TSWA recognizes college players of the week - Nov. 25

November 25, 2025 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia and Tennessee Tech’s Aaron Swafford were named Tennessee Sports Writers Association Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, on Tuesday, as announced by the organization.

Pavia registered 532 total yards and accounted for six touchdowns in a 45-17 victory over Kentucky. He completed 33-of-39 passes for a school-record 484 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 48 yards and one TD on 15 carries. He tied the school record for passing touchdowns in a game for the second time this season and tied for the second-highest completion total in a game in program history.

It marked the most total offensive yards by a Commodore since at least 1996 and the second-highest total offense figure by a Power 4 player and third-highest overall in a game this season. He became the first FBS quarterback to throw for at least 480 yards and five touchdowns in a game this season.

Swafford made a season-high 12 tackles, seven solo, in Tech’s 20-17 victory against UT Martin, helping the Golden Eagles claim the regular season conference championship. He finished with two tackles for loss, including a sack that forced a punt by the Skyhawks late in the fourth quarter, with Tech kicking a game-winning field goal with 11 seconds left in the game on the ensuing drive.

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Carson-Newman’s Jack Browder earned Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honors, posting 30 points and 15 rebounds in a victory at Lander University. It marked his second career game with 30 points and 15 boards and his 26th career double-double. It was the second-most rebounds in a contest in his career and he moved into the Top 20 all-time in scoring for the Eagles with 1,433 points.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Tennessee’s Nya Robertson was voted Women’s Basketball Player of the Week accolades, averaging 20.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in two games while setting the program record for made 3-pointers in a contest. She tied her career-high with 32 points against Coppin State, hitting 10-of-16 from behind the arc, setting a program record for made 3-pointers in a game and posting the second-most attempts. The 10 makes tied for third in SEC women’s basketball history. She added three rebounds and three steals in the game. Robertson added nine points, three boards and one assist in a road win at Middle Tennessee in the second contest of the week.

2025 TSWA FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Sept. 3 | Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt (Offense); Colton Hood, Tennessee (Defense)
Sept. 9 | Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt (Offense); Theron Gaines, Tennessee Tech (Defense)
Sept. 16 | Bryson Rollins, Maryville College (Offense); CJ Heard, Vanderbilt (Defense)
Sept. 23 | Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt (Offense); Cannon Johnson, Cumberland (Defense)
Sept. 30 | Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt (Offense); Arion Carter, Tennessee (Defense)
Oct. 7 | Kekeo Visperas, Tennessee Tech (Offense); Kamari Todd, Chattanooga (Defense)
Oct. 14 | DeSean Bishop, Tennessee (Offense); Jacquese Abner, Maryville College (Defense)
Oct. 21 | Camden Orth, Chattanooga (Offense); Cruz Temple, Carson-Newman (Defense)
Oct. 28 | Chris Parson, Austin Peay (Offense); Montreze Smith, Jr., Austin Peay (Defense)
Nov. 4 | Bryson Rollins, Maryville College (Offense); Isaiah Cane, Carson-Newman (Defense)
Nov. 11 | Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt (Offense); Theron Gaines, Tennessee Tech (Defense)
Nov. 19 | Roman Gagliano, Middle Tennessee (Offense); Isaac Bohleber, Carson-Newman (Defense)
Nov. 25 | Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt (Offense); Aaron Swafford, Tennessee Tech (Defense)

2025-26 TSWA MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Nov. 11 | Chase Morgan, Maryville College
Nov. 19 | Fletcher Bigham, Sewanee
Nov. 25 | Jack Browder, Carson-Newman

2025-26 TSWA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Nov. 11 | Talaysia Cooper, Tennessee
Nov. 19 | Cheyenne Trotter, Trevecca Nazarene
Nov. 25 | Nya Robertson, Tennessee

TSWA/USA Today Network Prep Poll - Nov. 24

November 24, 2025 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association and USA Today Network announced football rankings after Week 14 on Monday. Top 10 teams in each of the six Division I classifications and Top 5 in three Division II classes were selected by TSWA members and USA Today writers with first-place votes in parentheses and total points based on 10 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 10th-place vote.

Division I
Class 1A
1. McKenzie (12-1) – 154 (10). Last Week: No. 1
2. South Pittsburg (12-1) – 150 (6). Last Week: No. 2
3. Coalfield (11-2) – 127. Last Week: No. 3
4. Fayetteville (7-5) – 109. Last Week: No. 8
5. Richland (10-3) – 97. Last Week: No. 5
6. Clay County (11-2) – 82. Last Week: No. 4
7. Memphis Middle College (10-2) – 58. Last Week: No. 7
8. Sale Creek (11-2) – 53. Last Week: No. 6
9. Dresden (9-3) – 31. Last Week: No. 9
10. South Fulton (9-3) – 12. Last Week: No. 10
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 2A
1. Milan (12-0) – 160 (16). Last Week: No. 1
2. Marion County (12-1) – 140. Last Week: No. 3
3. Huntingdon (12-1) – 132. Last Week: No. 4
4. Eagleton (10-3) – 109. Last Week: No. 8
5. East Robertson (12-1) – 95. Last Week: No. 2
6. Gordonsville (12-1) – 77. Last Week: No. 5
7. East Nashville (6-6) – 65. Last Week: No. 6
8. Bledsoe County (10-3) – 54. Last Week: No. 7
9. Fairley (9-3) – 24. Last Week: No. 9
10. Peabody (9-3) – 17. Last Week: No. 10
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 3A
1. Westview (12-0) – 160 (16). Last Week: No. 1
2. Gatlinburg-Pittman (13-0) – 137. Last Week: No. 2
3. Tyner Academy (12-1) – 129. Last Week: No. 3
4. Covington (12-1) – 117. Last Week: No. 5
5. Meigs County (11-2) – 97. Last Week: No. 4
6. Giles County (9-4) – 74. Last Week: 7
7. Melrose (10-2) – 67. Last Week: No. 6
8. Dyersburg (8-5) – 51. Last Week: No. 9
9. Unicoi County (9-3) – 31. Last Week: No. 8
10. Fairview (9-3) – 17. Last Week: No. 10
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 4A
t1. Greeneville (12-1) – 151 (8). Last Week: No. 1
t1. Alcoa (12-1) – 151 (7). Last Week: No. 2
3. Pearl-Cohn (9-4) – 126 (1). Last Week: No. 5
4. South Gibson (10-3) – 104. Last Week: No. 6
5. Anderson County (9-3) – 102. Last Week: No. 3
6. Springfield (11-2) – 81. Last Week: No. 4
7. Marshall County (9-4) – 57. Last Week: No. 7
8. Upperman (9-3) – 47. Last Week: No. 8
9. Red Bank (8-5) – 43. Last Week: No. 9
10. Stone Memorial (10-2) – 17. Last Week: No. 10
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 5A
1. Page (12-0) – 160 (16). Last Week: No. 1
2. Sevier County (12-1) – 144. Last Week: No. 2
3. Knox Halls (8-4) – 118. Last Week: No. 8
4. Beech (10-2) – 107. Last Week: No. 3
5. Centennial (7-5) – 106. Last Week: No. 9
6. Lincoln County (10-3) – 75. Last Week: No. 5
7. Knox Central (10-3) – 74. Last Week: No. 4
8. Henry County (8-4) – 40. Last Week: No. 6
9. Powell (9-2) – 35. Last Week: No. 7
10. Munford (10-2) – 19. Last Week: No. 9
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 6A
1. Oakland (13-0) – 160 (16). Last Week: No. 1
2. Ravenwood (13-0) – 144. Last Week: No. 2
3. Southwind (13-0) – 126. Last Week: No. 4
4. Blackman (12-1) – 114. Last Week: No. 5
t5. Maryville (11-2) – 86. Last Week: No. 3
t5. Green Hill (10-3) – 86. Last Week: No. 6
7. Collierville (9-4) – 59. Last Week: No. 7
8. Whitehaven (7-5) – 57. Last Week: No. 9
9. Riverdale (8-4) – 25. Last Week: No. 9
10. Antioch (10-2) – 14. Last Week: No. 10
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Division II-A
1. Nashville Christian (12-0) – 80 (16). Last Week: No. 1
2. University School of Jackson (11-1) – 64. Last Week: 2
3. Trinity Christian (10-3) – 46. Last Week: No. 3
4. Providence Christian (9-3) – 33. Last Week: No. 4
5. Friendship Christian (9-3) – 15. Last Week: No. 5
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Division II-AA
1. Franklin Road Academy (11-1) – 75 (11). Last Week: No. 2
2. Battle Ground Academy (12-1) – 69 (5). Last Week: No. 3
3. Boyd Buchanan (11-1) – 45. Last Week: No. 1
4. Lausanne Collegiate (8-4) – 35. Last Week: 4
5. Grace Christian Academy-Knoxville (9-3) – 15. Last Week: No. 5
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Division II-AAA
1. Baylor School (11-0) – 80 (16). Last Week: No. 1
2. Brentwood Academy (11-0) – 64. Last Week: No. 2
3. McCallie School (10-3) – 48. Last Week: No. 3
4. Christ Presbyterian Academy (4-9) – 28. Last Week: No. 4
5. Ensworth School (7-4) – 16. Last Week: No. 4
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Publications that participated in the voting include The Tennessean in Nashville, the Knoxville News-Sentinel, The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, The Daily Herald in Columbia, The Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro, The Leaf-Chronicle in Clarksville, 615Preps.com, The Chattanooga Times-Free Press, Five Star Preps, The Mirror-Exchange in Milan, Tri-Cities Sports, The Westmoreland News, The Herald Citizen in Cookeville and Union City Messenger.

College players of the week recognized by TSWA - Nov. 19

November 19, 2025 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – Middle Tennessee’s Roman Gagliano and Carson-Newman’s Isaac Bohleber were named Tennessee Sports Writers Association Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, on Tuesday, as announced by the organization.

Gagliano completed 29-of-41 passes for 371 yards and three touchdowns and rushed 15 times for 117 yards at Western Kentucky. He accounted for 471 yards of total offense, equaling the second most in a single game in school history. He tossed two scoring passes of three yards and another for 52 yards in a game the Blue Raiders trailed, 28-26, with 10:49 to play before falling to the Hilltoppers.

Bohleber collected 10 tackles, five solo, with 0.5 tackles for loss in a 26-0 win against Tusculum University, posting the only double-digit tackle performance by an Eagle this year. It marked the first shutout as a team since 2022 and the first shutout of Tusculum since 2005. Carson-Newman finished the season 7-3 overall.

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Sewanee’s Fletcher Bigham earned Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honors, averaging 32.0 points, 16.7 boards and 3.3 assists with three double-doubles and two 35-point outings in the three contests for the Tigers. He started the week with a 35-point, 20-rebound effort (both career-highs) in an overtime loss to Maryville College, hitting 6-of-14 from 3-point range along with three assists, five blocks and four steals in 43 minutes of action. He followed that with 26 points, 14 boards and four assists in a three-point loss to Bob Jones University and netted 35 points, 16 caroms and three assists in a one-point defeat against Covenant.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Trevecca Nazarene’s Cheyenne Trotter was voted Women’s Basketball Player of the Week accolades, averaging a double-double in two wins for the Trojans. She scored a career-high 25 points with 13 rebounds in a victory at Lynn University, connecting on 9-of-13 shots in 26 minutes of action, and posted eight points, 11 boards and four assists against Barry University.

VOLLEYBALL: Maryville College’s Kylie Wilhelmi garnered Volleyball Player of the Week recognition, recording 54 kills and 32 digs over two matches in the conference tournament for the Scots. She collected 33 kills with five errors in 66 total attacks (.424 attack percentage) as well as 15 digs in a five-set victory against Covenant College. The next day in the championship match, she registered 21 kills with one error in 42 total attacks (.476 attack percentage) with 18 digs in another five-set outing.

2025-26 TSWA MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Nov. 11 | Chase Morgan, Maryville College
Nov. 19 | Fletcher Bigham, Sewanee

2025-26 TSWA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Nov. 11 | Talaysia Cooper, Tennessee
Nov. 19 | Cheyenne Trotter, Trevecca Nazarene

TSWA/USA Today Network Prep Poll - Nov. 17

November 17, 2025 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association and USA Today Network announced football rankings after Week 13 on Monday. Top 10 teams in each of the six Division I classifications and Top 5 in three Division II classes were selected by TSWA members and USA Today writers with first-place votes in parentheses and total points based on 10 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 10th-place vote.

Division I
Class 1A
1. McKenzie (11-1) – 157 (13). Last Week: No. 1
2. South Pittsburg (11-1) – 147 (3). Last Week: No. 2
3. Coalfield (10-2) – 127. Last Week: No. 3
4. Clay County (11-1) – 113. Last Week: No. 4
5. Richland (10-2) – 94. Last Week: No. 6
6. Sale Creek (11-1) – 70. Last Week: No. 8
7. Memphis Middle College (10-1) – 68. Last Week: No. 7
8. Fayetteville (6-5) – 51. Last Week: Not Ranked
9. Dresden (9-3) – 25. Last Week: No. 5
10. South Fulton (9-3) – 12. Last Week: No. 10
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 2A
1. Milan (11-0) – 155 (11). Last Week: No. 1
2. East Robertson (12-0) – 149 (5). Last Week: No. 2
3. Marion County (11-1) – 124. Last Week: No. 3
4. Huntingdon (11-1) – 115. Last Week: No. 4
5. Gordonsville (12-0) – 96. Last Week: No. 5
6. East Nashville (6-5) – 78. Last Week: No. 9
7. Bledsoe County (10-2) – 67. Last Week: No. 10
8. Eagleton (9-3) – 35. Last Week: Not Ranked
9. Fairley (9-3) – 25. Last Week: No. 6
10. Peabody (9-3) – 20. Last Week: No. 8
Other who received 10 or more points: Happy Valley (16)

Class 3A
1. Westview (11-0) – 160 (16). Last Week: No. 1
2. Gatlinburg-Pittman (12-0) – 140. Last Week: No. 2
3. Tyner Academy (11-1) – 123. Last Week: No. 3
4. Meigs County (11-1) – 107. Last Week: No. 4
5. Covington (11-1) – 105. Last Week: No. 5
6. Melrose (10-1) – 84. Last Week: No. 6
7. Giles County (9-3) – 63. Last Week: 9
8. Unicoi County (9-3) – 537 Last Week: No. 7
9. Dyersburg (8-4) – 36. Last Week: Not Ranked
10. Fairview (9-3) – 25. Last Week: No. 8
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 4A
1. Greeneville (11-1) – 148 (9). Last Week: No. 1
2. Alcoa (11-1) – 145 (5). Last Week: No. 2
3. Anderson County (9-2) – 133. Last Week: No. 3
4. Springfield (11-1)– 108. Last Week: No. 4
5. Pearl-Cohn (8-4) – 107 (1). Last Week: No. 5
6. South Gibson (9-3) – 72. Last Week: No. 8
7. Marshall County (9-3) – 58. Last Week: Not Ranked
8. Upperman (9-3) – 51. Last Week: No. 6
9. Red Bank (8-4) – 37. Last Week: Not Ranked
10. Stone Memorial (10-2) – 21. Last Week: No. 7
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 5A
1. Page (11-0) – 160 (16). Last Week: No. 1
2. Sevier County (11-1) – 144. Last Week: No. 2
3. Beech (10-1) – 128. Last Week: No. 4
4. Knox Central (10-2) – 110. Last Week: No. 6
5. Lincoln County (10-2) – 94. Last Week: No. 10
6. Henry County (8-3) – 73. Last Week: No. 9
7. Powell (9-2) – 50. Last Week: No. 3
8. Knox Halls (7-4) – 43. Last Week: Not Ranked
t9. Munford (10-2) – 35. Last Week: No. 5
t9. Centennial (6-5) – 35. Last Week: Not Ranked
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 6A
1. Oakland (12-0) – 160 (16). Last Week: No. 1
2. Ravenwood (12-0) – 144. Last Week: No. 2
3. Maryville (11-1) – 127. Last Week: No. 3
4. Southwind (12-0) – 112. Last Week: No. 4
5. Blackman (11-1) – 97. Last Week: No. 5
6. Green Hill (10-2) – 76. Last Week: No. 9
7. Collierville (9-3) – 65. Last Week: Not Ranked
8. Whitehaven (7-4) – 49. Last Week: Not Ranked
9. Riverdale (8-4) – 26. Last Week: No. 6
10. Antioch (10-2) – 16. Last Week: No. 8
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Division II-A
1. Nashville Christian (11-0) – 80 (16). Last Week: No. 1
2. University School of Jackson (10-1) – 58. Last Week: 2
3. Trinity Christian (10-2) – 33. Last Week: No. 4
4. Providence Christian (9-2) – 16. Last Week: Not Ranked
5. Friendship Christian (9-3) – 15. Last Week: No. 3
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Division II-AA
1. Boyd Buchanan (11-0) – 75 (13). Last Week: No. 1
2. Franklin Road Academy (10-1) – 63 (3). Last Week: No. 2
3. Battle Ground Academy (11-1) – 54. Last Week: No. 3
4. Lausanne Collegiate (8-3) – 32. Last Week: 5
5. Grace Christian Academy-Knoxville (9-3) – 16. Last Week: No. 4
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Division II-AAA
1. Baylor School (10-0) – 80 (16). Last Week: No. 1
2. Brentwood Academy (10-0) – 62. Last Week: No. 2
3. McCallie School (10-2) – 50. Last Week: No. 3
4. Christ Presbyterian Academy (4-8) – 29. Last Week: Not Ranked
5. Ensworth School (7-4) – 14. Last Week: No. 4
Other who received 10 or more points: None

TSWA honors college players of the week - Nov. 11

November 11, 2025 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia and Tennessee Tech’s Theron Gaines were named Tennessee Sports Writers Association Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, on Tuesday, as announced by the organization.

Pavia accounted for a career-high 489 yards of total offense and four touchdowns in an overtime victory against Auburn. He completed 25-of-33 passes for a career-best 377 yards with three touchdowns while also rushing for a season-high 112 yards and a score. He became the first-ever player at Vanderbilt to post 300-plus passing yards and 100-plus rushing yards in a single game.

Pavia’s seven-yard TD run in the opening minute of the fourth quarter gave the Commodores their first lead in the contest and he connected with Cole Spence for the game-winning four-yard TD pass in overtime. His 489 yards of total offense are the second-highest posted by a Commodore since the 1996 campaign. Vanderbilt scored 45 points against an Auburn defense that had not allowed more than 24 in any of its first nine outings this season.

Gaines posted a season-high 11 tackles, six solo, recording two sacks and two quarterback hurries. He also recovered a fumble that he returned 10 yards for a touchdown with 3:50 remaining in the contest, his second defensive score of the season, putting the game away in a 21-9 victory against Eastern Illinois. He collected a sack on EIU’s first offensive snap of the game and added another later in the fourth quarter after the fumble return. Theron leads the Golden Eagles with 71 tackles this season and has 6.5 sacks and a team-best 13.5 tackles for loss

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Maryville College’s Chase Morgan earned Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honors, averaging 27.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in two wins to open the season for the Scots. He posted 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting with four boards and four assists in a win over Pfeiffer University. He followed that with 29 points, making 13-of-16 shots, with rebounds and four blocks versus Berry College.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Tennessee’s Talaysia Cooper was voted Women’s Basketball Player of the Week accolades, netting 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.3 steals in three games for the Lady Vols. She debuted with 23 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and three steals in 31 minutes against No. 9/8 NC State, connecting on 9-of-17 shots with a pair of 3-pointers. Against ETSU in the home opener, she made 7-of-11 field goal attempts, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, netting 18 points with four rebounds, three steals and two blocks in 18 minutes of action. She finished the week with 10 points and three boards at UT Martin.

VOLLEYBALL: Belmont’s Brooke Gilleland garnered Volleyball Player of the Week recognition, registering 35 kills and 17 digs in two matches for the Bruins. She collected 21 kills, 12 digs and three aces at Southern Illinois and followed that with 14 kills and five digs versus Valparaiso. Gilleland ranks among the Missouri Valley Conference leaders in kills, double doubles and service aces and leads the Bruins with 318 kills, averaging 2.91 per set, along with 199 digs (2.21 per set) and 46 service aces this season.

2025-26 TSWA MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Nov. 11 | Chase Morgan, Maryville College

2025-26 TSWA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Nov. 11 | Talaysia Cooper, Tennessee