Tate is joined by Tom Kreger of The Tennessean to unpack the mounting controversy surrounding Tennessee’s Division II Class AAA (D2-AAA) football classification. Kreger discusses recent reports and rumors indicating that several programs are deeply dissatisfied with the current landscape, which has been reshaped by relaxed residency rules, one-time transfer allowances, and NIL policies that have effectively created "super teams on steroids". Rather than participating in a system they believe no longer reflects traditional high school football, anywhere from three to six schools within the 12-team division are actively exploring options to step away from playoff eligibility and play an independent schedule—potentially capping their seasons with separate bowl games instead. 

The discussion highlights the growing frustration among member institutions regarding the TSSAA’s perceived reluctance to address structural inequities, including debates over whether financial aid and boarding school advantages should play a role in classification alongside raw enrollment figures. Tate and Kreger note the potential domino effect facing the league: current bylaws dictate a 12-team roster for D2-AAA, which could force lower-division programs into the bracket if teams opt out unless the governing rules are amended. With official classification commitments looming in the coming days, Kreger emphasizes that the impending choices of these programs could mark a pivotal turning point for the future of private school football across the state. 

Tate is joined by Tom Kreger of The Tennessean to unpack the mounting controversy surrounding Tennessee&rsquo;s Division II Class AAA (D2-AAA) football classification. Kreger discusses recent reports and rumors indicating that several programs are deeply dissatisfied with the current landscape, which has been reshaped by relaxed residency rules, one-time transfer allowances, and NIL policies that have effectively created "super teams on steroids". Rather than participating in a system they believe no longer reflects traditional high school football, anywhere from three to six schools within the 12-team division are actively exploring options to step away from playoff eligibility and play an independent schedule&mdash;potentially capping their seasons with separate bowl games instead. 
The discussion highlights the growing frustration among member institutions regarding the TSSAA&rsquo;s perceived reluctance to address structural inequities, including debates over whether financial aid and boarding school advantages should play a role in classification alongside raw enrollment figures. Tate and Kreger note the potential domino effect facing the league: current bylaws dictate a 12-team roster for D2-AAA, which could force lower-division programs into the bracket if teams opt out unless the governing rules are amended. With official classification commitments looming in the coming days, Kreger emphasizes that the impending choices of these programs could mark a pivotal turning point for the future of private school football across the state.

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.