NYT Connections Sports Edition Today: Hints, Answers, January 9

The Tennessee Sports Writers Association is announcing its all-state teams for the 2025 TSSAA season.
Here are the selections from Class 1A, 2A and 3A.
The Tennessee Sports Writers Association has released its Class 1A, 2A and 3A all-state teams from the 2025 TSSAA football season.
Class 1A
Offense
Quarterbacks: Cole Brown, McKenzie, Jr.; Caden Jones, South Pittsburg, Sr.; Nolan Adams, Clay County, Sr.
Running backs: Jaiden Bunch, Coalfield, Sr.; Ja’Mychal Buckner, South Pittsburg, Sr.; Zyon Nnaji, Fayetteville, Sr.
Wide receivers: DaYon Cooper, South Pittsburg, Jr.; Cruze Shannon, Coalfield, Sr.; Avery Brown, McKenzie, Jr.
Offensive line: Rodney Inman, Coalfield, Sr.; Will Riddle, Fayetteville, Sr.; C.J. Francis, South Pittsburg, Sr.; Logan Sisk, South Pittsburg, Sr.; Dillon Dickerson, Memphis Middle College, Sr.; Colin Abston, Rockwood, Sr.
Athlete: Jaxon Jett, Oliver Springs, Sr.
Kicker: Alex Phillips, South Pittsburg, Sr.
Defense
Defensive line: Eli Ritter, Coalfield, Jr.; JR Hardrick, South Pittsburg, Sr.; Xavier Reviere, South Pittsburg, Sr.; Kolton Brown, Clay County, Sr.
Linebackers: Reece Adams, Clay County, Sr.; Ziyar Maclin, Memphis Middle College, So.; Elliott Lindsey, Greenback, Jr.; Tate Mason, Midway, Sr.
Defensive backs: Brandon Goldsmith, South Pittsburg, Jr.; Bo Wilson, Coalfield, Jr.; Jayden Thomas, Fayetteville, Sr.; Connor McKinney, Hampton, Sr.
Athlete: Jonathan Jordan, Eagleville, Sr.
Punter: Kacee Hunt, Wayne County, Sr.
Class 2A
Offense
Quarterbacks: Andrew Johnson, Fairley, Sr.; Kason Young, East Robertson, Jr.; Dallas Covington, East Nashville, Jr.
Running backs: Jaydon Peete, Milan, Sr.; Drew Ray, Lewis County, Sr.; Jayden Jennings, Peabody, Sr.
Wide receivers: Lane Cope, Eagleton, Sr.; Cade Brooks, East Robertson, Sr.; Payton Niehaus, Mt. Pleasant, Sr.
Offensive line: Jaden Driver, Tellico Plains, Sr.; Silas Sharp, Huntingdon, Sr.; Chris Graver, Marion County, Sr.; Jonathan Joyal, Eagleton, Sr.; Xavier Johnson, East Nashville, Sr.; Kanye Prince, East Robertson, Jr.
Athletes: Nash Rader, South Greene, Sr.
Kicker: Aden Netherton, Jackson County, Sr.
Defense
Defensive line: Zach Groves, East Robertson Sr.; Owen King, Huntingdon, Sr.; Jamarkus Pittman, Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering, Jr.; Tyson Click, Eagleton, Sr.
Linebackers: Ben Gilbert, Oneida, Sr.; Ashton Martin, Marion County, Sr.; Gavin Gray, Huntingdon, So.; Akeem Hunt, Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering, Jr.
Defensive backs: A.J. Frisbee, Grundy County, Sr.; Angel Blair, East Robertson, Sr.; Ke’Vontae Pitts, East Nashville, Jr. Carter Dunn, Mt. Pleasant, Sr.;
Athlete: Mason Mays, Marion County, Sr.
Punter: Brayden Case, Mt. Pleasant, Sr.
Class 3A
Offense
Quarterbacks: Graham Simpson, Westview, So.; Thomas Heffner, Melrose, So.; Tyson Sutton, Gatlinburg-Pittman, Jr.
Running backs: Quincy Mitchell, Forrest, So.; Brayden Maples, Gatlinburg-Pittman, Jr.; Hicks Hunter, Sycamore, Sr.
Wide receivers: Elijah Spence, Gatlinburg-Pittman, Sr.; Donteze Joy, Westview, Sr.; De’Aries Holland, Whites Creek, So.
Offensive line: Peyton Standridge, Meigs County, Jr.; Carmello Peoples, Tyner Academy, Jr.; Jackson Kirby, Covington, Sr.; Noah Ivey, Sycamore, Sr.; Sam Rood, Fairview, Sr.; Dillon Sifford, Unicoi County, Sr.
Athlete: Kaiden Brewster, Meigs County, So.
Kicker: Curtis Qualls, White House Heritage, Sr.
Defense
Defensive line: Zhy’on Ray, Kingston, Sr.; Jaqruan Little, Tyner Academy, Sr.; Drake Hickman, Westview, So.; Brodie Davis, Waverly, Sr.
Linebackers: Jack Csillag, Johnson County, Sr.; Craig Huskey, Gatlinburg-Pittman, Sr.; D’Aerion McNealy, Tyner Academy, So.; Tuff Ricker, Meigs County, Sr.;
Defensive backs: John Keohane, Gatlinburg-Pittman, Jr.; Peyton Dyer, Tyner Academy, Sr.; Ty Beard, Covington, Sr.
Athlete: Garrett Davis, Watertown, Jr.
Punter: Grant Lilly, Westmoreland, Sr.
Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform,@tpalmateer83.