#TNHSFB: State Title Contenders (D2-Class A, AA, AAA)

D2-Class A

1. USJ Bruins

– Could the 2021 season be the year for the Bruins to walk away with a state title? It’s possible as this team returns a lot of key veterans that finished runner up in last year’s D2-Class A championship game. The Bruins must find a replacement at QB but they return a big play threat in Sr (RB) Steele Haynes and two linemen up front who are poised for postseason honors in two-way talent Joshua Jones Joshua Jones 6'1" | 285 lbs | DL USJ | 2022 State TN and Sr O-lineman Gabe Williams Gabe Williams 6'4" | 295 lbs | OL USJ | 2022 TN . Another two-way talent to watch for this year will be 2023 TE/DL Raleigh Seals Raleigh Seals 6'4" | 225 lbs | TE USJ | 2023 TN . This is a well coached, veteran laden team that has the parts to play their way back to Cookeville this season.

2. DCA Wildcats

– The Wildcats were one game away from competing for a state championship last season, however the good news is this team returns several key vets from last year’s deep run in the playoffs. DCA has a key leader at a key position with the return of quarterback Bradford Gaines. A poised passer, Gaines has some nice targets to throw to in (WR) Jacob Cook Jacob Cook 6'0" | 165 lbs | WR DCA | 2022 TN and (WR) Nathan Magalei Nathan Magalei 5'10" | 175 lbs | WR DCA | 2022 TN . The line of scrimmage is pretty stout too with Aidan Francis Aidan Francis 6'1" | 280 lbs | OL DCA | 2022 TN and two-way lineman L.J. Tolbert L.J. Tolbert 6'1" | 260 lbs | DL DCA | 2023 TN leading the way. It would be surprising at all to see the Wildcats makeup for last season and earn their way to Cookeville.

3. King’s Academy Lions

– Over the last several years, the Lions have strung together winning seasons and been close to making it to Cookeville but have yet to do so. This season looks to be a strong opportunity for them to get there as they have pieces spread throughout their roster for a formidable run. Two-way talent Nakelin McAfee Nakelin McAfee 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB King's Academy | 2022 State TN will be a focal point for the Lions and the opposition as he looks to be the lead guy on both sides of the ball. The top junior to know is a powerful people mover in Joshua Wade Joshua Wade 6'3" | 300 lbs | OL Knox. Webb | 2023 State TN . A few others will need to step up but the Lions have enough talent to contend for top honors in D2-Class A this season.

4. Friendship Christian School Commanders

– Over the years, this FCS football program has been one of the more consistently winning teams in the D2-Class A ranks and while they may not have tons of star power this year, they have enough pieces to sneak their way back to a championship game. The system and culture at FCS is what the Commanders should and will lean on this year as they develop this youthful team and manage their way through a tough schedule. One guy to watch as a game changer for the Commanders, on both sides of the ball, is senior safety Morgan McGregor Morgan McGregor 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Friendship Christian | 2022 TN .

5. MTCS Cougars

– If the Cougars look to compete for a D2-Class A state title this year, senior (QB) Aden Hooper Aden Hooper 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB MTCS | 2022 State TN will need to lead them there and put up huge numbers as well. Committed to Ky Wesleyan, Hooper is a big armed passer that has the makeup to lead his team deep into the playoffs but he will need help from his offensive teammates and stellar play from the defense if they plan to get to Cookeville. Helping Hooper up front will be a strong powerful lineman in senior Aleric Watson Aleric Watson 6'6" | 285 lbs | OL MTCS | 2022 State TN , who should be playing both ways this year.

Other Contenders: First Assembly, Jackson Christian, NCS, Trinity Chrisitian Acad.

D2-Class AA

1. CPA Lions

– The defending D2-Class AA state champions virtually return every player from last year’s title team, including several key seniors that will be playing college football next season. The Lions are led by star QB Cade Law Cade Law 6'1" | 210 lbs | QB CPA | 2022 State TN ,who recently committed to play baseball at Vanderbilt. Joining Law will be stud two way talent Reed Williford and D1 offered O-lineman Evan Carney Evan Carney 6'5" | 275 lbs | OL CPA | 2022 State TN . On defense the Lions are stout with D-linemen Colin Stewart Colin Stewart 6'2" | 240 lbs | DL CPA | 2022 State TN and Bo Chance Bo Chance 6'2" | 230 lbs | DL CPA | 2022 State TN up front and all-star linebacker Langston Patterson Langston Patterson 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Christ Presbyterian | 2022 State TN running the show. Every piece is there for the Lions to repeat as state champs but it will be a tougher path to get there.

2. Lipscomb Academy Mustangs

– This is a loaded Mustangs team that might be one of the more talented squads in the entire state. The one factor standing in their way from a state title is their rival, CPA. The Lions defeated Lipscomb in the D2-Class AA state championship last season and both teams virtually return almost every player. This year’s version will be seasoned with talent sitting at every level, led by star quarterback Luther Richesson Luther Richesson 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Lipscomb Academy | 2022 State TN and Boston College commit, running back Alex Broome Alex Broome 5'8" | 190 lbs | RB Lipscomb Academy | 2022 State TN . All signs point towards a Lions, Mustangs rematch for this year’s championship.

3. Lausanne Lynx

– The Lynx have a team this season that both the Lions and Mustangs above must watch for because this West Tennessee team has some serious talent! Running the show on offense is SEC offered quarterback Brock Glenn Brock Glenn 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Lausanne | 2023 State TN with two beasts up front blocking for him in senior (OL) Donte Gillard Donte Gillard 6'4" | 320 lbs | OL Lausanne | 2022 State TN and rising junior Tyler Bell Tyler Bell 6'3" | 295 lbs | OL Lausanne | 2023 State TN . The Lynx have a stellar defense as well with Myles Saulsberry Myles Saulsberry 6'2" | 285 lbs | DL Lausanne | 2022 State TN causing damage up front, linebacker Ben Bolton Ben Bolton 6'3" | 215 lbs | LB Lausanne | 2022 State TN chasing down the ball and junior (DB) Langston Rogers Langston Rogers 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Lausanne | 2023 State TN locking down the backend. This could be the best overall team from the West Tennessee region for the 2021 season.

4. Davidson Academy Bears

– Coming off back to back D2-Class A state titles, the Bears have moved up into the D2-Class AA ranks where the competition is tougher and the path towards championships will be harder but this program is definitely up for the task. The Bears are having to replace some key pieces from the past few years but return a solid line of scrimmage with senior (DE) Kendyle Ball Kendyle Ball 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Davidson Academy | 2022 State TN and two-way talent Jalen Brockman Jalen Brockman 6'3" | 275 lbs | DL Davidson Academy | 2022 State TN along with a big offseason addition in running back Diivonta Phillips Diivonta Phillips 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Davidson Academy | 2022 State TN . It may be a harder road this year for the Bears but they are more than capable of holding their own.

5. Boyd Buchanan Buccaneers

– The Bucs have been building this team and program over the past several years, leading towards a season like this where they have as much talent as ever and some star power to help push them into D2-Class A championship contention. The top guy to mention has to be tight end and Virginia commit, Karson Gay Karson Gay 6'6" | 225 lbs | TE Boyd Buchanan | 2022 State TN . The 6’6 pass catcher can be a game changer for the Bucs but he isn’t the only one. New addition Malachi Powell is an athletic playmaker while senior two-way lineman Colbe Haddox Colbe Haddox 6'4" | 285 lbs | DL Boyd Buchanan | 2022 State TN owns the line of scrimmage. Junior (QB) Jacob Hutcheson Jacob Hutcheson 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Boyd Buchanan | 2023 TN is also a new addition that could go a long way in helping push the Bucs to the top of the D2-Class A ranks.

Other Contenders: ECS, FRA, Goodpasture, Knox. Webb,

D2-Class AAA

1. Christian Brothers Purple Wave

– All eyes will be on running back and Ohio St. commit, Dallan Hayden Dallan Hayden 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Christian Brothers | 2022 State TN as he looks to lead his Purple Wave squad to Cookeville and a Class AAA state title. He is the star that all defenses will be keyed on, so the play and leadership from QB Ashton Strother Ashton Strother 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Christian Brothers | 2022 State TN will be huge towards the CBHS offense putting up big numbers and helping push the team deep into the playoffs. Over on defense, the Purple Wave will be leaning heavily on DE/LB Bryce Dailey Bryce Dailey 6'4" | 235 lbs | ATH Christian Brothers | 2022 State TN and rising junior Def. Back Jaxon Hammond Jaxon Hammond 5'11" | 160 lbs | DB Christian Brothers | 2023 State TN to be playmakers and game changers. This is a very talented team that should be at the top of Class AAA all season long.

2. Baylor Red Raiders

– This could be a big year for the Red Raiders, especially if the offense plays up to their potential and everybody stays healthy. Leading the offense will be Sr (QB) Cooper Wick Cooper Wick 6'3" | 180 lbs | QB Baylor | 2022 State TN and he has some targets to work with like Jermiah Skipworth, Jr Jermiah Skipworth, Jr 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB Baylor | 2022 TN and two-way 2023 talent Evan Haynie Evan Haynie 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Baylor School | 2023 State TN . Blocking up front is elite 2023 O-lineman Brycen Sanders Brycen Sanders 6'6" | 285 lbs | OL Baylor School | 2023 State TN and sturdy senior Bo Black Bo Black 6'5" | 305 lbs | OL Baylor | 2022 State TN . Chasing down the ball on defense is linebacker and Virginia commit, Trey McDonald Trey McDonald 6'4" | 210 lbs | LB Baylor | 2022 State TN . The Red Raiders could be the most complete team in D2-Class AAA but it will be a long road and a tough path if they want to end the 2021 campaign with a state title.

3. MBA Big Red

– Over the next two years, the Big Red will have one of the best QB’s in the state running the show in junior Marcel Reed Marcel Reed 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB MBA | 2023 State TN , so they are a leg up on most competition when it comes to having star power at the most important position. What the Big Red have around Reed is key towards their goal of a state title. They have great protection up front with stud tackle Grayson Morgan Grayson Morgan 6'6" | 270 lbs | OL MBA | 2022 State TN and two way lineman Harrison Jackson Harrison Jackson 6'3" | 265 lbs | DL MBA | 2022 State TN . MBA also has a sound defensive scheme that allows them to stay in most games, so the pieces and team are there to maneuver their way deep through the playoffs.

4. MUS Owls

– Teams across the D2-Class AAA landscape need to watch out for the Owls this season as they have a signal caller in senior George Hamsley and a big time wideout in Clarkson Shoaf Clarkson Shoaf 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR MUS | 2022 State TN that can help lead their team to Cookeville. What will be the biggest key for the Owls and a successful season will be the defense. That side of the ball is having to replace some serious talent but they have some youth that should plug in some holes. It’s the offense that holds weight this year and is the force that can push the Owls towards a big 2021 season.

5. Pope John Paul Knights

– The 2021 Knights could be the sleeper team and spoiler of the D2-Class AAA region as they have a quarterback in junior Kenny Minchey Kenny Minchey 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Pope Prep | 2023 State TN that has all the talent to put up points and win tons of games. He will be helped by a veteran offensive line ( Jett Martinez Jett Martinez 6'5" | 260 lbs | OL Pope John Paul | 2022 State TN , Logan Penhollow Logan Penhollow 6'3" | 275 lbs | OL Pope John Paul | 2022 TN ) and a possible star in the making at receiver in Colin Cook Colin Cook 6'3" | 185 lbs | WR Pope John Paul | 2023 State TN . The key for the Knights this season will be their defense. If they keep low scores and have the game close at the end, Minchey and the Knights offense will have a shot in every game.