#PRZTN Week Two Stock Report

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Two weeks of high school ball is in the books, so we have a good idea on the talent and teams inside the Volunteer State. Who's stock is up or down coming off Week Two &amp; moving into Week Three? Find out here! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stock Up</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='829107' first='Marcelles' last='Davis'] - Houston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Over the first two weeks of the high school season, Davis has been one of the better backs in this state as he is producing some big numbers, including this past week where he toted the ball 23 times for 195 yards and two touchdowns. The Mustangs junior running back was already considered a top prospect at his position for the #TN2026 class but his performance thus far and what could be ahead, might push this Memphis area product into the top tier. He brings a nice but unique combination of size and speed to the field that many defenses would have a problem dealing with. If Davis continues to run the way he is, he will not only help push his Mustangs towards another potential 6A title game but also be in consideration for Mr. Football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sevier Co. Smokey Bears</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Going into the 2024 season, many around the state saw Sevier Co. as a potential top team in the 5A ranks and through two games, that statement is looking true. The Smoky Bears have been very impressive on both sides of the ball with an offense that is scoring points at will and a defense that is playing physical and keeping opposing offenses in check. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142902' first='Cooper' last='Newman'] </strong>and ball carrier <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219342' first='Tegan' last='Avera'] </strong>is a nice one-two punch in the backfield that has been money. The line has been outstanding too, led by senior stud <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='616543' first='Otto' last='VanRensburg']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense is what could be the difference maker this season. If <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='983418' first='Tyler' last='Mann']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103040' first='Jaxson' last='Perry'] </strong>and the rest of the Sevier Co. defenders continue to play at a high level, the Smoky Bears will be in serious consideration at making it to Chattanooga and competing for the 5A title. So far though, all looks good on the mountain for these Smoky Bears.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DT) [player_tooltip player_id='820608' first='Kaiaulu' last='Micatrotto'] - Brentwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Micatrotto is a guy that was already somewhat established within this #TN2025 class but that doesn't mean he can't develop further and take his game and recruiting status to another level. I think through two weeks of action, this Mid-TN talent is doing just that. Last week against Brentwood Academy, Micatrotto was an absolute force that the Eagles O-line could not control. He was playing in the opponent's backfield all night long. What this Brentwood D-lineman brings to the field is something many college coaches would love working with and that's a non-stop motor with a desire to hit somebody. This is a good athlete too that can play a variety of roles across the defensive front and I think if he continues to play at the level he currently is, Micatrotto could see some Power Four schools start taking interest.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1277370,"width":"307px","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/kmicatrotto.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1277370" style="width:307px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gibbs Eagles</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Eagles are just picking up where they left off last year as Gibbs has started the 2024 season at 2-0 after knocking off Knox. Halls last Friday, 28-22. During the 2023 campaign, Gibbs was one of the more pleasant surprises as they finished the season at 10-2 and it looks like the Eagles are staying on the same path this year. Beating the Red Devils last week was surprising as Knox. Halls was the favorite but Gibbs proved to be the better team. The Eagles don't have the star power as some other East TN based teams do but they are a well coached squad that competes hard and plays a physical brand of football. You can't sleep on this team moving forward as last week proved that Gibbs belongs and they should be a formidable team the remainder of the 2024 season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1080185' first='Noah' last='Spencer'] - USJ</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Bruins have started their 2024 season at 2-0 and a big reason why has been the play of Spencer. This 6 '1 two-way talent has been the team's lead ball carrier on offense and he has done nothing but produce a high level and if he continues to play like he is, Spencer could work his way into Mr. Football consideration. Just last week against Peabody, the Bruins senior product ran for over 200 yards while producing six touchdowns. He has been near unstoppable through two weeks but can he keep it up? I think he will but as the season goes on, team's will start keying on him, however Spencer is a tough dude with versatility that will figure things out. It's been a great start to the 2024 season for this West Tennessee talent that may push his stock higher when it comes to his college recruitment.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1422957' first='Casen' last='Jenkins'] - Knox. Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Much of the attention with the Fighting Irish receiving corps goes to [player_tooltip player_id='284149' first='Tyreek' last='King'] but Jenkins is a guy you can't look past, especially after the start he has had so far through two games of action. This Knox. Catholic junior wideout has been a go-to target thus far where he has produced 255 yards receiving on 15 catches and one touchdown. Jenkins has been a nice compliment to King and someone that can be relied upon when others are being guarded. His future on the college level looks to work best in the slot but his athleticism and speed allows him to compete on the outside as well. If Jenkins is able to continue producing like he is, his stock within the junior receivers will rise and collegiate coaches will start taking a deeper look into him.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1418934,"width":"299px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/casjenkins.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1418934" style="width:299px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stock Down</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Independence Eagles</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- It's tough to put the Eagles down here because I think they will turn their season around but after starting the 2024 year at 0-2 while also having yet to score a point, Independence is watching their stock fall week by week. Now let's back up a second and mention that Indy has faced two of the better teams and defenses in the entire state through two weeks (Oakland and Page), so it's been a tough start but a beginning that may have the Eagles better prepared for the remainder of the year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is talent on this squad with the likes of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402525' first='Blaze' last='Katina']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402544' first='Hunter' last='Mullen']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='425163' first='Syler' last='Green']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402527' first='Caden' last='Liebler']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150069' first='Matthew' last='Horner'] </strong>and others to get things right but the path doesn't get easier for Indy as they have remaining games against Centennial, Beech, Ravenwood and Brentwood looming down the road. It will be interesting to see how the Eagles perform the rest of the way because this season can go two different ways. Success can come with a postseason spot or the train can go off the rails into a potential losing season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Doyle Cherokees</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- I went into the season thinking South Doyle might be a sleeper team to follow but after two weeks of action, the Cherokees are completely asleep and non-existent up to this point. During their two losses to Lenoir City and Heritage, the Cherokees have scored a total of 2 points and that's surprising because South Doyle has some talent like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1102358' first='Tamarian' last='Tipton'], Marquail Patterson</strong>, <strong>Nate Thompson </strong>and others to form what I thought would be a solid offensive core. So far that's turned out to not be the case as the Cherokees have struggled to move the ball, let alone score points.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking at that offensive talent, South Doyle has a chance to turn things around but I'm not sure if they will. The remainder of the schedule presents opportunities for things to be different the remainder of the way but the Cherokees haven't looked good up to this point, so it's unclear what to really expect as the 2024 season rolls along.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1216939,"width":"272px","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/tamtipton.jpg?w=503" alt="" class="wp-image-1216939" style="width:272px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MTCS Cougars</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming off winning the D2-Class A title last year, MTCS was expected to not repeat as champions but at least be a formidable opponent. However, the Cougars could be in a transition year as they have started the 2024 season at 0-2 and they haven't looked too good in either game. Mind you, the Cougars have faced two strong opponents in the first two weeks but neither performance has been strong. It's understandable to see MTCS struggle right now as they are replacing a lot of key players from last year's title team. It may continue to be a struggle this year unless some guys step up and start producing. Opportunity is there for MTCS to turn things around but it must start this week on the road at Franklin-Grace.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tullahoma Wildcats</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Winning a region title is still in play for the Wildcats but they must get things right soon or losing out on the opportunity could become a reality. Through two games, Tullahoma has faced two non-region solid opponents in Stewarts Creek and Coffee Co. that defeated them and while it wasn't blowouts, it's two games I and others expect the Wildcats to win. Both losses have been close contests that went into the favor of the Red Hawks and Raiders, so Tullahoma isn't too far off but they only have eight games remaining, so urgency needs to pick up starting this Friday at home versus Rockvale.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It will be interesting to see how this Wildcats team responds this week because all their aspirations are still in front of them but they must wipe the slate clean in their minds, move on and take one game at a time. If the Cats go down to Rockvale this Friday, the region title is still in play but confidence may dwindle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":239667,"width":"323px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/11/tullahoma4-crop-1043x685-1638028768.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-239667" style="width:323px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Zach Birdsong TullahomaNews.com</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->