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Tennessee High School Football Playoffs: Ravenwood takes down Southwind

hunterby: Hunter Shelton13 hours agoHunterShelton_

One of the most anticipated games of the 2025 Tennessee high school football season delivered as Ravenwood defeated Southwind 28-25 in a battle of undefeated programs, advancing to the Division I 6A state title game.

The Raptors, ranked No. 5 in the state according to the Massey Ratings, had four different touchdown scorers in the win as they improved to 14-0.

Ravenwood senior quarterback and Boston College commit Femi Babalola got the festivities started in the first quarter with a 35-yard touchdown run, busting up the middle, cruising into the end zone untouched.

Southwind was immediately on the back foot, as after the Ravenwood TD, senior QB Kelvin Perkins, an Austin Peay pledge, threw an interception on a tipped ball. The Jaguars were able to get the ball back at the end of the quarter, though, and Perkins punched in a short rushing score to even things up.

The Jags then found pay dirt again on their next possession. After getting into the red zone, Perkins fired a TD pass to Jontae Alexander, who was wide open in the middle of the end zone. Southwind did not convert the extra point.

With less than three to go in the half, Ravenwood answered back as Babalola dished a screen pass to Maverick Chance, who busted off a big run from near midfield to the house. Perkins threw his second interception of the night and the Raptors struck again just before the half.

Chance, who can also sling the ball at QB, fired a laser to Cy Longley, who was also uncovered in the end zone for another easy Ravenwood score.

Southwind, of course, wasn’t going down easy. It scored on its first drive of the second half as Perkins nestled a pass into the arms of a slanting receiver for six. The Jaguars were unsuccessful on the 2-point conversion attempt.

With Ravenwood on its heels near the end of the quarter, Southwind was again driving near midfield, but a costly fumble saw Raptors safety Jaylen Pollard recover and take it all the way back for a key touchdown, putting Ravenwood up 28-19 heading into the fourth. Pollard, a WKU commit, was on the receiving end of one of the two Perkins interceptions in the first half.

Needing two scores, Perkins kept pushing piles, got down to the Ravenwood goal line and snuck in for his second rushing score of the evening with less than seven minutes to play, cutting the Raptors’ lead to 28-25. A penalty negated a 2-point try and the ensuing extra-point attempt was no good.

Ravenwood was able to burn out the rest of the clock and punch its ticket into the championship game on Dec. 6. It will take on Oakland, which rolled past Blackman 42-12. Southwind’s season comes to a close with a 13-1 record. The Jaguars entered Friday as the No. 9 team in the state.

How to Follow Tennessee High School Football

For Tennessee high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Volunteer State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across Tennessee.