#PRZTN State Championship Preview: Class 1A & 2A

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Champions will be crowned this week down in Chattanooga &amp; #PRZTN has your complete Class 1A/2A preview right here w/ an in-depth game breakdown, key matchups &amp; more! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 1A Championship</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clay Co. Bulldogs </strong>(13-1) vs. <strong>McKenzie Rebels </strong>(14-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- You have a battle between David and Goliath here as Clay Co. comes into the Class 1A title game as the underdog while the McKenzie Rebels are the clear cut favorite and the defending state champs. While being the underdog, the Bulldogs of Clay Co. won't be intimidated by the Rebels nor back down from competition, so McKenzie better not sleep on this Mid-Tennessee program or they could find themselves on the losing end of things.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clay Co. doesn't have all the talent in the world nor the size to be considered a championship caliber team but they are and their players are well coached and disciplined, so this team will be prepared for the upcoming challenge. The Bulldogs are led at quarterback by Mr. Football candidate <strong>Keaton Arms </strong>and his play will be critical against the Rebels as well as their offensive line, giving him enough time to find running holes and open receivers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":272964,"width":322,"height":322,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/jcassidy.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-272964" width="322" height="322"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the opposite side of the line, McKenzie comes into this game undefeated and one of the better running teams in the state, led by seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150306' first='Jackson' last='Cassidy'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102344' first='Marquez' last='Taylor']</strong>. They are also active and athletic on the defensive side of the ball with senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='123167' first='Zay' last='Webber'] </strong>causing havoc in the secondary. The Rebels are a well put together, well coached team that has not wavered under any pressure this year, so I don't expect them to sleep on the Bulldogs nor take them lightly.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game could go in several ways, especially if Clay Co. can move the ball, score points and somehow slow down a talented McKenzie offense. Arms will be the key for them, so his O-line has to keep him upright and healthy throughout the contest. Even with the play of Arms and the excitement from the Bulldogs team, I still feel that the Rebels are too talented for Clay Co. and have the athleticism and speed that will be too much to overcome. McKenzie will win this game and walk away as back to back Class 1A state champs and solidify themselves as the best crop of seniors to ever come out of the Rebels program.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Matchup: </strong>Arms and the Clay Co. O-line vs. the Rebels front seven&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Prediction: McKenzie </strong>42&nbsp; <strong>Clay Co. </strong>21&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players/Prospects</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102344' first='Marquez' last='Taylor'] </strong>- McKenzie: One of the best available senior prospects in the state, Taylor is ultra athletic with game breaking speed and someone the Bulldogs must key on in this contest if they want a shot at winning the game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150306' first='Jackson' last='Cassidy'] </strong>- McKenzie: A Mr. Football finalist, Cassidy is the straw that stirs the drink for his Rebels team and an ultimate leader that will do anything it takes to see his team succeed.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- (QB/Ath) <strong>Keaton Arms </strong>- Clay Co.: Mr. Everything for his Bulldogs team, Arms has put together a stellar senior campaign that has him up for MVP of the 1A ranks and the guy who has led the school to their 1st ever appearance in a state championship game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- (Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='123167' first='Zay' last='Webber'] </strong>- McKenzie: Webber is one of the more underrated prospects from the West Tennessee region as an athletic prospect that could develop and excel on either side of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":522675,"width":323,"height":485,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/11/queztaylor-683x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-522675" width="323" height="485"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--------------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 2A Championship</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyner Academy Rams </strong>(13-1) vs. <strong>Riverside </strong>(12-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Headed into the Class 2A championship game, Tyner Academy is one of the hottest teams in the state with only one loss coming thus far from Alcoa and a well balanced team that will be ready for the challenge that Riverside presents. You have two teams from two sides of the state clashing in Chattanooga for the 2A title and two squads full of veterans that want to leave their high school careers as champions. For the team from the city of Chattanooga, Tyner Academy has been a machine this year, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='474873' first='Josh' last='Jackson'] </strong>and his high scoring offense as well as a defense that has been opportunistic and forceful up front in the trenches. The Rams are a well balanced team that plays hard, technique football on both sides of the ball, so this will be the biggest challenge yet this season for Riverside.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers are riding high right now after upsetting several high quality teams along the way to get to this point, so confidence is quite high for this team out of West Tennessee. Riverside is a run heavy team that leans on their junior standout in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='362098' first='Desmond' last='Thomas']</strong> to take the brunt of the carries, who is also a key stalwart at linebacker as well. Their goal to win this game should be to churn out yards on the ground, run the clock and keep the ball out of the hands of Jackson. If the Panthers can accomplish that goal, they have a great shot at walking away as champs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the Panthers are feeling good about themselves right now, their magical ride will end in Chattanooga as I feel that Tyner Academy is just too talented, too stacked on the D-line and simply destined to become Class 2A champs. This game could be closer than the experts think but in the end, the Rams will be champions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":529804,"width":331,"height":331,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/11/mmckinley.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-529804" width="331" height="331"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Matchup: </strong>Riverside's front seven against Jackson, McKinley and the Rams backfield&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Prediction: Tyner Academy </strong>35&nbsp; <strong>Riverside </strong>20&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players/Prospects</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='474873' first='Josh' last='Jackson'] </strong>- Tyner Acad.: Finalist for Mr. Football, Jackson has put together a stellar senior year that has placed him on the college map. His leadership and play will be critcial towards the Rams coming away as champions.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='185563' first='Markel' last='McKinley'] </strong>- Tyner Acad.: One of the fastest backs from the East Tennessee region, McKinley is an explosive runner that can take the hand-off and find the endzone in a hurry, so the Panthers better key on this guy.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- (DE) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='362063' first='Cole' last='Montgomery'] </strong>- Riverside: Montgomery has been the defensive leader and key producer for his Panthers defense over the past few years and he will be a force that the Rams O-line must slow down and keep out of the backfield.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- (DL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='372199' first='Jamarion' last='Varnell'] </strong>- Tyner Acad.: This year has been the best yet from Varnell and he will be needed big time in this championship as someone that can help put a stop to Thomas and the Panthers rushing attack.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- ‘24 (RB/LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='362098' first='Desmond' last='Thomas'] </strong>- Riverside: Look out for this guy as a Mr. Football candidate next season. Thomas is a physical competitor with enough talent to excel on either side of the ball in college.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284468' first='Marcus' last='Lewis'] </strong>- Tyner Acad.: The Rams secondary has been excellent this season with Lewis being one of its key cogs. His play over the last month has been outstanding at both receiver and defensive back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":379727,"width":323,"height":350,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/07/cmontgomery.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-379727" width="323" height="350"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->