MURFREESBORO – The defending Class 1A champions are out of the TSSAA State Football Tournament.
Gatlinburg-Pittman defeated Madison 3-1 on Wednesday in the state semifinals at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro.
The semifinal contest was the continuation of a new rivalry between the two programs. The Highlanders (17-3-2) won the first meeting in the 2022 state championship game. The Mustangs (17-4-1) returned the favor in the 2023 state title game.
The Highlanders play at Chattanooga School of Arts and Sciences at 4 p.m., Friday.
Madison coach Jeremy Young recognized the Highlanders’ program and their style of play.
“They really pay attention to detail,” Young said. “You could tell when they had possession of the ball at the end of the game, they ran for a corner and ran as hard as they could. That’s a good game.”
Yuiman Betanco Ramirez scored two goals for the Highlanders, one late in the first half and another early in the second half. Carlos Turcious scored the third goal for the Highlanders.
Madison junior forward Jossemar Marcos scored the Mustangs’ only goal on a penalty kick with 4:11 remaining.
Young will fondly remember this team for making the program’s fifth consecutive TSSAA state tournament. This year has had its challenges for the Mustangs, Young said.
JOSEMAR MARCOS: How Jossemar Marcos performed for Madison football at the TSSAA state tournament
“We had some injuries and everyone got ready to play new positions,” Young said. “It really reflects the culture we’ve created in Madison, where we get the job done regardless of who’s on the field.”
Austin Chastain is a high school sports writer covering West Tennessee. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ChastainAJ, or email him at achastain@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared in Jackson Sun: TSSAA State Football Tournament: Madison loses to Gatlinburg-Pittman in semifinals
