Class 2A Region Preview/Predictions

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Back into our crystal ball, here we predict the top teams from each region within the 2A ranks while also providing our inner-region player superlatives. </h2>     2A-Region 1   1. Eagleton Academy   2. South Greene   3. Hampton    4. West Greene   5. Happy Valley   6. Cumberland Gap   Region MVP: (QB) Nathan Clemmer - Eagleton Academy   Off. POTY: (QB) Nathan Clemmer - Eagleton Academy    Def. POTY: ‘26 (LB) Connor Cox - Eagleton Academy    Lineman POTY: ‘26 (OL/DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1597029' first='Heath' last='Norton'] - South Greene    Underclassmen POTY: ‘26 (RB) Nash Rader - South Greene   Coach of the Year: Shane Childs - Eagleton Academy   - This was a hard region to predict due to the lack of info regarding most of the rosters. However, I was still able to gather enough research to make an assessment here and Eagleton shows me the most upside to potentially take the region title. They have possibly the best college prospect in Clemmer, a 6 '4 passer with the size and arm talent to get to the next level. The Royals aren't the clear cut favorite as South Greene and potentially Hampton will be right there with them. The Rebels are retooling a bit from last year but still have enough talent in the likes of Rader and Jacob Susong to compete for the top spot. West Greene looks to be our final selection to reach postseason play by season's end. There is some upside with the Buffaloes but much growth to go for them to challenge for a region title.    - - - - -    2A-Region 2   1. York Institute   2. Wartburg Central   3. Oneida   4. Tellico Plains   5. Bledsoe Co.   6. Polk Co.    Region MVP: (RB/S) Lake Drake - York Institute   Off. POTY: (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1124542' first='Landon' last='Quinney'] - Wartburg Central    Def. POTY: (S) Lawson Swint - Wartburg Central    Lineman POTY: ‘26 (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1103010' first='Brady' last='Burke'] - Oneida    Underclassmen POTY: ‘26 (WR/S) [player_tooltip player_id='978257' first='Will' last='Beaty'] - York Institute    Coach of the Year: [player_tooltip player_id='1617013' first='Jermaine' last='Johnson'] - York Institute    - Can the Dragons repeat as your 2A-Region 3 champs? As things look right now, that will be the case but the season must play out and York must stay healthy throughout the season. The Dragons will be led again but their offense and rushing attack with Drake looking like the top guy in the backfield. He will be helped up front by a solid O-line, spearheaded by seniors Michael Wall, Gavan Swallows and Collin Garrett. Keep an eye on rising junior Beaty, who could be the team's top college prospect.    York will have to play at their best because there are a few teams in Wartburg Central and Oneida coming after them for that top spot. The Bulldogs return a deeper roster than year's past, which I think gives them a shot at competing for the title. They return the top receiver in the region with Quinney along with one of the best O-linemen in Lucas Wilson. Oneida may be a year away from being the team I think they can be. Their junior class with Burke, Ben Gilbert, [player_tooltip player_id='1588093' first='Jesse' last='Zachary'] and others is strong and a group that I think can make some waves this year.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/bgilbert-crop-1841x1209-1724273810.webp?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1398495" style="width:380px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - - -    2A-Region 3   1. East Robertson   2. Westmoreland   3. Monterey   4. Trousdale Co.   5. Smith Co.   6. Jackson Co.    Region MVP: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='497421' first='Isaiah' last='Groves'] - East Robertson   Off. POTY: ‘27 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1422904' first='Kason' last='Young'] - East Robertson   Def. POTY: ‘26 (DE) [player_tooltip player_id='820950' first='Zach' last='Groves'] - East Robertson    Lineman POTY: (OL) Tyran West - East Robertson    Underclassmen POTY: ‘26 (WR/S) [player_tooltip player_id='1630972' first='Cade' last='Brooks'] - East Robertson    Coach of the Year: Chase Brooks - East Robertson    - It's going to be hard for anybody to knock East Robertson off the perch and take the region title away from them. Westmoreland looks like the team that could come closest but they are still a wide margin off from the Indians to where I think East takes this region without a fight. The Indians are loaded on offense with Groves being the star but Young, Brooks and others make this side of the ball much more balanced and scary. East has the top spot with Westmoreland riding in second but who will take the 3rd and 4th playoff spots. Right now we have those set for Monterey and Trousdale Co. but nothing is set in stone. The Wildcats have a nice back to lean on in Kole Bowman while the Yellow Jackets are working in new starters this year. In the end however, East Robertson is the class of this region and will come out on top as champs again.    - - - - -   2A-Region 4   1. Marion Co.   2. Fayetteville   3. Forrest   4. Cannon Co.   5. Cascade    Region MVP: (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='390722' first='Sam' last='Pickett III'] - Marion Co.    Off. POTY: (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='258659' first='Sam' last='Willoughby'] - Fayetteville    Def. POTY: (DE/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='219406' first='Braydon' last='Coffelt'] - Marion Co.    Lineman POTY: (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='1282603' first='Myles' last='Mays'] - Marion Co.    Underclassmen POTY: ‘26 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='244591' first='Eli' last='Bell'] - Forrest    Coach of the Year: Timothy Starkey - Marion Co.    - Marion Co. was already seen as the team to beat in this region but off-season additions made this squad even tougher and a team that could make a run at the 2A state title. The Mays brothers boosted the overall talent on the Marion Co. roster the moment they walked into the building this summer as both can be difference makers for the Warriors. The defense alone should be strong with Mays, Coffelt, [player_tooltip player_id='1423635' first='Taylor' last='Scharber'] and others handling business. Marion Co. takes our top spot but they must play up to a high level with Fayetteville and Forrest nipping at their heels.    The Tigers return one of the better overall players in this region with Willoughby while the Rockets may be a year away but are still talented with guys like Bell and [player_tooltip player_id='1178947' first='Cohen' last='Grissom'] to make a difference in this region. Cannon Co. is a sleeper team within this region as they are now led by a new coaching staff and have players like [player_tooltip player_id='390619' first='Zae' last='Odom'] and [player_tooltip player_id='819521' first='Eli' last='Garrett'] that can be difference makers but it may be tough for the Lions to crack into the top two. We shall see though as every team in this region is fighting for second place with Marion Co. being clearly out in front.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/swilloughby.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1398500" style="width:329px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    2A-Region 5   1. Mt. Pleasant   2. Lewis Co.   3. East Hickman Co.   4. Loretto   5. Waverly Central   6. Harpeth    7. Summertown   8. Hickman Co.    Region MVP: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='611895' first='Jakyri' last='McClure'] - Mt. Pleasant    Off. POTY: (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='362006' first='Brycen' last='McDonald'] - Lewis Co.    Def. POTY: ‘26 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='611995' first='Jayden' last='McClure'] - Mt. Pleasant    Lineman POTY: ‘26 (TE/DE) [player_tooltip player_id='491438' first='Kade' last='Carroll'] - Lewis Co.    Underclassmen POTY: ‘26 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1103005' first='Corben' last='Reynolds'] - Loretto    Coach of the Year: Kit Hartsfield - Mt. Pleasant    - Possibly the toughest but funnest region in the 2A resides right here where you have multiple teams competing for the top spot with Mt. Pleasant holding that preseason honor. The Tigers look the best equipped to chase down that region title while also going on a deep playoff run. They will be led by McClure and their rushing attack this season but I think it will be their defense that gets them wins and potentially championships. They have two of the best linebackers in this class with McClure and senior [player_tooltip player_id='369060' first='Evan' last='Plunkett']. They also have a stacked secondary with senior [player_tooltip player_id='1102524' first='Avery' last='Johnson'] and rising junior corner [player_tooltip player_id='480892' first='Jalen' last='Smith']. It could be a special season for Mt. Pleasant but they gotta watch out for Lewis co. as the Panthers are right there competing for the top spot as well.    Going after #1 helps when you have the top quarterback in the region with McDonald. His play will be critical this year for the Panthers but so will their defense. It's a good unit with senior [player_tooltip player_id='1542383' first='Corbyn' last='Harris'] and Carroll up front and junior backer [player_tooltip player_id='1103499' first='Drew' last='Ray'] making tackles all over the field. East Hickman may have something to say in this region as well. The Eagles return a veteran squad with several key guys returning like [player_tooltip player_id='1310959' first='Nathan' last='Hobbs'] and Matthew Sloan. Loretto won this region last year but will have to fight to get it back as they are replacing several key players from last year and implementing new starters.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/05/39-Kade-Carroll-.jpg?w=992" alt="" class="wp-image-837396" style="width:290px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    2A-Region 6   1. Riverside   2. Huntingdon   3. Milan    4. Camden Central   5. Adamsville   6. Peabody   7. Jackson Central-Merry   8. Gibson Co.    Region MVP: (TE/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='390711' first='Austin' last='Kelley'] - Riverside    Off. POTY: (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='222306' first='Gray' last='Eubanks'] - Huntingdon    Def. POTY: (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='560460' first='Avery' last='McCormick'] - Adamsville    Lineman POTY: (DL) Markell Cunningham - Milan    Underclassmen POTY: ‘26 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1658485' first='Cordarius' last='Johnson'] - Milan    Coach of the Year: Johnnie Frost - Riverside    - Headed into the 2024 season as the reigning 2A champs, Riverside is looking to repeat this Fall and they have a good opportunity to do so. While the Panthers are having to replace several key starters from last year, multiple key performers return, including Kelley, who has a great shot at significantly boosting his college stock. Riverside is the favorite headed into the season but this region looks tough with several programs challenging for the top spot. We have Huntingdon placed 2nd but I could easily see Milan or Camden Central finishing there by season's end. All three of these teams have strengths about them that says they are postseason caliber and potentially teams that can compete for the region title.    The Bulldogs strength this season should be over on defense, especially in the front seven where players like Cunningham should have a breakthrough year. Led by Eubanks and his dynamic running, the Mustangs are as consistent as they come and I expect them to be just as good this Fall. Camden is my sleeper in this region as this could be the best team they have had in a long time. They should be balanced with offensive talents [player_tooltip player_id='480800' first='Isaac' last='Moore'] and [player_tooltip player_id='815325' first='Gage' last='Lee'] leading the way and backer Nathan Redmon handling things on defense. Speaking of tackling, Adamsville has a stud in McCormick, who could lead this region in most defensive categories.    - - - - - -    2A-Region 7   1. MLK Prep   2. Trezevant   3. Memp. Business Acad.   4. KIPP Collegiate    - Not enough information on these schools to provide accurate coverage   - - - - -    2A-Region 8    1. Mitchell   2. Fairley   3. Oakhaven   4. Hillcrest   5. Bluff City    Region MVP: (DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1293394' first='Kenderrius' last='Robertson'] - Mitchell    Off. POTY: (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='219370' first='Zyress' last='Short'] - Fairley   Def. POTY: (DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1293394' first='Kenderrius' last='Robertson'] - Mitchell    Lineman POTY: (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='839500' first='Jayvion' last='Burrow'] - Oakhaven    Underclassmen POTY: ‘26 (QB) Andrew Johnson - Fairley    Coach of the Year: Larry Fitzgerald - Mitchell    - This should be a two team battle for the region title with Mitchell and Fairley being at the top with Oakhaven sliding into 3rd place. Mitchell takes the lead role headed into the season as they return several key players from last year's playoff team, including Robertson, who led the state in sacks. He will need help on both sides of the ball to put the Tigers into the lead spot as Fairley will be right there competing with Mitchell to be the best team in this region.    The Bulldogs have a chance to make some moves this year with their defense leading the way. They have a young up and coming quarterback in Johnson but defense I think will be their calling card. While we have Short pegged as our pre-season OPOY, his work on defense will be key along with fellow seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1552183' first='Julian' last='Porter'], Brian Smith, [player_tooltip player_id='309131' first='Brendan' last='Smith'], Delandis Dandridge and others. I would not be surprised to see Fairley take this region, which is why we started this section saying it should be a two team battle with either the Tigers or Bulldogs taking the title.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/krobertson-crop-560x368-1724274591.webp?w=560" alt="" class="wp-image-1398503" style="width:366px;height:auto" /></figure>