#TNHSFB Playoffs: Class 1A Preview

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">All signs point to McKenzie being the favorite in this classification but there are several teams that could say otherwise. Dive below into our 1A preview & catch up on what you need to know about this class prior to action starting this evening! </h2>     1st Rd Matchups   Rockwood (4-6) at Cosby (8-2)   Cloudland (4-4) at Oliver Springs (8-2)   - - -   Harriman (7-3) at North Greene (6-3)   Jellico (3-6) at Coalfield (9-1)   - - -   Red Boiling Springs (2-8) at South Pittsburg (8-2)   Chatt. Prep (7-3) at Gordonsville (6-4)   - - -    Jo Byrns (3-7) at Whitwell (7-3)   Sale Creek (4-6) at Clay Co. (8-2)   - - -    West Carroll (5-5) at Richland (7-3)   Huntland (7-3) at McEwen (7-3)   - - -    Houston Co. (7-3) at Eagleville (7-3)   Wayne Co. (6-4) at McKenzie (10-0)   - - -    Middleton (4-6) at Union City (8-2)   Halls (8-2) at Middle College (8-2)   - - -    Westwood (5-5) at South Fulton (8-2)   Lake Co. (5-5) at MASE (8-1)   - - - - -    Key Players to Watch    Just recently named a semifinalist for 1A Mr. Football, Surber is one of the best senior quarterbacks in the state that has his Rebels team in-line to compete for another state title. The future UT-Martin signal caller has been stellar all year long and I don't expect him to dial back his play moving forward. Surber has been on a tear of late, carving up defenses with both his arm and his legs. Teams will certainly key on him but the Rebels star quarterback may be too good to stop.    - - -    Whittaker has made a big difference on this Phoenix team as he stabilized the quarterback position and allowed their offense to become more explosive. His addition along with others around him make his Phoenix team a top candidate to contend for a state title. This senior signal caller has some dual threat abilities in him but it's his arm that can cause damage and push his squad towards Chattanooga. The offensive line will need to keep him clean and if they do, the Phoenix could score a lot of points in the playoffs.    - - -    Keep an eye on this West Tennessee quarterback in the playoffs as McFarland has put forth a stellar senior year that has placed his Red Devils team in a nice position for a deep run. A steady presence behind center, McFarland has performed well this Fall, displaying nice anticipation and timing while providing strong veteran leadership. His passing and poise will need to be enhanced moving forward, starting in Round One versus a solid Westwood team.    - - -    Before an injury cut his season down midway through the year, Milton was carving up defenses and leading the state in rushing but now he is back and ready to give everything he has. This being his senior year, Milton will be looking to take advantage of every carry he gets and if he is healthy enough, he can make a big difference in the War Eagles chances of advancing. Keep an eye on West Carroll as a sleeper team, especially if this West Tennessee talent is reared up and ready to go.    - - -    Bunch has been a steady force in the Yellow Jackets backfield all season long and will be a key component in the team's efforts on going on a deep playoff run. This junior ball carrier brings good balance to his position along with the combination of power and speed. He can churn out some tough yards but also break the big run. His play and running style will be important during this postseason as Coalfield has a great shot at playing their way to Chattanooga and competing for a state title.    - - -    It's been a strong debut season for Buckner as he was recently named a Mr. Football semi finalist and will be a major piece in the team's effort at chasing after a state championship. An explosive runner with power and speed, Buckner has the looks of a future college prospect and his performance in the coming playoffs will go a long way in building his stock. His play will be extra important as the Pirates are a run heavy team this year, so Buckner will need to be on his “A” game, beginning in Round One and beyond.    - - -    For multiple seasons now, McDougal has done nothing but produce at a high level and this senior year, the Tigers two-way talent has probably had his best season yet. Named recently as a Mr. Football semi finalist, McDougal will be extra important through this playoff season as he will be expected to produce and do so on both sides of the ball. This guy is the Tigers top overall playmaker and if he is allowed to do his thing, Whitwell could be a team to watch and advance deeper than some may think.    - - -    Wigfall has been a sensation for his Eagles team this year and a major reason behind their region title season. He will be expected to maintain his high level of play in the playoffs as Cosby is positioned as a top team and a potential squad that can make a run at Chattanooga. This senior prospect is so important that he never leaves the field as Wigfall is the team's top playmaker on both sides of the ball. If the Eagles are to be successful throughout this postseason, Wigfall will be a big reason why.    - - - - -   Top Title Contenders   Coalfield Yellow Jackets   - One of the more consistent programs coming from the Class 1A ranks are the Yellow Jackets and they sit at the top of the board as contenders for the state title this year, especially if the rushing attack remains on point. The strength of this team is within their offensive line, led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='361308' first='Mason' last='Smith'] and their backfield, headlined by junior ball carrier [player_tooltip player_id='1222053' first='Jaiden' last='Bunch']. Senior quarterback provides steady leadership and play from his position along with some dual threat abilities that brings nice balance to the offense. The offense should be fine but can the Yellow Jacket defense hold up throughout the playoffs?   We shall see but I can bet the Coalfield defense will be up for the challenge as this program resonates grit and toughness along with a team first attitude that goes throughout the entire team. The Yellow Jackets are a well coached ball club that does all the small things right while maintaining focus and physicality from start to finish. They will not be an easy out for whoever comes in their path and if Coalfield handles business like I think they can, this East TN program could be making their way to Chattanooga for the 1A title game.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/coalfield.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1552767" style="width:607px;height:auto" /></figure>   MASE Phoenix   - Not many teams across the 1A landscape have the kind of athletic talent that MASE has, so the Phoenix will not only be a tough out but should also be one of the favorites to take home the state championship this year. The chances at bringing home the “Gold Ball” are strong with this Memphis area program, especially with the addition this year of [player_tooltip player_id='1400354' first='Brody' last='Whittaker']. The senior quarterback has brought tremendous talent to the backfield that makes their offense more balanced and explosive as Whittaker can push the ball down field.    The Phoenix have a solid offensive line in front of Whittaker and a young but talented run game, led by sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='905235' first='Khamoni' last='Williams'] that can cause a lot of problems for the opposition. Over on defense, MASE has a nice mix of vets and youthful talent that makes up one of the better units across the 1A ranks. The line is stout with Jamarkus Pittman and the Phoenix have one of the best linebackers in West Tennessee with [player_tooltip player_id='540048' first='Stanley' last='Burrow']. There are a lot of pieces in place for the Phoenix to go on a deep run and find themselves in Chattanooga, fighting for a state title.    McKenzie Rebels   - Going through the regular season undefeated without many tests, McKenzie heads into the playoffs as the class favorite to win the title, so a big target will be on their back. I think these Rebels can handle the pressure as they have one of the best overall players at the most important position in senior [player_tooltip player_id='1102448' first='Tate' last='Surber']. The Class 1A Mr. Football semifinalist is a gamer with experience and the tools to take his team all the way. He is complemented by solid skill players around him as well as a good O-line, led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1102507' first='KD' last='Cunningham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1102430' first='Jacob' last='Smith']. The offense is high scoring and should be fine but the Rebels will need their defense to remain strong, if this West Tennessee team wants to return to Chattanooga.    The defensive front seven is active with Cunningham leading the way and the secondary can be opportunistic with the top player on the back end being [player_tooltip player_id='1146522' first='Martez' last='Teague']. The Rebels have a strong senior class that has experienced a lot of winning and tasted what it's like to compete for a state title. I think the makeup of this team, the experience and overall talent will help McKenzie go deep in the playoffs with a strong possibility of ending their season in the Class 1A state championship game.    South Pittsburg Pirates   - The reigning Class 1A champs are back in position yet again to compete for the “Gold Ball” with this year's team being a bit different from year's past as the Pirates are led by their youth but some youth that is very talented. It took some time this year before this team started to come together but they have over the second half of the year to now become a formidable opponent that others may not want to see. What makes this team scary is the athletic skill the Pirates have on offense with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1134336' first='JaMychal' last='Buckner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1577095' first='Dayon' last='Cooper'] becoming standout players.    Over on defense, the Pirates have been a work in progress but have shown flashes of strong play throughout the season. Their best play needs to happen beginning this Friday as running the ball and playing strong defense are pillars towards winning championships. The Pirates coaching staff knows this and should have their team ready to go in Round One and beyond. If the best version of South Pitt shows up in the playoffs, this East TN power could be playing for a state title yet again.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/IMG_20241108_104804.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1552770" style="width:437px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Sleeper Title Teams    Chatt. Prep Sentinels    - One of the biggest surprises coming out of the 1A ranks this season has been these Sentinels, who were just steps away from winning a region title. They now must re-focus and be geared up for a potential deep playoff run, which can happen if their offense remains potent. The explosiveness comes from their backfield and combination of [player_tooltip player_id='1590252' first='Austin' last='Jones'] at quarterback and L.D. Hollingsworth carrying the ball at running back. Both these two have been dynamic this year and are big reasons behind the team's successful season that must bring that play into the playoffs, if the Sentinels plan to advance.    The biggest question I have about the Sentinels is their defense. While this side of the ball has done their job throughout the year, it's a brand new season here in the playoffs and the defense has to play at a high level. The Sentinels could go up against some solid offensive teams, which will test their defense. If this side of the ball can hold up and do their job, I believe the offense will handle business and score enough to win some ball clubs. Keep an eye out on the Sentinels as they could become a strong title sleeper.    Clay Co. Bulldogs   - These Bulldogs are coming off one of their better regular season's in school history but now must restart and get set for the biggest part of the year and that's the playoffs. Coming off winning a region title, Clay Co. is riding high and confident right now and a team many may not want to face. While I don't have them at the top for title contenders, they are definitely a sleeper team that can make some noise. How they can do that is with their offense. They like to run the ball and do so often while controlling the clock and playing to their identity. All of that begins and ends with senior stud [player_tooltip player_id='1135175' first='Nate' last='Adams'].    Adams is key towards the team's success but so will be their defense. Looking through their schedule, it's been an up and down season for the defense but still good enough to have the Bulldogs at 8-2. Their play must be stronger in the coming playoffs, if this team wants to advance and make a run at the title. I think the path Bulldogs have to Chattanooga is manageable as well, so opportunity is there for this program to make some waves and do something special.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/nadams.webp?w=793" alt="" class="wp-image-1552771" style="width:270px;height:auto" /></figure>   South Fulton Red Devils    - Many across the state may not know too much about this West TN program but the opposition must watch out because the Red Devils head into postseason play at 8-2 with an offense that has scored a lot of points this year. Averaging more than 30 points a game, the Red Devils are a confident ball club that can move the ball and a lot of that is due to the play of quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='853124' first='Brady' last='McFarland']. The senior passer has put forth his best season yet and could be one to watch as a quarterback that can put his team on his back and lead them deep into the playoffs.    The question marks I have about this team and their hopes of advancement is their defense. While this side of the ball has been able to do enough to succeed, there have been some struggles. The Red Devils defense must show up and play their best football of the season, if this team plans to advance. This squad sits on a side of the bracket that allows opportunities for success but South Fulton must take one game at a time and focus week by week. If they do so, watch out for the Red Devils!    Union City Golden Tornadoes   - Winning yet another region title, the Golden Tornadoes head into postseason play as one of the hottest teams on the 1A level with a well balanced ball club that can score a lot of points while their defense is stifling. The only two losses on the season for Union City came by the hands of USJ and Dyer Co., two state title contending teams, so I wouldn't sleep on this team as they have the chops to make some noise and play their way to the Class 1A state title game.    It's a brand new season here in the playoffs, so everything the Golden Tornadoes up to this point doesn't matter as they must reset and prepare for a grueling run. Their path won't be easy as they could see teams like MASE, Middle College, McKenzie and South Fulton along the way. If Union City is able to play their way to Chattanooga, it will certainly be earned. The Golden Tornadoes may be looked at as a sleeper for the title but they could be more than that as a team that legitimately wins the whole thing.   - - - - -   Projected Final Four   Coalfield vs. South Pittsburg   McKenzie vs. MASE   - - -    Projected Title Game   South Pittsburg vs. McKenzie    - Two of the biggest powerhouses from the 1A ranks are who I have destined to face each other for the state championship. These two know each other as well as two years ago, the Pirates and the Rebels met up for the title with McKenzie walking out as winners. It's very possible the same thing happens in 2024 but South Pitt is talented and has gotten much better as the season has gone along.    McKenzie has a veteran squad while the Pirates are young, so the team from the Chattanooga area could come into this matchup at a disadvantage but have the athleticism to hang tough. The way to upend the Rebels could be using that athleticism on offense to create big plays and make the McKenzie defenders chase them. If the South Pitt athletes are allowed to do so, the Pirates will have a great shot at winning and bringing home another championship.    I do think this game will be closer than some could think but I feel the McKenzie senior class was built for this moment. This Rebel team is a cohesive unit that plays a consistent, physical brand of football while doing it for each other. Having the best player on the field in Surber helps the cause as well. After a close battle with the Pirates, I foresee the Rebels pulling away in the second half and bringing another state title back to McKenzie.    Projected 2A Champs: McKenzie Rebels   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/mcrebels.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1475562" style="width:418px;height:auto" /></figure>