KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Last season, West football took home the 2022 5A state title for the first time since 2014 with a 47-13 victory over Page High School.
This year, the Rebels have a chance to do it all over again. The 13-1 team advanced to the championship for the second straight season after a 38-3 victory over Walker Valley Friday night.
Head Coach Lamar Brown said it was an emotional night that meant a lot to the team.
"It was very emotional on Friday. We lost a lot of starters off last year's team, and just the work and the fight that this team has had this year — it's unbelievable," Brown said. "To be back here, it wasn't expected. All that credit goes to the assistant coaches and these kids."
West will compete against the Page Patriots once again, but Brown said both teams have changed tremendously since the 2022 season.
"It's two totally different football teams playing each other," Brown said. "We've got a lot of new faces and so do they. It's two really good football teams. We're hoping to prepare and be the best that we can be."
Both teams are 13-1 on the season. For West, running back Marshaun Bowers has been an offensive force all season.
Against Walker Valley, he ran for 62 yards and two touchdowns along with a 41-yard catch for a touchdown to push the rebels to their final battle of the season. Brown said he’s excited to watch Bowers and other seniors make an impact for their second straight championship appearance.
"This senior class has won 52 games ... the most in West High history," Brown said. "For them to win a second straight would be unbelievable to see their hard work and their sacrifice and commitment to this football program pay off again."
Brown said the team is focusing on themselves going into this matchup, and although the Rebels could celebrate after Friday's win against Walker Valley, it was right back to work on Monday.
The 5A state championship game will take place in Chattanooga inside Finley Stadium on Dec. 1. Game time is at 7 p.m.