Class 2A POTY/Title Contenders

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wrapping up our pre-season preview on the 2A ranks, here we provide our player superlatives along with our top title contenders for the 2024 season. </h2>     Pre-season Honors   Class 2A MVP: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='497421' first='Isaiah' last='Groves'] - East Robertson    Off. Player of the Year: (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='390722' first='Sam' last='Pickett III'] - Marion Co.    Def. Player of the Year: (DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1293394' first='Kenderrius' last='Robertson'] - Mitchell    Lineman of the Year: (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='1282603' first='Myles' last='Mays'] - Marion Co.    Underclassmen of the Year: ‘26 (DE) [player_tooltip player_id='820950' first='Zach' last='Groves'] - East Robertson    Coach of the Year: Chase Brooks - East Robertson    - - -    Top Title Contenders   Riverside Panthers - Region 7   - The reigning Class 2A state champs have to be mentioned first when it comes to this year's contenders. Last year was a banner season for the Panthers and something their program and their kids will always remember but it's time to move on and defend that title. This year's team, while not as deep as last year's, is still good enough to take their region and find their way through the playoffs towards Chattanooga but new starters must be found. One thing I know this program has going for them is one of the best coaching staff's on the 2A level, so I'm sure Coach Frost and his guys will have their team ready.    This will be a run based offense and a technique sound defense that doesn't do too many flashy things but does it efficiently. One guy to know about and to watch this Fall is senior [player_tooltip player_id='390711' first='Austin' last='Kelley']. Standing 6 '3 220 pounds, Kelley has the look and size to make a difference this year from his tight end and edge linebacker spot. He will need some help however and the Panthers should have several options like [player_tooltip player_id='1142029' first='Matthew' last='Wyatt'], Kaleb Mays and others to step up into leading roles.    Maintaining the objective while staying healthy throughout the ‘24 season is most key to this program. They won't have the most talent or the most depth but this is a program that competes hard and does the right things on the field to find success. Their path to defend their 2A title won't be easy but they are on the side of the bracket where the Panthers can maneuver through it well. Early on in the season, it will be interesting to see where this team is on their progression and what things must improve to become a championship caliber squad.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/akelley.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1399614" style="width:335px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    East Robertson Indians - Region 4   - We had to mention Riverside first due to them being the reigning state champs but East Robertson is our favorite to take the title this year, especially after tasting paydirt last Fall in their close championship loss to those Panthers. A good chunk of last year's roster returns this year, including Mr. Football winner and star running back [player_tooltip player_id='497421' first='Isaiah' last='Groves']. Having a player like Groves immediately puts you in the conversation to be a top team but the Indians are deep, especially their underclassmen that could be in-store for breakout season's this Fall.    Starting with Groves and their offense, the Indians should be well balanced and that's due to the emergence of sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1422904' first='Kason' last='Young']. His mature, poise approach to the game along with his clean mechanics, allows East Robertson to throw it and keep defenses honest. Allowing Young to stay up right and open holes for Groves comes with an O-line that is not a big question mark but something I'll be paying attention to. Over on defense is where I expect the Indians to be championship caliber with stud [player_tooltip player_id='820950' first='Zach' last='Groves'] chasing down quarterbacks, Caleb McNeil making as many tackles as possible and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1630972' first='Cade' last='Brooks'] being a ball hawk in the secondary.    The way things look, it appears East Robertson has been building for this 2024 season. Pieces are in place for the Indians to bring home their first ever football state title but that's easier said than done. This team will be hunted. Every team they face will want to take them down, so East Robertson must bring it each and every game. If they can perform at the level I think they can while staying healthy, I think you may see the Indians come home with a “Gold Ball” this year.    - - - - -    Marion Co. Warriors - Region 3   - Marion County put themselves on the map last year with an 11 win season and they return multiple key players that certainly have their eyes on a 2A championship this Fall. Going after that title became even greater with off-season additions of brothers [player_tooltip player_id='1282603' first='Myles' last='Mays'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1282609' first='Mason' last='Mays'] from Georgia, which makes this Warriors team much more talented and deeper. On paper, Marion County looks equipped to make a deep run this year but all must go right, players must stay healthy and everybody has to perform at a high level.    The Warriors have a chance to be explosive on offense this year with a well balanced attack between the passing of [player_tooltip player_id='1422888' first='Tilton' last='Pickett'] and the game changing abilities and speed from [player_tooltip player_id='390722' first='Sam' last='Pickett III']. Those two are vital to the offensive success this season but so will the play of their offensive line, which is one area on this team that I have question marks. If the offensive front can come together, the athletic pieces around them are legit. Moving to defense, this side of the ball is what I think can get the Warriors to the 2A championship. Pickett III will take snaps on this side too, playing alongside Mays and senior linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='219406' first='Braydon' last='Coffelt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1423635' first='Taylor' last='Scharber'] to form what could be the best defense coming out of the 2A ranks.    This is a good looking Marion Co. team that sits at the top of charts when it comes to championship contenders but we are in the pre-season and we have plenty of games to play. We will certainly find out how good this Warriors team is as they have some tough matchups coming versus Chatt. Central, Fayetteville, Sequatchie Co., and Tyner Academy. They also must get through East Robertson in the playoffs and if they are able to do that, I think the Warriors can become your 2A state champs.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/33-Braydon-Coffelt.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1298908" style="width:323px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Mt. Pleasant Tigers - Region 6   - It was an early exit in the playoffs last year for Mt. Pleasant and I'm sure that taste of losing is still in the mouths of the returning starters back for the 2024 season, ready to right some wrongs and contend for a 2A championship appearance. The Tigers are replacing their multi-year starting quarterback but return their best overall talent in brothers [player_tooltip player_id='611895' first='Jakyri' last='McClure'] and junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='611995' first='Jayden' last='McClure'] along with possibly the best secondary on the 2A level with [player_tooltip player_id='1102524' first='Avery' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='480892' first='Jalen' last='Smith'] and others. There are pieces here that can push the Tigers towards a special season but everything must fall in place.    Offensively, the Tigers should be run heavy this year, leaning on McClure and his powerful running style. His presence and play is as important as anybody on this year's team, so McClure must stay healthy. Finding a passing attack will be key as well and it doesn't have to be high octane but consistent. Finding balance within this offense will allow the team as whole to play better, gain rest for the defense and be right there in just about every game they compete in. I think the defense will keep the Tigers in every contest, so finding more explosion on offense will bring this team closer to championship caliber.    The path for Chattanooga won't be easy for Mt. Pleasant as they may sit within the toughest region inside the 2A classification. They will face stiff competition, so the Tigers must be prepared for challenges as gaining a state title is hard work. Mt. Pleasant has a good coaching staff in place along with enough veterans and talent to make some moves this year and if all goes right, the Tigers should be in the mix by season's end to contend for a spot in the 2A title game.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/jmcclure.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1321064" style="width:318px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Lewis Co. Panthers - Region 6   - Were the Panthers a year away from being the team I and others thought they would be last year? We shall see but the opportunity is there for Lewis Co. to do something special this year with a veteran ball club that sports possibly the best quarterback within the 2A ranks. Senior signal caller [player_tooltip player_id='362006' first='Brycen' last='McDonald'] has all the tools to lead his Panthers team to the promised land and the crazy thing about him is the fact that he hasn't played his best high school season yet. This senior year might be that time and if it is, the Panthers could not only land a region title but also contend for the 2A championship.    He will definitely need help and I believe he should receive it. He has a go-to target to throw to in Bentley Kelsey, who had a breakthrough season last year. Balance should come to the offense with the running of junior [player_tooltip player_id='1597655' first='Micah' last='Godfrey']. He is a well put together young man that could become a Mr. Football sleeper. The O-line is the one area I have questions. Senior Tuff Lindsey is a good start but I need to learn much more about the hogs up front. Defensively, the Panthers look to be solid with a few standout guys that show college potential.    Junior defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='491438' first='Kade' last='Carroll'] is the disruptor up front. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1103499' first='Drew' last='Ray'] is a tackling machine that could contend to lead this classification in tackles this year. Kelsey, Godfrey and Terry Casteel should take care of things on the back end. The defense I think will remain constant and consistent throughout the year while the offense stays balanced. I see a nice recipe here with the Panthers that tell me they are in-store for a big year. They will face tough competition and must stay healthy throughout but watch out for Lewis Co. this season as a team that could play their way into 2A title contention.    - - - - -    Mitchell Tigers - Region 8   - Coming out of the Memphis area, this 2A program made some noise last year but missed on the ultimate aspiration of contending for a state title. This season could be different for the Tigers, especially if they receive continued excellence from seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1293394' first='Kenderrius' last='Robertson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1102959' first='Lamarious' last='Liggins'] along with development from the rest of the team. Both Robertson and Liggins are game changers for Mitchell with both potential contenders for Mr. Football. Liggins is an athletic guy at quarterback that showed good work with his passing last year while having the ability to beat you with his legs.    He will need several players to step up into bigger roles this year and become go-to guys at receiver for this offense to truly become balanced. The Tigers should have a solid run game with Joshua Wheatley. The O-line is an area I must learn more about as we get into the season. While offense gels together, the defense should be a constant for the Tigers, especially with Robertson wrecking havoc up front. He should receive help from rising sophomore linebacker De'Anthony Gales, who shows potential as the next stud on defense for Mitchell.    Out of all the teams mentioned in this piece, Mitchell may have the longest shot at winning the 2A title but they still have a shot. The Tigers are needing to replace several key players from last year while figuring out who the next playmakers will be on both sides of the ball but they got two key linchpins in Robertson and Liggins that can steady the ship as others learn on the job. Fairley should give them competition in their region but Mitchell should take it but can they go deep in the playoffs? That is yet to be seen but don't sleep on these Tigers as they could potentially sneak their way to Chattanooga by season's end.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/lliggins-crop-630x414-1724349294.webp?w=630" alt="" class="wp-image-1399616" style="width:412px;height:auto" /></figure>