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

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Tons of talent returns for the 2023 season out West, meaning several schools should be in contention for state titles and banner years. Here we look at some of the biggest stories coming out of the West Tennessee region as we maneuver through these off-season months. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Germantown Has Pieces Returning For a State Title Run&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The 2022 season might have been a precursor for what's ahead this Fall for the Germantown Red Devils as this Memphis based program has tons of talent returning and a strong coaching staff to compete for a Class 6A football championship. The Red Devils started off with a bang last year then tapered off a bit before making a deep run in the playoffs and showing flashes of what could be a stellar football team for the 2023 season.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Led by head coach <strong>Gene Robinson</strong>, Germantown could sport the best defense in the state this coming Fall with multiple prospects destined for college football and tremendous depth surrounding them. Everything starts in the front seven with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='258668' first='D.J.' last='Allen']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='258818' first='Daniel' last='Anderson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='316782' first='Kylan' last='Dickey'] </strong>leading the way while also having an athletic secondary led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='316766' first='Jabari' last='Jackson']</strong>. Playing alongside Jackson the back end is two-way talent <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219401' first='Jamarion' last='Morrow']</strong>, who could be one of the best running backs in the state.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The key to this team and their aspirations for a state title will depend on their offense and the replacement of star quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='302318' first='Isaiah' last='Tate']</strong> and several other key senior departures. Finding that signal caller will be crucial but he will have some good talent around him in the likes of Morrow, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='309130' first='Cameron' last='Ledlow'] </strong>and others. There is some strong youthful talent on this roster as well, so a few guys may step up and become major contributors for this team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the past few years, this Germantown program has been building and building some more under Coach Robinson and the 2023 season could finally be the breakout year where these Red Devils are competing to bring home that championship “Gold Ball.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":508109,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/djallen2.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-508109" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-----</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Mr. Football &amp; Title Hopes Reside at Houston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Competing with the team mentioned above for that 6A title, the Houston Mustangs are coming off a big 2022 year that saw them become one of the more formidable teams in the state with some excitement for the future, especially with Mr. Football candidate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277794' first='Damon' last='Sisa'] </strong>running the ball. Surrounded by some good pieces on offense in <strong>Chandler Day</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446635' first='Shawne' last='Jones'] </strong>and others, Sisa is a big time playmaker at running back that can not only compete for Mr. Football but also lead his team on a deep playoff run and a shot at the 6A state title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sisa is the kind of talent that can put his team on his back and run them to a victory. He did just that a few times last Fall, which in turn helped put Sisa and the Mustangs offense and team on the map. Most of that offense returns for the 2023 season but the Houston coaches must find a few replacements to keep the engine running smoothly, especially up front where future Rice Owl <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102290' first='Luke' last='Needham'] </strong>must be accounted for. If the offensive line can come together early, these Mustangs might have one of the best offenses not only in the greater Memphis area but the entire state as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It will be a tough path for the Mustangs in 2023 as competition will be stiff, especially within their own region from the likes of Germantown, Bartlett and others but Houston has the pieces in place to put together a special football season. This offseason will be key for the Mustangs to develop further while finding new contributors to put alongside Sisa as they are a true contender for their region and 6A title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Can Briarcrest Bounce Back After an Underwhelming 2022 season?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Many coaches, scouts and football pundits saw Briarcrest Christian as a legitimate D2-Class AAA state title contender headed into the 2022 season but that turned out to not be the case as the Saints ended the year with a losing record and many questions about their team headed into the offseason. All is not lost however for these Saints as they return a good bit of talent for the 2023 football year, including some “dudes” that can help put Briarcrest back on the map and back into title contention.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest force for these Saints next Fall could be their defense where they bring back several key contributors along with a few guys that are destined for the college game. The area where Briarcrest should be quite talented is their secondary where star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301354' first='Kollin' last='Collier'] </strong>locks down the island while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='372308' first='Holden' last='Day'] </strong>and <strong>Kanon LaRusso </strong>roams the back end at safety. In the trenches, Briarcrest brings back one of the top sack masters from the D2-Class 3A ranks in <strong>Brandon Myers </strong>while also sporting a tackling machine at linebacker in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='939867' first='Trey' last='Davis']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Question marks however reside on the offensive side of the ball for Briarcrest but they have some pieces that can grow and develop over the season and become a nice compliment to the Saints defense. Everything starts with senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='311787' first='Cade' last='Carlson'] </strong>and his ability to become the kind passer and leader his team needs. He is complemented by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='311793' first='JoJo' last='Saleem'] </strong>in the backfield and one of the best O-line's in the West Tennessee region, headlined by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='155476' first='Zeke' last='Taylor']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='250870' first='Cade' last='Shivers']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149174' first='King' last='Johnson III'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480918' first='Blake' last='Adams']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having losing season's isn't the norm for this Briarcrest program, so you can bet this coaching staff and their players will be working extra hard this offseason to resolve their issues from last year and prepare for a big 2023 Fall campaign. The path will be tough for these Saints, playing in possibly the toughest classification in the state but they return enough talent to cause some damage and even possibly be in the mix for title contention.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":642673,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/02/klarusso.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-642673" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Breakthrough Seasons Upcoming for Haywood &amp; Munford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Two West Tennessee based programs that made some noise throughout the 2022 season were Haywood and Munford and both bring back enough players and talent for the Fall football year to continue their winning ways but also compete for state championships. For much of the season last year, the Tomcats and the Cougars were considered some of the best teams from the Class 4A and 5A classifications but both stumbled in the playoffs and saw their season end prematurely. This year, both Haywood and Munford have a second chance at bringing home that “Gold Ball” as both squads have some star power returning along with strong culture spread throughout the locker room.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tomcats bring back one of the more productive quarterbacks in the state with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149844' first='Cordero' last='Walker'] </strong>while also having some star power in defense with the likes of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222286' first='Bishop' last='Owens'] </strong>and linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='287770' first='Elijah' last='Fauteux']</strong>. Replacements must be found in the O-line as well as finding a go-to receiver to replace <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='201101' first='Jamari' last='Person'] </strong>but Haywood tends to always replace talent with more talent, so expect some new names to shine for the Tomcats this Fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Munford was an absolute force throughout the 2022 season and many felt they were destined to win the Class 5A title but that didn't happen, however the Cougars bring back a few stars in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='148838' first='Jordan' last='Bell']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150280' first='Isaiah' last='Cobbs'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='372994' first='Jay' last='Dancey'] </strong>to build around and push towards contending for that state championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two teams have been consistent over the past few years but neither have yet to reach Chattanooga and compete for those championships. You don't know how the season will play out but Haywood and Munford have the culture, coaching staffs and talent to continue making noise in the 2023 season and possibly meet their high expectations by season's end.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":451258,"width":421,"height":336,"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/jorbell.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-451258" width="421" height="336" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Who Are Your State Title Contenders?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- We are many, many months away from meeting back in Chattanooga for the football state championships but it's never too early to look into who the top contenders will be for that “Gold Ball” and for the West Tennessee region, it's unclear right now as to who the true best teams are. The lower level classifications are the areas where the West has shined the brightest over the past several years and teams like Peabody, Westview, Huntingdon, USJ and others should be in the mix again this year as the best of the best but who are the higher level classification teams to keep an eye on?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the top level title contenders are listed above in the likes of Briarcrest Christian, Germantown, Haywood, Houston and Munford but others like <strong>Whitehaven</strong>, <strong>Lausanne</strong>, <strong>Southwind</strong>, <strong>Hardin Co. </strong>and a few more should be in the mix as well. Plenty of things could change over the coming months for all these schools as well as others but as we sit here in February, those programs above appear equipped enough to compete for titles.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If I had to put my finger on the two teams here that have the best shot at ending the season with a state championship, I would choose Germantown and Haywood. Those two programs have star power, depth and strong coaching staffs to endure a long season and come out on the end as champs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":497355,"width":272,"height":426,"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/trjackson.jpeg?w=654" alt="" class="wp-image-497355" width="272" height="426" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->