Class 4A Region Preview/Predictions (Part 2)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Continue our forecast on the 4A classification, here we predict the top teams from regions five through eight as well as provide our pre-season players of the year and more! </h2>     4A-Region 5   1. Pearl Cohn   2. Station Camp   3. Marshall Co.   4. White House   5. Creek Wood   6. Montgomery Central   7. Greenbrier   8. Whites Creek    Region MVP: (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='811032' first='Javion' last='Kinnard'] - Pearl Cohn    Off. POTY: (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='811032' first='Javion' last='Kinnard'] - Pearl Cohn    Def. POTY: (DE/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='841262' first='Kelton' last='Crisp'] - Station Camp    Lineman POTY: (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='855556' first='Kyler' last='Garcia'] - Pearl Cohn    Underclassmen POTY: ‘26 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1432204' first='Karmelo' last='League'] - Pearl Cohn    Coach of the Year: Christopher Bain - Station Camp    - Can anyone knock the Firebirds off their pedestal and take the region away from them? Maybe somewhere down the road it will happen but not this year. I make that statement even though I think Station Camp will be right there competing for Pearl Cohn with the best team they have had in years. The Firebirds have the explosion and athletic skill set to yet again find their way to Chattanooga but it could be Garcia, League, [player_tooltip player_id='1110713' first='Josh' last='Sims'] and the Pearl Cohn defense that gets them the “Gold Ball.” Much of the same can be said about the Bison as they too sport a top level defense, spearheaded by Crisp along with [player_tooltip player_id='1131054' first='Ocoee' last='Ellis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1317446' first='B.J.' last='Alexander'] and others.    Another battle for the 3rd and 4th playoff spots will take place this year as between Marshall Co., White House and Creek Wood. Early on, it looks like the Tigers are in the driver seat for 3rd place but they are replacing some key seniors from last year, so it will be interesting to see how they perform. Wideout [player_tooltip player_id='390641' first='Aja' last='Jones'] is one guy to watch for them. The Blue Devils return a strong senior core they can lean on and a group that can push for the top three in this region. They have a solid offensive line with [player_tooltip player_id='1282486' first='Brayden' last='Rosenbarker'] and a go-to target out wide in [player_tooltip player_id='1145793' first='Kenny' last='Holt'] that can be a game changer. Creek Wood has a few playmakers as well, like [player_tooltip player_id='219344' first='Jayden' last='Elliott'] and [player_tooltip player_id='841147' first='Keon' last='Robertson'] that can make a difference on their Red Hawks team that can push for a playoff spot.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/jsims.jpeg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1301883" style="width:266px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    4A-Region 6   1. South Gibson   2. Chester Co.   3. Hardin Co.   4. Lexington   5. Jackson North-Side   6. Jackson South-Side    Region MVP: (TE/DE) [player_tooltip player_id='848818' first='Gabe' last='Lovorn'] - South Gibson    Off. POTY: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1200996' first='Jacob' last='Saunders'] - Hardin Co.    Def. POTY: (DE/TE) [player_tooltip player_id='848818' first='Gabe' last='Lovorn'] - South Gibson    Lineman POTY: (OT) [player_tooltip player_id='832835' first='Kalvin' last='Meadows'] - Chester Co.    Underclassmen POTY: ‘26 (DE) [player_tooltip player_id='889227' first='Yahya' last='Gaad'] - South Gibson    Coach of the Year: Ben Johnson - South Gibson   - The top dog in this region is South Gibson and right now, I don't see anybody else challenging them. The Hornets have possibly the two best players in this region with Lovorn and Gaad, who are both disruptors from the defensive front that could both have double digit sacks this year. The intriguing part about this region is who will be the team's trying to knock South Gibson off the top. Both Chester Co. and Hardin Co. are replacing significant seniors from last year's squad, so there are question marks about both. What both team's have going for them is a potentially strong rushing attack with Saunders at Hardin Co. and [player_tooltip player_id='1201004' first='Peyton' last='Barham'] at Chester County.    Lexington is under the coaching of a new staff this Fall with the idea of changing things around and putting the Tigers back in region title contention sooner than later. They have a talented junior to pay attention to this Fall in [player_tooltip player_id='1748382' first='Amarion' last='Arnold']. Look for a 1,000 plus yard rushing season out of Arnold. North-Side and South-Side continue to bring up the bottom of this region but maybe one of them can make a difference this year and possibly move into the top four and potential postseason action.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/IMG_2420-rotated.jpeg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1140381" style="width:313px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - - -    4A-Region 7   1. Haywood   2. Obion Co.   3. Dyer Co.   4. Crockett Co.   5. Fayette-Ware    Region MVP: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='466233' first='Camarion' last='Miller'] - Haywood    Off. POTY: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1102345' first='Kemonte' last='Williams'] - Haywood    Def. POTY: '26 (DE/TE) [player_tooltip player_id='1584097' first='Morgan' last='Carpenter'] - Obion Co.   Lineman POTY: (OL/DL) Jeffery Parker - Haywood   Underclassmen POTY: ‘26 (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='811046' first='Caden' last='Harris'] - Haywood    Coach of the Year: Josh Puckett - Haywood    - It could be a special year for the Tomcats as they are not only the top team out of this region but also one of the top contenders for the 4A state title as well. Haywood returns a strong core of players that fell short in the playoffs to Pearl Cohn last year but have the mindset to get past the Firebirds this year and make it to Chattanooga. They should be able to do that with a top tier backfield with Miller and Williams as well as a defense that looks strong on the back end with Harris and sophomore stud [player_tooltip player_id='1162582' first='Jaden' last='Butler']. Beyond the Tomcats, who will challenge Haywood or fight for the other playoff spots?   Obion Co. is our 2nd place pre-season finisher right now with a roster that has some juice and talent but still needs development. The Rebels have a good junior core to follow this year, led by safety/receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1617370' first='Bryson' last='Underwood'] and two-way product [player_tooltip player_id='1584097' first='Morgan' last='Carpenter']. Dyer Co. heads into the 2024 season with a nice senior core but is the depth there. That is a question I will need to see but I know the Choctaws have a trio of talented seniors to lean on in [player_tooltip player_id='1269114' first='Jamin' last='Gaulden'], Ja'Bari Livingston and Darius Heyward. Crockett Co. claims our 4th place finish but could move up. The Cavs have a legit college guy in [player_tooltip player_id='829084' first='Deuce' last='Greenhill'] to showcase this Fall at both receiver and defensive back.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/cadharris.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-1371831" style="width:269px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    5A-Region 8    1. Melrose   2. Millington Central   3. Kirby   4. Ridgeway   5. Craigmont    Region MVP: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='219401' first='Jamarion' last='Morrow'] - Melrose    Off. POTY: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='219401' first='Jamarion' last='Morrow'] - Melrose    Def. POTY: (LB) Lonnie Tate - Melrose    Lineman POTY: (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='841232' first='Caleb' last='Hollowell'] - Melrose   Underclassmen POTY: ‘26 (DE/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1268388' first='Jarvis' last='Glenn'] - Kirby   Coach of the Year: Cedrick & Jarrett Morrow - Melrose    - The Golden Cats are on the rise and a team to watch for this year as not only a region title winner but a sleeper team to compete for the Class 4A state title. That statement becomes legit after the late off-season addition of #PRZTN #4 ranked prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='219401' first='Jamarion' last='Morrow']. His addition is huge as Morrow is a game changer. Adding him along with [player_tooltip player_id='616519' first='Rhyan' last='Brown'] gives Melrose possibly the best one-two punch at running back in 4A ranks and possibly the West TN region. Hollowell on defense was a big off-season addition as well that gives the Golden Cats a force on the D-line that could produce double digit sacks this year.    Placing 2nd in our pre-season predictions, Millington has a good ball club returning this year that will fight with Melrose for the top spot. The Trojans have a solid senior core, led by [player_tooltip player_id='1133034' first='Jackson' last='Ford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='480902' first='Cameron' last='Puryear'] that help the squad win a lot of games this year and place themselves nicely for postseason play. Kirby, Ridgeway and Craigmont will all fight for those final two spots in the playoffs with the Cougars and Roadrunners holding the edge. All three teams have question marks in several areas, so there is a lot to learn about these West Tennessee programs throughout the coming season.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/jackford.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1371836" style="width:356px;height:auto" /></figure>