#PRZTN Class 1A Players of the Year (Positional MVP’s)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">We have made it to award season &amp; here we start that process with Class 1A. The 2023 season was a banner year for South Pittsburg &amp; that shows here w/ two players earning POTY honors. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 1A Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["301360"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWellington has put together a near flawless season as the Pirates starting quarterback where he has his team currently undefeated and playing some of the best football in the state, regardless of classification. Where this Chattanooga area senior has developed the most this year is definitely with his passing, which has opened up the Pirates offense, providing them balance and explosive abilities. He has still provided big plays on the ground as well with his legs helping his South Pitt offense average over 40 points a game this year. Wellington definitely received tough competition for this award but he certainly earned it with a stellar senior year.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6554e6094d383"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offensive Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["277797"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWhite has been a steady force for his Raiders team for his entire high school career and this year as a senior, the Mid-Tennessee back did just about everything on offense and continues to do so as Moore Co. is currently in the Quarterfinals of the TN2023 playoffs. White handled the quarterback position for his team this year, so he was asked to throw the ball much more, which lowered his overall running numbers but the Raiders senior playmaker still produced at a very high level as one of the best overall offensive prospects from the Class 1A level this Fall. He also took his stock to another level as I think he is an underrated player that could continue developing much further within a college system.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6554e6094d3f2"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["258684"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eGoing into his senior season, Farrior was looking for a breakout year and that's exactly what he got as he was a consistent, standout performer on defense throughout the entire season for South Pitt, which landed him on the Mr. Football list as a semi-finalist. Adding more speed to his game along with rushing the backfield more, Farrior made a big impact this year on the 1A level as someone that was very difficult for the opposition to gain control of, let alone slow him down. His play this season has definitely boosted his recruiting stock to where I think FCS schools should take a deeper look at Farrior as a pass rushing middle linebacker with range.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6554e6094d46f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Keith Hodge - Dresden</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Under the coaching of Hodge, the Tigers have been a consistent winning program but I don't know how many people saw Dresden being undefeated at this point in the season and competing for a Class 1A state title after losing several key players from last year's team, especially All-State competitor Tatum Oliver but that's exactly where they are. Going into the Quarterfinal round, Dresden is playing as good as anybody on the 1A level and a clear favorite to reach Chattanooga. Coach Hodge and his staff has done an outstanding job of teaching this team and helping them grow into state title contenders, which definitely warrants Coach of the Year honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Positional MVP's&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB) Cameron Schlicht - Dresden</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Schlicht stepped into a big role this year, taking over for Oliver and he delivered. This senior dual threat quarterback plays a mature brand of football as a key leader for his Tigers team and a key piece on their journey towards a Class 1A state title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1088718,"width":"368px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/cschlicht.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1088718" style="width:368px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) Ben Franklin - Cornersville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Franklin could have been listed at multiple positions as the Bulldogs senior two-way talent had a sensational senior season where he produced big yards on offense at running back (Top 5 2A rushing) while also creating havoc on defense on the edge.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1102529' first='Dalton' last='Hancock'] - Gordonsville </strong>‘25&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This 2023 season was a breakout year for Hancock and receiver might not be his best position as I feel his college upside may reside best on defense at safety. Either way, the Tigers junior playmaker stepped forward as the team's lead wideout and go-to target for a team still playing for a state title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(OL) [player_tooltip player_id='855022' first='Sawyer' last='Parks'] - Moore Co.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A huge piece among the Moore Co. offensive line, Parks had a standout season as the lead guy for the Raiders, opening holes for a pair of All-State caliber backs along with showing versatility to play multiple positions across the offensive front wall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":837468,"width":"353px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/05/126-Sawyer-Parks.jpg?w=958" alt="" class="wp-image-837468" style="width:353px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DL) Ranye Tipton - South Pittsburg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Tipton stepped forward into a lead role this year and dominated, leading all D-linemen across the state in sacks along with producing several tackles for loss. This Chattanooga area prospect may be a bit undersized but his play this season should put him on the radar for collegiate coaches.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) Chase Joyce - Cosby</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Even though his Eagles team didn't produce enough wins on the season, Joyce himself had a stellar year as a tackling machine that nobody could block. His play alone at times kept his Eagles squad in ball games.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) Grant Jernigan - Huntland </strong>‘26&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Jernigan went into the 2023 season as an unknown but changed that status in a big way as the Hornets sophomore had a big year, producing over 50 plus tackles as well as seven interceptions as a first year starter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":546113,"width":"319px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/7-Jamarion-Farrior-e1670873653156.jpg?w=870" alt="" class="wp-image-546113" style="width:319px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->