Class 4A POTY/Title Contenders

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who are the best qualified teams to compete for a Class 4A state title this year? Find out below w/ our breakdown on the top contenders as well as our pre-season players of the year. </h2>     Pre-season Honors   D2-Class AAA MVP: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='466233' first='Camarion' last='Miller'] - Haywood    Off. Player of the Year: (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='811032' first='Javion' last='Kinnard'] - Pearl Cohn    Def. Player of the Year: (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='855556' first='Kyler' last='Garcia'] - Pearl Cohn    Lineman of the Year: (OL/DT) [player_tooltip player_id='841187' first='Brandon' last='Iezzi'] - Greeneville    Underclassmen of the Year: ‘26 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1254853' first='Bronzden' last='Chaffin'] - Upperman    Coach of the Year: Josh Puckett - Haywood    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/bturnbow-crop-400x263-1723740141.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1374753" style="width:349px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - -    Top Title Contenders   Pearl Cohn Firebirds - Region 5   - The reigning Class 4A state champs must be at the top of the list to contend yet again, especially with Tony Brunetti at the helm and several key contributors from last year returning this Fall. Now this won't be the same Firebirds team that won the title last year as several key starters are now in college but Pearl Cohn still has enough talent to be in contention. I believe their defense will lead the way this year but [player_tooltip player_id='811032' first='Javion' last='Kinnard'] is just as important to the team's success. His dynamic, explosive play will be difficult for opponents to handle and the Firebirds will certainly use him a lot and in a variety of ways.    Being able to allow Kinnard, [player_tooltip player_id='865611' first='Donovan' last='Higgins'] and others shine bright, the Pearl Cohn offensive line must come together. This is one unit I have questions about headed into the season but knowing the Firebirds coaching staff, I'm sure they will get it figured out. Over on defense, Pearl Cohn should be quite good, especially with a defensive front seven with [player_tooltip player_id='855556' first='Kyler' last='Garcia'] and others, that can cause havoc in the backfield along with an athletic, talented secondary, spearheaded by [player_tooltip player_id='1110713' first='Josh' last='Sims']. This is a top of the classification unit that should keep Pearl Cohn in every ball game, regardless of what the offense does.    I think the competition to return to Chattanooga this winter will be tougher this year for Pearl Cohn as they will be the hunted but they are still well equipped to bring another “Gold Ball” back to Nashville. They may have to find ways to win ball games on occasions but a lot of players on this team are battle tested and ready for whatever challenge comes their way.    - - - - -    Haywood Tomcats - Region 7   - Could this be the year that Haywood brings a state championship back to campus? I think it's very possible as the Tomcats have a talented team for the 2024 season that is strong with veterans and a nice base of youthful guys that will be stars by the end of the year. Everything with this team starts with their backfield and rushing attack. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='466233' first='Camarion' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1102345' first='Kemonte' last='Williams'] both ran for over 1,800 yards last year, so it would not be surprising to see both guys go for over 2,000 this year. Either ball carrier could win Mr. Football as well, so it will be fun to watch this duo run the ball throughout the season.    Besides running the football, Haywood is consistently known for having a good defense and that should remain the same this Fall. Replacements are needed up front on the line but they got a few guys to possibly stand out in Jeffery Parker and rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1335662' first='Kemarion' last='Douglas']. Where the strength on defense sits is in the secondary where the Tomcats could be elite. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='811046' first='Caden' last='Harris'], who is a top ten ranked prospect by #PRZTN and rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1162582' first='Jaden' last='Butler'] are game changers that will take snaps on both sides of the ball. Both of those players will make things difficult for opposing team's that want to throw the ball.    When you have game changing talent like Miller, Williams, Harris and Butler, you immediately have to be talked about as a top level team. The past several years, the Tomcats have made deep playoff runs but faltered, however this season may be different. This is a well coached ball club that has a core of players that have gone through some battles, so they will be ready for any challenge in their path for the coming season. It could very well come down to Haywood and Pearl Cohn to see who heads to Chattanooga and maybe this time, the Tomcats will come out on top.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/jbutler.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1352867" style="width:234px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Greeneville Green Devils - Region 1   - The top title contending team coming out of the East Tennessee region this year looks to be the Green Devils. Sporting a strong senior class, beef in the line of scrimmage and deceptive athleticism at skill positions, Greenville has pieces in place to march through their region and go on a deep playoff run towards Chattanooga and a state championship.    What you expect out of this team is consistency, technique sound game play and toughness. Those traits remain and start in the trenches where Greeneville has a stout group, led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='841187' first='Brandon' last='Iezzi'] and [player_tooltip player_id='390665' first='Quinton' last='Humphrey']. They are complimented by underclassmen in [player_tooltip player_id='851948' first='Zorian' last='Harris'], [player_tooltip player_id='1136470' first='Bishop' last='Merriweather'], Caden Cox, Maddox Smith and Caedon Hirschy. This is a strong unit that will become a big reason for team success this year. The skill isn't too bad on this squad either with senior Carson Quillen catching passes out wide and picking off passes in the secondary as well as rising star [player_tooltip player_id='1181026' first='Zaydyn' last='Anderson'], who brings speed and big play abilities to the receiver position.    Defensively, the Green Devils should be strong yet again this year, especially with tackling machine [player_tooltip player_id='390715' first='Drew' last='Armbrister'] still in town. His leadership and game play will be important this season but he will need help from others. Overall, this is another good team for Greeneville that will be right there in the mix to contend for a spot in the 4A title game. Players must come together and stay healthy but I like the makeup of this team and the path they need to take in order to find themselves in the final game of the season.    - - - - -    Upperman Bees - Region 4   - The Bees went toe to toe with the eventual state champion last year and held their own. Now the vast majority of that team returns for the 2024 season with their eyes glued on a return to Chattanooga and the desire to bring a championship back to Baxter. One area where the Bees must find replacements is within the offensive line. They do return Zachary Maynard, who will be a linchpin up front but others must step forward to pave the way for what should be one of the best rushing attacks in the Class 4A ranks.    The run game and passing attack both begin with junior star quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1254853' first='Bronzden' last='Chaffin']. A strong armed passer with dual threat abilities, Chaffin is a Mr. Football candidate that can take over a game but he won't have to all the time due to balance in the backfield with [player_tooltip player_id='533747' first='Ethan' last='Palk'] and [player_tooltip player_id='492559' first='Carmine' last='Phillips']. This trio of ball carriers will be the glue that holds this team together, however on defense, they will need additional strong play from this side of the ball in order to make it all the way through the playoffs.    The secondary looks to be the defensive strength with Phillips back there alongside senior safety [player_tooltip player_id='1285442' first='Branson' last='Turnbow'], Theo Brown, [player_tooltip player_id='1648112' first='Elijah' last='Fitts'] and others. The way this coaching staff is able to build up their players, I'm sure they will have suitable players to perform within the front seven to make this a formidable defense to face. Even though we have Bees high on our list, they will have a tough path as their region is loaded this year and the 4A ranks look to be deeper than ever. I do feel pieces are in place however for Upperman to make it back to Chattanooga this winter and compete yet again for a state title.    - - - - -    Anderson Co. Mavericks - Region 2   - Over the last decade, this has been one of the more consistent programs on the 4A level and the Mavs are yet again stacked with talent to contend for championships this season. Anderson Co. was already viewed as a top tier team headed into the 2024 season but things got better with the off-season additions of quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='650014' first='Landen' last='Hensley'] and current Furman commit, [player_tooltip player_id='467258' first='Eli' last='Dorton']. These two senior standouts immediately boosted the team's overall talent, providing two linchpins on offense to go alongside [player_tooltip player_id='1276455' first='Waylon' last='LaRue'], [player_tooltip player_id='219443' first='Ty' last='Murphy'] and others. The offense as a whole now has balance with Hensley's ability to spread the ball around through the air and LaRue and his offensive line handling business in the run game.    I expect the Mavericks offense to be quite good with the ability to average over 30 points a game but how will the defense hold up. I am interested to see how this unit gels as I see potential here, especially with our pre-season region defensive player of the year [player_tooltip player_id='783318' first='Cody' last='Miller'] leading the way at linebacker. The D-line is a work in progress but the secondary should be solid. [player_tooltip player_id='497426' first='Israel' last='Small'] is a breakout star to watch this Fall on the back end, who can possibly lock down one side of the field. Keep an eye on two youngsters on this side of the ball in junior Slade Alley and sophomore linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1590248' first='Ethan' last='Dorton'].    Overall, this is a good looking Anderson Co. team that should be better than last year. This team is a year older with more depth. It also got better in the off-season with increased talent. The coaching staff is rock solid and the support is second to none. Plenty of pieces are in place for the Mavs to have another special season but it's football, so you never know what can happen. The road won't be easy but this program knows how to win and I expect Anderson Co. to be right there in the playoffs with a possibility of reaching the 4A title game.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/05/tymurphy.jpg?w=399" alt="" class="wp-image-825901" style="width:299px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Melrose Golden Wildcats - Region 8    - Can the Golden Cats be your surprise team in the 4A ranks that plays their way into title contention? There is a scenario out there that puts Melrose in the mix to do so, especially with some strong off-season additions that boosts the roster's overall talent in a big way. Under a new coaching staff, the Golden Cats were able to bring in one of the best players in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='219401' first='Jamarion' last='Morrow']. Adding him along with [player_tooltip player_id='616519' first='Rhyan' last='Brown'], gives Melrose one of the best backfields in the state and a pair that run the Cats to a lot of victories.    Another excellent playmaker added this off-season is wideout [player_tooltip player_id='1264564' first='Jaden' last='Jones']. His addition outside will bring balance, so opposing defense's aren't always focused on the backfield. The offense will certainly be run based, so the line of scrimmage will be key. The Cats have a few guys like [player_tooltip player_id='839498' first='Kaiden' last='Harris'] that should provide good push up front and allow their backs to shine. Keeping everybody healthy is the biggest key and if this offensive set stays on the field, watch out for the Melrose offense to put up a lot of points.    The defense is where I don't really have questions but it's more like curiosity. I'm interested to see how this defense performs as it shows potential to be outstanding. The addition of [player_tooltip player_id='841232' first='Caleb' last='Hollowell'] to the D-line is huge for the Cats as he brings a huge presence up front along with the ability to rush the passer. Edge linebacker Lonnie Tate is one to watch too as someone that can cause havoc. The path for a state title will be hard for Melrose as they would need to go through Haywood, Pearl Cohn and others but the additions this off-season certainly helps them compete with those guys, so it should be fun to watch this Memphis area team compete this year.    - - - - -  Five Others to Watch: Red Bank, White Co., Macon Co., Station Camp, South Gibson   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/zayanderson.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1375092" style="width:312px;height:auto" /></figure>