Class 1A POTY/Preview & Predictions

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Our final pre-season preview looks at the 1A ranks. Inside we provide you our region predictions, our pre-season players of the year and our outlook at the top title contenders for the 2024 season. </h2>     Pre-season Honors   Class 1A MVP: (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1102448' first='Tate' last='Surber'] - McKenzie    Off. Player of the Year: ‘26 (QB) J Foster - Gordonsville   Def. Player of the Year: (DL) Omari Carrick - M.A.S.E.    Lineman of the Year: (DL/OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1102507' first='KD' last='Cunningham'] - McKenzie    Underclassmen of the Year: ‘26 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1134336' first='JaMychal' last='Buckner'] - South Pittsburg   Coach of the Year: Keith Hodge - McKenzie    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/kdcunningham-crop-762x501-1713374233.jpeg?w=761" alt="" class="wp-image-1249278" style="width:399px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - -    Region Predictions   1A-Region 1   1. North Greene   2. Unaka   3. Jellico   4. Cloudland   5. Cosby   6. Hancock Co.    - - - - -    1A-Region 2   1. Coalfield   2. Oliver Springs   3. Rockwood   4. Greenback   5. Harriman   6. Oakdale   7. Sunbright   8. Midway   - - - - -    1A-Region 3    1. South Pittsburg   2. Whitwell   3. Lookout Valley   4. Chatt. Prep   5. Sale Creek   6. Copper Basin   - - - - -    1A-Region 4   1. Gordonsville   2. Jo Byrns   3. Clay Co.   4. Red Boiling Springs   - - - - -    1A-Region 5   1. Moore Co.   2. Richland   3. Cornersville   4. Wayne Co.   5. Huntland   6. Eagleville   7. Collinwood   - - - - -    1A-Region 6   1. McKenzie   2. West Carroll   3. McEwen   4. Houston Co.   5. Hollow-Rock   6. Perry Co.   - - - - -    1A-Region 7   1. Dresden   2. Halls   3. Humboldt   4. South Fulton   5. Union City   6. Lake Co.   7. Gleason   8. Greenfield   - - - - -    1A-Region 8   1. MASE   2. Westwood   3. Middle College   4. B.T. Washington   5. Manassas   6. Middleton   - - - - -    Top Title Contenders   McKenzie Rebels - Region 6   - The 2023 season didn't end the way the Rebels would have liked but I'm sure it motivated them to get back to Chattanooga this year and come home with that “Gold Ball.” Falling in the title game to South Pitt 13-7, the Rebels were inches away from bringing home the 1A championship but a lot of the players that felt that defeat return this season to make things right. It all starts with star quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1102448' first='Tate' last='Surber'] and his ability to run his offense. This 6'3 gunslinger has college coaches looking hard at him, so he is poised for a big year that he hopes ends in Chattanooga.    Surber should have some solid pieces around him to excel this Fall. Two of those main guys will be senior wideouts Colt Norden and [player_tooltip player_id='1146522' first='Martez' last='Teague'], who both bring great size and length to the perimeter. The O-line should be quite stout as well with senior [player_tooltip player_id='1102430' first='Jacob' last='Smith'] opening holes in the trenches. The offense should be fine this year and high scoring but how will the defense perform? I think the defense will be the X-Factor and the unit that pushes the Rebels over the top.    McKenzie could have one of the better defenses in the state and it all starts up front with the play of [player_tooltip player_id='1102507' first='KD' last='Cunningham'] and his fellow trench monsters. Cunningham plays with a high motor that can create havoc in the backfield. If the D-line does their job, Norden, Teage and the Rebels secondary should benefit. The biggest thing I think McKenzie has going for them is their senior class and experience last year losing in the title game. These seniors have been together for a long time and I'm sure they want to leave their high school lifes as champions, so expect to potentially see these Rebels back in Chattanooga by season's end.    - - - - -    South Pittsburg Pirates - Region 3   - The Pirates head into the 2024 season as your reigning 1A state champs and even though they are having to replace several key players from last year, South Pitt is still considered a top contender to potentially repeat this year. That statement is made due to the culture and tradition at South Pitt but it's also because the Pirates have some youthful talent that can develop this Fall and become top tier prospects that pushes them into the 1A title race.    It's hard to say which side of the ball will be the strength this year for South Pitt as there is a lot to learn about this entire team but I do know about individual players. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1134337' first='J.R.' last='Hardrick'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1134336' first='JaMychal' last='Buckner'] are two players that have the look of future stars, who I also expect to be massive contributors this season. Two other juniors in [player_tooltip player_id='1604399' first='Logan' last='Sisk'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1679802' first='Xavier' last='Reviere'] should become linchpins over the next two years on the O-line. Where the bulk of the talent resides is with the Pirates sophomore class and I expect several guys like Ky Powell, [player_tooltip player_id='1577095' first='Dayon' last='Cooper'], Anthony Gibbs and others to become household names by the end of the season within this South Pitt team.    It wouldn't be surprising to see some struggles early on for South Pitt but after some seasoning, I think the Pirates will be legit by the end of the year. Their region doesn't look too tough, though improved with Whitwell being the Pirates top competition. The path the Pirates must go to return back to the 1A title doesn't look too daunting either, so that's why I feel South Pitt will remain a title contender this year with a good shot at repeating as state champs   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/jrhardrick.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1337054" style="width:277px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    MASE Phoenix - Region 8   - Many people may have forgotten about the Phoenix headed into the 2024 season but they shouldn't and they actually should speak more about them going forward, especially with the recent addition of a quarterback that could help push MASE over the top and into the 1A title race. Senior signal caller [player_tooltip player_id='1400354' first='Brody' last='Whittaker'] recently made the move to MASE and it's a decision that could pay off in a big way for both parties involved. Whittaker has a big arm that can push the ball down field while also sporting the athleticism to handle pressure in the pocket and gain yards with his legs when needed. His addition is big to the Phoenix roster but Whittaker is a plus to go along with a nice core of seniors and juniors returning for the 2024 season.    Where the Phoenix may be the strongest on this roster is within the trenches. Senior D-lineman Omari Carrick is one of the best at his position within the 1A ranks. He should be joined up front by Daniel Robbs, Kaleb Guinn, Sirkingston Jones-Wills and rising sophomore Hurrie Gillam, Jr to form a deep and talented defensive line. Some of those guys will go both ways and join junior star [player_tooltip player_id='402531' first='Charles' last='Humphrey Jr.'] on the O-line as well. Up front is where I think this team will keep them in every game and possibly win most of them.   Senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='540048' first='Stanley' last='Burrow'] is a key returning player that will provide leadership and production while setting the example for younger talent. The skill positions are where I need to see further development and figure who will be the go-to guys at receiver and who will roam in the secondary. Two guys on the back end to watch this season are senior Deuante Jones and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1158912' first='Kaidence' last='Nelson']. The Phoenix has been winning a bunch of ball games the last several years and I expect the same this year but can they finally break through and compete for a state championship? We will see but bringing in Whittaker definitely boosts their chances!    - - - - -    Gordonsville Tigers - Region 4   - For multiple years now, Gordonsville has been one of the more consistent 1A programs in the state but they have missed out on Chattanooga on several occasions. Well the opportunity to get there is upon them again and maybe the 2024 season provides something different, maybe a chance at becoming state champions. The culture here with Tigers is strong but so is the coaching. This is a technique sound football program that does all the small things right and competes at a high level from start to finish. I expect nothing different from Gordonsville this season and maybe an even more explosive team as well.    That statement comes from the potential of junior quarterback J Foster and his ability to take over a game. This junior athletic quarterback fits the Tigers offense perfectly. He should develop into a Mr. Football candidate by season's end with his ability to get behind a defense with his speed and vision. He will have help on the outside when called to throw the ball with senior wideout [player_tooltip player_id='1102529' first='Dalton' last='Hancock']. His 6'2 size will be a good advantage out wide as well as in the secondary at safety.    Another factor that puts Gordonsville in title contention is the fact that their region isn't the toughest, so I expect the Tigers to roll through it and be sitting pretty when we get to postseason play. They will be tested however with a solid non-region schedule with the likes of Watertown, Trousdale Co., DeKalb Co., Forrest and Bledsoe County. By the time we reach the playoffs, Gordonsville should be a well oiled machine that many won't desire playing. If the Tigers can remain healthy and find the right chemistry, reaching the 1A title game is not out of the question.    - - - - -  Other Contenders to Watch: Moore Co., Coalfield, West Carroll, Richland   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/jfoster.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1400759" style="width:373px;height:auto" /></figure>