D2-Class AA POTY/Title Contenders

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pre-season talk continues here w/ our D2-Class AA player of the year selections as well as the team's to watch for as championship contenders. </h2>     Pre-season Honors   D2-Class AA MVP: (WR/DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1209539' first='Jayden' last='Moore'] - Boyd Buchanan   Off. Player of the Year: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='976043' first='E.J.' last='Carter'] - Notre Dame   Def. Player of the Year: (DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1248115' first='Isaiah' last='Mullins'] - Davidson Academy   Lineman of the Year: (OG) Chris Soriano - Northpoint Chrst.    Underclassmen of the Year: ‘26 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='402563' first='Shavar' last='Young, Jr'] - Knox. Webb   Coach of the Year: Gary Rankin - Boyd Buchanan   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/syoungjr_41000c.jpg?w=500" alt="" class="wp-image-1329878" style="width:313px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: QBHitList </figcaption></figure>   - - - - -    Top Title Contenders   Boyd Buchanan Buccaneers - East Region   - The Bucs might have been a year too early last Fall when they reached the D2-Class AA title game but it was definitely a good experience and a teaser for a possible return visit this year. Going into the 2024 season, Boyd Buchanan is a clear top contender to make it back to the D2-Class AA championship game this year with a great shot at coming home with the “Gold Ball.” What the Bucs return this Fall is a veteran unit that saw the finish line last year, so they know what it takes to get the job done. They also have a veteran quarterback in [player_tooltip player_id='219427' first='Houston' last='Hicks'] that has plenty of snaps under his belt with a calm demeanor that works well during postseason play. He is complimented nicely by one of the better receiving units in the state, led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1209539' first='Jayden' last='Moore'], [player_tooltip player_id='1209527' first='Darin' last='Shannon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1209535' first='Hudson' last='Wamack'].    The Buccaneers offense should be quite strong this season. You have a Top 20 ranked quarterback, one of the better receiving corps in the state, a solid O-line led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='1209520' first='Caleb' last='Howard'] and a deceptive running back group that could be the X-Factor. Behind the running of [player_tooltip player_id='402534' first='David' last='Green'], [player_tooltip player_id='213946' first='Sabastian' last='Jones'] and a few others, Boyd Buchanan could have the rushing attack to push them over the top.    I believe the offense will be good but how strong will the defense be? I think that's the biggest question mark for this team as they are having to replace some key seniors while implementing some new playmakers. The secondary should be the strength and the leader on defense. Pieces are missing on this team when it comes to having everything needed for a championship squad but I think they will have enough to potentially get the job done by season's end. The offense alone should be tough to contend with but if the trenches and defense overall can come together, that “Gold Ball” could be staying home in Chattanooga.    - - - - -    Knox. Webb Spartans - East Region   - Even though the 2024 season may look like a transition year for the Spartans, I can still see them competing for a region title and sneaking their way into the D2-Class AA title game. Part of that thinking is because of the strong one-two punch of junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='402537' first='Elias' last='Childers'] and star two-way talent [player_tooltip player_id='402563' first='Shavar' last='Young, Jr']. Both these underclassmen will be very important to the team's success this year as they will both be expected to lead and produce at a high level. They will need some help however, if the Spartans want to compete for championships this season.    Where help will be needed is in the trenches. Looking over the current roster, the Spartans don't have a guy that immediately stands out as a “dude” or someone that will make your head turn. Now that doesn't mean there aren't several guys up front who are not capable of getting the job done, it just means they are not known as of now. Opportunity is there for both sides of the line to come together and if they do, Knox. Webb will be more than formidable, they will be a contender.   - - - - -    CPA Lions - Middle Region   - It's hard not to put the CPA Lions in consideration for a state title when you have Ingle Martin at the helm. Coming off another state championship, the Lions head into the 2024 season looking to go back to back but it will be a challenge as the Lions will be leaning on some new players in key positions this year, especially the quarterback position. All signs point to [player_tooltip player_id='220692' first='Hutson' last='Chance'] taking over the reins and he will have help on all levels. The Lions have one of the top backs in this class and a Mr. Football contender in junior [player_tooltip player_id='1335216' first='Rawls' last='Patterson'] that will be used heavily this year. Senior O-lineman [player_tooltip player_id='323140' first='Brady' last='Smith'] will be a linchpin up front, opening holes for Patterson and others. Another key contributor and someone Chance can depend on is junior wideout [player_tooltip player_id='824736' first='Owen' last='Cabell'], who should be the team's top playmaker.    Where I have questions about this squad is on defense. I'm sure Coach Martin and his staff will find the guys needed to plug in and play this year and produce but as of now, I'm not sure who the top guys will be. Prospects like [player_tooltip player_id='467262' first='Steele' last='Chance'] at linebacker and seniors [player_tooltip player_id='491534' first='Austin' last='Hodges'] and Weston Parker at safety will be asked to contribute in a major way this year while others learn on the fly. It may be a small transition for this defense at the beginning of the year but I think by season's end, the Lions may have a tough unit to go up against.    What keeps CPA in the mix for another championship is not just the coaching staff but it's the tradition that has been built. The Lions have won three state titles over the past six years, so this program knows how to win. You can never not talk about CPA and winning titles while Coach Martin is at the helm. It will be interesting to see how this team comes together and how good they can be by the end of the year. I do think it will be a bigger challenge this season for the Lions but they should still be up for it and right there competing for another region title.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/ocabell.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1338326" style="width:347px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    BGA Wildcats - Middle Region   - If you're looking for a team that could surprise this season and play their way to Chattanooga, it's these BGA Wildcats. It's a new era at Battle Ground Academy under the coaching of Bobby Bentley and he has already started changing the culture while adding in some significant talent. It will take time to completely makeover the program and roster but this 2024 season should be a good start as Coach Bentley has some “dudes” to build around in [player_tooltip player_id='1002764' first='Arnett' last='Hayes, Jr'], Locke Kennedy, [player_tooltip player_id='914547' first='Kaedyn' last='Marable'] and others.    Offense will be the calling card this Fall for BGA as they sport one of the better quarterback to receiver connections in the state with Marable to Hayes, Jr. Those two will be critical in the team's success this year but must receive help from others, including a young but talented offensive line that could become dominant by season's end. The X-Factor on offense could be the recent addition of junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1405419' first='Ethan' last='Kellum']. The 5'10 190 pound ball carrier has the look of a top tier back for the #TN2026 class that could become a feared player over time.    Defense is where I am curious as to how good this overall BGA team can be. There are good pieces spread throughout this defense but are there enough “dudes” to compete for a state title? We shall see but there are some strong parts like Kennedy, [player_tooltip player_id='914552' first='ElGee' last='Webster'], [player_tooltip player_id='866788' first='Nate' last='Fleming'], [player_tooltip player_id='1206233' first='Jack' last='Gregg'] and others that can make this unit quite strong while the rest of the defense comes together. It should be a fun year regardless as there is some new juice down in Franklin with these Wildcats and a future that could be bright under the Bentley coaching staff.    - - - - -    Davidson Academy Bears - Middle Region   - It was a tough call between the Bears and USJ but I had to roll with Davidson Academy for this last spot as they have a nice mix of veterans and youthful talent that could compete for a region title as well as an opportunity to play for the D2-Class AA title. Part of the reason for having the Bears in consideration this year is the off-season addition of junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1199752' first='Wilks' last='Biggs']. Coming up from Memphis to play his final two years with the Bears, Biggs is a strong armed passer that should allow DA to open up the offense this year while providing balance. He has some good receivers to throw to in [player_tooltip player_id='466271' first='Wes' last='Harper'], [player_tooltip player_id='1528452' first='Joshua' last='Bolden'] and others to go along with a strong run game, led by junior [player_tooltip player_id='492601' first='Caden' last='Stroud'].    Defensively, the Bears should be as they are strong within their front seven with a few budding stars growing in the secondary. Harper will go both ways, working on the edge but he will be joined by our pre-season Def. POTY in defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1248115' first='Isaiah' last='Mullins'] to form possibly the best pass rushing duo in the D2-Class AA ranks. If the secondary can come together while the front seven does their job, the Bears might have one of the best defenses in this classification.    Everything said above sounds great but there are still areas and pieces about this team that needs to be filled if the Bears want to compete for titles. The O-line could be the team weakness, even though I see upside with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1185639' first='Ethan' last='Graham'], [player_tooltip player_id='480894' first='Mason' last='Melgoza'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1587368' first='Logan' last='Murray']. New skill players need to be found as well to go along with Harper, Bolden and Stroud. The schedule will be tough too but I think Coach Quinn and his staff will have this team ready to go and will be a team you may not want to face come playoff time.    Two Sleeper Teams:  USJ Bruins, Lausanne Lynx   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/wbiggs.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1338331" /></figure>