Tate speaks with Damon Smith, wrestling coach for the Brentwood Bruins, Coach Smith highlights several standout wrestlers vying for a spot in the state tournament, including freshman Nick Persuard, who has an impressive 42-9 record, and senior Ellison Abramowitz, who is chasing his 100th career win. The high-stakes environment, which Smith calls "Heartbreak Saturday," also features top-ranked athletes like Henry "Drago" Draizek and academic standout Reed Lawful, a National Merit Finalist with a 35 ACT score.

Tate speaks with&nbsp;Damon Smith, wrestling coach for the Brentwood Bruins, Coach&nbsp;Smith highlights several standout wrestlers vying for a spot in the state tournament, including freshman Nick Persuard, who has an impressive 42-9 record, and senior Ellison Abramowitz, who is chasing his 100th career win. The high-stakes environment, which Smith calls "Heartbreak Saturday," also features top-ranked athletes like Henry "Drago" Draizek and academic standout Reed Lawful, a National Merit Finalist with a 35 ACT score.

Growing up in a coaching family and now the owner of Mathews Team Sports, Tate Mathews brings a unique perspective to High School Sports Saturday.

With over fifteen years in the sporting goods industry in Middle Tennessee working with and for high school administrators and coaches, Tate’s relationships provide insight into middle Tennessee high school athletics.

High School Sports Saturday covers each sport during their respective competitive seasons.  Coaches, administrators, TSSAA officials and student-athletes are interviewed each week at 8 AM on 104-5 The Zone.

High School Sports Saturday with Tate Mathews

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HSSS-Damon Smith 

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Tate is joined by Tom Kreager to discuss the 2026 Mr. and Miss Basketball finalists, specifically focusing on the girls' divisions. In Class 1A, the experts favor Zoe Nicholas from Pickett County, who is currently averaging nearly 30 points per game. For Class 2A, the consensus leans toward the standout player from Gatlinburg-Pittman, while Andrea Floras of Daniel Boone—a Mississippi State commit—is the top pick for Class 3A. In Division 2-A, Haylen Ayers of USJ is highlighted as a premier talent, described as one of the top three players in the country and a target for major programs like UConn. The discussion also notes Komora Fields and Cecely Brandmore as top-tier competitors, with Fields being lauded for her elite skill set despite being a "surprise" non-McDonald's All-American.

The conversation provides a behind-the-scenes look at the rigorous selection process handled by a committee of statewide sports writers. Kreager, a former committee member, emphasizes that the panel strives for equal representation across East, West, and Middle Tennessee to counter any claims of regional bias. The selection process involves deep dives into player performance, including reviewing game film and Huddle highlights, and even gathering scouting reports from opposing coaches. Kreager describes the responsibility as a "duty" to advocate for players, noting that while only three finalists are chosen per class, the deliberation is intense and aimed at honoring the very best talent across the entire state.

Tate is joined by Tom Kreager to discuss the 2026 Mr. and Miss Basketball finalists, specifically focusing on the girls' divisions. In Class 1A, the experts favor&nbsp;Zoe Nicholas from Pickett County, who is currently averaging nearly 30 points per game. For Class 2A, the consensus leans toward the standout player from Gatlinburg-Pittman, while Andrea Floras of Daniel Boone&mdash;a Mississippi State commit&mdash;is the top pick for Class 3A. In Division 2-A, Haylen Ayers of USJ is highlighted as a premier talent, described as one of the top three players in the country and a target for major programs like UConn. The discussion also notes Komora Fields and Cecely Brandmore as top-tier competitors, with Fields being lauded for her elite skill set despite being a "surprise" non-McDonald's All-American.
The conversation provides a behind-the-scenes look at the rigorous selection process handled by a committee of statewide sports writers. Kreager, a former committee member, emphasizes that the panel strives for equal representation across East, West, and Middle Tennessee to counter any claims of regional bias. The selection process involves deep dives into player performance, including reviewing game film and Huddle highlights, and even gathering scouting reports from opposing coaches. Kreager describes the responsibility as a "duty" to advocate for players, noting that while only three finalists are chosen per class, the deliberation is intense and aimed at honoring the very best talent across the entire state.

HSSS- Tom Kreager 

Tate is joined by Wally Conyers, representing the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame of Middle Tennessee, to discuss their upcoming 60th annual banquet. The event, scheduled for Sunday, February 22nd, at the Cool Springs Marriott, celebrates the achievements of 77 high school and college football players, along with six adult honorees who have demonstrated excellence as students, citizens, and athletes.

Key Honorees and Awards

The conversation highlights several notable award recipients:


Candace Lee (Fred Russell Distinguished American Award): The Athletic Director at Vanderbilt University and the first female AD in the SEC, Lee is recognized for her leadership through significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the NIL era.


Jackson Loft (Barem Leak Spirit Award): A four-sport athlete from Stratford High School and a West Point signee, Loft is honored for his maturity and athletic prowess.


Porter Ragel (Admiral Lawrence Award): An all-state defensive lineman from Montgomery Bell Academy with a near-perfect ACT score of 35, Ragel is set to play for Davidson College.


Nate Fleming: A multi-sport athlete and talented musician from Battleground Academy, Fleming will join the Vanderbilt football team next season.


David Harrison: An interior lineman from Eagleville High School with a perfect 36 ACT score.


Cooper McFarland (Worden Redgren Courage Award): A kicker and punter from Providence Christian Academy, McFarland is honored for his courageous return to the field and subsequent All-State honors after battling cancer.

Tate is joined by Wally Conyers, representing the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame of Middle Tennessee, to discuss their upcoming 60th annual banquet. The event, scheduled for Sunday, February 22nd, at the Cool Springs Marriott, celebrates the achievements of 77 high school and college football players, along with six adult honorees who have demonstrated excellence as students, citizens, and athletes.
Key Honorees and Awards
The conversation highlights several notable award recipients:
<ul data-path-to-node="4">
<li>
Candace Lee (Fred Russell Distinguished American Award): The Athletic Director at Vanderbilt University and the first female AD in the SEC, Lee is recognized for her leadership through significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the NIL era.
</li>
<li>
Jackson Loft (Barem Leak Spirit Award): A four-sport athlete from Stratford High School and a West Point signee, Loft is honored for his maturity and athletic prowess.
</li>
<li>
Porter Ragel (Admiral Lawrence Award): An all-state defensive lineman from Montgomery Bell Academy with a near-perfect ACT score of 35, Ragel is set to play for Davidson College.
</li>
<li>
Nate Fleming: A multi-sport athlete and talented musician from Battleground Academy, Fleming will join the Vanderbilt football team next season.
</li>
<li>
David Harrison: An interior lineman from Eagleville High School with a perfect 36 ACT score.
</li>
<li>
Cooper McFarland (Worden Redgren Courage Award): A kicker and punter from Providence Christian Academy, McFarland is honored for his courageous return to the field and subsequent All-State honors after battling cancer.
</li>
</ul>

HSSS- Wally Conyers  

 

Welcome to another episode of High School Sports Saturday with Tate Mathews In this episode of High School Sports Saturday covers a range of topics including the celebration of young athletes, The first guest, Wally Conyers from the National Football Foundation of Middle Tennessee, talked about their upcoming banquet and the importance of celebrating young athletes who excel both on and off the field. Coach Damon Smith from Brentwood Bruins Wrestling joined to discuss the sectional wrestling championships and highlighted some of his standout athletes. The show also covered the Mr. and Ms. Basketball finalists, with insights from Tom Kreager of the Tennessean, who discussed the selection process and potential winners. Throughout the episode, there were mentions of local businesses and sponsors supporting high school sports.

 

&nbsp;
Welcome to another episode of High School Sports Saturday with Tate Mathews In this episode of High School Sports Saturday covers a range of topics including the celebration of young athletes, The first guest, Wally Conyers from the National Football Foundation of Middle Tennessee, talked about their upcoming banquet and the importance of celebrating young athletes who excel both on and off the field. Coach Damon Smith from Brentwood Bruins Wrestling joined to discuss the sectional wrestling championships and highlighted some of his standout athletes. The show also covered the Mr. and Ms. Basketball finalists, with insights from Tom Kreager of the Tennessean, who discussed the selection process and potential winners. Throughout the episode, there were mentions of local businesses and sponsors supporting high school sports.
&nbsp;

HSSS-Damon Smith

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