#PRZTN Regional Breakdown: Class 1A-Region 2

<h2>Can anyone take the Region 2 title away from Coalfield? Who will make the jump into playoff contention? Who is the team to beat in 2023? All this & more inside our Class 1A-Region 2 preview! </h2>     Class 1A-Region 2   Coalfield Yellow Jackets (Coalfield, TN/Morgan Co.)   HC: Benson Nappier    ‘22 Record: 12-2 overall (6-0 region) - Lost to Clay Co. (Semifinals)   Top Returning Players: (RB) Coalton Henry, ‘25 (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='361308' first='Mason' last='Smith'], ‘25 (QB) Luke Treece   Team Outlook: The Yellow Jackets have been the standard within this region for many years now and while they must replace several key performers from last year's Semi Final team, they return enough talent and a strong culture to maintain their status on top. The winning recipe will remain the same this Fall for Coalfield as they bring a run based offense to the field along with a technique sound, physical defense that will be leaning on new starters. Where the strength may reside for the Yellow Jackets is on offense with their rushing attack, led by Coalton Henry and an offensive line that has a stud up front in junior [player_tooltip player_id='361308' first='Mason' last='Smith'].    Winning a state title is the goal for every team across the state and that remains the barrier for this Yellow Jackets program but taking the region will be critical this year as it won't be an easy path as season's past. This region has gotten bigger and other teams continue to get better, so Coalfield must take on a bigger challenge this Fall as they develop new starters but the Yellow Jackets will be ready and should continue to be the team to beat for the Class 1A-Region 2 title.    Early Season Prediction: Region Title Contender, Playoff Team   -------------------------   Greenback Cherokees (Greenback, TN/Loudon Co.)   HC: Ethan Edmiston    ‘22 Record: 5-6 overall (4-2 region) - Lost to Unaka (1st Rd)   Top Returning Players: (RB) Cason Workman, (WR/S) Connor James, (DE/LB) Eli Tyson, (DE) Cade Brown   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/elityson.jpg?w=791" alt="" class="wp-image-722857" width="370" height="369" /></figure>   Team Outlook: Over the past few years, this Greenback program has been playing mid-level football and not producing the kind of wins they did almost a decade ago but could they have a bounce back year in 2023? That very well could happen but many questions about these Cherokees must be answered before we reach the start of the year. Even though Greenback finished with a losing record last year, it was a nice building season as the Cherokees staff implemented several new players who will be returning this Fall and are expected to contribute in major ways.    The approach on offense looks to remain the same for Greenback as they will look to rely on their run game with senior Cason Workman expected to take on a lead role. Their O-line will need to be shaped into a formidable group but the backs behind them should be ready to go. The defense should be quite good up front with seniors Eli Tyson and Cade Brown working the edge and being the leaders the rest of the defense will need. The entire team is lacking the athleticism that other teams may have but that's ok as these Cherokees rely on smart, sound, tough football to get them by and it's done the job for many years now. Greenback will need to play that kind of brand of football if they want to return to the playoffs and improve upon their downfalls from last year's 5-6 team.    Early Season Prediction: Playoff Team   -------------------------   Harriman Blue Devils (Harriman, TN/Roane Co.)   HC: Travis Tapp   ‘22 Record: 3-7 overall (2-4 region) - No Playoffs   Top Returning Players: (DT/OL) Bryson Ellis, ‘25 (RB) Josh Hansen   Team Outlook: It's been a long time since these Blue Devils have been relevant within their region and looking ahead into the 2023 season, that trend may continue. Going through the Harriman roster, the Blue Devils are lacking the physical traits or talent to be viewed as region contenders but you never know what can happen when you step on the field and begin hitting people. Under the radar guys might step up and take on large roles, developing themselves into All-State performers but that is yet to be seen.    As of right now, Harriman has a long road to go before they start placing themselves at the top of the region but they must start somewhere and the 2023 Fall football season provides them a great opportunity to start moving up the pecking order.    Early Season Prediction: Bottom Three Region Team   -------------------------   Midway Green Wave (Kingston, TN/Roane Co.)   HC: Justin O'Toole    ‘22 Record: 2-8 overall (1-5 region) - No Playoffs    Top Returning Players: ‘25 (S) Peyton Steele, ‘25 (QB) Brennan Reed, ‘26 (DE) Hunter Hall   Team Outlook: Much like the team above, Midway has a tough battle on their hands this Fall as they try to make headway within this region, going up against some top competition while implementing some new starters. Last year was a struggle for the Green Wave and that might continue this year but the future could be bright with some young talent taking over lead roles.    Running the show behind center appears to be junior Brennan Reed and he will be given every opportunity to command the quarterback role and be the main guy moving forward. He should receive some help from two-way talent Peyton Steele, who might have more upside on defense at safety. The biggest area of possible concern for the Green Wave is up front on the offensive line, where they may not have the size to keep up with bigger defensive opponents.    Nothing is set in stone as of now, so Midway may sneak up and contend for a region title but with how things sit at the moment, the Green Wave might be dealing with another learning experience before things possibly pay off next year.    Early Season Prediction: Bottom Three Region Team   -------------------------   Oakdale Eagles (Oakdale, TN/Morgan Co.)   HC: J.R. Voyles    ‘22 Record: 7-4 overall (3-3 region) - Lost to Cloudland (1st Rd)   Top Returning Players: (S) Sydney Gregory, (Ath) Nehemiah Cooney   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/sydgregory.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-722862" width="340" height="340" /></figure>   Team Outlook: Coach Voyles has been on the job with the Eagles for many season's now and last Fall his hard work started to pay off as Oakdale put together one of their best football year's yet and now they are looking to build off that for more success. Winning won't come easy this year for the Eagles as they must replace several key starters from last year's playoff team and rely on new players, starring in important roles. The philosophy won't change too much under Coach Voyles teaching, so possibly those who were on the bench last year, who watched the team's success, are ready to step up and become dependable starters.    One guy the rest of the team can look to for leadership and production is senior two-way starter Sydney Gregory. This East Tennessee product might be a sleeper Mr. Football candidate if his and his team's success is strong throughout the duration of the 2023 season. The line of scrimmage and the front seven on defense will be the biggest weaknesses headed into Fall camp but if the coaching staff can find some dependable starters, you might find these Eagles back in the playoffs yet again and competing for a region title.    Early Season Prediction: Playoff Team   -------------------------   Oliver Springs Bobcats (Oliver Springs, TN/Roane Co.)   HC: Tyler Harper   ‘22 Record: 7-6 overall (5-1 region) - Lost to Coalfield (Quarterfinals)   Top Returning Players: (DE) Javen Barger, (OG/C) Drew Tippens, ‘26 (QB/Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1432186' first='Liam' last='Boeke']   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/osprings.jpg?w=562" alt="" class="wp-image-722865" width="339" height="302" /></figure>   Team Outlook: The biggest competition for Coalfields region title comes right here from the Bobcats. Last season, Oliver Springs had a stellar year, going 5-1 within their region and playing into the Quarterfinal playoff round but it's a new season, so can the Bobcats piggy back off last year's success and continue building the program in the right direction? We will see but right now these Bobcats have enough talent returning to compete for the Class 1A-Region 2 title.    Oliver Springs brings back two of the best overall talents inside the region with the return of seniors Javen Barger and Drew Tippens. Both of these prospects have a possibility of reaching the collegiate level but continued work must be done from both if they want to reach that destination. A youngster to keep an eye on this Fall is rising sophomore quarterback, athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1432186' first='Liam' last='Boeke']. He very well could be the Bobcats starting quarterback this season and someone that could make a difference in the Bobcats winning or losing the region. Many key performers from last season must be replaced but the coaching staff remains intact and enough talent comes back to push these Bobcats back into the playoffs and contend for the region title.    Early Season Prediction: Region Title Contender, Playoff Team   -------------------------   Rockwood Tigers (Rockwood, TN/Roane Co.)   HC: John Webb    ‘22 Record: 6-5 overall (2-2 region - 2A) - Lost to South Greene (1st Rd)   Top Returning Players: (TE/LB) Alex Norton, ‘26 (Ath) Hayden Hicks, ‘26 (OL/DL) Skyler Layne   Team Outlook: Last Fall was a big opportunity for these Tigers to push their program into another level and while Rockwood did take steps in the right direction, they didn't achieve their goal of a region title, especially with the senior class they sported last year. Now most of those seniors have graduated and others have to step up into bigger roles and become not just key contributors but prime time players that produce on a consistent basis.    Most of this roster looks young and inexperienced heading into the summer months and Fall football season. One guy the Tigers coaching staff can lean on this year is two-way senior Alex Norton. Playing mainly in the line of scrimmage, Norton's biggest contributions this year should come on defense where he should work the edge and give Rockwood defense a force against the run. He will need some help however as Norton can't handle everything and right now, it's unknown who his running mates will be.   Rockwood could very well take a step back this season, especially with the region expanding and talent developing everywhere but they could also surprise everybody and be right in the mix for a region title. All that is yet to be seen but this year appears to be a tough challenge for this Tigers football team.    Early Season Prediction: Playoff Team   -------------------------   Sunbright Tigers (Sunbright, TN/Morgan Co.)   HC: Brian Hamby   ‘22 Record: 1-9 overall (0-6 region) - No Playoffs    Top Returning Players: (WR/S) Leland Nitzschke   Team Outlook: It's been a struggle on the gridiron for these Tigers over many years now but maybe 2023 is finally their year, however right now, it looks like an uphill battle. Going winless within the region last year, Sunbright will certainly look to improve upon those results this Fall but if they want to be in contention for a playoff spot, prospects must emerge and step into lead roles.    The biggest problem area for the Tigers will be the trenches on both sides of the ball where right now, they don't have the physicality or size to keep up throughout the entire season. There also isn't an established quarterback as we head into the summer, so many questions surround this Sunbright team leading into the Fall football season. If the coaching staff can develop their roster and find some suitable starters, the Tigers can have a bounce back year, winning a few region games and contending for a playoff spot.   Early Season Prediction: Bottom Three Region Team