Blue Cross Bowl (7PM EST).

Beech coach Anthony Crabtree and Oakland coach Kevin Creasy joined select media members on Tuesday, November 29, to discuss the upcoming matchup.

When asked by Main Street Preps editor Russell Vannozzi whether he thought his team could win or keep the ball game competitive, Crabtree was precise in his comments and even doubled down when asked a second time by Vannozzi.

“No,” he exclaimed. “I think our guys will go out there and compete because they are a tough group, but I’m not sure we have the horses to play with those guys.”

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Creasy, however, was quick to jump in and compliment the Bucs, saying he believed the two teams are very similar in their approach and should make for a great football game Saturday night.

“I think we are two similar teams,” he said. “We both have good offensive lines, running backs, good quarterbacks, wide receivers, good defense. Really good in special teams. I think it will be a heck of a game.

“JP Courtney, Darius Johnson, no one has stopped those guys this year, and they have played in many big games,” Creasy continued. “They are on a roll right now and look like us on film. I’m impressed with Beech and wish they played in 5A ball this year.”

Crabtree responded back with his thoughts, adding Oakland has stood the test of time and earned the right to be the favorite Saturday night.

“That’s awful kind of you to say; I appreciate you saying that,” he said. “You guys (Oakland) are very talented, very physical and well-coached. You guys know what it takes to get there and win when you do get there. We are excited to play you guys and hope to give you guys a good game.”

JP Courtney breaks for a long touchdown against Cane Ridge earlier this postseason.

JP Courtney breaks for a long touchdown against Cane Ridge earlier this postseason.

Beech High School is one of the smallest schools in Class 6A, just north of 1,400 kids. They are in only their second season competing in Class 6A, so advancing to the Blue Cross Bowl in their second go-around the sun is surreal for Crabtree.

“We are super excited for Beech High School and our Shackle Island community to play for a state championship,” Crabtree said. “This is special, and we never dreamed this would be a possibility, but our seniors have been exceptional and are excited for the opportunity at hand.”

23 players will compete in their final game for Anthony Crabtree and the Shackle Island brand Saturday night, and he expects to get their absolute best.

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“This is a very resilient group, special group, and one that enabled us to get to where we are right now,” he said. “They do a good job of playing hard and sacrificing everything they can for the team.”

Though this core of Bucs football players have never played for a state football title, they are no strangers to the bright lights.

Playmakers Jordan Lee, Tyler Nix, Maddox Sorenson and JP Courtney played for Beech on the hardwood earlier this year, competing in the Class 4A Blue Cross Basketball Championships in Murfreesboro.

Even though the Bucs lost, those playmakers gained valuable experience that cannot be taught anywhere but on the big stage.

“Any time you get to be part of a championship level team that extends their season that long and plays on that big stage, it helps,” Crabtree said. “It helps from a competitive standpoint, but it also helps from a mental one — you learn what it takes to prepare yourself for that level. No matter the sport, it is a positive to experience that success.”

Beech will be the home team Saturday night, and if the Bucs want any shot at bringing home their third gold ball since 2009, they need to settle in and play their standard of football.

“When it comes down to it, the game is all about blocking, tackling and executing,” Crabtree said. “After the first five minutes, everything settles in, and it becomes a normal football game. We fought last week to come back and win, and we know this week will be tough too. We will lay it on the line and give everything we have for 48 minutes.”

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