D2-Class AAA: Region Predictions/Preview

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who are the top teams from the D2-Class AAA ranks headed into the 2024 Fall season? We got you covered here with our pre-season region and players of the year predictions. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Predicted Order of Finish)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Baylor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. McCallie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Lipscomb Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Brentwood Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. MBA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. Knox. Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region MVP: </strong>(RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1058887' first='Shekai' last='Mills-Knight'] - Baylor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Off. POTY: </strong>‘26 (WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='986024' first='Keeyshawn' last='Schneider'] - McCallie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Def. POTY: </strong>(LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923598' first='Bradley' last='Ilunga-Bisselele'] - Baylor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lineman POTY: </strong>(OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219412' first='Chauncey' last='Gooden'] - Lipscomb Acad.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Underclassmen POTY: </strong>‘26 (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402532' first='Chaston' last='Smith'] - McCallie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach of the Year: Erik Kimrey - Baylor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":363114,"width":"272px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/06/cgooden.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-363114" style="width:272px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Yet again in the East Region, it will be a battle between Chattanooga based programs Baylor and McCallie for the title. Both of these teams are loaded with talent, so it would be surprising to see each squad come away as the D2-Class AAA state champion. The Red Raiders are given the edge due to having a deeper roster and possibly the best O-line in the state. McCallie has tradition on their side as this program knows how to win during postseason play.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two teams that could sneak up and take this region away are Lipscomb Academy and Brentwood Academy. If the Mustangs or Eagles weren't in this region, they would immediately be considered for the top spot. Lipscomb has a talented senior class, led by Gooden, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='258663' first='Jon' last='Adair']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='466272' first='Noah' last='Hacker'] </strong>and a talented offensive line. The Eagles are skilled with MacIntyre at the helm and weapons around him in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219449' first='Tamari' last='Hill']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212335' first='Easton' last='Jointer']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378855' first='Kesean' last='Bowman'] </strong>and others. It wouldn't be surprising at all to see Lipscomb or Brentwood Academy upset our predicted top two and fight for the region title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can't sleep on MBA or Knox. Catholic as both teams have two of the better quarterbacks from the D2-Class AAA ranks in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='688833' first='Hugh' last='Price'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139272' first='Jayden' last='Neal']</strong>. Both of these offenses are built differently but have the talent to score a lot of points this season. The Big Red in particular have a nice balance with Price behind center and senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='258658' first='Brooklen' last='Davis'] </strong>churning out yards on the ground. If either of these teams can find more depth, they will have a greater shot at placing themselves among the upper half of this region.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D2-Class AAA - West Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Predicted Order of Finish)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Ensworth</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. MUS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Briarcrest Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Christian Brothers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Father Ryan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":730049,"width":"301px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/20230325_133050-e1679810474484.jpg?w=576" alt="" class="wp-image-730049" style="width:301px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region MVP: </strong>(LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219426' first='Sam' last='Haley'] - Ensworth&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Off. POTY: </strong>(QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219433' first='Brady' last='Hughes'] - MUS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Def. POTY: </strong>(LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219426' first='Sam' last='Haley'] - Ensworth&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lineman POTY: </strong>(DL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219447' first='Ethan' last='Utley'] - Ensworth&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Underclassmen POTY: </strong>‘26 (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492553' first='Hudson' last='Tucker'] - Briarcrest Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach of the Year: Tim Hasselbeck - Ensworth&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This will be a battle throughout the entire season to see who comes out as region champs. Even though we have Ensworth as our pre-season region winner, they are not that far ahead of the competition. The Tigers do get the nod however due to them possibly having the best defense from the entire D2-Class AAA ranks. They have stars at all levels, beginning with Utley, Haley, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390710' first='Micah' last='Smith']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267272' first='Jack' last='Watts'] </strong>within the front seven and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492562' first='Justin' last='Hopkins']</strong> and others roaming on the back end. They will need to find a quarterback but the other pieces appear to be in place. Their biggest competition looks like it will come out of Memphis from the MUS Owls.&nbsp;<br>Led by senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219433' first='Brady' last='Hughes']</strong>, the Owls are consistently a rock solid ball club year in and year out, so I expect them to be in the mix yet again this season. Briarcrest will be an interesting team to follow this Fall as they are young in a lot of places but have some top tier talent like Tucker, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1213954' first='Jordan' last='Brown']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480918' first='Blake' last='Adams'] </strong>and others to put under the spotlight and build around. The bottom two predicted teams in Christian Brothers and Father Ryan are lacking the star power and depth overall this season but can still be spoilers. Both teams have a top notch defender to watch this season in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='353446' first='Ethan' last='Johnson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='898263' first='Caiden' last='Anku'] </strong>and two-way talent <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='858846' first='Mason' last='Bryant']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1180988,"width":"429px","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/bhughes.webp?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1180988" style="width:429px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->