CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Approximately one year ago, Ty Simpson crouched in sadness after delivering a game-ending interception against South Gibson County.
The moment was one to remember for Simpson, who played on a severely sprained ankle.
Still, the junior told teammates that night that he “(wouldn’t) let that feeling happen again.”
On Saturday night in Chattanooga, Simpson gathered himself in a similar crouch, with tears streaming down his face once more.
Except this time, he picked himself up, wiped his tears and clambered into the stands to hug his mother with time left on the clock.
For someone as family-oriented as Simpson, it was his way of celebrating Westview’s 55-14 win — the first state championship in school history.
The 5-star Alabama commitment and 2A BlueCross Bowl MVP led the charge throughout, racking up 99 yards and three touchdowns on 5-of-10 passing with two interceptions.
He overcame those picks via a hard-nosed defense and an impressive ground game, with 181 yards — 55 on one backbreaking scamper — and two rushing scores on 10 carries.
In total, five touchdowns accounted for in his final high school game.
Granted, Simpson didn’t win alone.
He was aided by two receptions and a score from Quincy Hamilton, two catches and a touchdown from Garner Anderson, one snatch for six from Cade Spaulding and two key interceptions in the second half.
But when it came time to announce the Most Valuable Player, the award recipient was never in doubt.
Simpson jogged toward midfield, grinned and accepted the plaque before returning to teammates who went bonkers: a fitting celebration for No. 6.
“He’s a special talent,” said Westview coach Jarod Neal. “He makes everybody on our team better by the way he works. That’s a testament to him. He’s like, ‘I’ve got to work harder because I am pretty good.’”
The work has continued to pay off for the younger Simpson, who mixed in celebrations of his own throughout the day.
After each of his rushing touchdowns, Simpson lifted his leg and bent his arms to the side — a nod to a touchdown celebration made famous by a potential future teammate, Alabama wide receiver John Metchie.
“It’s a Bama thing,” Simpson said. “Just continuing the legacy.”
But on Saturday, Westview’s gunslinger wasn’t just concerned about his future.
He was also concerned about that of his brother, Graham, who received an Oregon offer recently and who whispered with his older brother near the end of the game.
“He’s going to go to Westview and have a heck of a season, hopefully like mine,” Simpson said. “I just told him to carry the torch of the Simpson family.”
Amid the hugs and tears, though, there was one member of that family who was missing: Ty’s father, Jason, who was in Montana on Saturday as he coached UT Martin in a second-round playoff game.
Father and son FaceTimed before the game and at halftime, and Ty mentioned that he thought about his father every snap. But he didn’t let Jason’s absence rattle him.
“He had a businesslike mentality tonight,” said Neal. “(Ty) knew he had a job to do here.”
And when that job was complete, Ty — an Elite 11 finalist, Mr. Football semifinalist and Adidas All-American — embraced teammates, put his hands on his knees and sobbed openly.
Altogether, Simpson’s emotion reiterated the final, fitting crown he earned to cement to one of the most impressive résumés in Tennessee high school football history.
Now, Simpson’s talent is headed to Tuscaloosa, where he will start on January 9th.
As for tonight? He mentioned he plans only to celebrate with family and teammates, perhaps with a glass of milk and cookies.
After the sweet incentive, though, Simpson will still be seeking one more circle-shaped reward for the championship.
When Dearca Nicholson waltzed into the end zone for a 48-14 lead, Simpson tapped his right pointer finger on his left ring finger — a nod to the ring that Simpson couldn’t stop talking about as the clock ticked toward zero.
“Better tell ‘em to start ordering!” he told one coach.
Granted, Simpson will likely earn a lot more bling at Alabama.
But it’s likely that no moment will ever mean more than when he crouched in tears in Chattanooga — a blue-chip star, long removed from the heartbreak of last season.
Now, at long last, achieving the one accolade he had been missing: state champion.
“We’ve come a long way for sure,” Simpson said. “Last year didn’t end the way we wanted, and it was all on me.
“To go out with a bang like we are here, we’ve got an awesome team with really good players. I just appreciate everybody buying in. It’s an awesome feeling.”
