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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Three weeks into the season, we now have a good idea on who's who! We got some teams making some moves this year, including the squads mentioned below along with some players that are taking their games to the next level. Catch up on all that & the latest from Week Three inside today's Stock Report. </h2>
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<p><strong>Stock Up</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Cleveland Blue Raiders</strong></p>
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<p>- I had a feeling that Cleveland could be a sleeper team this year and so far, it's coming true. The Blue Raiders are 3-0 after a big 51-23 win over previously undefeated Walker Valley. It was an impressive performance from both sides of the ball that saw the offense score in a variety of ways while their defense did enough to keep a solid Mustangs offense quiet. </p>
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<p>Cleveland is receiving excellent play thus far from two-way talent <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219362' first='Isaiah' last='Davis'] </strong>as well as up and coming star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='820949' first='Brayden' last='Carroll']</strong> to help a young quarterback in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1630212' first='Kason' last='McGowan']</strong>. The defense is doing their part as well with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='927765' first='A.J.' last='Westfield'] </strong>leading the way up front. It's been a great start for Cleveland but there is plenty of season left with big games looming versus Rhea Co., Bearden and Maryville, however their play shows that the Blue Raiders are capable of competing for a potential region title. </p>
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<p><strong>‘26 (QB) Brooks Cherry - Baylor</strong></p>
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<p>- Much was expected out of Cherry going into the year and he's done nothing but live up to the billing thus far and I still think he's got his best to show. Starting at quarterback for the first time in his high school career, Cherry has led his offense and the Red Raiders to a 3-0 start against some strong out of state competition. He has been accurate, clean and efficient in all three games while showing excellent presence and poise in the pocket. Cherry stands tall amongst the pressure and has shown the ability to drive the ball into tight windows with outstanding ball placement. Continued work with his mobility will push his stock even higher but I think Cherry is already doing that with his play through three games. The more snaps this guy gets, the better he will be, so watch out! </p>
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<p><strong>Collierville Dragons</strong></p>
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<p>- Could the Dragons be the best team in the toughest region in the state? It's very possible, especially after coming off a huge inner-region win over Bartlett. Going into that contest, the Panthers were deemed the favorite but Collierville put that to rest with an outstanding performance from both sides of the ball, including a breakout showing from senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1177637' first='Grant' last='Troutman']</strong>. The Dragons senior signal caller had his best game yet by going 14-22 for 265 yards & 2 TD's along with another score on the ground. He and his Dragons offense did this work against one of the top defensive units in the state, so I'm excited to see what's yet to come from Collierville. The road doesn't get easier but their 3-0 start and win over Bartlett speaks to how good this team could be by the time we reach the playoffs. </p>
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<p><strong>(DB/WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1118589' first='Dason' last='Springer'] - White House-Heritage</strong></p>
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<p>- Through three games, Springer has been one of the more productive two-way players we have in the state, let alone the senior class. The Patriots senior athlete has developed into the team's go-to target on offense while continuing to play lock down, physical defense in the secondary. Springer has certainly stepped up his play so far this year to where he will be moving up in our prospect rankings. He was already on the radar as a college sleeper and he still is but Springer is showing the athleticism and dependability needed to become a bigger prospect. Standing 6'3 185 pounds, the Pats playmaker has the look and size wanted for the college level. If he can continue to shine like he already is, Springer will see more collegiate coaches get involved with his process. </p>
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<p><strong>Cookeville Cavaliers</strong></p>
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<p>- The battle for the Class 6A-Region 5 title may be fun this year with the emergence of the Cookeville Cavaliers. Last Friday night at home, the Cavs went to 3-0 on the season after a 42-34 war against rival White County, doing so with a powerful backfield of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='353388' first='Blake' last='Owen'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1201020' first='Thomas' last='Johnson']</strong>. This duo along with a deceptively good defense could lead these Cavs to a region title but more work must be done to reach that goal. </p>
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<p>Their work so far has been good. The O-line has been rock solid, led by star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866469' first='Austin' last='Hoane']</strong>. The defensive front seven has been active with a variety of guys making plays. Cookeville has a good team this year but to cause serious damage, they must get by Mt. Juliet, win the region then make some noise in the playoffs to push this program to another level. I think the Cavs are on their way, which should make the rest of the year fun to watch between them and the rest of their regional foes. </p>
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<p><strong>‘26 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1405419' first='Ethan' last='Kellum'] - BGA</strong></p>
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<p>- This junior running back has produced at a high level in all three games thus far and I expect his game play to stand out even more as the season rolls along. Kellum is a well built young man that brings a versatile skill set to the backfield that has already proved to be a game changer for his Wildcats offense. When his number has been called, Kellum has produced and he's done so both on the ground and through the air. This is an excellent pass catcher from his running back position that can be used in a variety of ways. </p>
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<p>Kellum is having to share offensive opportunities with other talented playmakers but I think as we get deeper into the season, this new addition to the Volunteer State will see his workload increase during some potential colder games. Keep ears out for this junior ball carrier as he has the potential to play his way into the Top 10 prospects at his position by the end of the year. </p>
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<p><strong>Maryville Rebels</strong></p>
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<p>- A proud program from the East Tennessee region could be back to their old ways as these Rebels have started their season at 3-0 and been impressive doing so, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Through three games on the season, the Rebels defense has yet to allow a point and no matter who you play, that's impressive. They are receiving stellar play up front as well as excellent action from senior backer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137205' first='Matthew' last='Covert']</strong>. The secondary has been stellar as well. Maryville has done their winning efficiently with physicality from the line of scrimmage and clean play from their seniors. It's a good recipe for winning ball games but everybody must remain healthy if the Rebels want to contend for a region title and a deep postseason run. Big games are on the horizon for Maryville but I think this team is well equipped and ready for all challenges coming their way. </p>
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<p><strong>‘27 (OT/G) [player_tooltip player_id='944767' first='Kamari' last='Blair'] - Kirkwood</strong></p>
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<p>- You better get to know this Mid-Tennessee pass blocker because I feel like he is about to blow up into a national recruit. Blair has started his junior season off in a big way by taking his game to another level and showing his outstanding upside for the biggest stage of college football. Just recently, Blair landed new offers from Georgia St and Vanderbilt, with the Commodores becoming his first Power Four offer. Expect many, many others to follow suit and possibly soon because Blair's early junior film is excellent. He brings great size, length and natural athletic abilities to the line that screams potential at left or right tackle. Blair does need to continue packing on more size but from an upside standpoint, the Cobras junior big man has all the tools needed to become one of the top offensive recruits in the state. </p>
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<p><strong>Stock Down</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Bradley Central Bears</strong></p>
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<p>- For the first time in many years, Bradley Central could be in a transitional year after their 1-2 start to the 2024 season. Coming off a 38-0 loss to Maryville, the Bears are looking for answers in many places but especially on offense as they have scored a total of 30 points through three games. The recent addition of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='445180' first='Cash' last='Bandy'] </strong>should help the cause as the season goes on but I don't know how much of a difference it will make as the Bears are small and thin up front as well as missing the playmakers out wide. </p>
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<p>The defense has actually been solid with guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='625527' first='Mason' last='Goree'] </strong>playing well on the back end. However, I don't think the defense will be able to hold up with the lack of offense and the schedule doesn't get easier with games upcoming against Walker Valley, Red Bank, Cleveland and Bearden. We shall see how the rest of the year plays out but right now, it appears to be a bridge year for these Bears. </p>
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<p><strong>Farragut Admirals</strong></p>
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<p>- It's not normal to see Farragut football at 0-3 but that's reality as the Admirals have yet to win a game and there may not be too many victories left on the schedule to be had. Competition has been tough through the 1st three games against Dobyns-Bennett, Powell and Knox. West but usually the Admirals are right there with these guys but this year is different. Farragut is struggling to score points while their defense is giving up big yards and lots of points. </p>
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<p>It's tough to see this offense struggle as the Admirals sport a strong duo at receiver in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1185015' first='Robbie' last='Jacobs'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301404' first='Landon' last='Collins']</strong> but the line and other factors haven't held up. I also don't know if I see many wins in the future as Farragut has games looming versus Cleveland, Bearden, Oak Ridge, Jefferson Co., and Maryville. They have one of the toughest schedules in the state that many teams would have problems maneuvering through. There is always hope but man it's been rough so far and I don't know if Farragut has the roster to make this season any better. </p>
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<p><strong>Station Camp Bison</strong></p>
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<p>- The Bison didn't foresee their season starting at 0-3 but here we are. It's been a tough start for Station Camp as they have faced some stiff competition while also dealing with sloppy conditions like they did in last week's 40-7 home loss to Marshall County. Expectations were high for the Bison headed into the 2024 season and while reaching the playoffs are still in play, missing postseason action is also in the cards as well.</p>
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<p>Like it was mentioned above, the Bison have faced some good teams in Beech, Gallatin and Marshall Co., so they are battle tested. Except for a road game in two weeks at Pearl Cohn, they can turn their season around as their schedule does become more favorable down the road. Their O-line must play better and the middle of their defensive front has to become stronger against the run, if the Bison want to make a run at postseason play. Tools are there to get things turned around but Station Camp has to get started asap!!</p>
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Three weeks into the season, we now have a good idea on who's who! We got some teams making some moves this year, including the squads mentioned below along with some players that are taking their games to the next level. Catch up on all that & the latest from Week Three inside today's Stock Report.
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