#TNHSFB Championship Week: Day Two Standouts
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The Blue Cross Bowl on day two provided a few entertaining games while Alcoa rolled to their 9th straight state title. Those contests saw some players step into the spotlight and excel, especially the guys mentioned below! Day Two Standouts…
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Continue ReadingThe Blue Cross Bowl on day two provided a few entertaining games while Alcoa rolled to their 9th straight state title. Those contests saw some players step into the spotlight and excel, especially the guys mentioned below!
Day Two Standouts #BlueCrossBowl
The best overall athlete on the field Friday morning, Winton established himself early as a go-to target and someone the East Nashville secondary couldn’t keep up with. His numbers for the entire game may not be large but his impact on the outside with his athleticism and speed made it open up for others on offense and helped the Tornadoes score at will. Headed to South Florida next season for his college ball, Winton, Jr stepped up his play big time throughout the playoff season, producing several big games while displaying grown man type plays that tells me this East Tennessee talent could excel and shine on the collegiate level. His play this postseason also boosted his #PRZTN stock as Winton, Jr moved up to the 3rd overall wideout in the state and 21st overall.
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After taking over the lead role at quarterback a few weeks ago, Graf has steadied the ship for the Alcoa offense and he probably had his best showing yet as a Tornado in his team’s 42-20 win over East Nashville. The 5’10 junior is an all around athlete that can handle multiple roles on his team but has been tasked to play quarterback currently and against the Eagles, Graf threw for four touchdowns on the day while rushing for another. His play in the Class 3A title game was superb as Graf earned MVP honors for the game and pushed the narrative further for him to return next year as the team’s starting quarterback. Graf will transition to a different position when it comes to his college ball but he is a solid high school quarterback that proved his worth big time in the Tornadoes 9th state title in a row.
Highlights
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It wasn’t the best showing for East Nashville on Friday morning but this sophomore running back was a bright spot among the Eagles team as Anderson ran for over 200 yards on the day along with two rushing scores. It was tough for East to move the ball against a stout Tornadoes defense but Anderson was the one guy who was able to find holes in the line and use his speed to get into the open field for big gains. The Eagles underclassmen is a tad undersized but he runs with a lower center of gravity that makes it hard for defenders to deal with. Anderson used his size on Friday to get in between would-be tacklers and find the end zone twice. This kind of performance boosts this sophomore’s stock and makes him someone to follow over the next few months and next Fall for the Eagles.
Highlights
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Mr. Everything for his Pirates squad on Friday afternoon, Farrior earned MVP honors after producing both touchdowns on the day that led South Pittsburg to a 14-7 win over McKenzie. The Pirates senior linebacker performed at a high level on both sides of the ball but he stepped up big time in the 4th quarter when he was tasked with running the “Wildcat” after Kamden Wellington went down with an injury. Farrior stepped into the QB role easily and became the driving force behind the Pirates Class 1A state title win as the coaching staff simply leaned on their running game to get the job done. This guy’s future on the next level will be at linebacker but his athleticism and willingness to do anything for his team to succeed should go a long way in the eyes of collegiate coaches when they come to visit him at school in the near future.
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Collins was a major force on the Pirates during their 1A title win as he disrupted several plays in multiple different ways. Several times throughout the game, Collins was excellent vs. the run, shedding blocks well with his active hands while allowing minimal gain. He was also knowledgeable and aware of the pass as Collins batted down multiple balls and even though he didn’t produce a sack, his ability to get into passing lanes and block passes was superb. While his work on defense was critical, his run blocking on offense was key as well. Collins did a good job of setting the edge in the run game and allowing his backs open holes on either side of him. This was the only season in a South Pitt uniform for Collins but he made it a successful one by producing at a high level and helping lead his Pirates team to a Class 1A state championship.
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Martez Teague
Martez Teague
The Rebels didn’t have the best of days when it comes to individual performances against South Pitt but one guy who stood out to me and will be someone to follow over the coming offseason is Teague. Standing 6’0 175 pounds, Teague manned the corner role most of the day and while he didn’t produce big numbers, his play on the outside locking down Pirate receivers was exceptional. The ball simply was not thrown his way because of his blanket coverage. Teague now becomes a guy I must look deeper into because he has the size, arm length and body movements as he could develop into a legitimate college level player that might become a FCS, possibly low level D1 guy by this time next year.
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Syxx Hoard
Syxx Hoard
This guy decided to have his best game of his high school career during the biggest game of his life as Hoard was a ball hawk for his Rebels defense on Friday night as he picked off the Page quarterback three times with all three coming at important times in the game. Anytime the Patriots wanted to throw the ball, Hoard was right there to pick it off or make a play on the ball. Going both ways for his Rebels team, Hoard was a major reason why Knox. West came away as back to back state champions and it’s not just because of his interceptions but his overall coverage at defensive back and several strong runs on offense as well. This being his last football game ever, Hoard more than showed up at the right time, he was a key leader and performer for yet another Rebels state championship team.
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Even though we have Cummings ranked as a top 30 defensive back, the Rebels senior two-way talent showed up Friday night on offense as he hauled in two touchdown receptions prior to going out with an injury. This 6’0 playmaker has a knack for making big plays throughout the season and that continued against the Patriots when in the 1st half, Cummings brought in two “huge” touchdown receptions that put his Rebels team in front, where they would stay the rest of the game. When you turn on this guy’s film, you immediately see a guy who has great instincts for the game and deceptive athleticism that does translate well to the next level. Those traits showed up big Friday evening as a key contributor towards Knox. West earning their second straight high school state championship.
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One piece among a strong Patriots offensive line, Johnson had a very good showing Friday night where he was able to maintain the blindside very well against a good Rebels defensive line, especially versus a #PRZTN Top 50 prospect in C.J. Smith. Tall and long with a body holding no bad weight, Johnson has the look of a future D1 prospect based on his physical traits alone but his ability to move his feet against a top pass rusher shows me tremendous upside for possibly Power Five. His lower base agility and body movements is what impressed the most watching his work in Chattanooga. Johnson does need to continue adding more power and strength but the tools are there to be a swing tackle on the next level with upside to stay on the left side.
Highlights
Three Others to Mention: (LB/RB) Elijah Cannon Elijah Cannon 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Alcoa | 2024 State TN – Alcoa, ‘25 (QB) Hunter Dance Hunter Dance 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Knox. West | 2024 TN – Knox. West, (RB) Ethan Cunningham Ethan Cunningham 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Page | 2024 TN – Page