#PRZTN Week Four Recap/Notes

Best In The East: The Alcoa Tornadoes    - The biggest game across the state for Week Four did not disappoint as Alcoa went on the road to defeat the top team in the Class 6A ranks, Maryville 27-14 and post that claim that the Tornadoes are the best team from the East Tennessee region. This was a game that everybody across the state was excited to see, including the community around these two schools as they basically live next door to each other, so the atmosphere Friday night at Maryville was outstanding.    Things were tight early between these two but eventually the Tornadoes broke through, wearing down the Rebels in the trenches and inching their way to victory. The play that broke the tension and pushed Alcoa into the driver's seat to win this game was an 80 yard pick six from stud senior [player_tooltip player_id='302319' first='Jordan' last='Harris']. The two-way talent broke the Maryville spirits with his interception and built major confidence for his team going forward.    Other big factors in the Tornadoes win on Friday was the play of senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='102276' first='Zach' last='Lunsford'] and the physical play up front from [player_tooltip player_id='102358' first='Lance' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='102257' first='Tyler' last='Jeffries'] and the Alcoa offensive line. The defense was quite good as well, slowing down a strong Maryville offense and keeping star running back [player_tooltip player_id='102349' first='Noah' last='Vaughn'] in check.    It was a well balanced game from Alcoa that knew it had to bring it on both sides of the ball to defeat the former #PRZTN first ranked team overall in Maryville and they did just that from start to finish.    Walking into the Rebels stadium and not only coming away with a win but beating Maryville by 13 points was a statement. This was a shot to the rest of the state that this 3A football team from East Tennessee isn't going anywhere and I see no reason why they won't win their 8th state title in a row by season's end.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/zlunsford.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-442553" /></figure>     Upsets Dawn Across the State    - Over the first three weeks of the season, we didn't have many big upsets but that changed last Friday as several top tier programs and undefeated schools went down with a loss.    Possibly the biggest upset of the weekend came from Siegel as they beat 6A title contender Lebanon, 31-28 in what continues to be a dream season for the Stars. Now for the Blue Devils, this was a tough defeat but their championship aspirations are still ahead of them but they must get back to work and learn from this loss.    Father Ryan has played a tough schedule so far and have handled themselves well but last Thursday they finally broke through with a big performance in their 48-28 win over 6A power Cane Ridge. The Fighting Irish have battled and gritted their way through the first four weeks and this win over the Ravens really shows the hard work they have been putting in.    Many didn't see this one coming but it happened as the road Panthers of Bartlett took down a title contender in Lausanne, 42-31 in what may be the biggest win for any team out West so far this season.    The Panthers were not afraid of the big bad Lynx and walked into their stadium ready to play. Bartlett was ready for the challenge and took down one of the more talented rosters in the entire state.    Another West region upset to mention is USJ taking down once undefeated Hardin Co., 24-17. The Bruins are one of the better teams from the D2-Class A ranks but many didn't see this win coming.    Hardin Co. is one of the top championship caliber teams from the 4A ranks and they still are, so this win shows you how good USJ is and can be. Look for both these West Tennessee teams to be in contention for a shot at playing in Chattanooga at season's end.      MBA Continues To Make Statements   - Back on Thursday evening in Nashville, Tennessee, the Big Red of MBA put together another strong performance in their 35-10 win over a talented CPA team and continued to prove that they might be the team to beat this season in the D2-Class AAA ranks. It was a dominating showing from start to finish for the Big Red as they moved the ball at will and defensively would not allow the Lions to find consistency.    Future Ole Miss Rebel [player_tooltip player_id='102308' first='Marcel' last='Reed'] was efficient yet again, leading his offense on multiple scoring drives in which CPA had no answer for but it was the Big Red defense that I feel won this game and man this contest virtually one sided. The Lions had struggles in the run game and when forced to pass, the MBA secondary was always on the scene to make a play on the ball.    This was another strong, statement win for MBA as they continue to look like one of the best teams in this state, regardless of classification. Their offense led by Reed and supplemented by a solid receiving corps with [player_tooltip player_id='273380' first='Claiborne' last='Richards'] and [player_tooltip player_id='150320' first='Tahj' last='Woods'], along with a senior savvy defense that sports college talent with [player_tooltip player_id='226009' first='Eriq' last='George'], Gabe Fisher, [player_tooltip player_id='242093' first='Browning' last='Trainer'], [player_tooltip player_id='237041' first='Alan' last='Young'], [player_tooltip player_id='331623' first='Jake' last='Moore'] and others, have all the pieces you want for a championship level team.    Several strong games remain on the schedule for the Big Red like contests against Brentwood Academy, Pope Prep, Ensworth and Baylor but this Middle Tennessee program is well equipped and playing strong football right now that I feel they will be ready for whatever challenge falls in their path.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/07/mreed.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-394484" /></figure>     Small Town Clash Goes to Fayetteville   - This game was circled on my list last week as a contest that I felt would be one of the better games of Week Four and the road Tigers of Fayetteville disputed that with a commanding 29-6 win over a good Upperman team. Making the trip up north into the Upper Cumberlands, the Tigers knew they were going into a hostile environment against a program that knows how to win and none of that phased them as they were up for the challenge.    Fayetteville brought a balanced attack to Upperman with both sides of the ball handling their responsibilities and providing consistent play throughout the entire game. While the offense did their part and scored plenty of points, it was the Tigers defense that was impressive. They shut down a potent rushing attack from Upperman with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='211373' first='Isaiah' last='Thomison'] and [player_tooltip player_id='102361' first='Braxton' last='Wilson'] leading the way and kept the Bees from mounting any progress on the ground at any point throughout the contest.    Over the last several years, including two years when the Tigers won a state title, this has been one of the more consistent programs throughout the state but because they sit on the 1A level, Fayetteville isn't talked about as much as they should be.    This program has put several guys into college programs recently and have multiple guys on this year's roster that will reach that level as well. Fayetteville has built themselves into a championship contender on a yearly basis and as things sit right now, these Tigers appear to be the team to beat this year in the Class 1A ranks.      Week Four Brief Notes …..   - Marshall Co. kept their undefeated, dream season alive last Friday by defeating region and cross county foe Tullahoma, 42-7 in what was a dominating win for the Tigers. Through four games, Marshall Co. has played well on offense but it's been their defense that has stood out and led the way. This win now puts the Tigers on path with Pearl Cohn to see who will win their region and receive a home playoff game.    - Coming off their big road win over Riverdale last week, Blackman made a statement this Friday by beating up on Summit, 54-21 and showing that they are legit for a possible region title.    The Blaze had big offensive games from their senior trio of [player_tooltip player_id='150308' first='Jack' last='Risner'], [player_tooltip player_id='102184' first='Justin' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='102283' first='Ben' last='Marshall'] but also continued to show improvement on the defensive side of the ball as well. Senior defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='102299' first='Elijah' last='Pitts'] in particular has been excellent thus far, showing the ability to lockdown receivers on the outside.    All roads lead to Blackman against Oakland for the region title but the Blaze must not slip until then. That game versus the Patriots will be huge and a moment in time where Blackman can change their program for the best but they must stay hungry and strive to get better each week.    - As we head into the fifth week of the season, the East Tennessee region remains strong with several teams sitting undefeated, including Alcoa, Knox. West, Greeneville, Bradley Central, Anderson Co., Sevier Co., Dobyns-Bennett, Knox. Webb, Daniel Boone and a few others.    It's been a great start for the teams out East and several of them are prime contenders to contend for championships. Alcoa is definitely the top team out East and top championship contender but I would also put Knox. West, Greeneville, Anderson Co. and Knox. Webb in that consideration as well.    Plenty of season is yet to come but it's been a great start for East Tennessee and I don't foresee many of the teams mentioned above to lose a beat and continue their winning ways.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/blackman3-1024x682.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-442552" /></figure>