How Blackman won the DNJ All-Sports trophy for the second time in 2025 – The Daily News Journal

For the second time in the 12-year history of the award, Blackman has captured The Daily News Journal’s All-Sports trophy.
The Blaze, who won the trophy for the first time in 2017, edged Stewarts Creek, which had its highest finish, 131-127 for the top spot. Siegel finished third with 109 points.
“We have a lot of pride in this trophy,” said Blackman football/baseball player Max Wilcox. Both of his teams reached the state tournament/playoffs. “You can feel it, just in the school, with our upcoming senior and junior classes. We’re just really competitive. We want to win. We’re just an everything school at this point, honestly. We’re the best, and we’re going to keep being the best at this point.”
Points are awarded for how well each team finished in its district (or county-wide meet), with bonus points awarded for reaching the state tournament as a team (5), winning a team state championship (10) and any individuals winning a state championship (5). Wrestling teams earned a point for each girl or boy who reached state, as well as bonus points for reaching state duals as a team.
Flag football, which had nine area teams, was added to the All-Sports list this season. Blackman finished first in the district. The LD Agee County Track Championships also returned in 2025 and Blackman’s boys and girls both won the event.
Blackman excelled in numerous sports, including football, volleyball (which reached state) and golf during the fall and boys and girls basketball and boys and girls wrestling in the winter.
“Honestly, this school is great,” said Blackman wrestler Ali Bryant, who was one of 11 Blaze to reach the individual state tournament, finishing fourth in the 145-pound division. “All the football games were fun and it felt like a community. When they win, it inspires other teams to win. A lot of our people came from other sports. There’s a lot of turnover. When they do well, we all do well.”
But the Blaze really excelled during spring sports. As well as flag football and the county track and field meet, the school won three individual track and field state titles (two boys relay teams, girls 4×100 relay team), the baseball team reached the Class 4A state tournament and the softball team finished second in the district and reached the region.
Samara Schroeder was a member of both the flag football team and was the third leg in the 4×100 relay team that captured a state title.
“It was a lot, especially since it would be flag football on one day and track the next day,” said Schroeder, on juggling the two spring sports while also battling an injury during the season. “What helped me throughout the season was recovery and motivation from my coaches. It was really exciting. It was a great experience.”
Blackman 131, Stewarts Creek 127, Siegel 109, Oakland 92, Providence Christian 90, Central Magnet 89, Riverdale 88, Rockvale 88, Eagleville 74, Middle Tennessee Christian 53, Smyrna 47, Cannon County 47, La Vergne 33.
Cecil Joyce covers high school sports and MTSU athletics for The Daily News Journal. Contact him at cjoyce@dnj.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @Cecil_Joyce.

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