Tate speaks with Tom Kreager of The Tennessean about the upcoming local high school football season. After exchanging birthday wishes for Kreager and Coach Floyd Walker, the two discuss the transition into full-pad practices on Monday and highlight key area prospects. They analyze University of Tennessee commit DGG, comparing his physical, high-powered play style to a shorter Derrick Henry, and review Battle Ground Academy's offense led by quarterback Boo Bryan and wide receivers Maximus Curry and Maddox Porter. Additionally, Kreager provides an update on the release schedule for The Tennessean's "Dandy Dozen" player rankings before joining the media day proceedings.

Tate speaks with Tom Kreager of The Tennessean about the upcoming local high school football season. After exchanging birthday wishes for Kreager and Coach Floyd Walker, the two discuss the transition into full-pad practices on Monday and highlight key area prospects. They analyze University of Tennessee commit DGG, comparing his physical, high-powered play style to a shorter Derrick Henry, and review Battle Ground Academy's offense led by quarterback Boo Bryan and wide receivers Maximus Curry and Maddox Porter. Additionally, Kreager provides an update on the release schedule for The Tennessean's "Dandy Dozen" player rankings before joining the media day proceedings.

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- Tom Kreager

This episode of High School Sports Saturday broadcast live from the new Williamson County Schools (WCS) Innovation Center in Franklin, Tennessee, opens with WCS District Director of Athletics Coach Patrick Whitlock, who introduces the expanded Fall Media Day lineup—now featuring girls' volleyball and soccer alongside football—while highlighting the center's career-focused vocational programs (including flight simulators, cybersecurity, culinary arts, and hospitality management), the "Outside the Lines" (OTL) student media initiative, student transfer policies, and the importance of hiring quality coaches to build strong school athletic culture. First-year Centennial High School head coach Coach Chad Broadrick then details assembling his coaching staff, transitioning from defensive coordinator, and reshaping the Cougars' offense following the loss of key 2025 playmakers Mitchell Granger and Malachi Steel by leaning on five returning senior offensive linemen ahead of preseason scrimmages against Lebanon, Independence, and Father Ryan. Next, Nolensville High School head coach Coach Scott Stiddem provides an outlook on his second season leading the Knights, detailing the return of 14 starters (seven on offense and seven on defense), extensive stadium upgrades featuring new turf with heat-reducing green rubber pellets, LED lights, and a video board, his strong support for multi-sport athletes, and a challenging early schedule starting with a Thursday night season opener against Antioch on MyTV30. Nolensville senior defensive lineman Jake Centell follows, explaining how his background as a three-time state-placing wrestler enhances his leverage, hand-fighting, and physical conditioning on the field, while discussing his summer weight training regimen, interest in aviation, and college recruiting process. Senior quarterback Ryan Newell then discusses taking over as Nolensville's starting signal-caller alongside a close-knit group of classmates who have played together since middle school, explaining how his commitment to play Division I baseball at Bowling Green State University and his childhood experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu assist his vision and quick decision-making under pressure as the team pursues a state championship. Finally, The Tennessean high school sports columnist Tom Kreager wraps up the broadcast by reviewing the start of full-pad practices across Middle Tennessee, analyzing the commitment of five-star offensive lineman David Sanders Jr. to the University of Tennessee, spotlighting Christ Presbyterian Academy's (CPA) passing attack led by quarterback Bo Bryan and wide receivers Maximus Curry and Maddox Porter, and previewing The Tennessean's annual "Dandy Dozen" series profiling the region's top high school football talent.

This episode of High School Sports Saturday&nbsp;broadcast live from the new Williamson County Schools (WCS) Innovation Center in Franklin, Tennessee, opens with WCS District Director of Athletics Coach Patrick Whitlock, who introduces the expanded Fall Media Day lineup&mdash;now featuring girls' volleyball and soccer alongside football&mdash;while highlighting the center's career-focused vocational programs (including flight simulators, cybersecurity, culinary arts, and hospitality management), the "Outside the Lines" (OTL) student media initiative, student transfer policies, and the importance of hiring quality coaches to build strong school athletic culture. First-year Centennial High School head coach Coach Chad Broadrick then details assembling his coaching staff, transitioning from defensive coordinator, and reshaping the Cougars' offense following the loss of key 2025 playmakers Mitchell Granger and Malachi Steel by leaning on five returning senior offensive linemen ahead of preseason scrimmages against Lebanon, Independence, and Father Ryan. Next, Nolensville High School head coach Coach Scott Stiddem provides an outlook on his second season leading the Knights, detailing the return of 14 starters (seven on offense and seven on defense), extensive stadium upgrades featuring new turf with heat-reducing green rubber pellets, LED lights, and a video board, his strong support for multi-sport athletes, and a challenging early schedule starting with a Thursday night season opener against Antioch on MyTV30. Nolensville senior defensive lineman Jake Centell follows, explaining how his background as a three-time state-placing wrestler enhances his leverage, hand-fighting, and physical conditioning on the field, while discussing his summer weight training regimen, interest in aviation, and college recruiting process. Senior quarterback Ryan Newell then discusses taking over as Nolensville's starting signal-caller alongside a close-knit group of classmates who have played together since middle school, explaining how his commitment to play Division I baseball at Bowling Green State University and his childhood experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu assist his vision and quick decision-making under pressure as the team pursues a state championship. Finally, The Tennessean high school sports columnist Tom Kreager wraps up the broadcast by reviewing the start of full-pad practices across Middle Tennessee, analyzing the commitment of five-star offensive lineman David Sanders Jr. to the University of Tennessee, spotlighting Christ Presbyterian Academy's (CPA) passing attack led by quarterback Bo Bryan and wide receivers Maximus Curry and Maddox Porter, and previewing The Tennessean's annual "Dandy Dozen" series profiling the region's top high school football talent.

High School Sports Saturday With Tate Mathews 07-25-26

Tate speaks with Nolensville Knights head coach Scott Stidham alongside student-athletes Jake Jake Sentell and Ryan Newell to preview the program's upcoming season. Coach Stidham highlights the team's returning starters on both offense and defense, as well as offseason facility upgrades including new turf, a updated track, a video board, and LED lights. The players reflect on how competing in secondary sports—such as wrestling for Jake Sentell  and baseball and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for Newell—translates to on-field football performance through physical toughness, leverage, quick decision-making, and team leadership. The group concludes by discussing their preseason preparations, upcoming scrimmages, early schedule challenges, and their collective goal of contending for a state championship.

Tate speaks with Nolensville Knights head coach Scott Stidham alongside student-athletes Jake Jake Sentell and Ryan Newell to preview the program's upcoming season. Coach Stidham highlights the team's returning starters on both offense and defense, as well as offseason facility upgrades including new turf, a updated track, a video board, and LED lights. The players reflect on how competing in secondary sports&mdash;such as wrestling for Jake Sentell&nbsp; and baseball and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for Newell&mdash;translates to on-field football performance through physical toughness, leverage, quick decision-making, and team leadership. The group concludes by discussing their preseason preparations, upcoming scrimmages, early schedule challenges, and their collective goal of contending for a state championship.

HSSS- Tate is Joined by Nolensville Football's Coach Scott Stidham and Stars Jake Sentell and Ryan Newell

Tate is joined by Coach Chad Broadrick of the Centennial Cougars for a live remote interview at the WCS Fall Media Day. Broadrick reflects on his transition into the head coaching role since his mid-January hire, discussing the challenges of assembling his coaching staff and praising the team's booster club for their exceptional fundraising efforts. Looking ahead to the season, he addresses the team's need to adapt after losing major offensive firepower from the 2025 roster, noting that they will rely heavily on a talented sophomore class and a starting lineup of five senior offensive linemen rather than attempting high-scoring shootouts. Finally, Broadrick outlines the team's preparation strategy, detailing upcoming scrimmages against Lebanon, Independence, and Father Ryan, while previewing a challenging Week 1 matchup against a revamped Stewarts Creek team.

Tate is joined by Coach Chad Broadrick of the Centennial Cougars for a live remote interview at the WCS Fall Media Day. Broadrick reflects on his transition into the head coaching role since his mid-January hire, discussing the challenges of assembling his coaching staff and praising the team's booster club for their exceptional fundraising efforts. Looking ahead to the season, he addresses the team's need to adapt after losing major offensive firepower from the 2025 roster, noting that they will rely heavily on a talented sophomore class and a starting lineup of five senior offensive linemen rather than attempting high-scoring shootouts. Finally, Broadrick outlines the team's preparation strategy, detailing upcoming scrimmages against Lebanon, Independence, and Father Ryan, while previewing a challenging Week 1 matchup against a revamped Stewarts Creek team.

HSSS- Tom Kreager

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