Finley to host 20th Annual Prep Jamboree Aug. 16-17

In less than two weeks, local high school football teams will take the field for the 20th Annual Best of Preps Jamboree at Finley Stadium. A total of 23 Chattanoogaarea teams will compete in this year’s jamboree, which is set for Aug. 16 and 17. The event will have 20-minute quarters with a continuallyrunning clock.

The event will feature nine quarters of action on Friday and 13 quarters on Saturday. Admission will be $10 each day.

There are new coaches, new players, new uniforms and helmets and plenty of excitement surrounding this year’s event.

This year features the return of Cleveland High School, while Copper Basin High being added to the lineup. Among the more intriguing first-day matchups will be Bradley Central versus East Hamilton, Mccallie against Chattanooga Central and Chattanooga Christian versus East Hamilton. Saturday’s lineup of mini-games includes Howard versus Signal Mountain, Walker Valley against Red Bank, Brainerd versus Mcminn County, Notre Dame versus Ooltewah, Notre Dame against Soddy-daisy, Baylor against Soddy-daisy and Baylor versus Ooltewah.

The event will also feature several college prospects, including Mccallie defensive lineman Jay Hardy, who is one of the state’s highest-rated recruits, and Blue Tornado quarterback Deangelo Hardy, as well as Tyner receiver and recently Miami (Ohio) commitment Jeremiah Batiste, Red Bank quarterback Madox Wilkey and Bradley Central receiver Tray Curry, who is one of the state’s top-rated junior recruits.

Additionally, the jamboree will mark the debut for three coaches with their new teams — Boyd Buchahan’s Jeremy Bosken, East Hamilton’s Grant Reynolds and Walker Valley’s Drew Akins.