The Five: Class 5A Top Title Contenders

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Making it to Chattanooga for the Class 5A title game will be tough but headed into the '22 season, these five teams appear to have the best shot at getting there.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Powell Panthers …#EastTN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The 2021 season was a banner year for the Panthers as they came away as Class 5A state champions and they have the horses to run it back and repeat this year. Most of the top talent from last year's title team returns for the 2022 season, including a dynamic offensive trio in quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102302' first='Jordyn' last='Potts']</strong> and receivers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102238' first='Ayden' last='Greene'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102307' first='Adarius' last='Redmond']</strong>. Those three are Mr. Football contenders and future college guys that are also some of the best in this state at their respected positions.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Potts, Greene and Redmond are elite but they aren't the only Panthers that will be major contributors this season. One guy who is expected to have a big season is two-way talent <strong>J.J. Foust</strong>. This guy is an interesting talent that can contribute in a big way on both sides of the ball at receiver and linebacker. His play on offense will be important but it's play on defense that will be key. The Panthers are stacked on offense but it's their defense that is plugging in several new players and will be expected to step up if this East Tennessee program plans to make it back to Chattanooga.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is tough to repeat as champions but it can be done and these Panthers have the star power and winning tradition to get back to the title game but it won't be an easy road as the 5A ranks are loaded with high quality football teams. These Panthers however have the chops to maneuver through a tough slate this year and continue their path towards adding another “Gold Ball” to the trophy case</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":319328,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/aredmond.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-319328"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Nolensville Knights …#MidTN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Could this Middle Tennessee program finally break through this season and find their way in Chattanooga competing for a Class 5A title? It's very possible as these Knights have the senior leadership and talent to navigate their way deep through the playoffs and find themselves on the other side competing for a championship. It all starts on offense for Nolensville as they have a great senior one-two punch in quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295457' first='Coby' last='Walton'] </strong>and big play wideout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102226' first='Chance' last='Fitzgerald'] </strong>as well as an athletic ball carrier in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102259' first='Samson' last='Johnson']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those three on offense as well as several others are expected to put up big numbers this year and be the catalyst that propels the Knights to a big 2022 season. The offense looks potent and dangerous but it's the Knights defense that I feel will be the biggest factor towards Nolensville competing for a state title. All three levels on defense are led by talented vets that can make game changing plays and cause problems for opposing offenses. Those game changers include <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150365' first='Taylor' last='Wein'] </strong>up front, junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='316265' first='Nick' last='Rossomando'] </strong>at linebacker and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='323158' first='Derrick' last='Burroughs'] </strong>shutting things down in the secondary. Those three along with several others have a chance to put together one of the best defensive seasons ever in the history of the Knights program.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All the pieces are there on both sides of the ball for Nolensville to not only have one of their best football years ever but possibly the best in history. So many things can happen to derail a season but as things sit now in the preseason, the Knights look like one of the best teams in the Class 5A ranks and a definite title contender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Green Hill Hawks …#MidTN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The 2021 season was a breakthrough year for the Hawks as they won their region and earned a top seed in the playoffs but can this Middle Tennessee program perform even better this year? It's very possible as these Hawks bring back basically every top player from last year along with some strong youthful talent that could push them all the way into title contention. It will be a tough road to get to Chattanooga but these Hawks are led by a very good coaching staff and a strong senior group that knows how to win.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, the Hawks have a strong core of seniors running the show, led by quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='265399' first='Cade' last='Mahoney'] </strong>and his leadership along with a bell cow back in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222279' first='Brax' last='Lamberth'] </strong>and a strong trio of pass catchers in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='197134' first='Kaleb' last='Carver']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='265398' first='Sean' last='Aldridge'] </strong>and tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150329' first='Braiden' last='Staten']</strong>. These Hawks have the firepower to score a lot of points this year and it could be the best offensive season ever, especially if an inexperienced offensive line gels together before or by mid-season. Defense is a different story as the Hawks will have a nice mix of vets and youth on that side of the ball that may not have that star player but several consistent, steady performers that can get their offense back on the field in a hurry.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Green Hill hasn't been in existence as a program that long but they have already made some serious noise on the Class 5A level and developed their players very well to where they are now considered top contenders for the title. Teams won't sleep on these Hawks this year, so it will be a tough path but this team has the pieces and coaching staff to put together a very special season! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":338222,"width":987,"height":943,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/saldridge-1024x978.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-338222" width="987" height="943"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Mt. Juliet Golden Bears …#MidTN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The main contender to the team talked about above in not only their region but also the Class 5A ranks are these Golden Bears and I know the Mt. Juliet team and community are ready to get this season started, so they can put last year's results in the rear view mirror. Over the past few years, Mt. Juliet has been considered one of the top Class 5A programs in the state but they have yet to break through and find themselves playing in Chattanooga for a championship. This could finally be the season that it happens but plenty of pieces must come together to see that happen.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Golden Bears will be sporting a new quarterback this year in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='157392' first='Griffin' last='Throneberry']</strong>, who is an athletic guy that brings a lot of skill to the football field. He is complimented by a young but talented backfield along with several athletic pieces out wide, especially senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='198069' first='Walter' last='Bowers IV']</strong>. The Golden Bears also have a few big men up front paving the way in seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102188' first='Ayden' last='Bussell'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='250822' first='Maston' last='Kimbrough']</strong>. It's a well balanced offense that could do special things this year but only if everyone comes together as one.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, these Golden Bears should be quite stout, especially with key seniors running the show like current Vanderbilt commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102205' first='Ethan' last='Crisp']</strong>, rush end <strong>Sam Oliver </strong>and D1, FCS offered safety <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153474' first='Osize' last='Daniyan']</strong>. The offense needs to be potent and consistent but it's the Golden Bears defense that I feel will be the force this season and the key catalyst towards helping push this team towards Class 5A title contention. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":251082,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/102-Throneberry1-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-251082"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Oak Ridge Wildcats …#EastTN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Over the past several years, Oak Ridge has had a lot of talent come through their locker room but the Wildcats have yet to live up to expectations but the 2022 version may finally have the collective pieces to make a deep playoff run and find themselves in contention for a 5A championship. The road to Chattanooga will be hard for these Wildcats but they have dudes and future college prospects leading the way, especially at the skill position with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102256' first='Jai' last='Hundley'] </strong>taking the lead at running back and an athletic duo at wideout in senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102310' first='Elijah' last='Rogers'] </strong>and junior star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149157' first='Brandon' last='Heyward']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The key pieces on offense that will be X-factors towards a big offensive year will be the play of senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102328' first='Peyton' last='Sharpe'] </strong>and an offensive line that right now doesn't show a lot of star power. If those two areas can play above their heads, the Wildcats could have a special year on offense and the means to contend for a title. Over on defense, Oak Ridge has a nice mix of veterans and youth spread throughout but the one area where someone needs to step up is one the D-line. The Wildcats have a strong linebacking corps with <strong>Brian Kelly </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='263944' first='Blake' last='Steed'] </strong>flying around everywhere and Rogers playing on the back end but it's up front where this East Tennessee team needs to develop further if they want to have a menaciousing defense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oak Ridge is a strong program that has done a lot of winning but not enough to earn that elusive 5A title but if everything comes together and the team gels and develops in the right way, this could be a special season that ends in Chattanooga, holding a Gold Ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":336652,"width":987,"height":658,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/bheyward.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-336652" width="987" height="658"/><figcaption>Photo: Oakridger.com</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Three Others to Watch: Page</strong> (MidTN), <strong>Knox. West </strong>(EastTN), <strong>Munford </strong>(WestTN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->