LEBANON — As Nolensville quarterback Ryan Newell took of his helmet in the midst of a celebratory sprint toward the Knights student section, the bleach blonde streaks in his hair came clearly into view.
It’s a lingering memory from this past spring’s TSSAA baseball state tournament run with Nolensville, a frequent title contender which has made a tradition of going blonde for the postseason.
Now he’s carrying the same aspirations held with Nolensville baseball, over to the 2026 TSSAA football season. Newell and the Knights secured a winning start to the campaign, defeating Lebanon 21-14 in a Week 1 matchup on Aug. 20.
Newell completed 5-of-12 passes for 47 yards and a touchdown while adding 85 yards on the ground to lead the Knights (1-0). Running
back Tristen Lithmexay rushed for 82 yards and two touchdowns, including a go-ahead TD with 4:54 to play. Lebanon fell to 0-1 to start the 2026 TSSAA football season.
“He’d fight a grizzly bear with a spoon. That’s just kind of what he is and how tough he is,” Knights coach Scott Stidham said of his quarterback. “I’m glad he’s on our side.”
Newell grew up playing both baseball and football, following in the footsteps of his dad, Tim, a former multi-sport standout in high school who went on to play baseball at Bowling Green. Carrying on the family legacy, Newell committed to Bowling Green baseball in May, but despite a future awaiting on the baseball diamond, Newell lives for Friday nights.
“To be honest, football (is my favorite),” Newell said. “I love football. There’s nothing like the student section, Friday night lights. I would love to play both at Bowling Green, but I’m trying to (focus on) baseball my freshman year.”
Newell’s late arrival to preseason football practices did little to slow his development entering his senior season. While the majority of his teammates began the offseason march early in the spring, Newell wasn’t able to join the team until the conclusion of the baseball season in late May.
To make up for the missed action, Newell’s sole focus each fall rests on the field, where he hopes to lead the Knights past the second round of playoffs for the first time since 2022.
“Summer is a mix of football and baseball now. And then in the fall, it’s just football,” Newell said. “I don’t pick up a bat, baseball, nothing. I’m just focused on football. Then right when the season ends, it’s back to baseball. Ready to get a state championship.”
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: Why Nolensville QB Ryan Newell is all-in on football, despite college baseball future
