#TNHSFB Playoffs: Class 3A Preview

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Postseason play has arrived as the playoffs are set to kickoff this upcoming Friday with an exciting slate of matchups from all over the Volunteer State. Without any further ado, here's my preview for Class 3A.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1st Rd Matchups</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Union County (1-8) at Unicoi County (9-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Austin-East (3-7) at Johnson County (8-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>– – –&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gatlinburg-Pittman (7-3) at Roane County (5-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pigeon Forge (6-4) at Alcoa (7-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>– – –&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grundy County (4-6) at Meigs County (7-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyner Academy (6-4) at Giles County (5-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>– – –&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Watertown (3-7) at Chattanooga Central (5-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McMinn Central (6-4) at Sequatchie County (9-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>– – –&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cheatham County Central (1-9) at East Nashville Magnet (9-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stratford (3-7) at Sycamore (5-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>– – –&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fairview (4-6) at Liberty Creek (4-6)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maplewood (4-5) at White House-Heritage (7-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>– – –&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wooddale (3-8) at Westview (10-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dyersburg (6-3) at Bolton (10-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>– – –&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Memphis East (6-4) at Covington (9-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bolivar Central (5-4) at Sheffield (8-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>– – – – –</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["611975"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672e5077d9b17"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Impressing me at the line of scrimmage is [player_tooltip player_id='611975' first='Kalen' last='Edwards'], a defensive lineman at Dyersburg High School. On top of outstanding size and speed off the snap, I like how Edwards can read the offense like a book and make crucial stops. I also like how Edwards can find openings in the offensive line to apply pressure on the quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/17928633/63b74aee5ca9520c28e78bc2">Tape:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["219408"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672e4d60b0066"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Showcasing his talent down the stretch is [player_tooltip player_id='219408' first='Eli' last='Owens'], a tight end at Alcoa High School. What makes Owens so explosive is his ability to break free from the defense and elevate off the ground to haul in the deep pass. I also like Owens due to his size, proving his ability to fight for extra steps after the catch despite heavy pressure from the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/12971083/65bbd0af4deb220a20c90c17">Tape:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["279486"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672e4d60b00a6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Making a difference at the helm of the offense is [player_tooltip player_id='279486' first='Sam' last='Evitts'], a quarterback at Sequatchie County High School. Evitts stands out with his strong passing ability as well as his ability to adapt to heavy defensive pressure. I also like Evitts due to his arm strength and accuracy, showcasing his ability to overwhelm the defense in the air.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16182313/66d327cf7b281a7fd6ff19e9">Tape:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1125367"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672e5077d9c18"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Making a difference offensively is [player_tooltip player_id='1125367' first='Marcus' last='Reynolds'], an athlete at Watertown High School. Reynolds stands out with his ability to break free from the defense down the stretch as well as his ability to shake the defense on his way into enemy territory. I also like how Reynolds can be a reliable passing target in third-down situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18973180/65492e7019a5410884d4ff56">Tape:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>– – – – –</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Title Contenders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Unicoi County Blue Devils</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unicoi County has been highly explosive on both sides of the ball this season as the Blue Devils have picked up a 9-1 overall record. Unicoi County should be a top ball club to win it all during postseason play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sequatchie County Indians</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sequatchie County has been unstoppable during the regular season as the Indians have earned a 9-1 overall record. Sequatchie County is definitely high on my list of teams to go all the way in Class 3A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Nashville Magnet Eagles</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Nashville Magnet have showcased their skillset on the field this season, putting up an impressive 9-2 record ahead of postseason play. I could definitely see the Eagles making it all the way to the title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>– – – –&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sleeper Title Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Johnson County Longhorns</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I could definitely see Johnson County as a sleeper title team due to their experienced roster on both sides of the ball as well as their 8-2 overall record over the course of the regular season. The Longhorns will definitely be a difficult team to defeat during the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Westview Chargers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westview is another ball club I could see making a huge run during postseason play as the Chargers have proven their ability to remain undefeated during the regular season. With a 10-0 record, the Chargers should not be slept on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>– – – – –&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected Final Four</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Westview vs. East Nashville Magnet</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sequatchie County vs. Unicoi County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I believe that Sequatchie County and East Nashville Magnet will punch their ticket to the title game in Chattanooga as I'm predicting the Indians to take down the Eagles to win it all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected Class 3A Champs: Sequatchie County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->