#PRZTN Class 2A Players of the Year (Positional MVP’s)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The 2A ranks had another strong year of growth with several players stepping out of the shadows into big roles and succeeding! Here are the prospects that earned it on the field to be named POTY for the entire 2A classification as well as their positional groups. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 2A Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["572242"],"_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 year, Wallace had yet to play quarterback for his Riverside team but he stepped into the role seamlessly as he is now a state champion signal caller after the Panthers recent title win over East Roberson and a finalist for 2A Mr. Football. The play Wallace provided to the quarterback position was a balanced attack that saw most of the damage come on the ground but the Panthers senior also threw for over 1,800 yards as well, so he certainly gave you that dual threat presence. It was an all around dream season for this West Tennessee talent, who is now looking for a college home with his future being at either safety or linebacker. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656f6634cbb38"} /--> <!-- 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":["497421"],"_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: 400u0022u003eThe Indians running back was already a known name coming into the 2023 season but he took his stock to another level this year by running for over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns as a junior. Groves was the offensive dynamo that the Indians staff knew he would be and he and his teammates almost led East Robertson to their 1st ever football state championship but came up just short against Riverside. It was an outstanding season from Groves and a big one for his recruiting stock as he has certainly placed himself as one of the top running backs in the state for the #TN2025 class. He is also a Mr. Football finalist this season and I would expect him to be a top contender again next season.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656f6634cbba1"} /--> <!-- 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_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1293394' first='Kenderrius' last='Robertson'] ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Mitchell ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe 2023 season was a breakout year for this Memphis area D-lineman as he burst onto the scene out of nowhere to lead the state in sacks with 32 total while also producing 55 tackles for loss. The Tigers had one of the best defenses in the greater Memphis and the state this season with Robertson at the forefront. He gave the Mitchell defense a presence up front that could get into the backfield on a consistent basis while also providing versatility as Robertson can work the edge or the middle. This kind of year puts a prospect on the recruiting map with big expectations for more, so the Tigers junior has a big offseason ahead for development and to continue pushing his stock to another level. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656f6634cbc43"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Johnny Frost - Riverside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It took seven years to become a state championship winning head coach but Coach Frost can now place himself among many others to claim a title after defeating East Robertson in the Blue Cross Bowl last weekend. Coach Frost didn't just earn this award because of the state title but because of how the season went for the Panthers on the way to the championship. They started the year at 0-1 but it was a loss to 6A Collierville, however in the middle of the year the Panthers felt defeat at the hands of Huntingdon and they needed to regroup. Riverside certainly did that as they went on a 8 game winning streak towards the title with a revenge win over Huntingdon along the way. It was an outstanding season for Coach Frost and his Riverside team, earning their 1st ever football state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Positional MVP's&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘25 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='362006' first='Brycen' last='McDonald'] - Lewis Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- It was a tough call here between several good options but the nod went to McDonald and his ability to throw for over 1,800 yards and 23 touchdowns while leading his Panthers team to nine victories. If you talked to McDonald himself, he would say his season could have been better but it was still quite good and continuation showing the potential of this Lewis Co. junior quarterback. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) Bryce Stanfield - Waverly Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A constant presence in the Tigers backfield all season long, Stanfield produced a big year with over 1,800 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns while helping lead his Tigers team to another winning season and playoff appearance. He also collected 100 tackles and 2 Int's on defense as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR) [player_tooltip player_id='986394' first='Darien' last='Meza'] - Mt. Pleasant</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Mesa was a true #1 target this year for his Tigers offense as he showed up week in and week out with big games, producing at a high level. He tied for the lead in 2A with 12 touchdowns while having 895 yards receiving on just 42 receptions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":986418,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/dmeza.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-986418" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(TE) [player_tooltip player_id='445122' first='Tucker' last='Kyne'] - Cannon Co.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Lions weren't that successful this season but Kyne was the lone bright spot who dominated every time he stepped onto the field. This 6'5 big man, who also plays defense, put up 652 yards receiving and 7 touchdowns as the team's top offensive target. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(OL) Ty Hernandez - Riverside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A multi year starter for his Panthers team, Hernandez is the ultimate football player that consistently does his job well each and every time he steps out onto the field. His play was critical this season on the offensive front while also being the team's top D-lineman as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DL) Clayton Pelonero - Huntingdon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Pelonero was a constant defensive force all year long for his Mustangs defense where he produced 27 tackles for loss and 9 sacks on the season. His play against the run as well was important for Huntingdon. Pelonero had a breakout year that certainly has him in the mix for player of the year honors within his classification. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1562203' first='Jaydon' last='Peete'] - Milan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Only a sophomore, Peete burst onto the scene in a big way this year by producing 117 tackles, 25 tackles for loss and 7 sacks on the season while also blocking three punts. The future looks very bright for the Bulldog underclassmen who did a little bit of everything for Milan during the 2023 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id='277774' first='Damian' last='McWilliams'] - Polk Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Leading the 2A ranks in interceptions at five, McWilliams was Mr. Everything for his Wildcats squad this year where he not only produced in a big way on defense but was also the team's top receiver on offense as well. McWilliams is one of the more underrated talents in this state!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1063445,"width":"484px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/dmcwilliams2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1063445" style="width:484px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->