The Five: Sleeper State Title Teams (Class 1A-3A)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">As we inch closer to the start of the season, here we look at some teams that have pieces in place to make a title run but sit under the radar right now as sleepers. These teams aren't considered at the top but you can't sleep on them either! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Lake Co. Falcons </strong>(Class 1A)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Playing out West in the Class 1A region, Lake Co. always sits in a decent position to make some moves towards a long postseason run but maybe the 2023 season provides them a greater opportunity at something bigger, maybe a state title shot! What the Falcons have going for them this Fall is a defense that has the capability of shutting down some offenses and keeping the opposition to low scoring games, which could help the offense and team overall. As things look right now, the Lake Co. offense may need some time to gel together and find new playmakers, so the defense will be expected to lead the way and they got some “dudes” that should stand out.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior teammates, linebacker <strong>Treshaun Lyons </strong>and defensive back <strong>Jaquan Kinney </strong>are two all-state candidates and performers that have the athleticism, speed and talents to become difference makers this season and boost their college stocks. Where those two guys will need is up front in the trenches where the Falcons got some guys but they must step up to make this defense and team state championship caliber. It could be a long shot this season for Lake Co. to make a state title run but pieces on defense are there to sneak up and beat some people, pushing the Falcons deeper into the playoffs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":931355,"width":545,"height":545,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/jkinney.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-931355" width="545" height="545" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-------------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Mt. Pleasant Tigers </strong>(Class 2A)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Tigers coaching staff has been developing the roster for several years now, looking towards a season like this where they have key vets, talented playmakers and a stud quarterback leading the way that could compete for a Class 2A state title. Several pieces are in place for these Tigers to make a deep playoff run this year but their key seniors and game changers must stay healthy and they must deal with some stiff competition that will be eyeing that “Gold Ball” as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everything begins and ends with Mt. Pleasant senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='323144' first='Nick' last='Brown']</strong>. He is the straw that stirs the drink for the Tigers and the unquestioned leader on offense and the entire team. The 6'2 gunslinger has a talented right arm that can put up over 2,000 yards this season and be put in contention for Mr. Football but if the Tigers want to compete for a state title, players like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='362078' first='Keevan' last='Cooper']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='986394' first='Darien' last='Meza'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611895' first='Jakyri' last='McClure'] </strong>must show out as well and their defense has to be salty too. The offense has pieces to be quite explosive and high scoring. The defense should be strong in the secondary with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1078863' first='Azarion' last='Robinson'] </strong>making moves in the trenches. The Tigers have a senior class that has gone through the rigors with each other, building towards a year like this where they definitely are a sleeper title team to keep an eye on.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":931369,"width":487,"height":487,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/kevcooper.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-931369" width="487" height="487" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-----------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Milan Bulldogs </strong>(Class 2A)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Behind closed doors, coaches from the 2A level are well aware of the Milan Bulldogs and their history and with this West Tennessee program moving down classifications, they immediately become a sleeping giant that could be in contention for a state title this season. It's not just because of the Bulldogs football history and their move down to the 2A level that makes them a championship contender this Fall, it's also because of their depth and overall talent. The lower classification teams tend to not have a lot of depth but that's something the Bulldogs do have and it could be a deciding factor by the time we get into postseason action.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before we get ahead of ourselves, building the Bulldogs up like a world beater, they must some players to step up at key positions, like quarterback, to become a sleeper title team. As things right now, it looks like sophomore <strong>Will Johnson </strong>could be the guy at quarterback and if he or someone else shows the abilities to handle the position, they will have some good skill players to work with like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='433153' first='Carson' last='Pruitt']</strong>, <strong>Brennan Hudson</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='433154' first='Bladen' last='DePriest'] </strong>and others. The line of scrimmage needs to come together as well. The Bulldogs have some good pieces in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='417865' first='Ayden' last='Sellers'] </strong>and junior <strong>Markell Cunningham </strong>up front but others need to be established. Overall, the Milan Bulldogs have a strong history of winning football and that culture makes its way to the Class 2A level this year where this West Tennessee program could make some serious noise if everything on both sides of the ball comes together.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":720537,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/carpruitt.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-720537" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>----------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Cannon Co. Lions </strong>(Class 2A)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Lions out of Cannon Co. aren't known for football but maybe this Fall, they can change that narrative by winning that region title then taking that momentum into postseason play to become a sleeper towards winning that 2A state championship. A big reason for putting the Lions on this list is because of their senior class. Cannon Co. has several seniors that are not only key starters and performers but future college players as well. Two-way talent <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='445122' first='Tucker' last='Kyne'] </strong>is the stud of the group, who must be a dominating player each and every game for the Lions to have a monster 2023 season but he has to receive help if Lions want to make a deep playoff run.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joining Kyne on offense as key contributors are running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277778' first='Ryan' last='Perkins'] </strong>and rising sophomore quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='819521' first='Eli' last='Garrett']</strong>. The Lions also have some beef in numbers up front in the trenches, which plays heavily on the Class 2A ranks. Notable big men to know about include seniors <strong>Noah Maddox </strong>and <strong>Andrew Underwood </strong>along with mauling junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390646' first='Foster' last='Kemp'] </strong>along with several others. The linebackers look to be pretty strong too with senior <strong>Camarn Carr </strong>leading the way along with rising junior studs in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390714' first='Dylan' last='Gunter'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390619' first='Zae' last='Odom']</strong>. Looking over the Lions roster along with the rest of the Class 2A teams, you can see why Cannon Co. is someone you shouldn't sleep on and a team that might get better as the season rolls along, putting them in contention to make major waves in postseason play.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":529378,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/tkyne3.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-529378" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>----------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Giles Co. Bobcats </strong>(Class 3A)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- For the last few years, these Bobcats have been a tough out for the opposition and a consistent program that competes in the playoffs but maybe the 2023 provides Giles Co. their best chance yet at competing for a state title, especially with a strong senior class leading the way. This Mid-Tennessee football program goes about their winning ways differently than most as the Bobcats play a physical brand of football that gives opponents fits while leaning on an offensive run game and salty defense to push them to victories. The veil between just making it to the playoffs and competing for a state title is very thin, so Bobcats will have a tough path towards making it to Chattanooga but getting there is possible.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior leaders for Giles Co. have to be all-world players this Fall for the Bobcats to be in contention, meaning guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239447' first='Kamauri' last='Turner']</strong>, <strong>Xzorion Randolph </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149848' first='Tyrick' last='Brown'] </strong>need to be high performing contributors in almost each and every game. The team also needs strong play in the trenches as well where a guy like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390594' first='Amare' last='Smith'] </strong>can become a difference maker. Depth could be the biggest concern for Giles Co. once we get to December but there is plenty of time for others to step forward into big roles and contribute. We have a long way to go before we start talking about postseason play but these Bobcats should be in the mix yet again with an outside shot of making it to Chattanooga and competing for a 3A title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":803258,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/04/amsmith.jpg?w=320" alt="" class="wp-image-803258" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Three Others to Watch: Richland Raiders </strong>(1A), <strong>Whitwell Tigers </strong>(1A), <strong>Sheffield Knights </strong>(3A)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->