Historic High School Football Programs
Some football programs don’t just have a history – they are the history. The oldest schools in the area have built a lasting legacy – where Friday nights are steeped in tradition and names of legendary coaches, unforgettable games, and hometown heroes still echo through the stands. From early rivalries to defining championships, this is a look back at the programs that helped shape local football as we know it.
By Ali Lemmons
Photos Courtesy of Herman Prater, Sr.
State Champs, 1962
The first free public school established in Hamilton County, The Howard School opened 160 years ago in 1865 for the education of Black students; however, it wasn’t until the 1930s that the school developed a football team: the Hustlin’ Tigers.
Though later to the game than other schools, it didn’t take long for Howard to begin dominating other teams in the area in the ‘50s and ‘60s, winning three straight titles from 1960-1962. Much of this success was thanks to coaching legend George “Chubby” James, who began his first season at the school in 1959 and stayed until 1969.
Under James’ instruction, the team also experienced a 24-game win streak, starting with a 20-6 victory in 1960 before ending with a 20-20 tie to Stephens-Lee in 1962. James also led his team to two undefeated seasons in 1962 and 1967.
Howard Vs Central
Upon the onset of desegregation of Hamilton County schools in the ‘60s, Howard was finally able to play predominantly white schools – and the Hustlin’ Tigers wasted no time in dominating the competition. On September 23, 1966, Howard defeated Central with a final score of 7-6, marking the Purple Pounders’ first lost to a Hamilton County public school in 27 years.
The Hustlin’ Tigers would go on to produce one of the most well-known defensive players in the game – Reggie White, who began his football journey at Howard before earning the nickname “Minister of Defense” in college and dominating in the NFL. During his senior year of high school, White racked up 100 tackles in his final season. After graduating from Howard in 1980, White went on to play for the Green Bay Packers, winning Super Bowl XXXI, and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1987 and 1998.
Now, the Hustlin’ Tigers continue to thrive under the instruction of current head coach P. Dedric Maffett.
“Today, our program is in a place of growth and purpose,” shares Maffett. “We’re not just building athletes – we’re shaping young men who understand leadership, accountability, and responsibility.”
#86 Reggie White
Looking ahead, Maffett hopes to build a competitive team, turn young men into leaders, and deepen the school’s connection with alumni and the Southside community.
“Ultimately, we’re building something that will continue to last – a legacy that the next generation can be proud to carry forward,” finishes Maffett.
Photos Courtesy of Dalton High School
Chartered in 1866, Dalton Public Schools was established with a desire to meet diverse student needs. That same spirit of dedication and excellence lives on today – not only in the classroom, but also on the football field through the Dalton Catamounts.
In the 1930s, tight funds caused the Catamounts to be sidelined for two seasons. However, the community stepped up, and a group of over 30 alumni and other supporters pledged monetary support to revive the program. On October 4, 1935, the Catamounts opened the season on Harmon Field against LaFayette. This was the first nighttime football game held on the field, and four new sets of bleachers were installed for the occasion.
Decades later, the Catamounts continued to build on that strong foundation. In the world of Dalton football, few names loom larger than Bill Chappell, who led the Catamounts from 1964 to 1996. During his three-decade tenure at Dalton, Chappell created a legacy of success for the team.
Chappell would lead the Catamounts to state runner-up finishes in ’64 and ’66. In 1967, the team opened their season with disappointment after a 7-6 loss to West Rome. However, after Chappell called a Saturday morning practice as a wake-up call, he revitalized the team, finishing the season with a 12-1 record and leading the Catamounts to win the 1967 Class AA championship, their first – and currently only – state football title.
Chappell would lead the Catamounts to three more state runner-up finishes in 1975, 1977, and 1978, and head coach Ronnie McClurg would do the same in 2001.
After the Catamounts finished the 2024 season 0-10, current head coach Chris Prewett hopes to revitalize the program in his first season at the school.
“That is not where anybody wanted to be, and it is not the expectation that I have going into the 2025 season,” shares Prewett. “One of the challenges that comes with having an established program with an extremely young team is that we need to learn how to win both on and off the field.”
Looking ahead, Prewett seeks to honor the team’s history and tradition while elevating the program to a new level.
“I am still amazed and in awe of our program,” shares Prewett. “I am beyond excited to get this program back to where it belongs at the top of the state of Georgia.”
Photo Courtesy of Notre Dame High School & Photos courtesy of Chattanooga Public Library
Team players, 1939
Founded by the Dominican Sisters in 1876 as two separate schools, Notre Dame evolved over the decades into a co-educational, inter-parochial high school. The school’s football team – the Fighting Irish – first took to the field in 1927.
Throughout the school’s history, Notre Dame would produce many professional athletes, including Reggie Mathis (’74), who played for the New Orleans Saints; Adarius Bowman (’03), who was drafted by the Edmonton Eskimos; Kareem Orr (’15), who was signed by the Los Angeles Rams and is a member of the Superbowl LVI Championship team; and Patrick Johnson (’17), who is currently in his fifth year with the Philadelphia Eagles.
After the initial winning season in 1946, the Irish had consecutive 8-2 seasons in 1947 and 1948. This foundation of success carried on, and from the 1956 season to 1961, the Irish amassed a winning percentage of 75.9%.
In the ‘70s, the Irish “woke up the echoes.” The 1975 team finished 6-2 and made a deep playoff run, but lost in the third round. Just a short time later, the 1978 team – who went 10-3, had a 7-game win streak, and were district champs – led Notre Dame to its first ever semifinal appearance.
Football Team, 1963
In the early 2000s, the Irish entered a rebuilding phase under head coach Charlie Wiggins, who guided them to an impressive 13-1 season in 2005 – the best in the school’s history. Coach Wiggins was named the 2005 Times Free Press Coach of the Year, and Notre Dame was named Team of the Year.
Over a decade later, Notre Dame’s 2017 football team made history with an 11-game winning streak, and took on Lausanne Collegiate School at the state championship game. While the Fighting Irish ultimately finished runner-up, the historic run marked a milestone for the program.
Now, as the school approaches its 150th anniversary, current head coach Brent Hill is building on the program’s legacy while setting the team up for long-term success.
“We’re in the second year of a rebuild and our students have bought in. You should see more confident players that execute at a higher level,” shares Hill. “We are establishing a program rather than just a team.”
Junior Varsity, 1963
Off the field, Hill inspires his players to improve in all areas of their lives, including spiritually, academically, athletically, and socially.
“We want our players to raise the bar for themselves and their teammates,” finishes Hill. “The success will follow the work and dedication to the mission of the school and core values of the team.”
Photos Courtesy of Baylor School
1909 Football Team
When Baylor School was founded in 1893, head of school John Roy Baylor opposed the development of any athletic program at the school. Despite this obstacle, Baylor students persevered, often sneaking away from school to play against other schools as an unofficial club football team.
However, by 1907, Professor Baylor changed his mind. Students were still playing football, despite his best efforts, and new rival McCallie School used their athletic program to attract new students. In 1908, the Baylor Football Team began their first season.
All-American Andy Rutledge, 1973 team
On October 31, 1908, the first official game between Baylor and McCallie was held at Chamberlain Field and drew in over 1,900 spectators, making it the largest-attended local football game at that time. The game resulted in a 0-0 tie, but this was only the start of what would become a century-long rivalry.
Decades later, Baylor undertook one of the most dominant runs in school history under the coaching of Humphrey “Humpy” Heywood. With a reputation for coaching players to power through the pain, Heywood led the team to five undefeated, untied seasons in 1940, 1944, 1947, 1955, and 1960. Throughout his career as head coach, Heywood earned the team a total of 161 wins, making him the varsity football coach with the most wins in Baylor’s history.
In 1970, rival coach E.B. “Red” Etter left Central High School to coach the Baylor Red Raiders. In 1971, Etter led the team to a victory against McCallie after a 30-year hiatus from the rivalry. Baylor went on to win the Tennessee AAA state championship in 1973, finishing the season 13-0, and the team was ranked the No. 1 high school football team in the nation by National Sports News Services.
2022 State Champions
The Red Raiders would go on to win their second TSSAA State Championship title in 2022. Looking ahead, current head coach Erik Kimrey has high hopes for the upcoming season, saying, “Our program is in an incredibly healthy place evidenced by the character of our student athletes.”
Even with such a storied history, Kimrey is most excited about what lies ahead for the Red Raiders.
“I feel like our best days are ahead of us,” says Kimrey. “We always remind ourselves that something great is about to happen, and I wholeheartedly believe that.”
Photos Courtesy of McCallie School
Founded in 1905 by brothers Park and Spencer McCallie, McCallie School was created to focus on college-preparatory academics, complemented by moral and physical education; thus, sports have played a large role at the school since its inception.
In the school’s inaugural year, the football team was run by coach and professor E.L. “Ed” McCallie, as well as assistant coach Walter Watkins, who had coached at Vanderbilt University from 1901-1902 with a winning record.
Among the highlights of their first season, the Blue Tornado defeated Baker-Himel in Knoxville with an upset of 17-5. They also won against Baylor, who was considered a club team at the time, in their first unofficial game on Thanksgiving Day.
1909 Football Champions
From 1973 to 1993, the Blue Tornado would thrive under the coaching of Pete Potter. Though the Baylor-McCallie rivalry was paused after the 1940 season, it resumed in 1971. Despite a few-years stint struggling against their rival, Potter led the Blue Tornado to victory in one memorable game in 1974, where McCallie would defeat the Red Raiders with a final score of 29-7.
Upon his retirement in ’93, Potter finished at McCallie with 155 wins, 67 losses, and zero ties.
Coach Potter with Seniors, STATE 2023
Potter’s son, Ralph Potter, would go on to have two coaching stints with McCallie from 1997-2006 and 2012-2023. During his time at the school, Ralph Potter secured five TSSAA Division II Class AAA state titles for the team and earned the status of McCallie’s all-time winningest coach.
Now, 120 years since McCallie’s founding, current head coach Joel Bradford continues to build on the team’s foundation and encourage his players to improve.
“The kids are bought in, the culture is very strong, and we work very hard,” explains Bradford. “We are always changing, adapting, and growing to be the best that we can be.”
Coach Potter, 2019 State Title
Looking forward, Bradford hopes to prepare his players for success, both on and off the field.
“My goal for our team is that the kids become better men for their future families, wives, friends, workplace, and the communities that they’re a part of,” finishes Bradford.
Photos Courtesy of Central High School & Photos Courtesy of Chattanooga Public Library
1910 Football Team
When Central High School opened in 1907, principal A.E. Darrah was already determined to create a strong football team, noting that the sport had a profound effect on school spirit at his previous schools.
Central became the fourth high school in the area to field a football team, but with many of the players being new to the sport, the team’s first season got off to a rocky start. In their first week, the team suffered a devastating loss against City High School, ending with a final score of 63-0.
This loss encouraged Darrah to search for a new coach who could bring the team success, and in September of 1908, the school hired James B. Rike, a former football starter at Ohio Wesleyan University, to lead the charge. Over the next decade, Rike would lead the team to 34 wins, 22 losses, and six ties.
Central vs. Chattanooga High School in 1928
Decades later, in the spring of 1943, Central would begin a path to domination when E.B. “Red” Etter assumed the head coaching role. In his first season as coach, Central won against Notre Dame with a final score of 68-0, marking the most points ever scored by a Chattanooga team at the time.
By 1953, the team had won three consecutive state championships, and in 1962, the team saw their first and only undefeated season. Over Coach Etter’s 26 years as head coach, Central would go on to secure a staggering 207 wins.
Since the team’s beginnings, Central has competed in the championship 17 times, with their most recent appearance in 2024. The team has won the championship six times.
Looking ahead to the 2025-2026 season, current head coach Glen Carter notes: “We are on solid ground this season. I have a really good group of young men who are respectful and responsible, both on and off the field.”
#80 Buddy Norton
While Carter’s goal this year is to advance further in the playoffs, he also plans to focus on developing the team’s character.
“In all honesty, I hope the next few chapters of this program will be built on player dedication, hard work, and pride in what they do,” finishes Carter. “If those are in place, success will follow.”
Photos Courtesy of Tyner Academy
1997 State Champs
Established in 1907, Tyner Academy, at the time called Tyner High School, was the first secondary school in Hamilton County built east of Missionary Ridge. The academy’s football team, the Rams, first took to the field in 1936.
While the Rams first played in a small grandstand across from Tyner Road, a new football stadium opened for the 1967 season.
Tyner’s football program would truly begin to flourish in 1991, when Wayne Turner entered the game. Before Turner took over the football program, the Rams had never won a playoff game, and they hadn’t made it to the playoffs in the five years before Turner’s arrival.
Kevin Hughley
In 1996, Turner led the Rams to the Class 3A title game, where they finished runner-up. During a one-loss season in 1997, they would return to the state finals in Class 2A, securing the championship. They were the first of Hamilton County’s public schools to win a football state championship via the TSSAA playoff system.
Turner would go on to coach the Rams for 30 seasons, creating a consistently successful program. During his tenure, Turner led the team to 11 seasons of 10 or more wins, 16 region or district championships, and 32 playoff wins. Starting in 1994, the Rams made 20-straight playoff appearances.
During that time, the program also had 36 players sign college scholarships. Of the state championship team, linebacker Kelvin Hughley went on to play for Georgia Tech, receiver Anthony Jones played for Vanderbilt, and lineman Cortez Stokes signed with Memphis.
But Tyner wasn’t done with the championships just yet. In 2022, the Rams would once again win the state finals in Class 2A, this time under the instruction of coach Scott Chandler, who took over the team starting in the 2021 season.
Anthony Jones
Today, current head coach Christian Mainor is excited about Tyner’s new building and upgraded facilities, noting, “These new resources provide our student athletes with the best opportunity to succeed – not only on the field but also in the classroom.”
Moving forward, Mainor hopes to build upon the culture and toughness that Turner brought to Tyner while still pushing the team to be the best they can be.
“We want the Ram Train to continue being one of the premier programs, not just in Chattanooga, but across the entire state,” finishes Mainor.
Photos Courtesy of Ooltewah High School
Blake Foster
Established in 1907, Ooltewah High School is known for its community, academic pathways, and athletic programs, including its football team: the Ooltewah Owls.
The Owls first took to the field in 1956, and the team’s legacy has continued to develop since, with standout players in the ‘80s and countless playoff appearances beginning in the 2000s.
One of the most impactful quarterbacks in Ooltewah history, Stan Nix set a high standard for the team in the mid-1980s. A 1986 graduate, Nix made history as the first Owls quarterback to go on to play at the collegiate level, signing with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
After spending almost two decades at Cleveland High School, in 2005, head coach Benny Monroe transferred his talents to Ooltewah. During his five years coaching the Owls, Monroe averaged 10 wins per year with the team, and he led them to the state semifinals in 2006 and 2008.
Adam Howard hands the ball to Patrick Flanagan
That 2008 team is especially remembered for its dominant defense. Under defensive coordinator Doug Greene, the Owls ran multiple schemes, from a 4-3 to a Bear front, and held opponents to an average of just 7.4 points per game. In one of the season’s most celebrated games for defense, the Owls overwhelmed top-ranked Farragut, sacking the quarterback 12 times and knocking him down 29 times.
Despite Monroe’s retirement in ’09, Ooltewah continued to play in the playoffs, with a total of 10 appearances made between 2011-2022.
As current head coach Matt Moody begins his first season with the Owls, he brings a fresh mindset to the program while building on team’s strong culture.
“There’s great tradition here at Ooltewah High School,” shares Moody. “There’s lots of community support here and people who want this place to be successful.”
Coach Benny Monroe
As the 2025-2026 season approaches, Moody believes they have the foundation in place for a turnaround season.
“Obviously, there have been some struggles here over the past several years,” finishes Moody. “The great thing about us right now is we have an experienced team coming back, our numbers are really good, and the current roster is hungry to get this thing headed in the right direction.”