Supporters of Blackman High School athletics have had plenty to cheer about in recent years. From region titles to state tournament appearances, a championship-level style of play has become the norm.
Looking back at some of the athletes who have come through the doors at 3956 Blaze Drive over the past decade-plus, it's no wonder that Blackman athletics has a place the region's best athletic programs.
Many of those past players are currently making headlines at the collegiate and professional levels in their given sports.
Baseball
The most successful former Blaze athlete, Red Sox starting pitcher David Price had one of his best starts of the MLB season Friday night against the Detroit Tigers. Price pitched into the seventh inning, giving up zero runs and striking out five batters. Price's latest start bolstered the confidence of the Red Sox faithful as the Boston ballclub continues to run away with the American League East division. Price, who graduated Blackman in 2004 and played collegiately at Vanderbilt, later became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 MLB draft. This is his 11th season in Major League Baseball.
Less than two hours east, down I-24 in Chattanooga, 2012 Blackman grad Zander Wiel is turning heads in the Minnesota Twins organization. In his fourth season of professional baseball, Wiel is the current team leader in batting average for the Chattanooga Lookouts. Wiel is second in Southern League in the same category. He also won Southern League Player of the Week honors just last week. If he continues at his current pace, Wiel could be well on his way to the Triple-A level soon.
2015 Blackman grad, Marcus Evey helped Tennessee Tech get within one game of the College World Series in 2018. The right-handed pitcher won eight of his 15 starts for the Golden Eagles as a junior. Toward the end of Tech's run in the Super Regionals, Evey was drafted in the 20th round of the Major League Baseball Draft. Since joining the Yankees Rookie-Ball club in Pulaski, Virginia, Evey has struck out 18 batters in just 12 innings pitched.
Football
With College Football season rapidly approaching, there are two former Blaze players to keep an eye on.
Tennessee's Jauan Jennings was injured in the Vols first game last season and then was unceremoniously kicked off the team by lame-duck interim head coach Brady Hoke over an Instagram tirade. The former Blaze quarterback was reinstated with conditions by new Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt. Jennings 2016 season full of incredible highlights against rivals like Georgia and Florida seems like it happened a decade ago given the Vols struggles of 2017. Look for Jennings to make some noise in 2018.
Blackman's standout running back from a season ago, Master Teague enrolled early at Ohio State this past spring and has made his presence known in an already-stacked backfield in Columbus. There's a very real possibility that Teague could push for playing time if he continues impressing in the fall as he did in spring practice. By all accounts, Teague has impressed both on and off the field throughout his football career. Keep an eye out for big things for Master Teague, this season and beyond.
