#PRZTN Class 6A Players of the Year (Positional MVP’s)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Some of the best talent in the state resides here in the 6A ranks, so it was tough to name our MVP's this year but we got it done, so here we present our POTY from the 2023 season!</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 6A Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["119096"],"_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: 400u0022u003eIf PRZTN had anything to say about Mr. Football, we would have given it to this guy! Graham had a stellar senior season, displaying accuracy on a consistent basis while putting it into his playmakers hands. The Warriors senior passer had more completed passes than incompletions, putting up one of the best completion percentages by quarterbacks in state's history. He threw for 3,492 yards with 42 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions on the year, helping lead his Riverdale team a region title. Graham signed on Wednesday with Holy Cross where he should have a great opportunity to become the guy under center for the Crusaders sooner rather than later. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c655f5da333"} /--> <!-- 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":["150277"],"_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 top ranked prospect by PRZTN for the #TN2024 class, Carter took full advantage of his lone season at Bradley Central by putting up some big numbers and helping lead his Bears team deep into the Class 6A playoffs. Carter was a big catalyst on the Bears offense that opened things up and allowed his teammates to shine as defenders would target the future Tennessee Volunteer on a consistent basis but he would still excel as a home hitting playmaker game in and game out. He certainly earned his Mr. Football award this year! u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c655f5da3d9"} /--> <!-- 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":["258668"],"_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: 400u0022u003eThis was a tough call between two guys but Allen took the honor due to a monster senior season that landed him on the Power Four level at Purdue. The Red Devils senior edge rusher produced 75 tackles on the year with 15 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles and 17 sacks on the one the best defenses in the state for the 2023 season. A lot of this production I feel was a dedication in the off-season in the weight room as Allen added good size that allowed him to play physical, breakaway from blocks and use his burst to get after the ball. Those traits should find its way on the field for the Boilermakers in time as Allen proved to be one of the best defensive prospects from our #TN2024 class. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c655f5da471"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>James Thomas - Houston&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs came into the 2023 season as a sleeper team to go a long way and after a mid-year stumble, Houston bounced back in a big way by upsetting some high caliber teams in the playoffs and walking away as the 6A state champions. Coach Thomas and his staff did an amazing job of keeping his kids centered and focused this year, going against some really good teams, taking some lumps and coming out on the end as champs. He and his staff especially did a great job of game planning and defeating some top level squads like Germantown and Oakland on their way to the title as well. The 6A championship was Coach Thomas's 1st ever state title and maybe the first of many to come. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1177902,"width":"347px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/jathomas.webp?w=436" alt="" class="wp-image-1177902" style="width:347px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: The Commercial Appeal </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - - - - -</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Positional MVP's&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB: [player_tooltip player_id='550150' first='Baylor' last='Hayes'] - Brentwood&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming to the Bruins for his senior season, Hayes made the most of it by leading Brentwood to a region title and a deep playoff run while also boosting his recruiting stock towards eventually signing with ETSU. A few others had more yards than Hayes in the 6A ranks but nobody was more accurate while proving to be a winning quarterback week in and week out.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB: [player_tooltip player_id='219387' first='Daune' last='Morris'] - Oakland ‘25&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- His debut season with the Patriots was a breakthrough year for this Mid-Tennessee talent, who is considered one of the top offensive recruiting prospects from our #TN2025 class. Morris produced the speed and big play abilities that Oakland needed as well as placed himself as a prime candidate for Mr. Football in the 2024 season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR: [player_tooltip player_id='149160' first='Brock' last='Montgomery'] - Riverdale</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- His lone year with the Warriors, Montgomery made the most of it by leading the 6A ranks in receiving yards with 1,2 yards while also boosting his stock as one of the top wideouts in the state for the #TN2024 class, which is headed to UConn in the Fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TE: [player_tooltip player_id='219336' first='Aaron' last='Mattingly'] - Green Hill ‘25&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Mattingly is a big pass catcher that could go to college at receiver or tight end. His junior season was a prime example of how talented and versatile his skill set is as he led his Hawks team in receiving while producing 14 touchdowns on the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":967135,"width":"417px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/20230825_194438.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-967135" style="width:417px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OL: [player_tooltip player_id='1161066' first='Ryan' last='Barker'] - Brentwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This was a tough call with several strong candidates for this honor but I went with Barker, who put forth his best season yet as the Bruins top O-lineman. The 6'4 senior was near flawless this season helping keep his quarterback clean on a consistent basis while opening up holes for his running backs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL: [player_tooltip player_id='250859' first='Atticus' last='Fiorita'] - Mt. Juliet ‘25&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Golden Bears defense had a strong 2023 campaign with this junior edge rusher at its forefront. Fiorita had a banner season where he broke a school record with 17 sacks on the year while also producing 80 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 3 PBU and 5 forced fumbles on the year. If he has another season like this in the Fall, Power Four schools may start jumping in the mix.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB: [player_tooltip player_id='865664' first='Emmitt' last='Newman'] - Jefferson Co.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Newman had a breakthrough senior season with 122 tackles, 25 tackles for loss and 12 sacks that landed him with the Buccaneers at ETSU. The Patriots senior linebacker was a force off the edge this year that opposing offenses had a hard time keeping out of the backfield.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB: Johnny Silvestri - Brentwood, [player_tooltip player_id='149390' first='Jaylen' last='Thompson'] - Riverdale (Co-MVP's)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- It was hard to give this award to just one guy as both Silvestri and Thompson had outstanding senior years that earned top honors and we couldn't keep either guy off. Silvestri came out of nowhere to produce a monster senior year where he led the 6A ranks in interceptions at seven while Thompson was right behind him with six,  having 3 of them returned for touchdowns. The Bruins safety/linebacker is still available for the taking while Thompson is signed and headed to Michigan St.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1177903,"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/3/2024/02/jsilvestri.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1177903" style="width:319px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->