#PRZTN: Week Two POTW/Game Balls
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The second week of high school football here in Tennessee is completed and boy did we have some big time individual performances but who were the best? Below, Prep RedZone Tennessee provides you their top performers of the week from…
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Continue ReadingThe second week of high school football here in Tennessee is completed and boy did we have some big time individual performances but who were the best?
Below, Prep RedZone Tennessee provides you their top performers of the week from each major region as well as each classification spread throughout the state.
East Tennessee
(RB) Brayden Latham – Knox. West
* 25 carr. for 251 yds & 3 TD’s *
– The Rebels have been impressive through two weeks of the season and Latham has been a big reason towards the start and someone quietly working his way in the Mr. Football picture. This was a monster performance in the Rebels 40-21 win over Farragut last week where Latham was a one man wrecking crew that the Admirals defense did not have an answer for. After two weeks, Latham sits within the top five rushers in the state and looks poised for another strong game this Friday against Knox. Halls.
Middle Tennessee
(Ath) Malaki Dowell Malaki Dowell 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB White Co. | 2023 State TN – White Co.
* 33 carr. for 258 yds & 3 TD’s (4 tcks, 1 FF on Def.) *
– All this senior athlete knows how to do is produce yards and points and last week against Warren Co., Dowell had yet another strong performance where he was the workhorse towards the Spartans 22-21 win over the Pioneers. Dowell is an explosive runner that displayed his running skills last week but he is such a good athlete that he could excel at multiple positions. The numbers that Dowell is putting up, already puts him in the picture for Mr. Football and will no doubt increase his recruiting stock as well.
West Tennessee
(RB) Braylon Cato Braylon Cato 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Fayette Ware | 2023 State TN – Fayette-Ware
* 21 carr. for 244 yds & 6 TD’s *
– After losing in game one, Fayette-Ware bounced back big time in Week Two, behind the legs of Cato, who broke out for six rushing touchdowns in the Wildcats 60-26 win over McNairy Central. Last week’s win was a must have for the Cats and someone like Cato needed to step and take over and he did just that. This West Tennessee back was one of the top rushers in the state as a junior and this performance shows that he is ready for another big year.
#PRZTN Game Balls
Class 1A
(Ath) Marquez Taylor Marquez Taylor 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB McKenzie | 2023 State TN – McKenzie
* 13 carr. for 219 yds & 4 TD’s *
– Taylor was a one man show last week, moving the Rebels to 2-0 and remaining at the top of the #PRZTN polls as the best team in the Class 1A ranks.
Others Considered: (QB) Sam Driggers Sam Driggers 6'0" | 200 lbs | QB Peabody | 2023 State TN – Peabody, ‘24 (Ath) Dawson White Dawson White 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Moore Co. | 2024 TN – Moore Co., (Ath) Takoda Freeman – Unaka
Class 2A
‘25 (Ath) Isaiah Groves – East Robertson
* 12 carr. for 135 yds & 3 TD’s *
– The future for the Indians team shined bright last Friday in their 41-19 win over White House-Heritage as Groves dominated the field with the ball in his hands and showed major upside as a future college prospect.
Others Considered: (RB) Desi Hemphill – Freedom Prep, (Ath) Jaden Petty – Harpeth, ‘24 (LB) Drew Lindsey Drew Lindsey 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB Hickman Co. | 2024 TN – Hickman Co.
Class 3A
‘24 (QB) Carson Howell – Bolivar Central
* 24-32 passing for 388 yds & 5 TD’s *
– The Tigers had an offensive explosion last week against Liberty Tech, scoring 51 points with a lot of that being done by way of Howell and his right arm.
Others Considered: (DE) Cade Johns Cade Johns 6'3" | 240 lbs | DL Fairview | 2023 TN – Fairview, (RB) Layden Grant Layden Grant 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Fairview | 2023 TN – Fairview, (WR) Josiah Clark – Bolivar Cent., ‘24 (WR) Carlos Orr Carlos Orr 6'4" | 185 lbs | WR Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2024 State TN – G-Pittman
Class 4A
‘24 (QB) Carter Smith Carter Smith 6'3" | 210 lbs | QB Hardin Co. | 2024 State TN – Hardin Co.
* 14-24 passing for 327 yds & 2 TD’s *
– The Tigers picked up win number two on the season last Friday behind the right arm of Smith, who sprayed the football all over the field, throwing several college level passes. Watch out for Hardin Co. as a 4A title contender going forward!
Others Considered: (Ath) Kam Haymon – Hardin Co., ‘24 (QB) Silas Teat Silas Teat 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Marshall Co. | 2024 State TN – Marshall Co., ‘25 (WR) Aja Jones Aja Jones 5'11" | 160 lbs | WR Marshall Co. | 2025 State TN – Marshall Co.
Class 5A
(DE/LB) Aiden Wilson – McMinn Co.
* 15 total tcks, 10 solo, 4 TFL, 3 QBH & 1 sack *
– While this performance came in a 6-3 loss to Cleveland, Wilson was a beast last Friday night, constantly playing in the backfield and causing havoc for the Blue Raiders offense.
Others Considered: ‘24 (QB) Joshuah Keith Joshuah Keith 5'10" | 180 lbs | QB Clinton | 2024 State TN – Clinton, ‘24 (RB) Frank Johnson IV Frank Johnson IV 5'10" | 200 lbs | RB Knox. Central | 2024 TN – Knox. Central, ‘24 (RB) Luke Dickens – Station Camp, ‘24 (LB/RB) Jacob Whaley – David Crockett, (DL) Chris Hunter Chris Hunter 6'6" | 285 lbs | DL Karns | 2023 State TN – Karns, ‘25 (Ath) Lamarkus Dunn Lamarkus Dunn 6'1" | 160 lbs | ATH David Crockett | 2024 TN – David Crockett
Class 6A
‘24 (RB) Damon Sisa Damon Sisa 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB Houston | 2024 State TN – Houston
* 28 carr. for 210 yds & 2 TD’s *
– The Mustangs came one point short from victory against Briarcrest Christian but Sisa was a game changer that produced a big game and gave the Saints defense fits all night long.
Others Considered: ‘24 (RB) Jaythan Pleasant – Warren Co., (LB) Jerrell Franklin Jerrell Franklin 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Oakland | 2023 State TN – Oakland, ‘24 (LB) Jay Smiley – Farragut, ‘24 (LB) Korey Smith Korey Smith 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB Oakland | 2024 State TN – Oakland, ‘24 (DB) Thomas Jones Thomas Jones 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Smyrna | 2024 State TN – Smyrna
D2-Class A
‘25 (RB) Montae Baldwin Montae Baldwin 5'8" | 185 lbs | RB Columbia Academy | 2025 TN – Columbia Academy
* 20 carr. for 210 yds & 3 TD’s *
– Last week’s 28-14 road win over Waverly was a statement for the Bulldogs and a big reason for that victory came by the legs of Baldwin, who exploded for monster numbers and had no problem putting the offense on his back.
Others Considered: ‘24 (RB) Ashton Jones Ashton Jones 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Oakland | 2024 State TN – DCA, (WR) Will Wysor – TCA, ‘24 (Ath) Kyle Davidson Kyle Davidson 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Franklin-Grace | 2024 TN – Franklin-Grace, (DE) Jaden Potts – NCS
D2-Class AA
(LB) Bryan Longwell Bryan Longwell 6'1" | 225 lbs | LB Lipscomb Academy | 2023 State TN – Lipscomb Academy
* No official stats *
– Longwell earned this honor based off of me watching his clips against Thompson (AL) last Friday where he had multiple tackles for loss, a sack and a pick six. This was all seen on National Television where he took his recruiting stock to another level!
Others Considered: ‘24 (RB) Ty Clark III Ty Clark III 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB FRA | 2024 State TN – FRA, (WR) Pierce Browning Pierce Browning 5'9" | 165 lbs | WR GCA | 2023 TN – GCA, (LB) Jackson Eller – GCA
D2-Class AAA
‘24 (Ath) Braylon Harmon Braylon Harmon 5'10" | 175 lbs | ATH Knox. Catholic | 2024 State TN – Knox. Catholic
* 6 rec. for 132 yds & 2 TD’s; 4 punt ret. for 114 yds & 1 TD *
– The most athletic player on the field last Friday, Harmon produced at a high level in multiple ways during the Fighting Irish 54-0 win over South Greene. Harmon holds a few D1 offers but more will come his way with performances like this one!
Others Considered: ‘24 (QB) Jeremy St-Hilaire Jeremy St-Hilaire 6'4" | 220 lbs | QB McCallie | 2024 State TN – McCallie, (RB) Deuce Scott Deuce Scott 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB Brentwood Acad. | 2023 State TN – Brentwood Acad., (RB) Johnothan Moore Johnothan Moore 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB MBA | 2023 State TN – MBA, (Ath) Max Carroll Max Carroll 6'3" | 210 lbs | ATH Briarcrest Christian | 2023 State TN – Briarcrest Chrst., ‘25 (DL) Ethan Utley Ethan Utley 6'4" | 265 lbs | DL Ensworth | 2025 State TN – Ensworth
Other Top Performers/Player Stats
– (QB) Sam Driggers Sam Driggers 6'0" | 200 lbs | QB Peabody | 2023 State TN – Peabody: 14-22 passing for 266 yds & 2 TD’s
– (QB) Brendan Jones Brendan Jones 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Centennial | 2023 TN – Centennial: 14-17 passing for 227 yds & 3 TD’s
– (QB) Garrett Weekly – FCS: 11-12 passing for 215 yds & 2 TD’s; Also had 1 rushing TD
– (QB) Kade Hewitt Kade Hewitt 6'1" | 215 lbs | QB Oakland | 2023 TN – Oakland: 2-4 passing for 40 yds; 18 carr. for 188 yds & 4 TD’s
– (QB) Jack Risner Jack Risner 6'5" | 220 lbs | QB Blackman | 2023 State TN – Blackman: 10-15 passing for 195 yds & 2 TD’s
– (QB) Cade Mahoney Cade Mahoney 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Green Hill | 2023 TN – Green Hill: 9-14 passing for 179 yds & 2 TD’s; Also 1 rushing TD
– ‘24 (QB) Wesley Deck Wesley Deck 5'10" | 205 lbs | QB Heritage | 2024 TN – Heritage: 22-32 passing for 316 yds & 4 TD’s
– ‘24 (QB) Joshuah Keith Joshuah Keith 5'10" | 180 lbs | QB Clinton | 2024 State TN – Clinton: 16-22 passing for 280 yds & 4 TD’s
– ‘24 (QB) Jeremy St-Hilaire Jeremy St-Hilaire 6'4" | 220 lbs | QB McCallie | 2024 State TN – McCallie: 15-20 passing for 242 yds & 2 TD’s
– ‘24 (QB) Silas Teat Silas Teat 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Marshall Co. | 2024 State TN – Marshall Co.: 13-19 passing for 216 yds & 4 TD’s
– (RB) Deuce Scott Deuce Scott 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB Brentwood Acad. | 2023 State TN – Brentwood Acad.: 23 carr. for 230 yds & 4 TD’s
– (RB/LB) Nehemiah Edwards – Unicoi Co.: 13 carr. for 180 yds & 3 TD’s
– (RB) Kameron Boyd – Jackson Chrst.: 20 carr. for 160 yds & 3 TD’s
– (RB) Emmanuel Scott – Franklin Co.: 22 carr. for 144 yds & 3 TD’s
– (RB) Johnothan Moore Johnothan Moore 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB MBA | 2023 State TN – MBA: 14 carr. for 140 yds & 3 TD’s
– (RB/S) Tre Lyons – Knox. Central: 11 carr. for 177 yds & 1 TD
– (RB) Layden Grant Layden Grant 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Fairview | 2023 TN – Fairview: 16 carr. for 116 yds & 1 TD; 3 rec. for 67 yds & 1 TD (9 tcks, 0.5 sack on Def.)
– (RB) Desi Hemphill – Freedom Prep: 14 carr. for 159 yds & 1 TD; 1 rec. for 19 yds & 1 TD
– (RB) Konor Heaton Konor Heaton 5'8" | 175 lbs | RB Coffee Co. | 2023 TN – Coffee Co.: 23 carr. for 86 yds & 3 TD’s; 2 rec. for 43 yds & 1 TD
– ‘24 (RB) Frank Johnson IV Frank Johnson IV 5'10" | 200 lbs | RB Knox. Central | 2024 TN – Knox. Central: 23 carr. for 192 yds & 4 TD’s
– ‘24 (RB) Ty Clark III Ty Clark III 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB FRA | 2024 State TN – FRA: 24 carr. for 200 yds & 2 TD’s; 77 yds receiving
– ‘24 (RB) Luke Dickens – Station Camp: 22 carr. for 195 yds & 3 TD’s
– ‘24 (RB) Jaythan Pleasant – Warren Co.: 12 carr. for 162 yds & 3 TD’s
– ‘24 (RB) Ashton Jones Ashton Jones 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Oakland | 2024 State TN – DCA: 12 carr. for 154 yds & 3 TD’s
– ‘24 (RB) Jaxson Rollins Jaxson Rollins 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Upperman | 2024 TN – Upperman: 12 carr. for 120 yds & 3 TD’s
– ‘25 (RB) Conner Wheeler – Powell: 17 carr. for 122 yds & 1 TD (7 tcks, 1 QBH, 1 PD on Def.)
– (WR) Kaleb Harper Kaleb Harper 5'9" | 160 lbs | WR Carter | 2023 TN – Carter: 16 rec. for 288 yds & 2 TD’s
– (WR) Josiah Clark – Bolivar Cent.: 9 rec. for 168 yds & 3 TD’s
– (WR) Will Wysor – TCA: 5 rec. for 172 yds & 3 TD’s
– (WR) Braden Miller – Anderson Co.: 7 rec. for 139 yds & 4 TD’s
– (WR) Pierce Browning Pierce Browning 5'9" | 165 lbs | WR GCA | 2023 TN – GCA: 10 rec. for 149 yds & 2 TD’s
– (WR) Ashton Auker – Farragut: 4 rec. for 142 yds & 2 TD’s
– (WR) Ayden Greene Ayden Greene 6'3" | 185 lbs | WR Powell | 2023 State TN – Powell: 8 rec. for 117 yds & 1 TD
– ‘24 (WR) Matthew Manning Matthew Manning 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Brentwood | 2024 TN – Brentwood: 11 rec. for 156 yds & 1 TD
– ‘24 (WR) Carlos Orr Carlos Orr 6'4" | 185 lbs | WR Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2024 State TN – Gatlinburg-Pittman: 10 rec. for 160 yds & 1 TD
– ‘24 (WR) Cory Bingham – Seymour: 4 rec. for 151 yds & 2 TD’s
– ‘24 (WR) Jordan Ward Jordan Ward 6'4" | 205 lbs | WR Fairley | 2024 State TN – St. Benedict: 5 rec. for 88 yds & 2 TD’s
– ‘24 (WR/TE) Chad Barham Chad Barham 6'4" | 235 lbs | TE Chester Co. | 2024 State TN – Chester Co.: 3 rec. for 136 yds & 1 TD; Also had 1 rushing TD
– ‘25 (WR/DB) Lamarkus Dunn Lamarkus Dunn 6'1" | 160 lbs | ATH David Crockett | 2024 TN – David Crockett: 7 rec. for 183 yds & 3 TD’s
– ‘25 (WR) Aja Jones Aja Jones 5'11" | 160 lbs | WR Marshall Co. | 2025 State TN – Marshall Co.: 6 rec. for 142 yds & 2 TD’s
– (Ath) Kamron Haymon – Hardin Co.: 5 rec. for 167 yds & 1 TD
– (Ath) Kaleb Flowers – Stone Memorial: 4 rec. for 111 yds & 2 TD’s (4 tcks & 1 Int on Def.)
– (Ath) Jaden Petty – Harpeth: 14 carr. for 150 yds & 2 TD’s (7 tcks on Def.)
– (Ath) Takoda Freeman – Unaka: 8 rec. for 133 yds & 1 TD (5 tcks on Def.)
– (Ath) Caden Thieman Caden Thieman 5'8" | 170 lbs | WR Beech | 2023 TN – Beech: 5 carr. for 39 yds & 1 TD; 2 rec. for 31 yds (2 tks, 3 PD & 2 Int’s on Def.)
– (Ath) Max Carroll Max Carroll 6'3" | 210 lbs | ATH Briarcrest Christian | 2023 State TN – Briarcrest Chrst.: 3 rec. for 85 yds & 2 TD’s (8 tcks, 6 solo on Def.)
– ‘24 (Ath) Dawson White Dawson White 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Moore Co. | 2024 TN – Moore Co.: 23-31 passing for 209 yds & 2 TD’s; 11 carr. for 63 yds & 1 TD (5 tcks on Def.)
– ‘24 (Ath) Kyle Davidson Kyle Davidson 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Franklin-Grace | 2024 TN – Franklin-Grace: 9 carr. for 102 yds & 4 TD’s; 3 rec. for 41 yds (2 tcks & 1 Int on Def.)
– ‘24 (Ath) Justin Baker Justin Baker 5'10" | 160 lbs | ATH Notre Dame | 2024 TN – Notre Dame: 3 rec. for 89 yds & 2 TD’s (6 tcks, 1 sack, 1 FF on Def.)
– (DL) Chris Hunter Chris Hunter 6'6" | 285 lbs | DL Karns | 2023 State TN – Karns: 6 tcks, 5 solo, 4 TFL & 2 sacks
– (DL) Jaden Potts – NCS: 12 tcks, 5 solo, 2 TFL & 1 sack
– (DE) Cade Johns Cade Johns 6'3" | 240 lbs | DL Fairview | 2023 TN – Fairview: 12 tcks, 6 solo, 2 TFL, 1 FF & 1 blocked FG
– ‘25 (DL) Ethan Utley Ethan Utley 6'4" | 265 lbs | DL Ensworth | 2025 State TN – Ensworth: 6 tcks, 4 solo, 3 TFL & 2 sacks
– (Edge LB) Desmond Lockett Desmond Lockett 6'5" | 230 lbs | LB Karns | 2023 State TN – Karns: 7 tcks, 4 solo, 2 TFL & 2 sacks
– (LB) Jerrell Franklin Jerrell Franklin 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Oakland | 2023 State TN – Oakland: 19 tcks, 9 solo, 2 TFL, 1 FF, 4 QBH & 1 sack
– (LB) Garrett Hawkins Garrett Hawkins 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Sevier Co. | 2023 State TN – Sevier Co.: 22 total tcks, 15 solo, 3 TFL
– (LB) Brian Kelley – Oak Ridge: 18 tcks, 13 solo, 2 TFL
– (LB) Jay Smiley – Farragut: 16 tcks, 8 solo, 1 TFL & 1 sack
– (RB/LB) Jackson Eller – GCA: 17 tcks, 4 solo, 0.5 TFL, 1 FR
– ‘24 (LB/Edge) Tre Johnson Tre Johnson 5'11" | 205 lbs | LB Oakland | 2024 State TN – Oakland: 6 tcks, 3 solo, 2 TFL, 1 QBH, 2 sacks
– ‘24 (LB) Korey Smith Korey Smith 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB Oakland | 2024 State TN – Oakland: 9 tcks, 5 solo, 2 TFL, 1 QBH & 2 sacks
– ‘24 (LB) Elijah Fauteux Elijah Fauteux 6'3" | 195 lbs | LB Haywood | 2024 TN – Haywood: 5 tcks, 2 sacks, 1 sack for a safety & 1 QBH
– ‘24 (LB) Jake Moore Jake Moore 6'3" | 225 lbs | LB MBA | 2024 State TN – MBA: 12 tcks, 9 solo, 3 TFL
– ‘24 (LB/RB) Jacob Whaley – David Crockett: 6 tcks, 3 solo & 2 Int’s
– ‘24 (LB) Desmond Thomas Desmond Thomas 6'0" | 225 lbs | LB Riverside | 2024 TN – Riverside: 6 solo tcks, 1 TFL & 1 FR (18 carr. for 86 yds rushing & 3 TD’s on Off.)
– ‘25 (LB/FB) Peyton Martin – Moore Co.: 13 tcks, 11 solo, 1.5 TFL, 1 FF, 1 PD & 1 sack
– (DB) Jakavan Curry – Marshall Co.: 14 tcks, 10 solo, 1 TFL & 1 blocked punt
– (DB) Marcus Lewis Marcus Lewis 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Tyner Academy | 2023 TN – Tyner Acad.: 6 rec. for 105 yds & 2 TD’s
– ‘24 (DB)
Thomas Jones
Thomas
Jones
5'11" | 175 lbs | DB
Smyrna | 2024
State
TN
– Smyrna: 2 tcks (solo), 2 PD, 2 Int’s ret. for TD’s (5 carr. for 58 yds rushing on Off.)
– ‘24 (DB) Braxton Smith – Walker Valley: 9 tcks, 7 solo, 1 PD & 2 Int’s