The past two seasons Omarii Sanders and FRA have come agonizingly close to a berth in the TSSAA football playoffs state championship game.
FRA had tasted defeat in consecutive Division II-AA semifinals, but hosting Lausanne with a shot to reach the TSSAA state championship for the first time since 1991, Sanders and FRA brought an emphatic end to the drought.
The Panthers secured a dominant 49-21 victory, booking a place in the championship game against region rival BGA at 11 a.m. on Dec. 4 at Chattanooga’s Finley Stadium. Sanders caught seven passes for 87 yards and a touchdown while Mike Hassell rushed for 147 yards and two TDs to lead FRA (11-1).
“We did what we were supposed to do and it’s a great feeling,” Sanders said. “All the work over the summer. All the sweat, blood and tears, it really just paid off. We just all have that mentality; we’re not losing. We think that nobody in the country can stop us.”
The Panthers’ only other state championship appearance ended in FRA lifting the title over three decades ago, longer than some Panthers assistants have been alive according to coach Justin Geisinger. Geisinger took charge of the program ahead of the 2022 season and has led FRA to four straight 10-win seasons.
“This was a goal of ours from the start of the year, but I think you have to be careful with how you set goals,” Geisinger said. “We wanted them to come out and play the best they could play tonight and let the chips fall where they may. We can’t control outcomes; all we can control is our response.”
Omarii Sanders’ college commitment looms
The focus will be on more than just food during Thanksgiving week for Geisinger and the Panthers, as they prepare for BGA. The Wildcats advanced to last year’s state title game and will remember the 21-14 loss to FRA regular season.
Sanders announce make his commitment decision on Nov. 29, with Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Georgia, Texas A&M and Miami all in contention. Sanders is the state’s No. 3-ranked recruit in the Class of 2027 and the No. 59-ranked recruit nationally according to 247Sports Composite.
“I feel great. I think I made the right decision. It’s definitely a decision I’ve been thinking toward …” Sanders said. “It is a weight off my shoulders. I’ve kind of been, I wouldn’t say dreading it, but the recruiting process is a long process.”
Sanders expects to play safety in college, while Geisinger believes he has the ability to be an impact player across the field, displayed by his 411 receiving yards and six touchdowns in the postseason.
“He’s a natural athlete … obviously he’s a highly recruited kid and whoever gets him, he can play on both sides of the ball,” Geisinger said. “He’s that special.”
Harrison Campbell covers high school sports for The Daily Herald and The Tennessean. Email him at hcampbell@usatodayco.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @hccamp.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How Omarii Sanders pushed FRA to TSSAA football state championship
