Previewing Tennessee’s DI-AA State Championship Game

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The TSSAA Division I-AA state semifinals lived up to the hype, delivering high-stakes action and setting the stage for a championship matchup between two of Tennessee's most storied and tradition-rich programs. Franklin (14-3), a perennial force on the state scene, snuck past a gritty Ravenwood (7-8) team in a nail-biting 12-1 win. Meanwhile, Nolensville (13-4)—another consistent contender with a long-standing championship pedigree—powered past Farragut (11-2) in a commanding 15-9 showing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, the stage is set for a true clash of giants. Franklin and Nolensville, two programs synonymous with excellence, depth, and high-end talent, will meet once again in a marquee showdown for the DI-AA crown. This rematch brings together two teams loaded with next-level athletes, state championship experience, and no shortage of motivation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Nolensville, it's a shot at redemption after falling short in last year's final to Brentwood. For Franklin, it's a continuation of a dominant campaign, fueled by a roster packed with elite prospects and battle-tested leaders. Both teams have spent years building dynasties—and now, their paths converge on the biggest stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the state championship and bragging rights on the line, this isn't just a title game. It's a showcase of Tennessee high school lacrosse at its absolute best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we've already previewed the <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2025/05/tennessee-di-a-state-championship-preview/?itm_source=parsely-api">DI-A</a>, <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2025/05/tennessee-dii-a-state-championship-preview/?itm_source=parsely-api">DII-A</a>, and <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2025/05/previewing-tennessees-dii-aa-state-championship-game/?itm_source=parsely-api">DII-AA</a> state championship matchups, let's now turn the spotlight to the stars and storylines that will define this can't-miss showdown for the Division I-AA state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Miller Mouser","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"165","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"142","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Franklin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Flagship","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6826b5b55fed2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Centre College commit has lit up the box score this season, amassing 46 goals and 49 assists. His balanced scoring exemplifies his skill set as a do-it-all midfielder. He can initiate and create offense on his own, but can find an open teammate when the defense slides to him. He is a strong left handed player that can shoot with speed and accuracy both on the run and with his feet set. Miller doesn't need the ball in his stick to be effective, often cutting off-ball for easy goals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Sean Gaca","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"173","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"143","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Franklin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6826b5b55fffb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sean is an exceptionally gifted athlete, committed to Stetson to play football, but leads the high-powered Franklin offense in scoring this season. Setting Franklin's single-season points record this season, Sean has tallied 57 goals and 47 assists, nearly doubling his output from last season. His combination of speed, quickness, and strength allow him to beat his defenseman with ease. The right hand dominant player has a deadly accurate shot with his right hand. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["114171"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6826b5b560083"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The senior long stick midfielder has had an impressive career, and the lore has only grown this spring. Jonathon has put up video game numbers in his final campaign, causing 52 turnovers, collecting 128 ground balls, and adding 27 goals and 13 assists on the offensive end. There's truly nothing the Lenoir-Rhyne commit can't do. He is an incredible athlete with elite speed and quickness, but his unrelenting hustle is what truly makes him special. He is someone you need to have eyes on at all times, because he impacts the game from end line to end line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tucker Ervin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"190","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"146","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Franklin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Flagship","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6826b5b56018d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An All-State performer last season, Tucker has only improved in his senior season. This spring he has caused 41 turnovers and collected 95 ground balls. The stout defenseman isn't the flashiest, but is very fundamentally sound and doesn't chase with his stick. Doing so allows Tucker to maintain an advantageous position and leverage against his attackman. Tucker is also a threat in transition, scoring 4 goals and assisting on another 3 this spring. Likely drawing Nolensville's Jake Manning in this matchup, Tucker will have to maintain his discipline as Jake is a shifty player. He can </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jake Manning","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"160","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"142","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Nolensville","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Nashville Sonics","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6826b5b56029c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The University of Indianapolis commit has made exemplary strides from last season, and his offensive output shows. The senior has scored 56 goals and added another 36 assists in his final season, leading the potent Nolensville offense. Jake is an explosive dodger with lightning-quick feet, making even the best defenseman whiff on a dodge. As a strong lefty, he does his best work from behind or from the left wing and has a cannon of an outside shot. The matchup between him and Tucker Ervin will be a key component to Saturday's outcome.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Hadyn Gross","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"180","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"143","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Nolensville","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Nashville Sonics","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6826b5b56039f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hadyn seems to play his best against the best, and he will look to replicate his 6-point effort from last weekend against Farragut. This season, the senior has amassed 52 goals and 16 assists. A strong righty, Hadyn has a powerful lower body that allows him to not get pushed off his path and create a lot of speed on his shot. A crafty dodger, he doesn't have top-end speed, but instead uses his opponents momentum and angles against him. The Rollins commit will likely draw the eyes of Franklin's [player_tooltip player_id='114171' first='Jonathon' last='Brown'] in a heavyweight matchup between two exceptional prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Braden Olsen","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"170","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"144","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Nolensville","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Nashville Sonics","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6826b5b56049b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As a sophomore, Braden won 1st Team All-State, and believe it or not, only improved upon his performance this season. He has stopped 66.8% of his shots and only allowed a minuscule 6.3 goals per game. Braden has lightning quick hands and explodes through the ball, limiting any rebound attempts from the opponent. He is also a great athlete and extremely comfortable with the ball in his stick, allowing Nolensville to clear the ball with ease. With a high-octane offense like Franklin on the other side, a big game from Braden could make a huge difference for his Nolensville squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->