Pre-season Class 5A Team MVP’s (Part 2)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Finishing our pre-season take on the team MVP's from the Class 5A ranks, here we provide the top projected players for Regions 5 through 8 along with a brief overview on their selections. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5A-Region 5 Team MVP's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Columbia Central: </strong>(DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611956' first='Jhrevious' last='Hall']&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Franklin Co.: </strong>(RB/LB) <strong>Dawson Sowers&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lawrence Co.: </strong>(OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='841140' first='Matthew' last='Hagemann']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lincoln Co.: </strong>‘26 (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523936' first='Maddox' last='Franklin']&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shelbyville: </strong>(RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='500380' first='Rai'keyrean' last='Chandler']&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Spring Hill: </strong>(WR/S) <strong>Jackson Westbeld&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tullahoma: </strong>(WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1215424' first='Khani' last='Johnson']&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Lions have a beast on defense in Hall that can be a game changer from the trenches. Choosing to play his college ball at Indiana, Hall is an active interior pass rusher that can take his game to another level this year and become more forceful from the middle. Looking at the team MVP for Franklin Co., several options reared their head but Sowers felt like the pick as someone that should go both ways this season and provide leadership throughout the season. There is much to learn about Lawrence Co. this year but one certain is the physical play up front by Hagemann, who is one of the best O-linemen in this region.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Is the 2024 season a breakout year for Franklin and Lincoln Co.? I think it will be and Franklin will be a major reason why. He has vastly improved in several areas with his game and I believe it will show in a big way this Fall. Committing to MTSU back in the last spring, Chandler is a punishing back with good speed that will share carries but should be the bell cow back for the Golden Eagles. It looks like Spring Hill may be in for a tough season but Westbeld could be a guy to watch for as a breakout player for them. Johnson is a speedster that brings game changing abilities to the field. He will certainly be eyed to stop by the opposition all season long but Johnson is too fast to be kept in-check for too long.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1364985,"width":"304px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/madfranklin.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1364985" style="width:304px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5A-Region 6 Team MVP's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Centennial: </strong>(LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301403' first='Aidan' last='Wright']&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Glencliff: </strong>‘27 (RB/LB) <strong>Charles Taylor&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hillsboro: </strong>‘26 (LB/RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1636973' first='Brayden' last='Hightower']&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>James Lawson: </strong>(LB) <strong>D.J. Rucker&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nolensville: </strong>(WR/DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1091839' first='Landon' last='Smotherman']&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Page: </strong>(DE) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219439' first='Eric' last='Hazzard']&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Recently making his commitment to Memphis, Wright looks poised for a breakout senior season where he should lead his team in sacks but also possibly in tackles as well. This Cougars edge defender has a shot at boosting his stock in a big way this Fall. The Colts are doing everything they can to improve their program and they have a youngin in Taylor to build around over the next three years to help things. The Burros are a young ball club this year with budding talent and Hightower is one of those guys. Indications point towards this Nashville junior playing both running back and linebacker for his Hillsboro team this year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rucker is a tackling machine for his Lightning ball club and someone that could fight for top tackler in this region by season's end. His play along with others around him on defense will be key towards James Lawson finding success this season. Nolensville is looking for new guys to step into big roles this Fall and Smotherman looks to possibly be the top guy. He will play alongside a talented receiving corps with the Knights but his play and senior leadership will go a long way towards this team's success. Page is looking to finally break through for a 5A title this season, so Hazzard needs another monster year and I think he can do it. The leading sack artist in the state, the Pats edge defender claimed runner-up for Mr. Football last year while falling short in the title game, so you can bet he is more than ready to hit the field in a few weeks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1364987,"width":"254px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/lsmotherman.webp?w=558" alt="" class="wp-image-1364987" style="width:254px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5A-Region 7 MVP's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Beech: </strong>‘26 (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866718' first='Kaden' last='Powell']&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hendersonville: </strong>(Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467279' first='Cooper' last='Jordan']&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Henry Co.: </strong>(LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1071176' first='Isaiah' last='Williams']&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hunters Lane: </strong>(RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='466231' first='Isaiah' last='McGill']&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Portland: </strong>(RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='540047' first='Seth' last='Hackney']&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Springfield: </strong>(RB) <strong>Keenan Chatman&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The quarterback and tough leader of the Buccaneers offense, Powell is a physical presence behind center that could have a breakout year due to so many talented prospects surrounding him. His passing numbers could expand this year and along with his rushing abilities, Powell could develop into a Mr. Football contender. Jordan is a two-way prospect that shouldn't leave the field too often, which puts his value high as a strong candidate for team MVP. Henry Co. looks like a team in transition but should still be solid. Williams is a guy that can lead the charge on defense as a veteran leader and top notch tackler.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watch out for McGill this season as a breakthrough star in this region and a catalyst that could lead his Warriors team back into the playoffs for the first time in a while. This senior back is talented and way under the radar. The Panthers are a sleeper team this year that can compete for the top three in this region and if they do, Hackney will be a major reason why. Much of the same can be said here about Chatman. His work on offense will be key inside the Yellow Jackets run based offense that could become quite explosive by season's end.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1201280,"width":"264px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/03/ismcgill.jpg?w=767" alt="" class="wp-image-1201280" style="width:264px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5A-Region 8 MVP's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brighton: </strong>(RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815323' first='Pierce' last='Meacham']&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kingsbury: Not Available</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Memp. Central: </strong>(DL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='341252' first='Brycen' last='Boone']&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Munford: </strong>(WR/S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='552638' first='Tyler' last='Williams']&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Memp. Overton: </strong>(Ath) <strong>Gary Greer&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southwind: </strong>‘26 (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480742' first='Kelvin' last='Perkins']&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Brighton should be a sleeper team to watch in this region this Fall with Meachem spearheading things on offense at running back. His play will key towards his Cardinals offense having success this year. Gotta do it because it's honest work but Kingsbury is so far the only program in the state that has not updated their roster and hasn't done so in three years, so it's tough to promote them when they are lacking info. Memp. Central presents several options for team MVP but I think the play of Boone and his leadership will go a long way towards the Warriors success this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Committing this summer to Miami Ohio, Williams is the top dog on this year's Munford team, who will go both ways, bringing athletic, playmaking abilities to the field as well as senior leadership. Greer is an athletic, elusive back that can flip the field with his speed. He should be handling duties on defense as well in the secondary where that speed will be much needed. Coming winning Class 5A Mr. Football as a sophomore, Perkins has a lot of expectations on his head to lead Southwind to the promised land and based off his off-season work, I bet he is ready for the challenge. This dude is talented with a great mindset, so expect another big year out of Perkins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1095298,"width":"342px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/kperkins.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1095298" style="width:342px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->