The Five: Biggest Off-season East TN Story-lines

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2>It will take a while before we get back into football but why not look ahead and dive into some of the biggest off-season story-lines from the teams out of the East Tennessee region. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Can Baylor Repeat As State Champions?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- For the first time in over 60 years, the Baylor Red Raiders can call themselves state champions but can they sustain that success and repeat as champs for the 2023 season. It will be hard and things won't be easy but the Red Raiders return plenty of talent and sport one of the best quarterback prospects in the state. Leading the Red Raiders to a championship last year, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='323145' first='Whit' last='Muschamp'] </strong>returns in the Fall to lead the Baylor offense and he has a top level wideout to throw it at in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='148873' first='Amari' last='Jefferson']</strong>. The Red Raiders also return two other talented pass catchers for Muschamp to rely on in tight end's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='305883' first='Max' last='LeBlanc'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219421' first='Cameron' last='Sparks']</strong>. If the offensive line, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219445' first='Jimmy' last='Bryson']</strong>, can plug in some new pieces and gel together, the Red Raiders offense should be potent yet again.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over on defense, the Red Raiders have some nice pieces returning in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207309' first='Joshua' last='Hampton']</strong> and <strong>Nziyah Whaley </strong>but they must replace several big pieces from last year's title team, especially on the D-line and at linebackers, so this side of the ball will be interesting to follow through the offseason months. If some guys can be brought in or others on the current roster develop in the right way, Baylor will be ok on defense with their offense leading the way.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a good program led by a strong coaching staff (HC - <strong>Erik Kimrey</strong>), sporting one of the best quarterbacks in the state, so Baylor will automatically be considered a title contender again in ‘23 but if they want to walk away with another “Gold Ball:, several new defensive replacements will need to step up and become “dudes” to help out Muschamp and the Red Raiders talented offense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":538338,"width":340,"height":475,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/wmuschamp2.jpg?w=731" alt="" class="wp-image-538338" width="340" height="475" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Does Knox. West Continue to Reign Over Class 5A?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming off an undefeated season and a state title run, the Rebels of Knox. West will be considered the team to beat for the 2023 campaign but they must replace some key offensive standouts if they want to stay at the top of the Class 5A ranks. It was a magical season last Fall for the Rebels, led by head coach <strong>Lamar Brown</strong>, who pushed all the right buttons on the way to taking home the “Gold Ball” in Chattanooga but he may need to find some new buttons this year as new parts will need to be developed on the offensive side of the ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It should be the Rebels defense that carries load for the 2023 season as they return three big time standouts in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301377' first='C.J.' last='Smith']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465287' first='Anderson' last='Smith']</strong> and <strong>Ryan Scott </strong>that should take on big leadership roles as well as be expected to show up and show out on a game to game basis. I fully expect the Rebels defense to be quite good in 2023 but it will be their offense that will need to come together and find the right chemistry and connection if the Rebels want to repeat as champions.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What will make the repeat tough is the classification that the Rebels reside in. Class 5A sports some top level programs that will be gunning for Knox. West to take the title away from them and several teams return some top notch talent, so the path will be difficult, especially with the schedule the Rebels have in 2023 (Games set vs. Alcoa, Anderson Co., Powell and Maryville).&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. How does Knox. Webb replace [player_tooltip player_id='250834' first='Charles' last='Robinson']?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming off a one loss season where the Spartans fell to the eventual state champion, Knox. Webb returns some serious talent on both sides of the ball for the 2023 season but they must find a replacement for their star quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='250834' first='Charles' last='Robinson']. The dual threat signal caller who is headed to Navy next season, played a vital role on the Spartans team last year where he landed himself as a Mr. Football finalist and pushed his team close to a state championship opportunity. His abilities will be hard to replace but the Webb coaching staff must find a way to do so and I think they have that option on hand already.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look for the Spartans to give the keys to the offense to rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402537' first='Elias' last='Childers']. </strong>This 6 '3 passer has several D1 traits that translate to the next level but just needs the experience on the field and time to develop before he gets there. This coming Fall football season should be his first opportunity to truly show what he has and Childers has some serious talent around him in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219041' first='Markeis' last='Barrett'] </strong>and <strong>Shavar Young, Jr </strong>to throw to.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans also have a solid defense returning as well with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='372281' first='Xavier' last='Hickman'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='362093' first='Cooper' last='Cameron'] </strong>leading the way, so if Childers can progress throughout the season, Knox. Webb may have a team capable of making it to Chattanooga and competing for that D2-Class AA title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":594049,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/xhickman.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-594049" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Will Maryville Bounce Back For The 2023 Season?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The 2023 football year didn't go the way the Maryville football program or the community is used to. Yes they made the playoffs and had several good wins but they ultimately fell to 10-4 overall and missed out on competing for the 6A title. They are now looking to bounce back after last year and get back to their standards, however I think it won't be that easy. The Rebels are having to replace a strong senior class that won a bunch of ball games and will now have to rely on a lot of youth to play key roles and lead the team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What Maryville does not have at the moment are any established guys to lean upon but I think one player who could step into that role is running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301359' first='Gage' last='LaDue']</strong>. The 6 '2 powerful runner with good speed must take on a big role next Fall as the Rebels lean on their rushing attack with several good pieces on the O-line returning, including tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='305914' first='Blake' last='Heckmann']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It will be very interesting to see how the 2023 Rebels develop over the offseason and into the football year because many will think that Maryville will remain in the mix like always but it may take some time before they become that kind of team. This could be a year where there are more questions about the Rebels than there are answers but we will definitely see how things shake out.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>---------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Who Emerges As A New Title Contender?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Each year is a new opportunity for a new school to chase after that state title and in the 2023 season, it should be no different as you have several programs hungry to be in Chattanooga. The East Tennessee region had a banner 2022 season where you had Alcoa, Anderson Co., Baylor, Knox West and Tyner Academy all become state champions, so can this region repeat that kind of success for the 2023 year? It will be tough but a few programs look like prime contenders to compete for state championships.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Out of the five title teams listed above, Alcoa, Baylor and Knox. West has the best shots at repeating as champions, especially the Red Raiders who bring back a lot of talent. Threatening Baylor next season could be their rival in McCallie, who returns some top talent in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149842' first='Carson' last='Gentle']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='287027' first='Jeremy' last='St-Hilaire'] </strong>and others that will definitely challenge for that D2-Class AAA title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knox. Webb had a stellar 2022 year and they could have an even better 2023 year, especially with the ascension of sophomore quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402537' first='Elias' last='Childers']</strong>. Next Fall could finally be the year where Gatlinburg-Pittman overtakes Alcoa for the region title and marches their way to Chattanooga. They have a loaded offense with studs returning in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207312' first='Brady' last='Hammonds']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149163' first='Carlos' last='Orr']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149400' first='Whittman' last='Whaley'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219342' first='Tegan' last='Avera']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though the Powell Panthers have to replace a strong senior class, they return several good pieces to chase after another title, including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207299' first='Steven' last='Soles, Jr'] </strong>and running back <strong>Conner Wheeler</strong>. Keep an eye on Oak Ridge this season as they have been a team with plenty of talent but have to breakthrough, however the 2023 season could be that time with offensive talent returning in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149157' first='Brandon' last='Heyward'] </strong>and <strong>De'Jauvis Dozier</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There will also be a few teams that come out of nowhere next season to place themselves in the mix to compete for a championship, so this offseason will be interesting to follow as we see how teams out East gel and develop themselves into title contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":578908,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/jsthilaire.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-578908" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->