Covington football vs Alcoa in Class 3A BlueCross Bowl: 5 things to know

Covington will take on Alcoa in the Class 3A football BlueCross Bowl on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Tennessee Tech's Tucker Stadium in Cookeville. Here are five things to know about the matchup: 

1. It's a rematch

Alcoa beat Covington 30-21 in last year's title game to win its third straight state championship. Covington quarterback Brock Lomax said that a turnover on a trick play broke the game open for Alcoa. 

"At the end of the first half, we were in decent shape. We came out in the second half and made it a three-point game, and then we were on our own goal line and we ran a reverse," said Lomax. "It was a big turnover and they scored off of it and took all the momentum and they kind of ran away with it."

The Chargers (14-0) haven't lost since.

"It's exciting to have the chance to play them again. It wouldn't hurt my feelings if they didn't make it, but I sort of figured they'd be here," said Covington coach Marty Wheeler. 

2. Covington looking for first state championship

Covington has never won a state championship in football, despite making it to five state title games before this year. This season has already been historic for the Chargers with Lomax becoming the school's all-time passing leader and leading Covington to its first back-to-back playoff appearance in school history. 

"(My role is) to be a leader," said Lomax. "I have to keep everybody in check and push myself every day so that people will follow me."

3. Alcoa has Mr. Football

Alcoa quarterback Walker Russell took home the 3A Mr. Football award on Sunday. He has 25 touchdown passes.

4. Covington has three strong running backs

Covington's Marcus Hayes was a 3A Mr. Football semifinalist. He has 2,066 yards rushing and 23 touchdowns. 

"Marcus Hayes has had a great year for us," Wheeler said. "He's a sophomore, and he started out the season as a defensive player for us and we had a running back Keyshawn Gant get hurt in the third game of the year who was a returning all-state running back for us. It's one thing to come into certain situations and spell running backs, but it's another thing to come in and be the man. He seems to have handled that very well," said Wheeler. 

Gant has since returned from his injury, and he is sharing carries with Hayes and Cordarries Page. 

"We have formations that allow us to have all three of them on the field," said Wheeler. 

5. A win would be Alcoa's fourth straight

Alcoa has won the past three state championships. A win this year would make it four in a row and 14 overall for coach Gary Rankin, who holds the state record. Alcoa and Maryville are tied for most TSSAA football championships with 16. Alcoa also holds the record for most state championships in a row with seven from 2004-2010. 

"It's like Christmas for them, it comes around once a year," said Wheeler of the state championship. "They expect to be here."