#PRZTN Game of the Week: Knox. Webb at BGA

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Uh oh, football is back!! We kick off the season tomorrow night down in Franklin, Tennessee for a big D2-Class AA matchup that should be a tremendous contest. Get caught up on the Spartans and Wildcats below w/ our pre-game outlook, preview and prediction. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>When: </strong>Friday, August 23rd</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Where: </strong>Franklin, TN (Williamson Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Time: </strong>7:00 pm Kickoff&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coverage: </strong>@CSmithScout&nbsp; @FootballBga&nbsp; @webb_knoxFB&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BGA Wildcats</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1002764' first='Arnett' last='Hayes, Jr'] </strong>(#PRZTN 66th overall prospect)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- One of the top underrated prospects available from our #TN2025 class, Hayes, Jr is a dynamic pass catcher that can work his man deep and does well at making contested catches. His speed can be a problem for defenders as well but his matchup against Young, Jr could be the funnest inner-game contest to watch.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='1230849' first='Locke' last='Kennedy'] </strong>(#PRZTN unranked/Recent addition to TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Recently making his way back to BGA after a brief stint down at IMG Academy, Kennedy is a difference maker for his Wildcats team that should handle roles at both safety and receiver. His size and speed could be a problem for Spartan defensive backs but his coverage I feel will be most important in this game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='866788' first='Nate' last='Fleming'] </strong>(#PRZTN Jr Watch List)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- It's been a good off-season for Fleming but now it's time to take it to the field and I think this Wildcat junior is poised for a breakout junior season. His presence in this game is needed to put pressure on Childers and speed him up and allow his secondary to make plays.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1399808,"width":"318px","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/lkennedy.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1399808" style="width:318px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Knox. Webb Spartans</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='1269174' first='Hal' last='Niendorff'] </strong>(#PRZTN 100th overall prospect)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Niendorff is a multi year starter on his Spartans defense and a team leader that the BGA staff must keep an eye on throughout this game. He has ball hawk tendencies while also sporting excellent range against the run. This is also an underrated talent that can boost his college stock with big performances against good teams like BGA.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='402563' first='Shavar' last='Young, Jr'] </strong>(#PRZTN 5th overall Jr prospect)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Recently committing to Clemson, Young, Jr is one of the top overall prospects from our #TN2026 class with big time potential cornerback. He should be taking snaps in this game at both receiver and defensive back and he must be taken care of by the Wildcats defense if the home team wants to come out with a victory.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='402537' first='Elias' last='Childers'] </strong>(#PRZTN Jr Watch List) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Finally taking over the role as starting quarterback at Webb, Childers is a big pocket presence that can push the ball down field while also making tough throws you see on the college level. It will be interesting and fun to see how Childers handles everything and is able to perform against a top team in front of a big crowd.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Matchup</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1002764' first='Arnett' last='Hayes, Jr'] vs. ‘26 (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='402563' first='Shavar' last='Young, Jr']&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- What a showdown we have here between two outstanding playmakers that will be on the college stage one day. Hayes is ranked as a top 10 wideout by #PRZTN that is great at contested catches while Young is a top five overall prospect from our junior class that is extremely athletic who a strong technique sound style of game. When these two line up from each other, it should be a fun matchup to watch and see who can gain the advantage.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1329884,"width":"301px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/syoungjr_a420bf.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1329884" style="width:301px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Overview</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The 2024 season for Prep Redzone Tennessee kicks off in Franklin where the BGA Wildcats are set to host D2-Class AA foe, Knox. Webb in what could be one of the best games throughout the Week One slate. The Spartans come to town with one of the best players in the state in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402563' first='Shavar' last='Young, Jr'] </strong>while the home Cats will put a talented ball club on the field that got better in the off-season with several additions. On paper, this looks like a potential even matchup with a game that might go till the end but that's on paper and not actually what may happen.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All the pre-season research goes out the window when we finally step onto the field, so there is a lot to learn about both of these teams. Knox. Webb looks to be in a transitional year, even though they should still be good enough to compete for their region and make a deep playoff run. BGA could be legit but also may be a year away. They have several key veterans on this club, including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1002764' first='Arnett' last='Hayes, Jr'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1230849' first='Locke' last='Kennedy'] </strong>but most of their talent reside with their underclassmen.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The trenches is where a difference could be made in this contest on who wins and loses. The Wildcats look to possibly have the edge here with guys like <strong>Julius Pittman</strong>, <strong>Zach Miller</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='902956' first='Justice' last='Pittman']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1647074' first='Myles' last='Sawyers'] </strong>and rising star D-lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866788' first='Nate' last='Fleming']</strong> battling in the line of scrimmage. Knox. Webb has a lot of unknown in the line coming into this game but that doesn't necessarily mean anything as of now. Eyes will be glued to the trenches throughout to see who wins this battle as it could be the difference maker.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1271187,"width":"328px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/hniendorff.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1271187" style="width:328px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An edge for the Spartans may come on offense at wide receiver. Young, Jr, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1269174' first='Hal' last='Niendorff']</strong>, who will also be the defensive leader at safety and fellow junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402543' first='Gregory' last='Tate']</strong> are athletic playmakers that show speed to potentially get behind the BGA secondary. If they are allowed to do so, the home team may struggle to come out on top. The Cats have a solid back end however with Kennedy at safety and new Purdue commit, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402570' first='T.O.' last='Otey'] </strong>doing his thing out on the island, so this should be a fun battle to watch within the game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams sport junior quarterbacks in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='914547' first='Kaedyn' last='Marable'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402537' first='Elias' last='Childers'] </strong>that show college potential but have plenty of room for development. Their poise and handling of their offense will be needed as with this being the first game of the season, jitters will happen and things won't be easy, so their calm presence needs to be constant from start to finish. Overall, this is a fun game to kick the season off with and a contest that will show me and the state a lot about each ball club and what they could accomplish throughout the rest of the football year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Prediction</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This should be a fun one, a nice litmus test game for both Knox. Webb and BGA to see how good they are now and can be throughout the season. Looking at the matchup in depth, the home Wildcats appear to have the edge due to their collective talent throughout their entire roster but the Spartans have “the” best player on the field in Young. It was mentioned above how BGA should have the advantage in the trenches and that area may be the most important of all positions when it comes to winning games.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't be surprised if this game doesn't start getting good until the 2nd half due to this being the first contest of the year, meaning you could see mishaps and mistakes early on as both squads get a feel for each other. Establishing the run game will be key for both while both quarterbacks need to do their thing while not turning the ball over. Getting it to their playmakers is of course needed as well. Hayes and Young are two game changers that could be difference makers in this D2-Class AA matchup.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I could see this game going in multiple directions and it all depends on Knox. Webb and their performance. I believe BGA will be ready to go and their overall talent is ahead of the Spartans but this is football, so you never know what can happen. If the Spartans show up and surprise, this could turn out to be a long game that may go in the favor of the road team. I do think it will be close for a while, if not till the end but the home team should pick up the win and kick off the 2024 season 1-0.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Score: <strong>BGA 28&nbsp; Knox. Webb 17</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1352873,"width":"321px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/jpittman.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1352873" style="width:321px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->