Blue Cross Bowl Class 2A State Champion Tyner Academy.
For the first time in 25 years, the Tyner Rams are Class 2A State Champions again after defeating the Riverside Panther in a close 26-24 Blue Cross Bowl victory, their second championship and first since 1997.
After Baylor’s win over MBA for their State Championship at the Divison II -AAA Blue Cross Bowl Thursday, you could feel something was in the air and possible that two Chattanooga teams might clinch the titles for the city. The crowd turnout for the Rams was amazing, as there were students, alumni, family and just Chattanoogans in general showing up to support another local team attempting to achieve greatness.
The Rams normally get off to a fast start on offense, but the Riverside team flipped the script and started the game 15-0 in the 1st quarter. For reference, the Tyner team had only allowed 20 points one time all season long which came in their only loss this season to 3A State Champions Alcoa.
Tyner Academy’s Markel McKinley named Class 2A Blue Cross Bowl MVP.
Tyner with their star Mr. Football finalist Josh Jackson and a defense who pitched 7 shutouts this season, started off slow for the Rams with Jackson throwing an interception in the 1st quarter to Riverside’s William Wallace and Riverside taking an early lead. Jackson ended the game with 3 touchdowns and two interceptions. On offense, the Rams relied on the legs of Markel McKinley who was the MVP of the game. McKinley had 21 rushes for 114 yards and 1 touchdown.
As time went on the defense for Tyner settled in and did what they normally have done flying to the ball wreaking havoc and allowed only 9 points the rest of the game. When the defense was called upon, they showed up big stopping the Panthers on their 2-point conversion to tie the game and ultimately securing the victory.
After Josiah Bridgeman recovered the onside kick, the Rams went into victory formation and took a knee to end the game just as the emotions took over the team and their fans as their dream came to a realization that they had just become State Champions.
Congratulations to the Tyner Rams as they seize yet another State Championship!
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