The Five: Sleeper Title Teams (Class 1A-3A)

As we inch closer to the mid-way point of the 2022 season, here we take a look at some of the teams that we feel are championship caliber teams but may be sitting a bit under the radar and not viewed as top contenders but they certainly are!   1. M.A.S.E. Phoenix (3-0) - Class 1A    - This classification has been dominated over the past two years by the Rebels of McKenzie and they are still considered the favorite to win Class 1A this season but this Phoenix team could have something to say about it. Through three games, MASE has looked impressive in their wins and dominated their opponents on both sides of the ball. They are led by a strong junior class with [player_tooltip player_id='207328' first='Kumaro' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='228698' first='Lance' last='Taylor'] and others with a solid senior nucleus surrounding them, so they have plenty of pieces to continue this dream season and compete their way to Chattanooga.    The Phoenix have one of the most talented rosters in the Class 1A ranks, so it's easy to think that this 2022 team will get better as the season rolls along, especially with how they are playing at the current moment. They also have a very manageable schedule the rest of the way, so it would not be surprising to see this team remain undefeated headed into the playoff season.    Probably the biggest thing that this Phoenix must continue to improve and develop is their line of scrimmage because we all know that's where the game of football begins and ends. They have the skill and athleticism to cause damage in the playoffs but if the trenches continue to gel together, watch out because this team will have it all to compete for the Class 1A title.    Games Remaining: at Washington (9/15), vs. Jackson Central-Merry (9/23), vs. Westwood (9/29), at Middleton (10/7), vs. Halls (10/20), vs. Bluff City (10/27)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/mase-crop-729x479-1663174928.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-445433"/></figure>     2. Union City Golden Tornadoes (4-0) - Class 2A   - Going into the 2022 season, this Union City team wasn't talked about as a Class 2A title contender but they should be now! Through four games, this Golden Tornadoes team has been very impressive, scoring loads of points on offense while their defense has been excellent, keeping the opposition in check. The most impressive thing of Union City's start is a win over D2-Class A power USJ in Week Two that certainly put these Golden Tornadoes on the map and a definite Class 2A title contender going forward.    One of the biggest factors behind their undefeated start has been the play on offense from a pair of junior standouts in quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='362090' first='Keaten' last='Brown'] and stud running back [player_tooltip player_id='414886' first='Jacob' last='Arnold']. These two along with their offensive line have been setting the standard on offense for the Golden Tornadoes, producing a lot of points and playing consistent football. It's a well balanced offense that I feel could be one of the best from the Class 2A ranks.    While the offense has been scoring at will, the Golden Tornadoes defense has been quite salty as well. The most points they have allowed thus far is 19 and they held a good USJ offense to only 6, so it's been a consistent unit that plays technique, sound football. Can both sides of the ball keep up their strong play going forward? It's very possible as their schedule presents some challenges but nothing this Golden Tornado team can't handle. This is a championship level team that might get better as the season goes along, so you better watch out for the Golden Tornadoes come playoff season.    Games Remaining: vs. Gibson Co. (9/16), vs. Ripley (9/23), at Westview (9/30), vs. Camden Cent. (10/14), at Liberty Tech (10/21), vs. Huntingdon (10/28)     3. Giles Co. Bobcats (3-1) - Class 3A   - It's all but a for-gone conclusion that Alcoa will walk away as Class 3A champs yet again but these Bobcats might have something to say about that, especially if they remain healthy by the time we reach playoff season. Over the past few years, Giles Co. has been one of the more consistent programs from the 3A ranks and one of the hardest teams to compete against due to their athleticism and physical play throughout the entire team. That standard of football has been on display this season and these Bobcats are a team you don't want to see in postseason play.    This is a ground and pound team on offense that likes to control the clock while the defense plays a physical brand of football that gives the opposing offense's fits. The area where you can find the college talent on this team is in the secondary where the Bobcats have multiple players with the traits and upside to reach the next level. They also have some big guys in the trenches with intriguing talent, especially junior O-lineman [player_tooltip player_id='390594' first='Amare' last='Smith'].    The Bobcats have no issues with getting down and dirty and mucking up the game to find victory. All of that has been the formula once again this season where they have played a tough schedule so far with several big games remaining. Giles Co. isn't afraid to play anybody and they will not back down, so while Alcoa is seen as the 3A favorites, if the Bobcats get the chance to play them, they will be up for the challenge and this could be a definite title sleeper.    Games Remaining: at Community (9/16), vs. Page (9/23), vs. Columbia Cent. (10/7), vs. Sequatchie Co. (10/13), at Cleveland (10/21), vs. Cannon Co. (10/27)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/gilesco-crop-700x460-1663175380.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-445448"/></figure>     4. Lewis Co. Panthers (3-1) - Class 2A   - Many around the state of Tennessee won't look or view Lewis Co. as a possible 2A title contender but they should think twice because the Panthers have enough talent and star power to march their way to Chattanooga and compete for the Class 2A championship. This is a well balanced team that has seen both sides of the ball play up to the coaching staff's standard so far but they must keep that energy going forward as their schedule toughens up, presenting several big challenges.    What opposing teams need to worry about with these Panthers is their offense that is led by a college prospect in [player_tooltip player_id='250847' first='Dyer' last='Barnes'] and a talented sophomore gunslinger in [player_tooltip player_id='362006' first='Brycen' last='McDonald']. Barnes is a tall and long wideout that is putting up big numbers right now while McDonald has a big arm and strong mechanics that screams college potential. The defense has been quite good as well but it's been the offense that has stolen the show and will be the unit that pushes these Panthers deep into the playoffs.    The question about these Panthers is can they sustain the success they have had so far and maintain their focus throughout the remainder of their schedule? We shall see as the path does get tougher with several high quality teams left to play. Lewis Co. has the senior class and youthful talent to make waves come playoff time and possibly make it to Chattanooga and compete for the 2A title.    Games Remaining: at Hickman Co. (9/16), at Loretto (9/23), at Adamsville (9/29), at Scotts Hill (10/14), vs. Summertown (10/21), vs. Riverside (10/28)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/lewisco.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-445452"/></figure>   5. Dresden Lions (4-0) - Class 1A   - It's been a great start for the Lions with some big, impressive wins along the way but the road gets tougher, so we will see how good this West Tennessee team is over the coming weeks. For the time being, Dresden has played some good football, dominating on both sides of the ball and playing together as a collective unit that has made them undefeated thus far. It's hard to pinpoint which side has played the best as the offense is putting up big points while the defense has been shutting out opponents, so it's really been everybody doing their part and remaining focused each and every moment.    The charge for the Lions is led by do-everything senior [player_tooltip player_id='150376' first='Tatum' last='Oliver']. The future college linebacker handles double roles for his team as the quarterback on both sides of the ball, making all the calls and being that playmaker that could put him in contention for Mr. Football by season's end. He isn't the only one contributing at a high level but Oliver is the main attraction that will be the focal point for the opposition going forward.   Many teams are in contention for that Gold Ball in the Class 1A ranks this season, including the favorite McKenzie, who these Lions play in two weeks for the biggest home game of the year. That contest will be a great measuring stick game for both but especially Dresden, who is striving to be one of the top championship caliber teams who maneuver their way to Chattanooga.    Games Remaining: at Gleason (9/16), at South Fulton (9/23), vs. McKenzie (9/30), vs. McEwen (10/7), vs. Obion Co. (10/21), vs. Bruceton (10/28)    Other Teams Considered: West Carroll (4-0), Harpeth (4-0), Fairley (4-0), Smith Co. (3-1), Covington (3-1)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/toliver.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-445454"/></figure>