The Underachievers: Big Expectations, Poor Starts

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Closing in on the mid-way point of the 2023 season, these teams have not lived up to expectations and have struggled to kick off the year but hope remains to turn their everything around, however they must do so quickly if they want post-season play. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Brentwood Academy Eagles (1-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- There is no team on this list that has underachieved more than these Eagles as they were billed as possibly the top overall team in the entire state headed into the 2023 season but have definitely not lived up to the hype. The season is far from over, so we can't count Brentwood Academy out but they better get things fixed quickly or postseason play may be out of the cards. That's a bold statement to make but the Eagles have a very tough schedule ahead, including back to back games in the next two weeks against McCallie and Baylor.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Brentwood Academy team is loaded with talent, so it's hard to understand what the issues may be as they have top level players at just about every position on the team. Defense appears to be the main issue as they have allowed 170 points through four games but the offense hasn't done their job either. Led by top 2025 quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219419' first='George' last='MacIntyre'] </strong>along with elite skill guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219449' first='Tamari' last='Hill']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402563' first='Shavar' last='Young, Jr'] </strong>and others, the BA offense has yet to find consistency nor gel together completely like the staff hoped it would. They have a strong O-line in front of them too, so it's tough to see why the Eagles are having problems but it happens. There is still enough time to turn their season around but they can't wait any longer as we are at the midway point of the year and their toughest competition lies ahead.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Lipscomb Academy Mustangs (1-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Just behind the team mentioned above are these Mustangs as they are a loaded team as well, considered one of the best teams in the state but they head into Week Five at 1-3 with some important games ahead over the next few weeks. This Mid-TN program is coming off back to back state titles but those came on the D2-Class AA level, so this year has certainly been a different and bigger challenge for the Mustangs. They are well equipped with talent like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='337300' first='Dillon' last='Lorick']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='841287' first='Micah' last='Burton']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149389' first='Kaleb' last='Beasley']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150276' first='Edwin' last='Spillman'] </strong>and others to take on top level teams but through four games, things haven't clicked like everyone thought it would.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now the Mustangs have faced some tough competition through the early season but if you asked the Lipscomb coaching staff, that's no excuse as they should be better than they are at the moment. They have taken some close losses and been right there but they are still 1-3 and headed back on the road this Friday to take on an undefeated Ensworth squad that sports a strong defense. Lipscomb doesn't need to stress or panic but they must look in the mirror and find out what's not working and fix it before it gets too late because this team is too talented to miss out on postseason play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":757501,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/04/kbeasley.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-757501" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Nash. Christian Eagles (0-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Sporting the top in-state prospect for the #TN2026 class in quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402548' first='Jared' last='Curtis']</strong>, many saw the Eagles as one of the top teams in the D2-Class A ranks but at this point in the season, they certainly haven't played like it. Now we look at the point that Nash. Christian have only played three games and all three losses are against good teams in bigger classifications, so all the postseason expectations are still in reach for the Eagles but it's their game play that has them on this list.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, the Eagles have struggled, even being shut out down in Georgia against Prince Avenue Christian. Curtis hasn't been as sharp early on this season and his protection hasn't held up as well. Over on defense, the Eagles are allowing too many points and not holding up throughout an entire game. There is talent on this roster but the top guys are mainly young, so collectively, everybody is learning on the job while facing strong competition. Things do lighten up a bit the rest of the way but with how these Eagles have played thus far, it's hard to judge how the rest of the year will play out but talent is certainly there to turn things around.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Fayetteville Tigers (0-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The start of the 2023 season hasn't been too kind to these Tigers as they have yet to find a win and they have started 0-1 within their region. Fayetteville was viewed as a Class 2A state title contender headed into the year but they have definitely not lived up to the billing and until they find some answers on both sides of the ball, a bottom region finish is possible. That's hard to fathom as the Tigers have some serious talent with the likes of <strong>Samuel Willoughby</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390595' first='Cole' last='Cash'] </strong>and others but nothing has worked for this team up to this point and the schedule doesn't get any easier moving forward.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to put the finger on just one side of the ball right now because neither the offense or defense is clicking properly. The offense has a dynamic runner like Willoughby at quarterback but have only scored 48 total points through four games while the defense isn't helping things by allowing 125 points to the opposition. Now, these Tigers are young in a lot of areas and they have faced some tough competition but I'm sure the coaching staff expected a better start out of this team and better play. They have time to right the ship but it needs to happen soon as we are getting deeper into the Fall football year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Franklin Co. Rebels (1-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- High expectations were set in place for the Rebels not just by the media but by themselves as well for the 2023 season and this Mid-TN program hasn't started their 2023 season the way they had hoped as they sit at 1-3 headed into Week Five with some important games on the horizon. Going into the Fall football year, Franklin Co. was viewed as region title contender and a sleeper team you didn't want to face in the playoffs and while all that is still in play, the Rebels haven't played the kind of football they would have liked and they better get things turned around quickly or their postseason dreams could come crashing down.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rebels have a strong senior class to lean on the remainder of the year, especially on offense with quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='688698' first='C.J.' last='Seals']</strong>, running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277771' first='Eric' last='Jones'] </strong>and talented pass catcher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='309096' first='Kai' last='Baker'] </strong>to produce points and lead this team back into postseason contention. The schedule wasn't kind early for the Rebels as they took losses to some good teams and strong competition continues this Friday on the road with Class 1A state title contender Moore Co. One good thing for Franklin Co. is that they started region play at 1-0 with that region title in play, so all their postseason aspirations are still there for the Rebels but they must crank things up beginning this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":986419,"width":601,"height":400,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/erjones.webp?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-986419" style="width:601px;height:400px" width="601" height="400" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. Chester Co. Eagles (0-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Before the Fall football season cranked up, Chester Co. was a team that I was bullish on, thinking they could be a region title contender but as now, my prediction was way off as the Eagles have started the season 0-4 and I don't see any signs of their defense waking up the rest of the year. That defensive side of the ball has been the biggest problem thus far as they are allowing near 35 points a game and that is not a recipe for success. The Eagles have faced some potent offenses but it's no excuse to allow that many points a game, so something must be fixed if Chester Co. wants to turn their season around.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One bright hope remaining for the Eagles is the fact that they have yet to place a region game, so everything is still up for grabs for that #1 spot. This West TN program has the offense to get the job done and go score for score with its competition. They have a deadly one-two punch with seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='899149' first='Evan' last='Schippers'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='316775' first='Chad' last='Barham']</strong> that have been tearing up defense's through the early season. Their O-line has held up well too, so it's all on the defense to get their stuff together and maybe the Eagles can salvage the rest of their 2023 season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7. Ooltewah Owls (1-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Expectations were high for the Owls headed into the 2023 season based around a strong senior class and some up and coming youthful talent but as I write this piece, this East TN program sits at 1-3 overall and looking for answers headed into Week Five. After making a statement in Week One against Chatt. Central, the Owls have proceeded to lose their next three contests, all close games but still defeats by an average of six points. The main issue appears to be the offense where consistency is lacking. The defense has been solid, doing their job to keep the team in contention but the offense just isn't scoring enough points to come out with victories.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Led by senior stalwart D-linemen in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='898539' first='C.J.' last='Carter'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='824373' first='Peyton' last='Thomas']</strong>, the Owls defense have played physical football and while having some lapses here and there, their overall effort has been solid. If they can maintain their level of play the rest of the year, the Owls will remain in games but if their offense can wake up, Ooltewah can get back into postseason contention. The one good thing sitting in front of the Owls is that they have yet to play a regional contest, meaning winning the Class 5A-Region 4 is still very much in play, however the competition will be tough. That region road starts Friday vs. Walker Valley then the Owls proceed to play McMinn Co., East Hamilton and Rhea Co. in the coming weeks, so we will definitely find out how the year plays out for Ooltewah very soon.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Rough Starts …….</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- MBA (0-4)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Smyrna (0-4)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Station Camp (0-4)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Anderson Co. (1-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Brainerd (1-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Peabody (1-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Greenback (1-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":993247,"width":438,"height":438,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/cjcarter.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-993247" style="width:438px;height:438px" width="438" height="438" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->