TN HS FB Playoffs: Sneaky Title Teams (Thru 2 Rounds)
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As we head towards the latter half of the Tennessee HS Football Playoffs, the number of teams have dwindled down that are in contention for a state title and while many of the favorites remain alive, there are several other…
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Continue ReadingAs we head towards the latter half of the Tennessee HS Football Playoffs, the number of teams have dwindled down that are in contention for a state title and while many of the favorites remain alive, there are several other teams that have championship caliber talent and the ability sneak up and find themselves playing for a championship in Chattanooga come December.
Here we look at those squads that many may not think are title contending teams now but could be by the time we have concluded the 2022 Playoffs.
Gordonsville Tigers (9-3) …Class 1A – #MidTN
– Over the past decade, Gordonsville has been one of the more consistent football programs from the Class 1A ranks but that Gold Ball has eluded them throughout the years, however this season could very well could be different as the Tigers are getting set for a big Quarterfinal game against Clay Co. and sit two wins away from competing for that title. Each game moving forward will be tough for Gordonsville but they have the veteran leadership to push them through.
Everything starts and ends with senior quarterback Matthew Albritton. The Tigers veteran signal caller that has taken a lot of snaps under center and won a bunch of games for Gordonsville, is the kind of guy you can get behind and ride him to victory because of his ability to make plays when it’s needed and his toughness and desire to win. Albritton is a baller and a game changer that can put his team on his back and lead them to the promised land.
While Albritton’s play is critical moving forward for Gordonsville, it’s their defense that will be even more key towards the Tigers efforts in winning a state title. This entire season, the Tigers defense has been steady and opportunistic, which in turn has helped Gordonsville to nine wins on the season and they haven’t gotten better as the year has gone along.
They have a big Quarterfinal matchup against a 11-1 Clay Co. team that has been quite good this year, so a big challenge lies ahead for the Tigers but they are playing with house money right now and not viewed as a top championship contender, so they can use that “sleeper team” status and play their hearts out in hopes of making it to Chattanooga.
Monterey Wildcats (10-2) …Class 2A – #EastTN
– Many people haven’t looked at this Monterey team as a possible state championship caliber squad for most of the season but they better start looking at them now, especially after knocking off top seed Hampton last week on the road and doing so in dominating fashion. The Wildcats beat Hampton, 40-16 in what was an impressive showing, displaying their powerful rushing attack while their defense kept the Bulldogs in check the entire way.
It’s been a good start thus far through two rounds for the Wildcats but the road will get harder going forward, starting this Friday on the road at York Institute. Monterey should feel confident headed into this game as they have won eight games in a row at this point but they can’t forget their early season, 34-20 loss to this same York Institute team. You can bet that loss is on the minds of the Wildcats players and coaching staff as they are looking to avenge that defeat and advance to the Semifinals.
If the Wildcats are able to get past York, senior running back Mason Bowman Mason Bowman 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Monterey | 2023 State TN will be a major factor in that cause and a talent that can push Monterey past the Quarterfinals and beyond. Bowman is one of the more underrated backs from our senior class and a current Mr. Football candidate for the 2A ranks, so he is definitely a talent that the Wildcats coaching staff will continue to feature and lean upon moving forward.
Looking at the current layout of the Class 2A Playoffs, Monterey has a legitimate shot at playing their way into the title game and officially becoming that sleeper team that could walk away with a championship. Each game moving forward will be hard and a new challenge each week but this veteran Monterey team is playing strong football right now and sport a star at running back they can ride all the way to accomplishing their championship aspirations.
Giles Co. Bobcats (9-3) …Class 3A – #MidTN
– Everybody has their eyes on Alcoa as the eventual Class 3A state champ yet again but these Bobcats from Giles Co. don’t see it that way and they are definitely wanting a rematch with the Tornadoes as the path to win the 3A title rolls right through them and they and everybody else knows it. What this Bobcats team has that gives teams issues is their athleticism and technique sound football that resonates on both sides of the ball and that kind of football travels throughout the postseason.
So far through two rounds of playoff action, the Bobcats have looked impressive, scoring big points in the first game while last week, they shutout Loudon, 21-0, flexing those defensive muscles. Giles Co. is a well balanced team that does not back down from anybody and is willing to take on all comers, regardless of the location.
This is a run based team, led by junior back Zori Randolph with a defense that is quite aggressive and physical, sporting a strong secondary with players like Trey Ballentine, Tyrick Brown Tyrick Brown 5'9" | 165 lbs | DB Giles Co. | 2024 TN and others roaming on the backend. This is also a veteran team that has played a lot of significant games over the past few years, so the moment they are in right now won’t phase them, which makes Giles Co. a perfect sleeper title team because they have the chemistry, makeup and pieces throughout the team to continue this ride and find themselves playing for a title in Chattanooga.
East Hamilton (9-3) …Class 4A – #EastTN
– After some rough patches throughout the year and losing their starting quarterback at the beginning of the season, the Hurricanes of East Hamilton sit in the Quarterfinal round, two wins away from playing for a Class 4A title and playing some of their best football of the season at the right time. Led by a Mr. Football candidate in Juan Bullard Juan Bullard 6'1" | 205 lbs | RB East Hamilton | 2023 State TN , the Hurricanes have rode behind his strong legs to produce points while their defense has stepped up over the back half of the season to shut down some strong offenses.
This team is playing with confidence and sitting in a good position to possibly advance with their next game being at home. They have a familiar foe and a tough game to withstand on Friday with the Red Bank Lions coming to town. East Hamilton defeated Red Bank almost a month ago, so you can bet that the Lions will be looking for revenge.
Part of the reason why these Hurricanes are considered a sleeper title team is because they have a bonafide college prospect at running back in Bullard that can control the clock and wear down the opposition. The Canes also have a solid defense that is playing together right now that could put together enough stops to keep their team in the game. Any team can have bad nights but you don’t want to have one against East Hamilton as they may have the recipe to win a game and stay home to compete for a 4A title.
Henry Co. Patriots (10-2) …Class 5A – #MidTN
– Talent, a veteran team and a seasoned coaching staff are three key ingredients when it comes to competing for a state championship and this Henry Co. squad has those traits and they are one of the hottest teams in the state at the right time of year, so title aspirations are definitely at play for these Patriots.
Henry Co. has demolished their opponents so far through two rounds of play, looking impressive on both sides of the ball and playing the kind of football everybody in the Paris, Tennessee area thought they would look like headed into the season. Led by stud senior quarterback Ryan Damron Ryan Damron 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Henry Co. | 2023 State TN , the Patriots have been scoring at will for several weeks now and doing so with balance both through the air and on the ground.
Protecting everything up front, senior Luke Brown Luke Brown 6'6" | 305 lbs | OL Henry Co. | 2023 State TN and his O-line have been the steady presence throughout the season that has allowed this Patriots offense to grow and develop and here we are in postseason play with them playing their best football of the season. It’s great that these Patriots have gelled together at the right time but their focus must remain as they have a tough game upcoming in the Quarterfinals with a rematch against Springfield, who will certainly be looking for revenge (lost to Henry Co. 29-28 just a few weeks ago).
Some may ask, why is Henry Co. considered a sleeper title team? Well if you look at the 5A terrain, you have some big time programs around the Patriots that are considered prime contenders still playing, which is a good thing for Henry Co. as they can keep handling their business in a quiet manner and look up to see themselves in the 5A title game by season’s end. This team has the quarterback, the athleticism and physicality up front to not only win this Friday but continue it moving forward into the 5A championship game.
Germantown Red Devils (10-2) …Class 6A – #WestTN
– If you go back to our Pre-Playoff previews and predictions, we picked this Germantown team to make it all the way to the 6A title game and here we are headed into the Quarterfinal round with the Red Devils still alive and looking good at the right time of year.
Throughout the season, Germantown has been led by their defense, which is very talented within the front seven with a secondary that has vastly improved as the season has gone along. They are complimented by an improving offense that has an FCS committed QB at the helm in Isaiah Tate Isaiah Tate 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Germantown | 2023 State TN and a young set of talented skill players in B.J. Blake B.J. Blake 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Germantown | 2024 State TN , Jamarion Morrow Jamarion Morrow 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Germantown | 2025 State TN and others. It’s a well balanced team that has started to flex its muscles during the back half of the season and it’s stretched into postseason play thus far.
The Red Devils have already picked up two impressive wins with both of them on the road against Ravenwood and Houston. They have faced some talented teams already and that won’t change as they take on region foe Bartlett this Friday in what is the biggest game in the greater Memphis area for the Quarterfinal round and a contest that either team could win.
While Germantown may not be the ultimate sleeper team because they are a named program in the West Region, they could be placed in that role for these playoffs as you have other powerful teams spread throughout the 6A classification that remain and at better odds to win the state title, however I think these Red Devils will and are having something to say about that.
CPA Lions (7-5) …D2-Class AA – #MidTN
– This entire 2022 season has been enigma for the Lions as they came into the year expected to be one of the best Mid-State teams in the area but they struggled on several occasions, falling short in games they probably should have won however they have bounced back over the last month, showing they are capable of righting the ship and competing for a D2-Class AA title.
That moment where this CPA saw the light was probably their big win over 6A power Oakland. Beating them showed themselves and the state that the Lions are good and capable of beating anybody. Well that continued last week in the 2nd round when the Lions went on the road and defeated top seed Lausanne.
CPA is now one win away from getting to Chattanooga and competing for a state championship and they have a talented offense to get them there and beyond. Seniors Thomas Vaccaro Thomas Vaccaro 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB CPA | 2023 State TN , London Humphreys London Humphreys 6'3" | 185 lbs | WR CPA | 2023 State TN and Bo Burklow Bo Burklow 6'4" | 235 lbs | TE CPA | 2023 State TN are a potent trio that is hard stop and the Lions have a solid offensive line to help with junior John Wayne Oliver John Wayne Oliver 6'6" | 280 lbs | OL CPA | 2024 State TN leading the way.
While many are thinking Lipscomb Academy will win this classification and I agree with that statement as well, you can’t sleep on this CPA team because they know the Mustangs very well and won’t be afraid to go toe to toe with them. The Lions must defeat Chatt. Christian this Friday, which will be a tough challenge but CPA is certainly a team that could surprise everybody with a 2022 football state title at season’s end.