#PRZTN Feature: Class 3A Season Preview
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Moving right along with our preseason previews, here we look at Class 3A by predicting the regions and telling you who are the top players to watch headed into the Fall football season. Once again, the team to beat is…
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Continue ReadingMoving right along with our preseason previews, here we look at Class 3A by predicting the regions and telling you who are the top players to watch headed into the Fall football season.
Once again, the team to beat is the Alcoa Tornadoes but several others throughout this classification appear to have strong squads and are ready to compete for a 3A title.
Class 3A
Predicted Order of Finish
Region 1
1. Unicoi Co.
2. Chuckey Doak
3. Claiborne
4. Johnson Co.
5. West Greene
Chuckey Doak Black Knights
‘23: (LB) Dillon Shelton, (QB) Cadin Tullock, (WR/S) Austin Morris, (Ath) Rio Little, (WR/S) Will Garber
‘25: (RB) Hayden Roper
Claiborne Bulldogs
‘23: (TE/LB) Landen Poore, (OL) Ethan Short
‘24: (LB) Jaris Bunch Jaris Bunch 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Claiborne | 2024 TN
‘25: (RB) Tyler Sharp, (QB) Isaac Daniels
Johnson Co. Longhorns
‘23: (DT/OL) Tony Cannon, (RB) Germivy Tucker
Unicoi Co. Blue Devils
‘23: (LB) Logan Groom, (RB) Nehemiah Edwards, (OL/DL) Brody Rasnick
‘24: (WR/S) Mason Hensley, (QB) Ty Engle
‘25: (WR/S) Rhett Allen, (Ath) Ryan Allen, (LB) Audie Brown
West Greene Buffaloes
‘23: (WR/Ath) Ethan Turner
‘24: (OG/C) Zachary Carroll, (QB/Ath) Baxley Britton
Top 5 College Prospects: (LB) Logan Groom – Unicoi Co., (DE/LB) Dillon Shelton – Chuckey Doak, (RB) Nehemiah Edwards – Unicoi Co., (TE/LB) Landen Poore – Claiborne, ‘24 (QB) Ty Engle – Unicoi Co.
Region 2
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Alcoa
2. Gatlinburg-Pittman
3. Northview Academy
4. Pigeon Forge
5. Austin-East
6. Union Co.
Alcoa Tornadoes
‘23: (OG) Lance Williams Lance Williams 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL Alcoa | 2023 State TN , (OT/G) Tyler Jeffries Tyler Jeffries 6'4" | 290 lbs | OL Alcoa | 2023 State TN , (Ath) Jordan Harris Jordan Harris 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB Alcoa | 2023 State TN , (QB) Zach Lunsford Zach Lunsford 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Alcoa | 2023 State TN , (LB) Aaron Davis Aaron Davis 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Alcoa | 2023 State TN , (DE) Riley Long Riley Long 6'2" | 230 lbs | DL Alcoa | 2023 State TN , (K) Griffin McAlister
‘24: (OL) Eli Burchfield Eli Burchfield 6'3" | 260 lbs | OL Alcoa | 2024 TN , (LB) Elijah Cannon Elijah Cannon 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Alcoa | 2024 State TN , (TE/DE) Bryce Hayes Bryce Hayes 6'3" | 225 lbs | DL Alcoa | 2024 TN , (DE/LB) Joe McCord Joe McCord 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB Alcoa | 2024 State TN , (WR) Brennen Duggan, (DE/LB) Kaden Bogan Kaden Bogan 6'0" | 210 lbs | DL Alcoa | 2024 TN
‘25: (TE) Eli Owens Eli Owens 6'3" | 230 lbs | TE Alcoa | 2025 State TN
Austin-East Roadrunners
‘23: (RB/LB) Markeyis Billingsley Markeyis Billingsley 5'10" | 210 lbs | RB Austin-East | 2023 TN , (QB/Ath) Leshaud Holloway, (DB) Tyric Jones, (DE) James Walk
‘24: (LB) Sam Beaty Sam Beaty 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Austin-East | 2024 TN , (DB) Marco Allen, (LB) Isaiah Flowers
‘25: (DB) Terrance Brown Terrance Brown 5'11" | 160 lbs | DB Austin East | 2025 TN , (WR) DeCoriyeon Brown DeCoriyeon Brown 6'3" | 175 lbs | DB Austin East | 2025 State TN , (QB) Juwaan Troutman
Gatlinburg-Pittman Highlanders
‘23: (WR/S) Jackson DeSear Jackson DeSear 6'1" | 190 lbs | WR Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2023 TN
‘24: (WR) Carlos Orr Carlos Orr 6'4" | 185 lbs | WR Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2024 State TN , (QB) Brady Hammonds Brady Hammonds 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2024 State TN , (LB) Whittman Whaley Whittman Whaley 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2024 State TN , (LB) Luke Burkett Luke Burkett 6'2" | 230 lbs | ATH Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2024 TN , (DB/RB) Carlton Gheesling, (OG/C) Joseph Ryznic Joseph Ryznic 6'2" | 285 lbs | OL Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2024 TN , (OL) Jake Moore Jake Moore 6'3" | 225 lbs | LB MBA | 2024 State TN
‘25: (RB/S) Tegan Evera, (RB/LB) Evan Allen, (OL/DT) Zion Naillon
Northview Academy Cougars
‘23: (OG/C) Caleb Browder Caleb Browder 6'3" | 280 lbs | OL Northview Acad. | 2023 TN , (FB/LB) Jackson Ghent Jackson Ghent 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Northview Acad. | 2023 TN , (RB) Jabriah Atha, (RB/S) Tyler Gildersleeve, (FB/LB) Jaymaal Baker, (QB/LB) Jesse Romines
‘24: (TE) Evan Poticher Evan Poticher 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Northview Acad. | 2024 State TN , (DE/LB) Chris Gibbons, (OG/C) Brandon Vanmeter, (QB/S) Kerim Durmaz, (OL/DT) Samuel Yalley
Pigeon Forge Tigers
‘23: (RB) Aidan Littles Aidan Littles 5'10" | 190 lbs | ATH Pigeon Forge | 2023 State TN , (DL) Caleb Wolfe,
‘24: (RB) Aidan Howard Aidan Howard 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Pigeon Forge | 2024 TN , (RB/S) Blake Hill
Union Co. Patriots
‘23: (WR/S) Peyton Ray, (DE/LB) Austin Woodie
‘24: (DT/OL) Daniel Muncey, (QB/S) Micah Treece, (RB) Derrick Cooper, (DT/OL) Andrew Daniels
‘25: (OG/C) Mike Ensley
Top 5 College Prospects: (OG) Lance Williams Lance Williams 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL Alcoa | 2023 State TN – Alcoa, (OT/G) Tyler Jeffries Tyler Jeffries 6'4" | 290 lbs | OL Alcoa | 2023 State TN – Alcoa, (Ath) Jordan Harris Jordan Harris 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB Alcoa | 2023 State TN – Alcoa, ‘25 (TE) Eli Owens Eli Owens 6'3" | 230 lbs | TE Alcoa | 2025 State TN – Alcoa, ‘24 (WR) Carlos Orr Carlos Orr 6'4" | 185 lbs | WR Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2024 State TN – Gatlinburg-Pittman
Region 3
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Brainerd
2. Signal Mountain
3. McMinn Central
4. Loudon
5. Kingston
6. Sweetwater
Brainerd Panthers
‘23: (TE) Donivon Thomas Donivon Thomas 6'5" | 225 lbs | LB Brainerd | 2023 State TN , (DT/OL) Demetrius Locklin Demetrius Locklin 6'2" | 295 lbs | DL Brainerd | 2023 TN
‘24: (Ath) Anthony Byrd, (DB) Terrance Lee
‘25: (S) Martels Carter Jr Martels Carter Jr 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Paducah Tilghman | 2025 State KY
Kingston Yellowjackets
‘23: (WR/S) Mason Martin, (Ath) Javaris Gallaher, (RB) Austin Edmonds
Loudon Redskins
‘24: (WR/S) Jackson Collins
McMinn Central Chargers
‘23: (S) Novice Cox, (Ath) Blake Elrod, (DB) River Turpin, (RB) Isaiah Edmonds
‘24: (S) Bay Harbison
‘25: (DT/OL) Richard Warfield
Signal Mountain Hawks
‘23: (DL) Malik Aljack Malik Aljack 6'2" | 255 lbs | DL Signal Mountain | 2023 State TN , (LB/RB) Ripley Hutcherson Ripley Hutcherson 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Signal Mountain | 2023 State TN , (DE) Daniel Odom, (DB) Forrest Payne, (TE/DE) Luke Alexander
‘24: (OG/C) Jace McConnon
Sweetwater Wildcats
‘23: (FB/LB) Malik Arnett, (S) Dallas Presley
‘25: (RB) Brayden Westfield Brayden Westfield 5'9" | 200 lbs | RB Sweetwater | 2025 TN
Top 5 College Prospects: (TE) Donivon Thomas Donivon Thomas 6'5" | 225 lbs | LB Brainerd | 2023 State TN – Brainerd, ‘25 (S) Martels Carter Jr Martels Carter Jr 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Paducah Tilghman | 2025 State KY – Brainerd, (DL) Malik Aljack Malik Aljack 6'2" | 255 lbs | DL Signal Mountain | 2023 State TN – Signal Mnt., (LB) Ripley Hutcherson Ripley Hutcherson 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Signal Mountain | 2023 State TN – Signal Mnt., (DT/OL) Demetrius Locklin Demetrius Locklin 6'2" | 295 lbs | DL Brainerd | 2023 TN – Brainerd
Region 4
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Giles Co.
2. Cannon Co.
3. Sequatchie Co.
4. Community
5. Grundy Co.
Cannon Co. Lions
‘23: (DT/OL) Josh Mingle Josh Mingle 6'3" | 325 lbs | DL Cannon Co. | 2023 TN , (G/C) Talon Paxson, (S) Branson Smithson
‘24: (RB) Ryan Perkins Ryan Perkins 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Cannon Co. | 2024 TN , (LB) Brady Lane Brady Lane 6'4" | 225 lbs | LB Stone Memorial | 2024 TN
‘25: (OG/C) Foster Kemp, (RB/S) Zae Odom, (DE) Lindan Folds, (LB) Dylan Gunter
Community Vikings
‘23: (QB/S) Dallas Grooms Dallas Grooms 5'10" | 180 lbs | QB Community | 2023 TN
‘24: (RB) Maki Fleming, (TE/DE) Reid Wallace
Giles Co. Bobcats
‘23: (DB) Trevon Dangerfield, (S) Trey Ballentine, (FB/LB) Bryson Gordon
‘24: (RB/DB) Kamauri Turner Kamauri Turner 5'9" | 165 lbs | ATH Giles Co. | 2024 State TN , (OL) Amare Smith, (LB) Jesse Murray, (DB) Tyrick Brown Tyrick Brown 5'9" | 165 lbs | DB Giles Co. | 2024 TN
Grundy Co. Yellowjackets
‘24: (WR/DB) Dakota Grayson
Sequatchie Co. Indians
‘23: (OL) Brandon Presto, (QB/S) Payton Campbell, (LB) Brayden Johnson
‘24: (DL) Evan Griffith, (OL) Kyle Shell
‘25: (QB) Sam Evitts Sam Evitts 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Sequatchie County | 2025 TN
Top 5 College Prospects: (DB) Trevon Dangerfield – Giles Co., (DT/OL) Josh Mingle Josh Mingle 6'3" | 325 lbs | DL Cannon Co. | 2023 TN – Cannon Co., (DB) Trey Ballentine – Giles Co., ‘24 (Ath) Kamauri Turner Kamauri Turner 5'9" | 165 lbs | ATH Giles Co. | 2024 State TN – Giles Co., ‘24 (RB) Ryan Perkins Ryan Perkins 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Cannon Co. | 2024 TN – Cannon Co.,
Region 5
Predicted Order of Finish
1. East Nashville
2. Smith Co.
3. Maplewood
4. Stratford
5. Jackson Co.
East Nashville Eagles
‘23: (WR) Trey Joyner Trey Joyner 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR East Nashville | 2023 State TN , (OL) DeMarco Ellis, (S) De’Myius Trotter, (Ath) Frank Gordon, (DB) Rolando Braxton, Jr, (WR) Frank Mayes, (QB/LB) Zack Beard, (G/NT) Peyton McEwen
‘24: (DT) Malik Bolling Malik Bolling 6'2" | 255 lbs | DL East Nashville | 2024 State TN , (QB) Justyce Law
‘25: (S) Kendrick Allen, Jr
Jackson Co. Blue Devils
‘23: (RB/DB) Braylen Marcy
‘24: (LB) Jacob Allen
‘25: (LB) Maddox Wilson
Maplewood Panthers
‘23: (DB) Mekhii Harris
‘24: (Ath) TyRon Hayes
Smith Co. Owls
‘23: (OT/G) Dane Woodard Dane Woodard 6'10" | 355 lbs | OL Smith Co. | 2023 State TN , (OL) Jimmy Enoch Jimmy Enoch 6'6" | 295 lbs | OL Smith Co. | 2023 State TN , (DL) Jamison Keeley Jamison Keeley 6'2" | 240 lbs | DL Smith Co. | 2023 TN , (Ath) Johnny Lyda, (LB) Bryce Currie, (WR/S) Tristin Washer
‘24: (QB) Peyton Hix, (WR/DB) Kylan Johnson, (OL) Javier Gaspar, (OG/C) Trenton Solomon
Stratford Spartans
‘23: (WR/DB) Rashad Otis, (WR/DB) Michael Brown
Top 5 College Prospects: (WR) Trey Joyner Trey Joyner 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR East Nashville | 2023 State TN – East Nashville, (OT/G) Dane Woodard Dane Woodard 6'10" | 355 lbs | OL Smith Co. | 2023 State TN – Smith Co., (OL) Jimmy Enoch Jimmy Enoch 6'6" | 295 lbs | OL Smith Co. | 2023 State TN – Smith Co., (OG) DeMarco Ellis, Jr DeMarco Ellis, Jr 6'5" | 280 lbs | OL East Nashville | 2023 State TN – East Nashville, (DL) Jamison Keeley Jamison Keeley 6'2" | 240 lbs | DL Smith Co. | 2023 TN – Smith Co.
Region 6
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Fairview
2. Waverly Central
3. White House
4. Cheatham Co. Central
5. Sycamore
6. Stewart Co.
7. White House-Heritage
Cheatham Co. Central Cubs
‘23: (RB) Michael Fitts, (RB/S) Noah Orange, (S) Ethan Branham, (WR/S) Matt York, (WR/S) Eric Bright
‘24: (QB) Patrick Kelly, (FB/LB) Landon Morris
‘25: (Ath) Tydarius Bright
Fairview Yellow Jackets
‘23: (RB) Layden Grant Layden Grant 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Fairview | 2023 TN , (OG/C) Connor Farris Connor Farris 6'3" | 295 lbs | OL Fairview | 2023 State TN , (DE) Cade Johns, (LB) Kendrick Curtis, (G/C) Ethan Hamilton
‘25: (OL) Parker Davis, (WR/S) Maxwell Arnold
Stewart Co. Rebels
‘23: (S) Gabe Natero Gabe Natero 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Stewart Co. | 2023 TN , (WR/S) Trent Wallace, (TE/DE) Dylon Marsh
Sycamore War Eagles
‘23: (WR/S) Rhett Hunt Rhett Hunt 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Sycamore | 2023 TN , (LB) Logan Garrett, (RB) Rayvon Green, (Ath) Dalton Williams
‘25: (QB/S) Mason Austin, (DT/OL) Brock Means
Waverly Central Tigers
‘23: (WR/S) Landon Dooley, (OT/G) Jacob Unger, (WR) Jacob Ballard, (WR/DB) Trey Maples
‘24: (WR/S) Bryce Stanfield, (OL) Hayden Stacy, (LB/FB) Jeremy Ball
White House Blue Devils
‘23: (LB/FB) Rhys Blackburn, (TE/DE) Demone Nelson Demone Nelson 6'3" | 215 lbs | ATH White House | 2023 TN , (OG/C) Parker Hollinsworth, (OG/C) Christian Mejia
‘24: (RB) Dion Gunter
‘25: (Ath) Michael Albin, (OG/C) Luke Richards, (OL) Brayden Rosenbarker
White House-Heritage Patriots
‘23: (QB/Ath) Dontarrius Teasley
‘24: (OG) Josh Lamborn
Top 5 College Prospects: (RB) Layden Grant Layden Grant 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Fairview | 2023 TN – Fairview, (OG/C) Connor Farris Connor Farris 6'3" | 295 lbs | OL Fairview | 2023 State TN – Fairview, (DE) Cade Johns – Fairview, (LB) Kendrick Curtis – Fairview, (LB) Rhys Blackburn – White House
Region 7
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Covington
2. Dyersburg
3. Millington Central
4. Ripley
5. Bolivar Central
6. Bolton
Bolivar Central Tigers
‘23: (DL) Marcus Harris
‘24: (QB) Carson Howell, (Ath) Juelle Davis
Bolton Wildcats
‘23: (WR) Daniel Hunter Daniel Hunter 6'3" | 175 lbs | WR Bolton | 2023 TN , (DT) Deon Bradley
‘24: (RB/DB) Dennis Wilkes, Jr, (WR) K’Marion Stewart
Covington Chargers
‘23: (DB) A.C. Mason-Young A.C. Mason-Young 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Covington | 2023 State TN , (RB) Jamarion Dowell Jamarion Dowell 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB Covington | 2023 State TN , (DT) Atyrun Smith Atyrun Smith 6'1" | 270 lbs | DL Covington | 2023 TN , (DL/OL) Ian Robinson Ian Robinson 6'2" | 230 lbs | DL Covington | 2023 TN , (DB) Alin Franklin
‘24: (DT/OL) James Mackey
‘25: (S) Aaron Anglin, (RB) Skylan Smith
Dyersburg Trojans
‘23: (LB) Kejuan Watkins
‘24: (Ath) Jaylen Caldwell, (DE) Nathan Paschall Nathan Paschall 6'5" | 230 lbs | DL Dyersburg | 2024 State TN , (DT/OL) Will Glass, (DB) Austin Brooks, (RB) Camarius Quinn, (WR/S) Landon Pennington
Millington Central Trojans
‘23: (OG) Rayvon Cook
‘24: (QB) Mccoy Pugh Mccoy Pugh 6'1" | 200 lbs | QB Millington Central | 2024 TN , (RB/DB) Khalik Green, (S) Johnathan Temple-Dowdy, (WR/S) Jyshawn Anderson
‘25: (QB/Ath) Cameron Puryear, (WR/S) Curtis Allen
Ripley Tigers
‘23: (LB) Taylor Carney Taylor Carney 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Ripley | 2023 TN , (S) Cobe Maners, (RB/LB) Jordan Glass, (DB) Joseph Holcomb, (LB) Octavian Thomas
‘24: (FB) Omarion Pitts, (S) Shemar Hayes, (OL) Conner Mooney
‘25: (QB/Ath) Sammie Smith, (LB) Austin Thompson III, (DE) Will Rose
Top 5 College Prospects: (DB) A.C. Mason-Young A.C. Mason-Young 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Covington | 2023 State TN – Covington, (RB) Jamarion Dowell Jamarion Dowell 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB Covington | 2023 State TN – Covington, (LB) Taylor Carney Taylor Carney 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Ripley | 2023 TN – Ripley, (DL/OL) Atyrun Smith Atyrun Smith 6'1" | 270 lbs | DL Covington | 2023 TN – Covington, ’24 (QB) Mccoy Pugh Mccoy Pugh 6'1" | 200 lbs | QB Millington Central | 2024 TN – Millington Central
Region 8
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Sheffield
2. Raleigh-Egypt
3. Trezevant
4. Memphis East
5. Douglass
6. Hamilton
7. Memphis Business Academy
Memphis East Mustangs
‘23: (WR/S) Alec Jones
‘24: (RB) Jaxon Coates, (TE/DE) Dillon Brooks
Raleigh-Egypt Pharaohs
‘23: (WR/DB) Jermarrious Hoskins
‘24: (DB) Travion Baker Travion Baker 6'1" | 180 lbs | ATH Melrose | 2024 State TN , (WR) Nicholas Banks, (DT) James Gibbs
‘25: (Ath) Nacole Wiley
Sheffield Knights
‘23: (S) Mark Joseph Mark Joseph 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Sheffield | 2023 State TN , (DL) Jalian Lee Jalian Lee 6'2" | 220 lbs | DL Sheffield | 2023 TN , (DB) Kenyon Spearman Kenyon Spearman 5'8" | 170 lbs | ATH Sheffield | 2023 TN , (RB) Elijah Sanders
‘24: (WR/DB) Antonio Bell Antonio Bell 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Sheffield | 2024 TN , (WR) Jayson Jones
‘25: (RB) Javarius Triplett
Trezevant Bears
‘24: (TE/DE) Kevion Munford, (OL) Isaiah Taylor, (QB/Ath) Dontez McKinley
Top 5 College Prospects: (S) Mark Joseph Mark Joseph 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Sheffield | 2023 State TN – Sheffield, (DE) Jalian Lee Jalian Lee 6'2" | 220 lbs | DL Sheffield | 2023 TN – Sheffield, (DB) Kenyon Spearman Kenyon Spearman 5'8" | 170 lbs | ATH Sheffield | 2023 TN – Sheffield, ‘24 (DB) Travion Baker Travion Baker 6'1" | 180 lbs | ATH Melrose | 2024 State TN – Raleigh-Egypt, ‘24 (WR/DB) Antonio Bell Antonio Bell 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Sheffield | 2024 TN – Sheffield