Early Pre-season #PRZTN Power Poll

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The 2024 season is months away but how about an early Power Poll showing who the top teams should be headed into the next Fall football season? We got you covered right here! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Prep Redzone Tennessee Power 25&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Lipscomb Academy Mustangs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Mustangs return a loaded junior class, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219412' first='Chauncey' last='Gooden']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219400' first='Antonio' last='Carter, Jr']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='328635' first='C.J.' last='Jimcoily'] </strong>and others that should put them back in the mix for a state title next season. Shoring up the quarterback with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219425' first='Tav' last='Shaffer'] </strong>will be the key for the Mustangs in what could be a well balanced offense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Baylor Red Raiders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- While Baylor will be losing some key players, they also return a strong roster, especially up front with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219445' first='Jimmy' last='Bryson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='926104' first='Charlie' last='Edgeworth']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='926094' first='Jonathan' last='King']</strong>. The Red Raiders also return a stud in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219421' first='Cameron' last='Sparks'] </strong>that should be catching passes from rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222957' first='Briggs' last='Cherry']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Brentwood Academy Eagles</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This is lofty status for a team coming off a very disappointing 2023 season but the Eagles are loaded at the skill position, led by star quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219419' first='George' last='MacIntyre'] </strong>and supported by athletic stars in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219449' first='Tamari' last='Hill']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='625142' first='Neo' last='Clifton']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402563' first='Shavar' last='Young, Jr']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331728' first='Easton' last='Jointer'] </strong>and others.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Pearl Cohn Firebirds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming off a state championship, Pearl Cohn is having to replace some key seniors but they return enough juice at their skill positions to return to the 4A title game next Fall, led by studs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='811032' first='Javion' last='Kinnard']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='865611' first='Donovan' last='Higgins'] </strong>and new Firebird running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='466233' first='Camarion' last='Miller']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Oakland Patriots</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Patriots fell one game short of the 6A title in 2023 and their returning talent should have a good taste of that loss, looking to avenge that game next season. They have some talent to do so, led by star running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219387' first='Daune' last='Morris'] </strong>and two secondary standouts in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467267' first='Bronson' last='Crisp'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='856867' first='Craig' last='Tutt']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. McCallie Blue Tornado</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The defending D2-Class AAA state champs must replace a lot of talented seniors and while it may take some time to gel, next year's version should still have enough talent to compete for the championship yet again. Key names to know here are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219372' first='Carson' last='Lawrence'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='986024' first='Keeyshawn' last='Schneider']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1031245,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/carlawrence.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1031245" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7. Houston Mustangs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The 2023 season was one to remember, ending with a 6A title but the Mustangs must move on and do so without star back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277794' first='Damon' last='Sisa']</strong>. While he is tough to replace, Houston brings back a strong core from this year, including starting quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816017' first='Chandler' last='Day'] </strong>and two beasts up front in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219418' first='Garrett' last='Hagan'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1676391' first='Tony' last='Williams']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8. Germantown Red Devils</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This past year was supposed to be the big season for Germantown but they fell short. Looking ahead into next year, the Red Devils must replace some key seniors but bring back some serious talent in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219401' first='Jamarion' last='Morrow']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='461255' first='Yasir' last='Muhammad'] </strong>and <strong>Trevon McGory </strong>that could push for the 6A title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9. Page Patriots</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Three years in a row, the Pats have fallen one game short of a state title but maybe 2024 is finally their year as they return possibly the top defense in the state, led by studs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219439' first='Eric' last='Hazzard']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390716' first='Brenden' last='Anes'] </strong>and rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='540028' first='Knight' last='Wilson']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10. MBA Big Red</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- By the end of the 2023 season, the Big Red were one of the hottest teams in the state, which bodes well for the 2024 campaign that will be led by one of the best backfields in the Mid-TN area with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='688833' first='Hugh' last='Price'] </strong>at quarterback and rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='258658' first='Brooklen' last='Davis'] </strong>at running back.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>11. Ravenwood Raptors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Raptors could be your sleeper team to watch in 6A next year as they return a talented upcoming senior group, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219435' first='Ben' last='Hubbard'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390640' first='Max' last='Kimpel'] </strong>at receiver, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219438' first='Kyle' last='Larkin'] </strong>up front and rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402540' first='Femi' last='Babalola'] </strong>running things behind center at quarterback.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12. Bearden Bulldogs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Bearden is another sleeper team to follow in 6A next season as they were young this Fall but return all that youth for 2024. The Bulldogs have some of the best college talent in the state, spearheaded by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402532' first='Chaston' last='Smith']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='806042' first='Jayzon' last='Thompson'] </strong>and trench monster <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284141' first='Brody' last='Smith'].&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13. Alcoa Tornadoes&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- I see no reason why Alcoa shouldn't repeat as 3A champions yet again, especially with returning talent like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='783053' first='Eli' last='Graf']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219408' first='Eli' last='Owens']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='328897' first='Kolby' last='Barrett'] </strong>and others coming back next Fall. The Tornadoes also have two youngsters to watch next year in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='817933' first='Jamir' last='Dean'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='817961' first='Jamerius' last='Abuhania']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>14. Cleveland Blue Raiders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Under a new coaching staff this season, Cleveland had some struggles but still made the playoffs with a young team that will be a year older in 2024. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='445180' first='Cash' last='Bandy'] </strong>should be healthy and he has a strong supporting cast around him in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219362' first='Isaiah' last='Davis']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='540034' first='Lucas' last='Szymborski']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='820949' first='Brayden' last='Carroll']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='927765' first='A.J.' last='Westfield'] </strong>and others. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":546118,"width":"318px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/10-Lucas-Szymborski-e1670873810680.jpg?w=759" alt="" class="wp-image-546118" style="width:318px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15. Powell Panthers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This Fall season was a youth movement for the Panthers but they still won a bunch of games, which tells me to watch out for Powell in 2024. They have one of the best backfields in the East TN region and the state with rising senior <strong>Conner Wheeler </strong>at running back and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1111032' first='Deuce' last='Rodgers'] </strong>at quarterback.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16. Bartlett Panthers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Playing in one of the toughest regions in the state, Bartlett will have to replace some key players but bring back enough talent to compete for a region title. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='279488' first='Kam' last='Alexander'] </strong>should be a year better while he has two dynamic talents around him on offense to make him better in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1002741' first='Geron' last='Johnson'] </strong>and wideout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829101' first='Malachi' last='Butler']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17. Southwind Jaguars</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Jags were one step away from competing for the 5A title in 2023 and while they have to replace some big time seniors, they return Mr. Football winner <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480742' first='Kelvin' last='Perkins'] </strong>at quarterback as well as some talented underclassmen that should put Southwind back in the mix for 2024.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18. Mt. Juliet Golden Bears</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This Mid-Tennessee program could have one of the better backfields in the state for 2024, led by rising seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219402' first='Tyler' last='Travers']</strong>, <strong>Jon-Mikael Crudup </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='344645' first='Harrison' last='Edwards']</strong>. If they can receive good play up front and replace some talent on defense, watch out for the Golden Bears next Fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>19. Knox. Catholic Fighting Irish</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Depth and replacements are needed in the trenches for Knox. Catholic but they could have one of the best one-two punches on offense with the return of quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139272' first='Jayden' last='Neal'] </strong>and star wideout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284149' first='Tyreek' last='King']. </strong>The Fighting Irish have some up and coming youth that will need to perform at a high level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>20. Oak Ridge Wildcats</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A 5A sleeper time to watch next Fall are these Wildcats that yes have to replace some significant college talent but they have some youthful guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='205650' first='Blaine' last='Stansberry']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331829' first='Will' last='Pressley']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904730' first='Velon' last='Henderson'] </strong>and others ready to step into the spotlight along with beef up front in the likes of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='466269' first='Ethan' last='Eubanks'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866783' first='Jared' last='Bafford']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>21. Boyd Buchanan Buccaneers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Bucs made it all the way to the D2-Class AA title game in 2023 with a young squad and even though they have to replace a few key seniors, a good chunk of that championship team returns in 2024, led by offensive standouts <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219427' first='Houston' last='Hicks']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1209527' first='Darin' last='Shannon'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402534' first='David' last='Green'].&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>22. Cookeville Cavaliers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- It's been a restructuring in Cookeville under Coach Hennigan that finally saw dividends being made in 2023 that could result in a banner year in 2024. They have a prime Mr. Football candidate in quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='353388' first='Blake' last='Owen'] </strong>along with a good front, led by junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866469' first='Austin' last='Hoane'] </strong>and a lot of up and coming young talent alongside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1132386,"width":"231px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/bowen.jpeg?w=576" alt="" class="wp-image-1132386" style="width:231px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>23. Upperman Bees</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The 2023 season will be one to remember for the Bees as they made it to their 1st ever state title game but can they repeat that feat in 2024? It will be tough as they must replace a key senior core but they return some strong talent in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254853' first='Bronzden' last='Chaffin']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='533747' first='Ethan' last='Palk'], [player_tooltip player_id='492559' first='Carmine' last='Phillips'] </strong>and others to lead the way.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24. East Nashville Eagles</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- It's hard not to put Coach Harris and his Eagles into the Power 25 as they have been a consistent program over the last few years that return enough talent to go on another title run in 2024. It will be a challenge as they have to replace a lot of key players but they have a Mr. Football candidate in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='971296' first='Keith' last='Johnson'] </strong>to lean on.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>25. CPA Lions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The defending D2-Class AA champs take the final spot and it was a tough call as the Lions lose a ton of their championship and must depend on unknowns next year but I'm sure the coaching staff will find the right guys to get the job done. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='824736' first='Owen' last='Cabell'] </strong>is a stud and the O-line should be solid with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='323140' first='Brady' last='Smith'] </strong>and <strong>Sawyer Daniel </strong>paving the way.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Five Others to Know: <strong>Sevier Co.</strong>, <strong>Knox. Halls</strong>, <strong>Clarksville</strong>, <strong>Christian Brothers</strong>, <strong>Beech</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1006765,"width":"330px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/dross.webp?w=819" alt="" class="wp-image-1006765" style="width:330px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->