Class 5A Region Preview/Predictions (Part 1)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Diving into the 5A classification, here we provide our pre-season predictions and players of the year for Regions one through four as well as a brief breakdown on what to expect for the coming season. </h2>     5A-Region 1   1. Sevier Co.   2. Morristown-West   3. Tennessee High   4. David Crockett   5. Daniel Boone   6. Cocke Co.    Region MVP: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='219342' first='Tegan' last='Avera'] - Sevier Co.    Off. POTY: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='219342' first='Tegan' last='Avera'] - Sevier Co.    Def. POTY: (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='983418' first='Tyler' last='Mann'] - Sevier Co.    Lineman POTY: (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='616543' first='Otto' last='VanRensburg'] - Sevier Co.    Underclassmen POTY: ‘27 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1142902' first='Cooper' last='Newman'] - Sevier Co.    Coach of the Year: Todd Loveday - Sevier Co.    - To win this region in 2024, you must go through Sevier County. The Smoky Bears appear to be the class of the region this year with a talented and balanced ball club that have pieces to push them deep into the playoffs. The line of scrimmage with Van Rensburg, Chase Gillispie, [player_tooltip player_id='1261919' first='Lataveus' last='Booker'] and others will be the Smoky Bears X-Factor that determines the team's success. Mo-West is our 2nd place predicted team and the Trojans bring a solid ball club to the field that can develop further as the season goes on. They should be solid up front with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='466279' first='Aidan' last='Hitesman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='467233' first='Andrew' last='Victory'] opening holes for their backs along with an athletic two-way talent in Bereket Evans that can make game changing plays.    Fighting for the final two playoff spots should be Tennessee High and David Crockett. The Vikings have the edge right now but I can see Crockett being the better team by season's end. [player_tooltip player_id='937077' first='Micah' last='Norton'] is the main guy to know for the Vikings while Lamarkus Dunn is a two-way product that should shine for the Pioneers. Daniel Boone and Cocke Co. looks to be the bottom two teams right now but besides Sevier County, this region is in-flux, so anybody can jump up into the top four and earn that playoff spot.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/ovrensburg2.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1242088" style="width:311px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    5A-Region 2   1. Powell   2. Knox. West   3. Knox. Halls   4. Knox. Central   5. Heritage    Region MVP: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='937072' first='Connor' last='Wheeler'] - Powell    Off. POTY: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1557059' first='Marcus' last='Moore'] - Knox. Halls    Def. POTY: (LB) Jack Keith - Knox. West    Lineman POTY: (OL/DT) Stephen Johnson - Knox. West    Underclassmen POTY: ‘26 (DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1154536' first='Iverson' last='Garcia'] - Powell    Coach of the Year: Matt Lowe - Powell    - Can someone take this region away from Knox. West? I think it's very possible this year with the Powell Panthers looking to have a better roster along with a coaching staff that has won a lot of ball games. Wheeler is the bell cow back and Mr. Football candidate for his Powell offense but he is complemented by Rodgers and a budding passing game that could push the Panthers over the top. Knox. West is picked second here but it would not be surprising at all to see them win this region again and compete for a third straight 5A state title. I just don't see it happening as the Rebels are having to replace a lot of key starters while leaning on a bunch of new, young prospects. I still expect Knox. West to win a bunch of games, especially with coach Lamar Brown still at the helm.    The sleeper team to watch in this region is Knox. Halls. The Red Devils have been building with their roster for a possible season they could have this Fall. They have one of the best QB's in the East region with Lethgo along with an under the radar ball carrier in Moore and a sure handed receiver in [player_tooltip player_id='219379' first='Drew' last='Ross'] that could make the Red Devils have the best offense in the region. Knox. Central is a step behind the top three but not too far. Two juniors to watch for them this Fall are [player_tooltip player_id='480743' first='Torin' last='McAfee'] and two-way backer [player_tooltip player_id='853119' first='Jaedyn' last='Harris']. Taking the fifth spot is Heritage and this could be a solid team for them. If they were in a different region, the Mountaineers would be thought of much higher.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/dross.webp?w=819" alt="" class="wp-image-1006765" style="width:313px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    5A-Region 3   1. Oak Ridge   2. Lenoir City   3. Clinton   4. Campbell Co.   5. Karns    Region MVP: ‘26 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='205650' first='Blaine' last='Stansberry'] - Oak Ridge    Off. POTY: (RB/S) Darius Bass - Lenoir City    Def. POTY: (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1102519' first='Eli' last='Harrison'] - Lenoir City    Lineman POTY: (OG/C) [player_tooltip player_id='219352' first='Bryson' last='Daugherty'] - Lenoir City   Underclassmen POTY: ‘26 (DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1281457' first='Tobja' last='Walters Jr'] - Oak Ridge    Coach of the Year: Derek Rang - Oak Ridge    - Oak Ridge and Lenoir City should go toe to toe this year for the region title. Now that's easy to say before the season starts but the Cats and Panthers look like the top two teams here with both having a shot at going deep in the playoffs. Oak Ridge will be younger but maybe more talented at the skill positions. Lenoir City has some good vets to lean on this year, especially with Daugherty, Bass and Harrison. I have the Wildcats with the edge headed into the season based on overall talent but it would be surprising at all to see Lenoir City take the region as well.    Clinton has been the top dawg in this region for the past couple of seasons and while I don't think they are the top choice this year, I do think they could cause fits for the top two. The Dragons are young this year but talented with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1159812' first='Deameion' last='Leavell'], [player_tooltip player_id='284143' first='Bryson' last='Maddox'], [player_tooltip player_id='402526' first='Braylen' last='Hayden'] and others taking on bigger roles to go along with a few key vets in [player_tooltip player_id='1516009' first='Bo' last='Wright'] and Jeremiah Lee to earn a top three region and playoff spot. Campbell Co. and Karns will fight for that last playoff appearance with [player_tooltip player_id='1215514' first='Gavin' last='Owens'] being a guy to watch for the Cougars.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/126-Tobja-Walters-Jr.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1298990" style="width:323px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -   5A-Region 4   1. Walker Valley   2. McMinn Co.   3. Rhea Co.   4. East Hamilton   5. Ooltewah   6. Howard School    Region MVP: (WR/S) [player_tooltip player_id='1125380' first='Hudson' last='Makuch'] - Walker Valley    Off. POTY: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1268010' first='Taylon' last='White'] - McMinn Co.    Def. POTY: (LB) Cam Miller - McMinn Co.    Lineman POTY: ‘26 (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='402530' first='Camden' last='Goforth'] - McMinn Co.    Underclassmen POTY: ‘26 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1103004' first='Javen' last='Hall'] - Walker Valley    Coach of the Year: Drew Akins - Walker Valley    - The battle for number one could be fun to watch within this region as things should come down to Walker Valley and McMinn County. The Mustangs are your reigning champs and I think they take the crown again but it will be tough as the Cherokees have a solid senior class along with one of the best juniors in the state in Goforth. Where the Mustangs separate themselves is with the depth up front on the O-line ([player_tooltip player_id='305232' first='Jeremiah' last='Townsend'], [player_tooltip player_id='311755' first='Lane' last='Kelly'], [player_tooltip player_id='1125389' first='Bryson' last='Farley'], [player_tooltip player_id='311756' first='Caleb' last='Kelly']) and the skill positions, especially out wide with Makuch. McMinn Co. might have the better defense, which is why the game between these two and this region overall should be fun to follow.  Battling for those final two playoff spots should be Rhea Co., East Hamilton and Ooltewah. The Eagles and Hurricanes look more equipped to get there right now but it's a long season with many unknowns. Rhea Co. has a more senior laden team, led by quarterback Caleb Carr while East Hamilton looks to be in a transitional season. They still have some seniors to lean on but will need some youthful talent to step forward. Ooltewah has a stud on defense in [player_tooltip player_id='402569' first='Zach' last='Gilbert'] but are lacking in other areas to be considered for the top four.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/136-Camden-Goforth-crop-2891x1899-1720808164.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1331013" style="width:365px;height:auto" /></figure>