Three Local High School Football Teams Playing for State Championships

Fyffe, Mars Hill Bible and Fayetteville High School Are All Playing Next Week

In a year unlike any other -- a long season of high school football is coming to a close.

And though some teams have already played their final games of the season -- three tennessee valley teams remain alive in their hunt for a state championship.

Waay 31's max cohan joins us live to tell us why you should be excited heading into the finals.

Will, back in july many were'nt sure if there would even be a football season, but now as we head into december -- 3 area teams are heading to the state finals - and administrators, coaches and fans are all excited.

After weeks of big plays and big hits -- there's only one game left before a new crowd of champions is crowned.

Up in tennessee, this year marks the first time fayetteville high school has made it to the state finals and the district is planning accordingly.

Bill hopkins, director of fayetteville city schools says the plan is to either have remote learning or a day off for gameday on friday.

"we're going to make sure that every student, every teacher, everybody that's connected to fayetteville city schools has an opportunity to go to the game and participate."

Out in the shoals -- mars hill football head coach darrell higgins will be making his 12th career state championship appearance .

He has one win in three appearances with the panthers...still, he says that experience doesn't change the way you feel heading into the biggest game of the year.

"it really doesn't matter, i guess it helps when you get out there and get going that you've been there and something you've done, but it's always exciting, it always feels new, always feels like the first time to go and play for a state championship."

His son, peyton, is a running back for the team and said as a senior -- this is a great way to cap things off -- win or lose.

"definitely is knowing that it's your last week of practice, your last pregame walkthrough, your last bus ride with the team, it's very special to me."

And last but not least, the back- to-back state champion fyffe red devils will look to make in three in a row this week.

Red devil alum and life-long fyffe fan jason bethune says a 44-game winning streak and the teams recent success give the community a lot to be proud of.

"all of our rivals used to say, you know, fyffe will never win a state championship ever.

Coach benefield's been here and now we've won four, i just can't put it in words how much it means to me, my family and the community.

It's just amazing."

Three teams across two states with one common goal and that's to the be state champions...live