La Vergne is among the latest schools to opt out of TSSAA football region competition during the next classification cycle, football coach Chris Johnson confirmed to The Daily News Journal.
However, the school’s reasoning differs from others that made the same decision over the last week.
Several Division II teams have committed to playing 10 non-region games beginning in the 2027 season.
Oakland’s Donte Cameron (6) celebrates his touchdown against Blackman during the football game at Oakland on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.
(HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Oakland’s Jacob Vaughn (2) catches a pass during the football game between Oakland and Blackman at Oakland on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.
(HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Oakland’s D’Von McGhee (99) and Oakland’s Trent Gibbs (0) both sack Blackman’s quarterback Chase Bell (1) after Oakland’s Andrew Ivy (41) made the stop during the football game between Oakland and Blackman at Oakland on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.
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Blackman’s Micah Nance (2) carries the ball as Oakland’s Chevy Armour (10) makes the stop during the football game between Oakland and Blackman at Oakland on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.
(HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman’s quarterback Chase Bell (1) passes the ball during the football game between Oakland and Blackman at Oakland on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.
(HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Oakland’s Ja’Vonni Malone (8) carries the ball as Blackman’s Felix Mitchell (12) misses the stop during the football game between Oakland and Blackman at Oakland on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.
(HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Oakland’s Donte Cameron (6) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown against Blackman during the football game at Oakland on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.
(HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Oakland’s quarterback Kam Morton (5) runs the ball as Blackman’s Felix Mitchell (12) moves in for a tackle during the football game between Oakland and Blackman at Oakland on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.
(HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Oakland’s Jacob Vaughn (2) carries the ball during the football game against Blackman at Oakland on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.
(HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman’s Max Wilcox (5) catches a pass as Oakland’s Prince Curry (14) make the stop during the football game between Oakland and Blackman at Oakland on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.
(HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman’s quarterback Chase Bell (1) passes the ball during the football game between Oakland and Blackman at Oakland on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.
(HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Oakland’s football coach Kevin Creasy on the sidelines during the football game between Oakland and Blackman at Oakland on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.
(HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Oakland’s Ja’Vonni Malone (8) celebrates his touchdown against Blackman with Oakland’s Khalid Mohamed (17) during the football game at Oakland on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.
(HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Oakland’s Velon Henderson (7) carries the ball s Blackman’s Brayden Smith (15) move I for a tackle during the football game between Oakland and Blackman at Oakland on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.
(HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman’s Max Wilcox (5) intercepts the ball from Oakland and runs down the field during the football game at Oakland on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.
(HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Competitive balance is likely the reason La Vergne is making the move, joining other Division I teams over recent years, including Warren County, Glencliff, Pickett County and Chattanooga Howard.
There have also been smaller DII and DI programs enduring roster challenges that made the same move. La Vergne has been fielding between 35-40 players this season.
The Wolverines are currently mired in a 29-game losing streak dating back to late in the 2023 season. La Vergne, which sits in arguably one of the toughest regions in 6A, has struggled competing in that division and league.
La Vergne has been shut out three times this season and has been outscored 151-12 in region games. The Wolverines scored just 19 points combined in seven region games in 2025.
