Class 4A, 5A, 6A: Game Breakdowns/Predictions
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Massive showdowns take place across the state here in these classifications and PRZTN breaks down every game along with predictions headed into Semifinal Friday. Class 4A Semifinals Anderson Co. (13-0) at Red Bank (11-2) – Can the undefeated magical season…
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Continue ReadingMassive showdowns take place across the state here in these classifications and PRZTN breaks down every game along with predictions headed into Semifinal Friday.
Class 4A Semifinals
Anderson Co. (13-0) at Red Bank (11-2)
– Can the undefeated magical season keep going for the Mavericks of Anderson Co.? It’s very possible they must maneuver past a good Red Bank team on the road and a Lions team that has been playing some of their best football of late. Anderson Co. has been near dominant this season, led by a potent offense with Walker Martinez Walker Martinez 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Anderson County | 2023 State TN at the helm and a stingy defense that has been very consistent all year long. On the other side, Red Bank is a run heavy team with a pair of stalwarts carrying the ball in A.D. Crutcher A.D. Crutcher 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Red Bank | 2023 TN and sophomore Daune Morris Daune Morris 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Oakland | 2025 State TN along with a good defense that plays well versus the run. The Lions may have the advantage with their athleticism but the Mavs are senior-laden with guys who know how to compete and win.
Being in the semifinal matchup is big for Red Bank and something they can build on for next season because Anderson Co. is just on a different level right now and they appear destined to make it to Chattanooga.
Game Prediction: Anderson Co. 42 Red Bank 20
Gamebreaker: (QB) Walker Martinez Walker Martinez 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Anderson County | 2023 State TN – Anderson Co.
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Pearl Cohn (11-2) at Haywood (13-0)
– After an 0-2 start to their season, Pearl Cohn has reeled off eleven wins in a row and they are coming into this semifinal matchup playing their best football and definitely up for the challenge, competing against an undefeated team that has yet to be tested. Haywood has been near flawless this year, scoring tons of points and shutting down opposing offenses with their lights out defense. The Tomcats have been hard to play against all year, so the Firebirds definitely have a big test ahead of them but they have the skill, athleticism and size to not only hang with Haywood but compete for the victory as well.
Pearl Cohn must find a way to slow down the Tomcats offense, led by Colorado St. commit Jamari Person Jamari Person 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Haywood | 2023 State TN and a pair of talented underclassmen in Cordero Walker Cordero Walker 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Germantown | 2024 State TN and Camarion Miller Camarion Miller 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB Haywood | 2025 State TN , that can gain confidence quickly and watch everything snowball for the opposition. If the Firebirds can force some turnovers and keep the game close, they will have a shot but if Haywood starts clicking, it could be a long night for the team out of Nashville.
Game Prediction: Haywood 35 Pearl Cohn 24
Gamebreaker: ‘25 (RB) Camarion Miller Camarion Miller 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB Haywood | 2025 State TN – Haywood
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Class 5A Semifinals
Knox. West (13-0) at Powell (11-2)
– This game pits the Class 5A defending state champs in Powell taking on one of the more dominating teams in the state this season in Knox. West. You have two East Tennessee powerhouses squaring off the see who makes it to the title game and I expect this to be a bar burner that may not be settled till the very end. The Rebels have been near unbeatable this year, defeating the likes of Alcoa, Maryville and others, so they will definitely be ready for this showdown. Led by star quarterback Jordyn Potts Jordyn Potts 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Powell | 2023 State TN , Powell has been riding a hot streak for several weeks now and come into this game playing some of their best football of the season.
Nobody has been able to stop or slow down the Knox. West offense this year, which has a Mr. Football finalist in running back Brayden Latham Brayden Latham 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Knox. West | 2023 State TN . Not many teams have been able to slow up Potts, Ayden Greene Ayden Greene 6'3" | 185 lbs | WR Powell | 2023 State TN and the Powell offense as well, so something must give! Both teams have solid defenses too, which makes this a tough game to predict as I could see the game going either way. Tough to go against Powell but I gotta ride with the destined Rebels of Knox. West.
Game Prediction: Knox. West 35 Powell 30
Gamebreaker: (RB) Brayden Latham Brayden Latham 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Knox. West | 2023 State TN – Knox. West
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Page (11-2) at Henry Co. (11-2)
– This could be one of the more exciting semifinal matchups throughout the entire state and it’s a rematch from last year’s semifinals where Page took down Henry Co. and moved on to the title. Can that happen again this year? We shall see as the home Patriots are better this year and more poised to take down Page and finally place themselves in the Class 5A championship game. If Henry Co. wants to get there, they need a big game from Ryan Damron Ryan Damron 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Henry Co. | 2023 State TN and the Patriots offense but it will be tough because Page brings in a physical defense, led by their front seven with Jase Hoath Jase Hoath 6'3" | 225 lbs | TE Page | 2023 State TN , Ronan O’Connell Ronan O’Connell 6'5" | 285 lbs | OL Page | 2024 State TN and Eric Hazzard Eric Hazzard 6'3" | 255 lbs | DL Page | 2025 State TN leading the way.
While Page has been good on the defensive side of the ball this year, they are susceptible to a strong passing attack and Henry Co. has one. If the Patriots can get up on Page early and maintain success on offense, the home team can come out with the victory but if the pass rush of the road team is able to gain traction, it could be another win over Henry Co. and another placement in the 5A title game.
Game Prediction: Page 28 Henry Co. 24
Gamebreaker: (QB/LB) Colin Hurd Colin Hurd 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Page | 2023 State TN – Page
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Class 6A Semifinals
Maryville (10-3) at Oakland (12-1)
– The Rebels vs. the Patriots have turned into a yearly playoff matchup for these two teams as one way or another, over the last decade, the 6A title has run through these two squads and it looks like it’s the same case for this season as well. Maryville has seen some struggles this year but still find themselves one game away from the title game while it’s been another dominating year for the Patriots, who come into this game hot and ready for a challenge. This battle will be won in the trenches where Maryville is strong on the O-line with Cal Grubbs Cal Grubbs 6'4" | 290 lbs | OL Maryville | 2023 State TN leading the way and the Patriots have an active and fierce front seven with Korey Smith Korey Smith 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB Oakland | 2024 State TN , Tre Johnson Tre Johnson 5'11" | 205 lbs | LB Oakland | 2024 State TN and Nathan Hepborn Nathan Hepborn 5'11" | 205 lbs | LB Oakland | 2023 TN being stalwarts. Both teams love to run the football but have quarterbacks that can spin it when needed as well, so this will be an interesting matchup watching both defenses try to figure out the opposition.
Oakland comes into the game as the favorite and they should be but Maryville knows how to win playoff games and compete to their ultimate capabilities when it comes to competing in postseason play. The Rebels should be focused and ready for what the Patriots will bring to the table but in the end, I feel Oakland will have too much firepower for their East Tennessee counterpart.
Game Prediction: Oakland 38 Maryville 23
Gamebreaker: ‘25 (RB) Tamari Hill Tamari Hill 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Brentwood Academy | 2025 State TN – Oakland
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Beech (12-1) at Bartlett (11-2)
– Out of all the games listed here, this one might be the most exciting because you have two teams that play different styles of football but do it at a high level. Beech is one of the hottest teams around right now and sport one of the best rushing attacks in the state. Bartlett is ultra talented at several positions but especially in the defensive backfield with Marco Tyson Marco Tyson 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Bartlett | 2023 State TN , Rahmaan Rinkin Rahmaan Rinkin 6'0" | 165 lbs | DB Bartlett | 2023 State TN and Devin Rutherford Devin Rutherford 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Bartlett | 2024 State TN leading the way. The biggest factor in this game will be the Panthers ability to stop the Bucs run game because the road team won’t be throwing it through the air that much, so Bartlett must slow down the rushing attack if they want to advance to the next round.
What could set this game apart is the play from Panthers senior quarterback Braylen Ragland Braylen Ragland 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Bartlett | 2023 State TN . The future Georgia St. signal caller has a big arm and places the ball wherever he wants to and that skill set will be needed in this contest. Beech is an efficient, well coached team that will be ready for this challenge. Bartlett has rarely been in this position to play for a title game appearance, so I’m very curious to see their approach. It’s very hard to pick against Beech because they are a veteran squad that knows how to win but I’m rolling with the home team and the big arm of Ragland.
Game Prediction: Bartlett 28 Beech 26
Gamebreaker: (QB) Braylen Ragland Braylen Ragland 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Bartlett | 2023 State TN – Bartlett