Class 6A Region Preview/Predictions (Part 2)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wrapping up our region predictions for the 6A ranks, here we provide our pre-season look at Regions five through eight, where some of the best teams in this classification reside. </h2>     6A-Region 5   1. Antioch   2. Stewarts Creek   3. Smyrna    4. Cane Ridge   5. LaVergne   6. McGavock    Region MVP: ‘27 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='378901' first='Andre' last='Adams'] - Antioch   Off. POTY: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='497427' first='Caleb' last='Floyd'] - Stewarts Creek    Def. POTY: (DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1130991' first='Jonathan' last='Waller'] - Stewarts Creek    Lineman POTY: (OT) [player_tooltip player_id='250865' first='Ta'Khyian' last='Whitset'] - Antioch    Underclassmen POTY: ‘26 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1288080' first='Anthony' last='Sensabaugh'] - Cane Ridge    Coach of the Year: Arcentae Broom - Antioch    - Is it time for Antioch to take over this region and become champions for the first time in a long time? It's very possible as they appear to have the best roster within this region and one of the top quarterbacks in the state with Adams. The Bears quarterback will have an athletically talented receiving corps to throw to as well with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='966033' first='Brandon' last='Goliday'], Jayden Fowler, [player_tooltip player_id='1177681' first='Andrew' last='Cross-Adams'] and others. Battling for the Bears for the top spot should be Stewarts Creek. Built differently than Antioch on offense, the Red hawks sport a run based offense with Floyd being the top guy in the backfield this year. They should have a solid defense as well with Waller leading the way.    Competing for the other playoff spots should be Smyrna and Cane Ridge. The Bulldogs have a chance at competing for a top two spot, especially if some of their young talent can come along at a fast rate. [player_tooltip player_id='1261893' first='Adin' last='Augustine'] is a hidden gem and one of the better coverage linebackers in the state. Cane Ridge is still developing their roster but should be better last year. They have a senior quarterback in [player_tooltip player_id='819507' first='Joshua' last='Reese'] and a talented junior ball carrier in Sensabaugh to lean on this year. LaVergne and McGavock are rebuilding this year but could surprise as this is high school football, so you never know what could happen.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/4-Caleb-Floyd.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1298883" style="width:403px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    6A-Region 6   1. Ravenwood   2. Brentwood   3. Independence   4. Franklin   5. Summit   6. Overton    Region MVP: (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='219435' first='Ben' last='Hubbard'] - Ravenwood   Off. POTY: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='814799' first='Gavyn' last='Nelson'] - Brentwood    Def. POTY: (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='219353' first='Lane' last='Sumerel'] - Ravenwood   Lineman POTY: (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='219438' first='Kyle' last='Larkin'] - Ravenwood    Underclassmen POTY: ‘26 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='402540' first='Femi' last='Babalola'] - Ravenwood    Coach of the Year: Will Hester - Ravenwood    - For the last several years, it has been Brentwood or Ravenwood that have come away as region champs and this 2024 season doesn't look to be any different. The Raptors and Bruins are equipped to yet again win this region but I give the edge to Ravenwood due to potential in the passing game as well as a defense that might be one of the best in the Mid-TN area, maybe even the state. If there is one team that could sneak up into the top two, it would be Independence. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='402544' first='Hunter' last='Mullen'] will be the starting QB but if rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1150069' first='Matthew' last='Horner'] can develop at a faster rate, the Eagles become more balanced and dangerous.    Keep an eye on Franklin this Fall. I don't think the Admirals are ready to compete for the region title but they should be much improved. Defensively, the Admirals could be solid with [player_tooltip player_id='501903' first='Aiden' last='Elmore'] and others up front causing havoc along with an improved offense that has a stud to spin it to in [player_tooltip player_id='1102361' first='Wils' last='Jackson']. Summit and Overton appear to be fighting to stay out of the cellar this season. The Spartans have a stud in [player_tooltip player_id='491440' first='Mekhi' last='Bell'] that could develop into the best D-linemen in this region by season's end.      <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/05/94-Femi-Babalola.jpg?w=1017" alt="" class="wp-image-837442" style="width:343px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - - -    6A-Region 7   1. Clarksville   2. Kirkwood   3. Rossview   4. West Creek   5. Northwest   6. Kenwood   7. Dickson Co.    8. Northeast    Region MVP: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1240402' first='James' last='Dalrymple'] - Clarksville    Off. POTY: (RB/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='976602' first='Perry' last='Cross-Snead'] - Kirkwood   Def. POTY: (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1240386' first='Ahmoyre' last='Galbreath'] - Clarksville    Lineman POTY: (DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1282466' first='Moses' last='Byrd'] - Kirkwood    Underclassmen POTY: (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1103508' first='Jamarcus' last='Watkins'] - Clarksville    Coach of the Year: [player_tooltip player_id='279484' first='Isaac' last='Shelby'] - Clarksville    - Even though it's a new year, this is still Clarksville's region to lose. The Wildcats are replacing some key starters from last year but bring back a talented roster, led by Dalrymple and Galbreath. The addition of [player_tooltip player_id='1349505' first='Raeshawn' last='Boyce'] to the O-line from East Nashville, makes this team even better, especially up front. Competing for the Cats for that top spot will be Kirkwood. The Cobras are still building their roster but for the 2024 season, they have some of the best talent in this region with Cross-Snead, Byrd, [player_tooltip player_id='1269237' first='Gavyn' last='Hunter'] and rising star offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='944767' first='Kamari' last='Blair']. Rossview has one of the better defensive players in this region with [player_tooltip player_id='656684' first='Kole' last='Phillips'], who could boost his college stock significantly with a strong senior year.    West Creek may be in a small transition this year, especially under a new coaching staff but return enough talent to compete for a playoff spot. Watch out for the Coyotes over the next few years though as they have some good young up and coming talent. Senior safety [player_tooltip player_id='1224005' first='Anthony' last='Holland'] was a strong addition to the Northwest defense, who could lead this region in interceptions. Kenwood may have the best quarterback in this region with senior signal caller [player_tooltip player_id='855565' first='Jakoby' last='Cox']. Dickson Co. and Northeast round things out with the Cougars being a team I will be watching as I think they could be better than their pre-season 7th place pick.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/psnead.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1357798" style="width:272px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    6A-Region 8    1. Houston   2. Bartlett   3. Germantown   4. Whitehaven   5. White Station   6. Collierville   7. Arlington   8. Cordova    Region MVP: (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='816017' first='Chandler' last='Day'] - Houston    Off. POTY: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1002741' first='Geron' last='Johnson'] - Bartlett    Def. POTY: (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='795560' first='Austin' last='Howard'] - Bartlett    Lineman POTY: ‘26 (DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1676391' first='Tony' last='Williams'] - Houston    Underclassmen POTY: ‘26 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1113841' first='Tre'von' last='McGory'] - Germantown   Coach of the Year: James Thomas - Houston    - One of the toughest regions in the entire state, Region 8 looks to be another tight battle this Fall with several teams eyeing that top spot. Coming off winning the 6A title last year, Houston is the top choice to take the region this year. The Mustangs return a strong core with Day, [player_tooltip player_id='829107' first='Marcelles' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='540017' first='Derrick' last='Miller'] and others running the show on offense while James, Williams, [player_tooltip player_id='1110694' first='Andre' last='Allen'], [player_tooltip player_id='219418' first='Garrett' last='Hagan'] and others taking care of things on defense. They will receive tough competition for the title with Bartlett and Germantown coming after them. The Panthers have possibly the two best players in the region with Johnson and Howard. They are complimented nicely by a deep roster with a nice mix of vets and youthful talent.    The Red Devils are dealing with a recent loss and it's a big one but they are still quite talented, especially at the skill positions with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='1264564' first='Jaden' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='461255' first='Yasir' last='Muhammad'], McGory and others. They also may have the best O-line in the region, which is huge towards winning ball games. Whitehaven and White Station are two talented teams as well that could be region title contenders within other regions. The Spartans in particular is a team to watch for over the next couple of years as they have some seriously talented players inside their sophomore class.  It might be a transitional year for Collierville as they have lost a lot of significant talent over the past two years, however they sport a strong coaching staff that should have this year's version ready to play. Keep an eye out on [player_tooltip player_id='1177637' first='Grant' last='Troutman'], who is the 9th ranked quarterback in the state by #PRZTN. Arlington should be a better team compared to their 7th place pre-season selection but unfortunately play in a hard region. Athletic offensive weapon [player_tooltip player_id='900800' first='Jhabari' last='Ellis'] is one guy to watch on the Tigers team this Fall.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/aushoward.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1174060" style="width:678px;height:auto" /></figure>