#PRZTN Week Seven Stock Report

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Action was hot last week where we saw some big time performances both team based and individually that moved the needle. Here we break down some teams and players that are seeing their stock rise while some others are watching their stock go down. </h2>     Alcoa Tornadoes   - Buzz has been quiet this season for the Tornadoes up to this point but it's getting stronger, especially after defeating 5A power Knox. West last Friday in what was an excellent defensive performance. The Tornadoes received their steady play from [player_tooltip player_id='783053' first='Eli' last='Graf'] they get every week but he received help in the backfield from sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='904844' first='Micah' last='Jones'], who ran well against a stingy Rebels defense. The offense handled their part but it was the play of the Tornadoes defense that was most impressive.    Alcoa doesn't have a player with big name recognition on this year's defense but there is youthful talent that did well against a well coached Knox. West squad last week. The play up front in the trenches was most impactful. The Tornadoes front seven shut down the Rebels run game and tried to make them one-dimensional, which they did.    What's scary about this performance is the young Tornadoes defense is starting to come together and play like a formidable unit. That doesn't bode well for their opponents come playoff time as that's where Alcoa shines the best. Sporting a balanced offense with Graf, Jones, [player_tooltip player_id='219408' first='Eli' last='Owens'] and others, the Tornadoes now may have a defense that can be trusted come playoff season that helps put another “Gold Ball” in the trophy case.    - - -    (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1522557' first='Derrick' last='Smith, Jr'] - Fulton   - A potential college slot receiver coaches need to look into more is this Knoxville area wideout that is having a stellar senior season, which should place him at the next level. Smith, Jr is simply a playmaker that just needs the ball in his hands to make something happen. So far in the 2024 season, the Falcons senior receiver has produced 31 receptions for 600 yards and nine touchdowns, becoming the team's top go-to target. His explosive play has been a problem for opposing defenses where they have had a hard time keeping up with his game changing speed.    His current highlights show upside for the college game. One thing about Smith, Jr is that he is small (5'9 165) with a slight frame. That could hold some coaches off but his film shows potential as a versatile offensive weapon that also provides value on special teams as a return man. His stock is definitely up at the moment with a productive senior year, so it will be interesting to see what happens with his recruitment moving forward.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DerrickSmith_1/status/1840810089214542148 </div></figure>   - - -    Bolton Wildcats   - How about the Wildcats and their big win last Friday over a hot Memphis East team. It was billed as one of the better games coming out of West Tennessee last week and it was surely a battle that saw Bolton come out on top, 18-13. From start to finish, it was a war in the trenches that the Wildcats won in the end. This was a major victory for their program as they sit at 6-1 on the season and in the driver seat for a possible region title.    For several years now, the Wildcats haven't been relevant when it comes to region titles or sporting a team that could make a deep playoff run but this year's squad looks primed to do so. Their defense has been the catalyst to this 6-1 start. It's a unit that has been tough against the run, which is a good recipe to win games in the playoffs.    If their offense can be consistent while finding explosive plays, I think the Bolton defense can be good enough to achieve a region title while taking their team deep in postseason play. I believe if they can get by Millington in two weeks, the Wildcats take the region and place themselves nicely for the playoffs in November.    - - -    ‘27 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1215485' first='David' last='Gabriel-Georges'] - Baylor   - Recruiting wise, nobody may be hotter in this state than this Red Raiders running back. Just over the last several days, Gabriel-Georges has picked up offers from the likes of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Michigan, Oklahoma and South Carolina with many other power programs showing interest. All this recruiting attention is due to his play so far this 2024 season where Gabriel-Georges has displayed an excellent combination of balance, explosiveness, power and speed.    Playing for Baylor and being a sophomore, Gabriel-Georges splits carries with another Power Four running back but his ability to hit the big play has forced the coaching staff to give him more playing time of late. It's paying off for the Red Raiders as he brings balance to the offense and another threat to score anytime he touches the ball. Look for Gabriel-Georges to go above 30 plus offers at one point and eventually become a five star level recruit that we talk about heavily over the next two years.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ScenicCitySprts/status/1842345645514064086 </div></figure>   - - -    Powell Panthers   - After falling to Anderson Co. in game one, the Panthers have reeled off six wins in a row and appear to be clicking on all cylinders at the right time of season. Things have settled in on offense with [player_tooltip player_id='937072' first='Connor' last='Wheeler'] being the go-to guy while [player_tooltip player_id='1111032' first='Deuce' last='Rodgers'] has seemed to calm down and gain a better grasp of things. Those two together along with a developing offensive line has allowed the Panthers to roll over opponents as their offense is averaging almost 40 points a game.    Not to be overlooked is the Panthers defense. This unit has been stellar where they have allowed single digit points to every opponent this year, except for the Mavericks. That's impressive and a big reason for the strong, suffocating play is the defensive front. D-linemen Cardell Thomas and [player_tooltip player_id='1154536' first='Iverson' last='Garcia'] have been very disruptive, getting after the run and quarterback while their linebackers have been sure tacklers.    This is a program that is used to winning ball games and being right in the mix to contend for a 5A title by season's end and here they are yet again with a squad that could continue their rich tradition. The Panthers are starting to look like the team I and others thought they could be headed into the season and that's scary for their competition ahead as Powell is certainly a 5A title sleeper moving forward.    - - -    ‘27 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1535793' first='Colton' last='Overbey'] -  Station Camp   - Overbey was a guy that jumped on my radar late last year with his calm, savvy play for his Bison team. This season was his first time taking over the reins as the starting quarterback and things weren't clicking early but they appear to be now. Over the past three weeks, Overbey has been highly accurate and productive, leading his team to two region wins while also coming up one point short to Pearl Cohn. His play of late has put the Bison back in contention for the playoffs by season's end.    This sophomore lefty has a good feel for the game, showing maturity beyond his years and the potential to possibly take his game to the college level one day. He is a bit undersized but Overbey is a gamer that I think could provide some dual threat skills as he continues to develop and grow. Things may not be going the way Station Camp wanted this year but they certainly have a good quarterback in Overbey to build around over the next two years.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/coverbey.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1523309" style="width:314px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Stock Down   Antioch Bears   - The Bears kicked off the 2024 season at 4-1 but have taken losses over the last two weeks and have another tough matchup looming this week with CPA. Antioch has certainly tested themselves outside the region but that competition may be catching up to them as we head down the stretch. Having the chance to watch the Bears in person last week, they are talented but young in a lot of spots and it showed. They have a great piece in [player_tooltip player_id='378901' first='Andre' last='Adams'] to build around but even he looks like the season could wearing down on him. His line held up early in the season but leaks are beginning to show.    Those things mentioned above speaks to a team that is getting tired and probably battling some nagging injuries. The tipping point for Antioch might have been two weeks ago when they lost to Stewarts Creek and possibly lost the region title. The lull coming off that loss showed last week against Mt. Juliet. Opportunity is still there for the Bears to claim the region title and make some noise in the playoffs but they must figure things out quickly or the season will end sooner than the Bears want.    - - -    Bearden Bulldogs   - It hasn't gone to plan so far this year for the Bulldogs but they still sit at 3-3 and 2-1 within their region as well as a chance to turn things around to go on a deep playoff run. Coming off a beatdown to Maryville in Week Seven, the Bulldogs must regroup as they have a pair of tough, region determining games upcoming versus Cleveland and Bradley along with a tough non-region game against Oak Ridge. The schedule doesn't get easier for Bearden but they should be battle tested enough to figure things out and end the regular season on a positive note.    For right now though, the Bulldogs stock is a tick down as I and others expected a better showing this year from Bearden but that's football for ya. The future could be bright however with a nice core of underclassmen returning next season in [player_tooltip player_id='806042' first='Jayzon' last='Thompson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1305768' first='D.J.' last='Hunter'] and Charles Humphrey Jr.   Those guys along with others could turn things around this Fall but it must be done soon if Bearden wants to make some noise in the playoffs. The season might not be going the way the Bulldogs wanted but don't sleep on them in the coming weeks as they have enough talent to sneak up and become a tough opponent to play come postseason time.    - - -    East Nashville Eagles    - After starting the season at 6-0, the Eagles have taken it on the chin the last two weeks with losses to FRA and Smyrna, showing some leaks that will need to be fixed before we reach the playoff season. The biggest thing that worries me about the Eagles currently is the play from their defense. Over the last two weeks, they have allowed 43 and 36 points to the Panthers and Bulldogs while being handled up front, which is something that doesn't happen too often to East Nashville.    The last two weeks haven't been that pleasant for the Eagles but it's a good opportunity to learn from their faults and work at turning things around. They have a good chance to do so as their schedule allows them to get things right before getting into postseason play. Starting next Friday, the Eagles have contests against Cane Ridge, RePublic and Stratford, which are three struggling teams they should beat.    Getting things right up front is key for this team to have ultimate success. If they can get the trenches fixed, the Eagles have enough skill talent to once again make a deep run in playoffs and potentially contend for a spot in Chattanooga.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/eastnash2.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-454000" style="width:330px;height:auto" /></figure>