The Avengers

Tornadoes reclaim state crown with second half romp for the ages

Championship game captains Ryan Clark (6), Matthew McClurg (7), Mitchell McClurg (18) and Jonathan Decker (56) await the coin toss prior to Friday’s BlueCross Bowl in Cookeville. Decker was named the game’s defensive most valuable player. Photos by Jenifer Clark

By Stefan Cooper
Editor
Blount Press Row

Cookeville — The game’s official scorer recorded 3 yards.

Alcoa statistician John Snyder put the distance at 2 yards. He’s pretty good.

Tornado defensive coordinator Brian Nix is certain the number is 1.

However you slice it, that’s how far Christ Presbyterian Academy moved the ball in the second half Friday night.

Ryan Clark roars in for the sack.

The state’s No. 1 defense this season lived up to the billing and then some, the offense revving to life over the final two quarters as Alcoa blanked the Lions, 20-0, in the Class 3A BlueCross Bowl at Tennessee Tech.