Week Ten: #PRZTN Stock Report

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Coming off an action packed week of high school football here in Tennessee, we breakdown the players and team's that are seeing a spike in their stock as we head down the final stretch of the season. </h2>     Stock Up    Alcoa Tornadoes   - Well what do you know, it's almost playoff time and the Tornadoes are playing high level football, poised for another deep run. That statement comes after their biggest win of the season as the Tornadoes took down cross town rival and previously undefeated Maryville, 24-17 in what was a close game that certainly tested the road team. It wasn't easy pulling off the win over the Rebels but Alcoa received strong play from their senior class, especially [player_tooltip player_id='783053' first='Eli' last='Graf'] and the offense while the Tornadoes defense kept a strong Maryville offense in-check.    Last Friday might have been the best performance of the season thus far from Alcoa and it comes at the right time. Playmakers are starting to arise for the Tornadoes with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1630037' first='JaColby' last='Cooper'], [player_tooltip player_id='817933' first='Jamir' last='Dean'] and others stepping forward and producing in a big way. Graf is playing a high level that has him in contention for Mr. Football. The defense has been steady all year and I don't expect them to miss a beat, especially after their excellent performance versus Maryville.    Alcoa was already viewed as the top team to win the Class 3A title again but after taking down an undefeated 6A program, I think the Tornadoes stretched their stock out even further from the pack. Anything can happen in postseason play but the way Alcoa is playing right now, I don't know if anybody will be able to test them and knock them off their championship podium.    - - -    ‘26 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1326260' first='Brody' last='Rogers'] - Knox. Halls   - The Red Devils might have found their go-to guy for the 2025 season as Rogers has broken out in a big way this Fall by making big play after big play and doing so on both sides of the ball. This Knoxville area junior is riding a heater right now as Rogers has produced big numbers over the past several weeks, including last Friday where he caught eleven passes for 145 yards and 1 touchdown while making four tackles with two interceptions on defense.    The light bulb has appeared to go on for Rogers but now he must continue stacking strong performances together while also developing at a proper rate to boost his recruiting stock. The Red Devils two-way talent is a good athlete that could play multiple roles on the next level. Rogers stands about 6'1 210 pounds and to me that says linebacker but maybe he could excel at the “star” position as well where his ability to play in space could shine.    It will be interesting to watch his off-season work to see where he polishes his game. Rogers has shown this Fall that his talents could work on the collegiate gridiron but at what level will that be. That's up to him but right now, his stock is certainly up and rising further with a few games left with his junior season.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/brogers.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1544241" style="width:315px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - -    East Robertson Indians    - Since taking a defeat to Westmoreland a few weeks ago, East Robertson has bounced back to play good football while preparing themselves for the coming playoffs. They look like they are ready for postseason action as last Friday they went into White House-Heritage and pounded the Patriots, 56-21 in what was a blowout win I didn't see coming. The Indians appear to be clicking on all cylinders right now with sophomore start quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1422904' first='Kason' last='Young'] playing at a high level. His work over the past few weeks has been exceptional but the Indians defense has stepped up as well.    Competing against [player_tooltip player_id='317160' first='Xavier' last='Murray'] and his talented receivers, the Indians defense did a good job of locking things down in the secondary with their defensive line creating enough pressure to cause problems. I think the East Robertson defense playing like it is will be the key towards them repeating as state champs this year. The offense I feel will be fine with Young at the helm but if the defense can continue competing like they are, the Indians very well might find themselves back in Chattanooga.    - - -    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1543020' first='Joey' last='Galazin'] - Sevier Co.    - Throughout the second half of the 2024 season, Galazin has been on fire as one of the top tacklers coming out of the East TN region and a strong contender to earn All-State honors by season's end. The way this senior linebacker has been playing of late, shows me he has taken his game to another level and made himself worthy of an FCS offer. Where Galazin has developed the most is with his play recognition and speed. Playing the middle linebacker role, you must be able to diagnose the play quickly and run to the ball fast and this Smoky Bears backer has been showing that throughout the 2024 season.    His Sevier Co. team sits at 9-0 headed into Week Eleven with both sides of the ball doing their job but the defense has been stifling with Galazin at the front of those efforts. They are coming off a shutout win over a solid East Hamilton team with Galazin producing 16 total tackles, four tackles for loss and one forced fumble in the victory. His individual play during the entire season is a big factor why the Smoky Bears are undefeated and a prime candidate to contend for the 5A state title. Plenty of games could remain for Galazin to continue boosting his stock and forcing college coaches to look his way.    - - -    Green Hill Hawks   - If you didn't know it, the Hawks head into Week Eleven undefeated at 9-0 with one of the better defenses in the Mid-TN region and an offense that has gotten better as the year has moved along. They are coming off their best win of the 2024 campaign as they beat Cookeville 28-14 and move themselves one win away from claiming a region title. I can see Green Hill winning the region as well due to how strong they are on defense and their physical play up front.    Led by senior D-lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1106232' first='Brayden' last='Flakoll'], the Hawks held down one of the better rushing attacks in the region last Friday by holding the point of attack up front with their linebackers cleaning things up and the secondary closing it up on the back end. This defense along with an improving offense, led by junior [player_tooltip player_id='964976' first='Kannon' last='Burroughs'], could take the Hawks a long way in the coming playoffs.    The next step for Green Hill is winning the region title and that comes this Friday against rival Mt. Juliet. Either the Hawks or the Golden Bears will take the region and place themselves as the top seed in their playoff bracket. It's a big one for Green Hill as they look to maintain their standards on both sides of the ball and continue improving each week towards a potential 6A title sleeper.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/IMG_20240928_105020.jpg?w=635" alt="" class="wp-image-1510623" style="width:270px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - -    ‘26 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='978257' first='Will' last='Beaty'] - York Institute   - Many people around the state may not know too much about Beaty but trust me, this guy is a baller and a guy that could dart up the recruiting rankings in our next update. Standing 6'4 180 plus pounds, the Dragons junior wideout is coming off his best game of the season where he produced 14 receptions for 257 yards and three touchdowns in the team's 60-0 win over Wartburg Central. It was a dominating performance from Beaty and one that doesn't surprise me after watching clips on him over the past two years.    This guy is talented while sporting the size and skill set to make his way into the college game. Even with coming from a small area of the Volunteer State, Beaty has the tools to become a Top 10 to Top 20 ranked wideout from Prep Redzone TN during the coming off-season. If Beaty can continue to develop his game while packing on more weight, he might turn himself into a legit D1 prospect. The Dragons receiver may be under the radar at the moment but might soon push himself into the spotlights and become a much desired recruit.    - - -    Ravenwood Raptors   - The biggest win of Week Ten came from these Raptors, who went on the road and knocked off 6A power Oakland. Not only the biggest win but the best game of the week, Ravenwood and Oakland went toe to toe in a classic until the Raptors took the 32-31 win in overtime to remain undefeated on the season and claim the top spot in the 6A ranks headed into Week Eleven.    What this win shows me and the state is that Ravenwood might be the team to beat once we begin postseason play next week. The emergence of [player_tooltip player_id='402540' first='Femi' last='Babalola'], the play on the offensive line and their defensive front seven lends to that thinking.    The Raptors have a balanced ball club with an offense that scores a lot of points and a defense that is strong on all three levels that can push them all the way to Chattanooga. It won't be an easy road however as the Raptors will square off against some tough competition, starting in Week Eleven against region foe Brentwood. At this current time, Ravenwood is playing like a championship caliber team that doesn't show too many weaknesses and the talent to potentially put a “Gold Ball” in the trophy case.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/05/94-Femi-Babalola-crop-1480x972-1726606145-crop-800x525-1726606310.jpg?w=799" alt="" class="wp-image-1457719" style="width:340px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Stock Down   Carter Hornets   - After starting the 2024 season at 3-1, the Hornets have lost five games in a row and are on the verge of missing the playoffs. Sporting two college level offensive linemen and some good skill players, I expected a better year out of the Hornets but things just haven't clicked, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Carter defense is allowing more than 30 points a game on average and that's not a good recipe for success but hopefully it's a learning experience the team can use headed into next year.    The Hornets can salvage some of the season with a win in Week Eleven at Seymour then play with house money in the playoffs. If they can defeat the Eagles, Carter will gain the 4th seed in their region and an opportunity to keep their season alive. Leaning on the O-line with [player_tooltip player_id='219432' first='Judd' last='Taylor'], [player_tooltip player_id='323141' first='Hayden' last='Warwick'] and the run game could be a way to succeed and advance. Overall for the Hornets, it hasn't been the year everyone wanted but all isn't lost, at least not yet.    - - -    First Assembly Crusaders   - Expectations were high for the Crusaders headed into the 2024 season but things haven't worked out the way everybody wanted. Going into their final game of the regular season, First Assembly sits at 3-5 overall with the only possibility of finishing over .500 being they go deep in the coming playoffs. They can help their cause by going on the road this week and beating Tipton-Rosemark. Gaining any confidence going into postseason play is good for a team that was expected to compete for a region title.    The defense is where I would lean on through this final stretch as the Crusaders have some “dudes” on this side of the ball in [player_tooltip player_id='941118' first='Vidale' last='Cothran'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1186125' first='Charlie' last='Goss'] that can be difference makers. Especially with the cold creeping in, running the ball and playing strong defense will be key to winning playoff games. Regardless of what happens next, it's been an underwhelming season for the Crusaders. The returning players should use this season as motivation and a catalyst to turn things around next Fall, especially with Cothran and Goss coming back for their senior years.    - - -    Knox. Catholic Fighting Irish    - After starting the season 3-0, the Fighting Irish have hit a tailspin as they have lost six games in a row with another top matchup ahead of them Friday at home versus Baylor. It hasn't been an easy path with Knox. Catholic sitting in one of the toughest regions in the state but I'm sure expectations inside the locker room was to have a better season. Things just haven't worked out this year but the good thing about this program is that their best overall talent is returning next season, so opportunity is there for the Fighting Irish to make things right.    Experience was gained this Fall by up and coming stars [player_tooltip player_id='284149' first='Tyreek' last='King'], [player_tooltip player_id='496084' first='Mack' last='Bartholomew'], [player_tooltip player_id='1422957' first='Casen' last='Jenkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='1432221' first='Kaleb' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='624847' first='Jacob' last='Rice'] as well as the rest of the Fighting Irish roster, including a strong freshman class that should contribute a lot more next season. One guy in particular, King had himself a breakout junior season that will have him among the top overall players for the #TN2026 class.    The present hasn't been that good for the Fighting Irish but the future could be bright. The off-season needs to be embraced fully by the returning Knox. Catholic roster as potential is definitely there but the classification will always be hard, so things will never be easy. Maybe this season of losses will spurn a fire in this program and turn the Fighting Irish into a formidable opponent next Fall.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/tyking.jpg?w=500" alt="" class="wp-image-914525" style="width:280px;height:auto" /></figure>