Class 4A Region Preview/Predictions (Part 1)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">This classification will be deep with high qualified teams, so predicting some of the regions was tough but we got the job done! Find out below our 4A pre-season predictions for Regions 1 thru 4 as well as the player superlatives. </h2>     4A-Region 1   1. Greeneville   2. Elizabethton   3. Northview Academy   4. Sullivan-East   5. Volunteer   6. Grainger   7. Cherokee    Region MVP: (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='390715' first='Drew' last='Armbrister'] - Greeneville    Off. POTY: (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1371757' first='Jeriah' last='Griffin'] - Elizabethton    Def. POTY: (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='390715' first='Drew' last='Armbrister'] - Greeneville    Lineman POTY: (OL/DT) [player_tooltip player_id='841187' first='Brandon' last='Iezzi'] - Greeneville    Underclassmen POTY: (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1181026' first='Zaydyn' last='Anderson'] - Greeneville    Coach of the Year: Eddie Spradlen - Greeneville   - Everything points towards the Green Devils running away with this region and everybody else fighting for second place. Greeneville has a strong team returning for the 2024 season where they are strong in the right places, especially on the offensive line. They have a strong defense as well, led by Armbrister but supported by a nice defensive line as well as an under the radar secondary, spearheaded by Carson Quillen. The Green Devils have a good shot at competing for the 4A title this year as well. The Cyclones appear well equipped to compete for the second spot but they must watch out for Northview Academy.    The Cougars lose some key players up front from last year but have a nice young nucleus to build around that could develop rapidly by the end of the season. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1106235' first='Parker' last='Dowd'] and Jayden Stolz are two to keep an eye on. Sullivan-East is rebuilding this year after losing most of their passing attack but do return a strong two-way player in [player_tooltip player_id='466264' first='Brayden' last='Ringley'] to depend upon. Volunteer is a team to follow as a squad that could sneak up into the Top Four, especially if their rushing attack is on point, led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='279496' first='Caden' last='LaFollette'].    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/cquillen.jpg?w=1000" alt="" class="wp-image-1371633" style="width:358px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    4A-Region 2   1. Anderson Co.   2. Carter   3. Gibbs   4. South Doyle   5. Seymour   6. Fulton    Region MVP: (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='650014' first='Landen' last='Hensley'] - Anderson Co.    Off. POTY: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1276455' first='Waylon' last='LaRue'] - Anderson Co.    Def. POTY: (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='783318' first='Cody' last='Miller'] - Anderson Co.    Lineman POTY: (OL/DL) [player_tooltip player_id='219432' first='Judd' last='Taylor'] - Carter    Underclassmen POTY: ‘26 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1467544' first='Jody' last='Scruggs'] - Carter    Coach of the Year: Davey Gillum - Anderson Co.    - The class of this region for years now has been Anderson Co. and I don't see that changing this year, especially with off-season additions of Hensley and current Furman commit, [player_tooltip player_id='467258' first='Eli' last='Dorton']. The Mavs should have a balanced offense between Hensley and the emergence of LaRue at running back. Their O-line is one of the best in the 4A ranks too with Dorton and [player_tooltip player_id='219443' first='Ty' last='Murphy'] up front. Defensively is a strong area as well with our pre-season defensive player of the year Miller being the leader along with a secondary that should be solid with [player_tooltip player_id='497426' first='Israel' last='Small'] covering the perimeter. While the Mavs are the leader for the region, they must stave off Carter, who I think has the chops to compete with Anderson County.    The Hornets have a strong offensive line they can lean as well with Taylor out at tackle and [player_tooltip player_id='323141' first='Hayden' last='Warwick'] handling things at center. The playmaking should come from Scruggs where he can develop himself into a Mr. Football candidate. Defensively is where I have questions about Carter, so it will be interesting to see how that side progresses throughout the season.    Gibbs was the surprise team in this region last year and I think they can play that role again. They have a few key seniors like Marquese Sharp to learn while their youth grows and becomes key players. South Doyle is an interesting team that could surprise many in the East TN area as they have some of the best natural talent in this region with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='1102358' first='Tamarian' last='Tipton'], Marquail Patterson, [player_tooltip player_id='467260' first='B.J.' last='Wilson'], Dane Sifford and others. I could honestly see a scenario where the Cherokees finish second in this region, right behind the Mavericks.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/06/jtaylor.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-363117" style="width:363px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    4A-Region 3   1. Red Bank   2. Loudon   3. Hixson   4. Sequoyah   5. Soddy Daisy   6. Signal Mountain   7. East Ridge   Region MVP: (RB/DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1257456' first='Josiah' last='Featherstone'] - Red Bank   Off. POTY: (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1263171' first='Bronson' last='Scrivner'] - Loudon    Def. POTY: (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='835862' first='Sebastian' last='Correa'] - Loudon    Lineman POTY: (OL/DL) Landon Slack - Sequoyah    Underclassmen POTY: (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1699919' first='Tramell' last='Davis, Jr'] - Hixson    Coach of the Year: Ted Gatewood - Red Bank    - Throughout the years, Red Bank has been a steady program that you can depend on making it to the playoffs and that's the case again this year. The Lions already had a solid senior class returning but off-season additions like [player_tooltip player_id='467266' first='Markee' last='Crutcher'], makes this team even stronger. Their secondary might be one of the best in the 4A ranks with Crutcher, Featherstone, [player_tooltip player_id='219348' first='Logan' last='McGinnis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1185884' first='Drayden' last='Collier'], [player_tooltip player_id='1287488' first='Cayden' last='Loveless'] and others. Even though the Lions look like the top team, Loudon and Hixson are two that have pieces to compete for the region title as well.    The Redskins had a bounce back season last year and should continue riding that momentum into the Fall. They have a solid senior class led by Scrivner and Correa to lean on this year while their youngsters grow into key starters. Hixson is the team to watch for this year as their athleticism matches Red Bank's where the Cats could challenge for the region title. [player_tooltip player_id='1224038' first='Adam' last='Billingsley'] and Ronald Davis-Suttles are two defensive talents to pay attention to this year as both could be team game changers. Sequoyah and Soddy Daisy appear to be a step behind the top three but have enough talent to give those team's fits while challenging for that final playoff spot.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/bscrivner.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1371640" style="width:317px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -   4A-Region 4   1. Upperman   2. White Co.   3. Macon Co.   4. DeKalb Co.   5. Stone Memorial   6. Cumberland Co.   7. Livingston Academy    Region MVP: ‘26 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1254853' first='Bronzden' last='Chaffin'] - Upperman   Off. POTY: (QB/S) [player_tooltip player_id='1102967' first='Tripp' last='Pinion'] - White Co.    Def. POTY: (DB) Darvon Richmond - White Co.    Lineman POTY: (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1128441' first='Ethan' last='West'] - Macon Co.    Underclassmen POTY: ‘26 (RB/S) [player_tooltip player_id='492559' first='Carmine' last='Phillips'] - Upperman    Coach of the Year: Adam Caine - Upperman    - This is one of the funnest regions to watch this year as it sports well run football programs along with strong talent that you will see on the college stage one day. It will be interesting to watch how this region plays out as Upperman, White Co. and Macon Co. all have a shot at competing for the region title while also having a shot at going deep in the 4A playoffs. The Bees hold the edge with a potent offense, led by Chaffin, [player_tooltip player_id='533747' first='Ethan' last='Palk'] and others. White Co. has a stellar offense as well with Pinion at the head of the table. Macon Co. can put their own explosive offense on the field too with Borders leading the way. When these three teams compete against each other, expect a high scoring affair with plenty of explosive plays.   Defense I feel will be the key towards winning the region and I see Upperman sporting the best one headed into the Fall season. Now who will take that fourth and final playoff spot? Right now we give it to DeKalb Co. but Stone Memorial and our sleeper team, Cumberland Co. have a shot to reach the postseason as well. Junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='491549' first='Noah' last='Potter'] is one to watch for the Jets, who could push for a breakout season and boost his college recruiting stock.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/05/59-Carmine-Phillips-crop-1554x1021-1714676844.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1265064" style="width:468px;height:auto" /></figure>