Red Boiling Springs forfeits TSSAA playoff game due to player safety concerns
Red Boiling Springs has forfeited its first-round TSSAA playoff game against defending Class 1A state champion South Pittsburg, citing player safety and roster numbers . The Bulldogs closed the regular season with a 0-10 record, but still qualified for the TSSAA football playoffs , with only four teams currently competing in Region 4-1A. "We are forfeiting Friday's game against South Pittsburg due to injuries and low roster numbers," Bulldogs coach Michael Tirjan confirmed in an email to The Tennessean. "The decision was made with the health and safety of our student-athletes as our top priority. We wish South Pittsburg the best moving forward!" More: A TSSAA football playoffs nightmare. Here are 10 Nashville area players to fear in 2026 More: Our TSSAA football playoffs state championship predictions for all 9 classifications Red Boiling Springs' automatic qualification into the playoffs matched the Bulldogs against Region 3-1A champion South Pittsburg, which has reached five TSSAA state championship games in the past six seasons, claiming titles in 2021, 2023 and 2025. South Pittsburg closed its regular season 9-1, having outscored its opponents 559-68. According to TSSAA bylaws, Red Boiling Springs will face postseason sanctions for having forfeited a playoff game. The TSSAA handbook
