The Five: Class 1A Top Title Contenders

As we wrap up our preseason look at Class 1A football, here we breakdown the five teams headed into the year that look like top championship contenders and why they have a great shot at walking away as state champs.   1. McKenzie Rebels …#WestTN Head Coach: Wade Comer - The defending Class 1A state champs are back to repeat from last year and they have a great chance to do just that, especially with basically all their top talent returning as well as many other strong contributors. Everything starts in the backfield for the Rebels with quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="150306" first="Jackson" last="Cassidy"] and two-way talent [player_tooltip player_id="102344" first="Marquez" last="Taylor"]. Both of these guys are college level prospects along with strong contenders for Mr. Football but they are also the catalysts that provide the spark and big play abilities towards victories. The Rebels have a well oiled machine on offense that will be tough to handle this season but it will be their defense that is key towards repeating as champions. While the McKenzie offense was its biggest factor towards winning the championship last year, it was their defense that played over their heads and performed at a high level throughout the entire season but can it be repeated? I think it can but possibly in different ways as new players will be expected to step up, especially within the front seven. The secondary however will be the strength on defense led by Taylor at cornerback followed by two athletic standouts in [player_tooltip player_id="123167" first="Zay" last="Webber"] and [player_tooltip player_id="150528" first="Zach" last="Chandler"]. If the boys in the trenches step up and play their part, the rest of the defense should take over and shine with their high level athleticism. McKenzie will be the team to beat all season long as teams will be gunning for them but they look well equipped to compete for another shot at the Class 1A title and repeat as state champs.   2. Peabody Golden Tide …#WestTN Head Coach: Shane Jacobs - Nobody has won more football games over the past five years in the Class 1A ranks other than Peabody and the 2022 season looks to be no different as the Golden Tide look primed for a title run. Led by stud quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="102221" first="Sam" last="Driggers"], the Peabody offense will be the main catalyst this season towards a successful season as they have the leader behind center along with a strong offensive line to push them all the way into the 1A championship game. The biggest question mark about the Golden Tide offense this season is their skill positions and if several guys step forward and establish themselves as go to guys, watch out because this football program knows how to win games. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-340623" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/sdriggers.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> The Peabody coaching staff won’t have to just lean on the offense for success as their defense looks quite stout too and may be the force that helps the Golden Tide reach the promise land. The secondary looks to be the strong point on defense with senior’s Kylen Wade and Derek Kee roaming the back end but the front seven will be the area to follow. Led by senior lineman David Whitten, the Golden Tide have several strong pieces up front but need others to step up and become forces if this defense wants to play at its highest potential. This program knows how to win, so until things change in Trenton, you can expect Peabody to be in the mix for state titles and the 2022 Golden Tide version looks poised to chase after another championship.   3. Fayetteville Tigers …#MidTN Head Coach: Daniel Johnson - Could the 2022 season be where these Tigers finally breakthrough and walk away with a Class 1A state title? It’s a very strong possibility as Fayetteville is loaded this year with high quality talent and veterans that can push this Middle Tennessee program towards a football championship. This year’s team is well balanced on both sides of the ball with multiple players headed to a college future and others ready to take the reins and establish themselves as future stars. Offensively, the Tigers are well equipped to put up some big numbers this year, led by a senior backfield of quarterback Sam Holdmeyer and running back Aljarea Johnson. The offense also has a beast up front to run behind in [player_tooltip player_id="317188" first="Andre" last="Allen"], who is receiving a lot of interest from college programs. Looking over on defense, these guys might be the difference in the Tigers walking away with a state title this season as they are loaded up front with two guys destined for D1 football. Fayetteville has two all-state performers in linebacker and current Memphis commit [player_tooltip player_id="211373" first="Isaiah" last="Thomison"] and underrated stud defensive end [player_tooltip player_id="102361" first="Braxton" last="Wilson"] to lead the way on defense. These two senior defenders are tone setters and talented performers that should make the others around them step up their games. This defense also has a young but talented secondary that should have a guy or two standout and become top names. The rest of the teams from the Class 1A ranks have to watch out for these Tigers this season as they have a lot of pieces that can make some serious noise this season and compete for that top spot in the Class 1A ranks. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-365423" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/braxwilson-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" />   4. Gordonsville Tigers …#MidTN Head Coach: Scott Clemons - One of the more consistent programs over the past decade has been these Tigers and the 2022 season looks to be no different as this year’s version might be one of the best teams they have had during this stretch along with the pieces to push towards a championship run. Everything starts with Mr. Football candidate, quarterback Matthew Albritton. The senior two-way talent runs everything on offense at quarterback and does a good job of leading his guys with his poise, football knowledge and knack for making plays. Helping Albritton is a strong and sturdy offensive line that has multiple pieces in the trenches with veteran experience and talent that can earn All-State honors at seasons end. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-375065" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/07/malbritton-crop-489x321-1656686711-300x197.webp" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> The Tigers offense will be good and I think will lead the way but if they want to compete for that state championship, it’s their defense that will need to step up and play lights out football. The line of scrimmage and secondary will be a work in progress as the season goes on, so early on it will be their linebackers, led by Bryson Greer and Will Dudney that will lead the way. Both Greer and Dudney are strong, physical run stuffers that can set the tone and make others around them better. If this defense matures and grows as the season goes on, watch out for these Tigers as they could sneak up on the top three and find themselves playing for it all. They have a veteran quarterback and an O-line that could put the rest of the team on their backs and take them all the way to the 1A title game.   5. South Pittsburg Pirates …#EastTN Head Coach: Heath Grider - This is the program that has been the most consistent in the Class 1A ranks over a long period of time now and they aren’t going anywhere as the 2022 Pirates team will be in the mix and considered one of the top teams to watch throughout the season. It will be an interesting team to follow as the coaching staff are having to replace several key players from last year’s team but they have some guys ready to step up and take the reins as lead guys. The offense will be a work in progress as the Pirates are looking for a new quarterback to run the show but whoever takes over will have some playmakers to utilize in seniors Jayden Mount and [player_tooltip player_id="372641" first="Jaterious" last="Derrick"]. The offensive line will also need time to develop but the Pirates are consistent up front and I expect them to be gelled together and playing at a high level by the back end of the season. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-375066" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/07/jaymount-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> The Pirates defense has multiple key players returning from last year’s team but are also having to plug in some new guys into areas of need. The one area that appears to be low concern headed into the season are the linebackers where juniors [player_tooltip player_id="258684" first="Jamarion" last="Farrior"] and Cameron Grider lead the way. These are two high volume tacklers that will be tough to handle this year but their play could be even better if the front four and back end step up and play at a high level. Those are the two areas on the Pirates defense that will have new players in new roles competing this season but if prospects like Mount and Derrick help in the secondary, the defense might improve rapidly before mid-year. South Pitt tends to always put themselves in the mix for a state title, so you can’t sleep on the Pirates this season as they simply know how to win and if all comes together early in the year, watch out cause this East Tennessee program could be in the running for yet another Class 1A title. Three Other Teams to Watch: Lake Co. (WestTN), Humboldt (WestTN), Coalfield (EastTN)