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

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Looking into the long off-season ahead, here we breakdown some of the best stories to follow over the next several months as well as the Fall 2023 football season. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Can Anybody Knock Off The King That is Oakland?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- For three years running now, the Oakland Patriots have won the Class 6A state title and nobody seems to be on their heels to snatch their crown away from them. Maryville has been their main competition but the Rebels are coming off a down year and might take a step back this season, so who can be that team to give the Patriots competition for that 6A title? That question won't be answered for several months but early on, a few programs might have a shot this Fall at knocking off the Patriots.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First we look at their region and right now, nobody will give Oakland enough competition to take that region title away from them. Riverdale might have the greatest shot at doing that, especially with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='119096' first='Braden' last='Graham'] </strong>at the helm, spinning it to junior receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149160' first='Brock' last='Montgomery']</strong>. Siegel may cause a little problem within the region as well but honestly, Oakland is the clear cut favorite again and as of now, the leader in the clubhouse to win their 4th state title in a row.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest competition for the Patriots this coming Fall could come from out West. Three teams in Germantown, Collierville and Houston return enough talent to be considered at the top of the Class 6A ranks, especially the Red Devils, who might return the best defense in the state next season. Defense could be the key to knocking off the Patriots as nobody has been able to stop their rushing attack for several seasons now.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a long journey between now and the end of the 2023 football season, so you don't really know which teams will step it up to become championship contenders but one thing I do know is that Oakland will be there and at the top of the mountain waiting for someone to knock them off their pedestal.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":451256,"width":344,"height":344,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/oakland.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-451256" width="344" height="344" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Title Run Upcoming for Brentwood Academy?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The 2022 season was a disclaimer to the rest of the D2-Class AAA teams that Brentwood Academy is here to play and looking forward, the Eagles will be considered a prime title contender as they sport one of the best rosters of anybody in this state. Everything starts for BA with prized sophomore quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219419' first='George' last='MacIntyre']</strong>. This Power Five offered signal caller might be the best passer in the state, regardless of classification and his poise and feel for the pocket and offense are key factors towards him leading his Eagles team to a possible state title by the end of the 2023 campaign.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What will help MacIntyre on offense is one of the best offensive lines in the state, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149168' first='Hank' last='Weber']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149181' first='Andrew' last='Pedersen'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='305915' first='Graham' last='Gilmer']</strong> and a defense that was young last season but will be more seasoned come Fall, led by a stud linebacker in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='362094' first='A.J.' last='Barbat']</strong>. The one area about the Eagles team that I would like to see develop further this offseason is their receivers and defensive backs. They have a dude in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219407' first='Kolbe' last='Harmon'] </strong>to lean on but must establish depth behind them to withstand a long season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Striving for that state title will be hard as the Eagles play in the toughest division in the state, so they will face top competition each and every week. That schedule however should battle test Brentwood Academy and have them prepared for that postseason path to Chattanooga and be ready to bring that “Gold Ball” back to Granny White Pike.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Can Page Finally Breakthrough with a State Championship?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Heartbreak and defeat have been the results for Page over the past two years as the Patriots have made it to the Class 5A title game and come up just short both times but this Mid-Tennessee program brings back enough talent to make it to Chattanooga again for the 2023 season. This is one of more well run football programs in the greater Middle Tennessee area and possibly even the entire state. The discipline, efficiency and hard work that is established with the Page program carries tons of weight throughout the roster, regardless of what talent the Patriots have but for the 2023 season, they are quite loaded on defense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Page is having to replace some significant players from the offensive side of the ball, so making it back to the 5A title game will be laid at the feet of the defense, who has the dudes to lead them to the promised land. Everything starts up front and the Pats have two big dudes that can move the line of scrimmage in rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149171' first='Ronan' last='O'Connell'] </strong>and junior to be <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219378' first='Connor' last='Coffman']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sitting behind them is a pair of linebackers that are destined for the college game. Junior's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219439' first='Eric' last='Hazzard'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390716' first='Brenden' last='Anes'] </strong>are two of the best at their positions in the state, especially Hazzard, who produced 12 sacks last year as a sophomore. The one area about the defense that must develop further is their secondary. They have one guy back there who is a baller in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='540028' first='Knight' last='Wilson'] </strong>but the Pats must find some depth and speed to add alongside him.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offense will be in a transitional period throughout the offseason and into the football year as the Patriots try to find replacements but their defense should be good to go and primed to lead Page back down a deep playoff run and hopefully back to Chattanooga to finally bring home that elusive “Gold Ball”.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":334397,"width":338,"height":337,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/05/roconnell.jpg?w=682" alt="" class="wp-image-334397" width="338" height="337" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>---------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Who is the Best Team From Williamson Co.?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Middle Tennessee area is full of big time football programs and most of those squads reside in the Williamson Co. area but for the 2023 season, who will rise to the top to become the best of the best? That question will honestly not be answered for several months but why not look ahead as this county provides plenty of options, including some teams that might be worthy enough to compete for state titles.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Page is the 1st school to mention, considering we talked about them above. The Patriots have a loaded defense and a winning program to compete for another state title. Brentwood Academy could be the team from Williamson Co. with the best shot at winning a championship. Behind those two sits a bevy of schools that have more questions than answers but sport enough talent to make some waves.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brentwood is one program to keep an eye on. The 2022 season was definitely a learning and growth experience for the Bruins as they had to throw out a young team on the field that struggled early but definitely came on by the end of the season. They return a deep senior class, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207329' first='Jackson' last='Lowe']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='244642' first='Cooper' last='McAfee']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480631' first='Maddox' last='McKim'] </strong>and others that can not only win their region title but also compete for that 6A state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Centennial is another school to pay attention to this coming Fall. The Cougars had a breakout 2022 year and return basically every single major contributor this coming season while adding in a strong replacement at quarterback in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='148876' first='Elisha' last='Nieves']</strong>. Centennial has some serious talent with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='316773' first='Dominic' last='Reed']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='310897' first='Kani'' last='Johnson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277761' first='D.J.' last='Curll'] </strong>and others returning but if they can find some help up front, the Cougars might be legitimate 6A title contenders.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Independence had a down 2022 season but return a stud quarterback in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='148864' first='Cody' last='Pagach'] </strong>that has a year under his belt and the arm talent to bring his Eagles back into contention. Summit took a step back last year but they should bounce back nicely in 2023 with some key guys returning, especially on offense with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277795' first='Dominick' last='Hollis']</strong>, <strong>Josh Jenkins </strong>and rising junior tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='466270' first='Pryor' last='Browning']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Predictions can easily be made this far away from the football year but ultimately, we don't know who will be the best from Williamson County, however we have a good idea. This county should once again lead the way for the Middle Tennessee region as the best football area within its footprints while also providing a few teams that will be in contention for state championships.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":465658,"width":394,"height":263,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/10/domreed2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-465658" width="394" height="263" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>----------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Who is the Best Small School Mid-TN team for 2023?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The depth of talent that is spreading throughout this state is starting to reach all the way to the Class 2A and 1A levels where here in the Middle Tennessee region, we have some strong small school, small town programs that are beginning to put more and more prospects into the collegiate ranks. Fayetteville has been a dominant program over the past few years and they should be stellar once again in 2023 with stars like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='258804' first='K.J.' last='Jackson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390595' first='Cole' last='Cash']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='258659' first='Sam' last='Willoughby'] </strong>and others returning. Giving them competition this season could be the Tigers of Mt. Pleasant. Head coach <strong>Kit Hartsfield </strong>has built a strong roster that could be ready to breakthrough this year, led by star quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='323144' first='Nick' last='Brown']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Robertson should yet again be quite strong, led by two athletic playmakers in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='332217' first='Elijah' last='Groves'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='497421' first='Isaiah' last='Groves']</strong>. Watch out for the Tigers of Lewis Co. as they return a good bit of talent with one of the more underrated passers in the state in rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='362006' first='Brycen' last='McDonald']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Down on the 1A level, Clay Co. made a magical run to the title game last Fall and while they must replace some key departures, they might have enough talent coming back to make another run at Chattanooga. One team to watch out for on this level is Moore County. The Raiders bring back a Mr. Football candidate in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277797' first='Dawson' last='White']</strong>, who put up some huge numbers last season and will be leaned upon heavily yet again this Fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much could change over the coming offseason as transfers could happen, injuries might occur and other factors might come into place but the lower level of football here in Tennessee is vastly improving and should put forth another strong year for the 2023 football season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":619097,"width":232,"height":402,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/bmcdonald.webp?w=553" alt="" class="wp-image-619097" width="232" height="402" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->