PRZTN Regional Breakdown: Class 1A-Region 7
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This region has expanded to eight teams for the 2023 season with one squad in particular joining the group in Union City that could step right in & takeover! Others will have something to say about that however!! Class 1A-Region…
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Continue ReadingThis region has expanded to eight teams for the 2023 season with one squad in particular joining the group in Union City that could step right in & takeover! Others will have something to say about that however!!
Class 1A-Region 7
Dresden Lions (Dresden, TN/Weakley Co.)
HC: Keith Hodge
‘22 Record: 9-3 overall (5-1 Region) – Lost 2nd Rd to Fayetteville
Top Returning Players: (S) Tristan Jett, (LB) Will Kibbler, (LB) Cameron Schlicht, (OL) Milo Pflueger, ‘25 (OL) Noah Duncan, ‘26 (DT) JaQwan Ellison, ‘26 (G/C) Brody Taylor
Team Outlook: The 2022 season was a success for this Dresden program but I bet if you talk to their players and coaching staff, they would say otherwise as I’m sure they have bigger aspirations and this coming Fall football season will be a great chance to live up to expectations as this West Tennessee program appears to be prime contenders for a region title. This region has expanded, so the path won’t be easy for these Tigers but they appear to have the senior leadership and trench power to put forth a very successful 2023 season.
Having to replace a stud like Tatum Oliver won’t be easy but they got some steps ready to step up. The offense looks like it will be a work in progress over the next few months but the one thing it does have is beef up front with guys like Milo Pflueger, Noah Duncan and Brody Taylor leading the way. Right now it looks like the Tigers defense might be the catalyst towards a winning season. Senior leaders in Tristan Jett, Will KIbbler and Cameron Schlicht will be the force running the show on defense for Dresden and three guys that will be very important towards a region title and a deep playoff run. Much can change over the coming weeks and months for this Tigers program but as things look right now, Dresden looks to be back in contention for postseason play and more!
Early Season Prediction: Playoff Team; Region Title Contender
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Gleason Bulldogs (Gleason, TN/Weakley Co.)
HC: Noah Lampkins
‘22 Record: 5-5 overall (3-3 Region) – No Playoffs
Top Returning Players: (QB/Ath) Kyzer Crochet, (WR) Garrett Pinkston, (RB) Drake Lovell, (S) Kursin Gustafson, ‘25 (LB) Tristan Chandler
Team Outlook: Just missing postseason play last year, the Bulldogs return a healthy group of veterans this Fall for what could be a bounce back season and a possible run in the playoffs. Led by senior quarterback Kyzer Crochet, Gleason could have a potent offense this year sporting a veteran signal caller and a pair of vets around him in receiver Garrett Pinkston and running back Drake Lovell. The question mark on both sides of the ball leading into the Fall will be if the Bulldogs have enough up front in the trenches to make a difference this year. That question probably won’t be answered for a while but the skill position appears to be well equipped.
If the Bulldogs can receive equal or adequate play on defense this season, Gleason could find themselves in contention for a playoff spot and the opportunity to play further. Finding depth and new playmakers on defense will be the key but I’m sure Coach Lampkins has some guys in mind to step right into starting roles. Looking ahead, Gleason has some pieces to make good on a postseason berth but many questions remain that must be answered early to see if this year’s squad is playoff worthy.
Early Season Prediction: Playoff Team; Middle Region Finish
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Greenfield Yellow Jackets (Greenfield, TN/Weakley Co.)
HC: Don Pitt
‘22 Record: 2-8 overall (0-5 Region) – No Playoffs
Top Returning Players: (RB/LB) Noah Browne, ‘25 (Ath) Easton Sullivan, ‘25 (OL/DT) Cevon McMullen
Team Outlook: This Yellow Jacket program is coming off a winless region season where they produced only two victories and unfortunately, I think Greenfield could be in store for more struggles this coming Fall. Being that these Yellow Jackets are a 1A program, they deal with some of the same issues as other schools do on this level and that’s overall talent along with depth and for this 2023 team, talent and depth appears to be lacking.
Now I say all that above with the understanding that Greenfield could jump up and surprise and become a formidable team this year but right now after looking over their roster as well as their region, I just don’t see where the Yellow Jackets move up the ranks into playoff contention. One player to lean for Greenfield to make plays will be two-way talent, running back/linebacker Noah Browne. Other playmakers will need to step up around Browne for the Yellow Jackets to find success this year but right now, it’s unclear as to who that will be but luckily for Greenfield, we have plenty of time to figure out who they are.
Early Season Prediction: No Playoffs; Bottom Region Finish
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Halls Tigers (Halls, TN/Lauderdale Co.)
HC: Blake Stigall
‘22 Record: 6-5 overall (3-2 Region) – Lost 1st Rd to B.T. Washington
Top Returning Players: (DT/OL) Landan Davis, ‘25 (OL) Kylan Glynn Kylan Glynn 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL Halls | 2025 State TN , ‘25 (TE/DE) Lane Schenk, ‘25 (OL) Trace Harrell, ‘25 (DB) Ladarius Roberts, ‘25 (RB) Hayden Henderson
Team Outlook: If you are looking for a sleeper region title team, these Tigers could be that squad! Coming off a 1st round loss in the playoffs, the Halls coaching staff will be looking to take their 2023 team further and they may have the beef up front to do just that. Halls could have one of the best D-line’s in the Class 1A ranks, led by senior Landan Davis and rising junior defensive end/tight end Lane Schenk. Both of the players have the ability to play college ball one day and must be key contributors this Fall to propel the Tigers towards a big season.
Those two aren’t the only big men up front to keep an eye on as juniors Kylan Glynn Kylan Glynn 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL Halls | 2025 State TN and Trace Harrell both have the size and physical makeup to develop into two of the best at their position on the 1A ranks. Halls also has a two-way playmaker in junior Ladarius Roberts that could develop into a Mr. Football candidate down the road along with the potential to make it to the next level. Several pieces are in place for the Tigers to not only compete for a region title this year but also go on a deep postseason run.
Early Season Prediction: Playoff Team; Region Title Contender
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Humboldt Vikings (Humboldt, TN/Gibson Co.)
HC: Craig Pettigrew
‘22 Record: 3-7 overall (1-4 Region) – No Playoffs
Top Returning Players: (Ath) Jaquri Agnew, ‘25 (DT/OL) Stephon Shivers Stephon Shivers 6'5" | 325 lbs | DL Humboldt | 2025 State TN , ‘25 (Ath) K.D. Taylor, ‘25 (S) Kendrick Taylor, Jr, ‘25 (OL/DL) Tebias Bell
Team Outlook: A program that has been consistent with going to the playoffs over recent years, the Vikings missed the postseason last season but I can bet they are gunning to change that this Fall. It will be a tough challenge for Humboldt as their region has gotten deeper and tougher while they won’t have a veteran laden team this season, so their youth must step up and fill in some important roles. The Vikings do have a playmaking senior to depend on this year in Jaquri Agnew, who looks to be manning the quarterback position this Fall.
Where the Vikings could be quite solid is over on defense where you have a trio of juniors set to play key roles. Two-way lineman Stephon Shivers Stephon Shivers 6'5" | 325 lbs | DL Humboldt | 2025 State TN is the headliner, who currently holds a few D1 offers but K.D. Taylor and junior safety Kendrick Taylor, Jr will be equally important playing in the secondary. Depth will be the main issue for the Vikings this year as right now it appears as though they don’t have the numbers as some other teams nor the collection of talent up front in the trenches to hold up all season long. I could definitely be wrong but I see a middle of the region finish and a team that will fight for a playoff spot and play sleeper along the way.
Early Season Prediction: Possible Playoff Team; Middle Region Finish
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Lake Co. Falcons (Tiptonville, TN/Lake Co.)
HC: Jonathan Canada
‘22 Record: 8-4 overall (4-1 region) – Lost 2nd Rd to MASE
Top Returning Players: (RB) Calvin Mullins, ‘25 (LB) Treshaun Lyons, ‘25 (DB) Jaquan Kinney, ‘25 (OL) Brady Smith Brady Smith 6'2" | 260 lbs | OL CPA | 2025 State TN , ‘25 (RB) Camden Chamberlain, ‘25 (DB) Elijah Avery, ‘25 (QB/S) Chance Estes
Team Outlook: Everybody in this region will be gunning for these Falcons as they have been a consistent program on the Class 1A ranks for several years now and appear to have another strong squad for the Fall with a talented junior class leading the way. The Falcons finished their 2022 campaign with a 2nd round playoff loss but continued their consistency with making the playoffs and I expect Lake Co. to do so yet again and even go deeper within postseason play. If the Falcons are to do that, they will need to rely on their juniors as veterans appear to be lacking for the 2023 team.
Lake Co. has a loaded junior class with a few guys that have college potential written all over them. Linebacker Treshaun Lyons not only looks the part but he plays fast and hard just like a college backer. Junior defensive back Jaquan Kinney has the size and athleticism to develop into a college recruit at safety. They are complimented on offense by massive junior O-lineman Brady Smith Brady Smith 6'2" | 260 lbs | OL CPA | 2025 State TN and a talented running back in Camden Chamberlain, who could be a Mr. Football sleeper. All the guys mentioned above still must develop properly as well as many others must step up into key roles for these Falcons to have a successful 2023 season and compete for not only a region title but a sleeper contender for a state championship.
Early Season Prediction: Playoff Team; Region Title Contender
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South Fulton Red Devils (South Fulton, TN/Obion Co.)
HC: Eric Knott
‘22 Record: 5-6 overall (3-3 Region) – Lost 1st Rd to Fayetteville
Top Returning Players: (RB) Will Clapper, ‘25 (QB) Brady McFarland Brady McFarland 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB South Fulton | 2025 TN , ‘25 (RB/LB) Dallas Whitehead Dallas Whitehead 6'0" | 205 lbs | RB South Fulton | 2025 TN , ‘25 (Ath) Connor O’Neal, ‘25 (OL) Tim Davis, ‘25 (WR/S) Dane Cirkles, ‘26 (DE/LB) Joseph Mathias
Team Outlook: Can these Red Devils build off last year’s playoff appearance to make a deeper run this Fall and even be a sleeper region title contender? I think it’s possible, especially with having possibly the best quarterback from the entire region back for his junior season. Brady McFarland Brady McFarland 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB South Fulton | 2025 TN threw for just under 2,000 yards last year with 25 touchdowns. Those are some strong numbers as a sophomore, so I expect a bigger year from this junior dual threat signal caller. McFarland will be complimented by a strong senior back in Will Clapper, who I could see going for over 1,000 yards this year. The offense could be quite potent, especially if the Red Devils receive strong play up front.
Over on defense, depth and overall athleticism appears to be lacking but South Fulton should be solid within the front seven with underclassmen Dallas Whitehead Dallas Whitehead 6'0" | 205 lbs | RB South Fulton | 2025 TN and Joseph Mathias causing damage. Dane Cirkles is one guy on the back end that could make a big difference on defense at safety. South Fulton is an interesting team to look at as I can see plenty of talent there to compete for the region title but I could also see the Red Devils finishing in the middle of the pack again and fighting for a playoff spot. These next few months will be critical to build starting players and depth for the Red Devils to compete at the top of this region.
Early Season Prediction: Playoff Team; Middle Region Finish
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Union City Golden Tornado (Union City, TN/Obion Co.)
HC: Nick Markle
‘22 Record: 10-3 overall (3-2 region) – Lost Quarterfinals to Huntingdon
Top Returning Players: (QB) Keaten Brown Keaten Brown 6'0" | 195 lbs | QB Union City | 2024 TN , (RB) Jacob Arnold Jacob Arnold 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Union City | 2024 TN , (WR/S) Luke Joslin, ‘25 (OL) Davis Hayes Davis Hayes 6'3" | OL Union City | 2025 TN , ‘25 (OG) Kelan Roberson, ‘25 (WR/S) Finn Frankum, ‘26 (LB) Deyton Buckley, ‘26 (DB) Adrian Crawford
Team Outlook: This could be the team to not only compete with Lake Co. for the Class 1A-Region 7 title but the Golden Tornadoes are a prime contender to compete for the 1A state title as well. Part of that thinking is because of the star power returning to Union City this Fall in quarterback Keaten Brown Keaten Brown 6'0" | 195 lbs | QB Union City | 2024 TN and running back Jacob Arnold Jacob Arnold 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Union City | 2024 TN . Both Brown and Arnold are two of the top contenders for Mr. Football this season as well, so Union City certainly has one of the best backfields in the 1A ranks to lean on this year. The Golden Tornadoes have a pair of studs up front in the line to block for Brown and Arnold as well with juniors Davis Hayes Davis Hayes 6'3" | OL Union City | 2025 TN and Kelan Roberson.
The offense will be fine for Union City but it’s their defense that will be the main question mark heading into the season and the side of the ball that could be the biggest difference as to if these Golden Tornadoes will be competing for titles. There are a few young pieces to build around in Deyton Buckley and Adrian Crawford but many others must step forward to provide a nice compliment to the high scoring Golden Tornadoes offense. If everything falls into place on defense with Brown and Arnold remaining healthy, look for Union City to have a banner 2023 season that could finish with a state title.
Early Season Prediction: Playoff Team; 1A Title Contender; Region Title Contender