#TNHSFB Playoffs: D2-Class AAA Preview

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Postseason play has arrived! Playoff season begins this Friday w/ action all across the state and Prep Redzone TN will provide previews for each classification, beginning with the toughest of them all, D2-Class AAA. </h2>   1st Rd Matchups   Knox. Catholic (3-7) at MUS (4-6)   BYE/Baylor (10-0)   - - -    BYE/Brentwood Acad. (7-3)   BYE/Father Ryan (6-3)   - - -    BYE/Christian Brothers (5-4)   BYE/McCallie (8-2)   - - -    Briarcrest Chrst. (4-6) at MBA (3-7)   BYE/Ensworth (10-0)   - - - - -   Key Players to Watch    The state's top ranked prospect has one last shot at doing something special at Brentwood Academy with a 7-3 team headed into the playoffs playing their best football of the season. This future Tennessee Volunteer has the talent to lead his Eagles squad deep into the 2024 playoffs but must receive help around him to get the job done. MacIntyre himself must play at a high level too because he will face some good teams with some strong defensive units.    - - -    One of the hottest quarterbacks in the state is this senior signal caller that is playing high level football at the right time of the year with his teammates clicking properly as well. Derrick is a hidden gem with the ability to throw the ball all over the yard along with excellent leadership that could push his Fighting Irish team to several victories. His offensive line must keep Derrick up right and clean and if they do so, this senior quarterback could lead his team Chattanooga.    - - -    Now that this junior quarterback is back healthy, the Big Red could become a sleeper team to watch in the coming playoffs. Sporting college size and a big arm, Price is as talented as any quarterback within the D2-Class AAA ranks and has the ability to throw his team to victory. Now while Price is highly talented, he can't do everything himself. He will need help from his O-line and skill players to perform the way his coaches and team needs him to. The Big Red junior has a winnable matchup versus Briarcrest in Round One and if Price plays well, he and his offense could gain enough confidence to make a deep playoff run.    - - -    Out of all the stars on the Blue Tornado roster, Syam could be their most important player in the coming playoffs as he has taken his game to another level through the second half of the season and established himself as a lead guy from his running back position. The way Syam has been running of late, has provided balance to the McCallie offense as well as physical game play. The Blue Tornado senior could be the workhorse the team needs in these playoffs as competition will be tough and being able to run the ball and maintain the clock could be key towards a state title run.    - - -    Has anybody from the D2-Class AAA level been as hot as Gabriel-Georges has been over the 2nd half of the season? I don't think so and I think he will maintain his high level play moving forward and could be a key piece in bringing the “Gold Ball” back to the Red Raiders. Athletic, explosive and fast, Gabriel-Georges is a home run hitter that can take over a game and be a difference maker. Opposing defenses will certainly key on this guy but I don't know if many will be able to stop him because this Baylor ball carrier is just that good!    - - -    Recently committing to the University of Tennessee, King is one of the best playmakers inside this classification and a guy that can be a difference maker if he isn't kept in-check. Throughout the 2024 season, the Fighting Irish junior has produced at a high level and put up some big numbers as many defenders he has faced have not been able to slow him down. His team must travel to Memphis to MUS in the first round, so his play will be critical in the team's advancement this Friday and throughout the playoffs.    - - -    Many players from the Tigers 2024 team could be placed here but I think the play of Hopkins will go a long way in how Ensworth plays and advances in the playoffs. This two-way junior has tremendous athleticism that shows up on both sides of the ball and his abilities will be needed as the Tigers will face some strong competition on the way towards achieving a state title. Hopkins could be a game changer this Winter that proves to be a difference maker in the team's efforts on making it to Chattanooga.    - - - - -   Top Title Contenders   Baylor Red Raiders   - These Red Raiders have yet to taste defeat this season and it's for good reason. This is possibly “the” best team in the state with more than 15 players destined for the college ranks, so Baylor is clearly a favorite to reach the D2-Class AAA title game and go home with the “Gold Ball”. This is a well balanced ball club with a high scoring offense and a loaded offensive line along with a defense that has flashed dominant play throughout the season.    Junior [player_tooltip player_id='222957' first='Briggs' last='Cherry'] leads the way at quarterback with a strong skill group to work with in [player_tooltip player_id='1058887' first='Shekai' last='Mills-Knight'], [player_tooltip player_id='1210671' first='David' last='Gabriel-Georges'], [player_tooltip player_id='220241' first='Joakim' last='Dodson'], [player_tooltip player_id='219421' first='Cameron' last='Sparks'] and others. The defensive strength resides in the front seven with [player_tooltip player_id='1206484' first='C.J.' last='Wyller'], [player_tooltip player_id='1210664' first='Jayden' last='Arenas-Michel'], [player_tooltip player_id='1206015' first='Joel' last='Lowenberg'] and [player_tooltip player_id='923598' first='Bradley' last='Ilunga-Bisselele']. There aren't many weaknesses with this Red Raiders team, so the only way I foresee Baylor not going home with the title is beating themselves. This Chattanooga area program is the team to beat and will have a target on their backs but with a strong coaching staff and a loaded roster, the Red Raiders look to be destined for Hollywood finish.   - - - -   McCallie Blue Tornado    - The reigning champs go into postseason play as a top contender and it's not just because of the tradition but due to the talent on both sides of the ball along with some game changers like [player_tooltip player_id='986024' first='Keeyshawn' last='Tabuteau'] that can be big difference makers. This year's Blue Tornado team may not be as strong as last year or year's past but they are still strong enough to return to the D2-Class AAA championship and bring another state title back to campus.    If McCallie is to do that, they will need strong play up front from an offensive line that's still developing and a defensive front seven that has shown flashes of strong play. Guys like [player_tooltip player_id='212419' first='Cooper' last='Gentle'], [player_tooltip player_id='867171' first='Jaden' last='Hudgins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='206141' first='Gabe' last='Abercrombie'] need to play at a high level while the secondary remains a consistent unit like they have all season long. Potential is there with this Blue Tornado team to win yet another state title but their top guys must play like stars while both sides play a consistent brand of football. Getting past Baylor will be a challenge but this McCallie program knows how to do it, so don't sleep on the Blue Tornado.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/dtipton2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1549030" style="width:304px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - -    Ensworth Tigers   - We have more than one undefeated team from the D2-Class AAA ranks headed into the playoffs and it's these Tigers, who may have the best defense within this classification. It's been a banner year for Ensworth that the Tigers are hoping ends with a state title in Chattanooga. This year's team has the chops to do so but nothing will be easy along the way. What I believe gives them a great shot at getting to the D2-AAA title game and possibly winning is their defense and how good they are at all three levels.    The Tigers have a loaded front seven, spearheaded by future Power Four players [player_tooltip player_id='1547440' first='Ethan' last='Utley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='219426' first='Sam' last='Haley'] but are complimented nicely by a talented secondary, led by [player_tooltip player_id='492562' first='Justin' last='Hopkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1305812' first='Bishop' last='Starling'] that could potentially shut down any offense they came across. I expect the defense to play well but will the Tigers offense? Over the 2024 season, Ensworth has put a solid offense on the field but hasn't been too explosive. Finding big plays I think will be key towards the Tigers succeeding in the coming playoffs. The defense will travel and should perform to championship standards but if the Ensworth expands their offensive prowess, playing for the state title is very possible.    - - - -    Sleeper Title Teams    Brentwood Academy Eagles   - When you have one of the better quarterbacks in the state with college talent around him, you have a chance to win a bunch of games, so you definitely can't sleep on these Eagles and their chances in the D2-Class AAA playoffs. Over the 2nd half of the season, Brentwood Academy has played their best football with MacIntyre looking as good as ever. They head into the first round at 7-3 overall with an offense and defense that is clicking well at the right time of year.    The biggest thing that I see right now is a defense that is beginning to find their identity. Their contributions have been huge of late with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='939778' first='Gavin' last='Schaffer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='212335' first='Easton' last='Jointer'] making plays and leading a defense that could be an X-Factor over the coming weeks. The Eagles must also stay firm on the offensive line and keep defenders off MacIntyre. If both these two units play at a high level, Brentwood Academy has what it takes to reach Chattanooga and compete for a state title. They have to watch themselves in Round One however as they face a hot Father Ryan team that will be looking to erase a regular season loss to the Eagles.    Father Ryan Fighting Irish    - One of the biggest surprises from the 2024 season has been the Fighting Irish and they also may be one of the hottest teams headed into the postseason play as well. Coming off back to back 45-14 wins over Christian Brothers and Warren Co., the Fighting Irish are playing high level football at the right time with a veteran senior class leading the way. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1150055' first='Joseph' last='Derrick'] is throwing exceptionally well right now and he has good skill around him to work with in [player_tooltip player_id='1516272' first='Mason' last='Bryant'], [player_tooltip player_id='898263' first='Caiden' last='Anku'] and senior tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1306269' first='Brooks' last='Foster']. The Fighting Irish have one of the more high scoring offenses going into the playoffs, which is a strong ingredient to go on a deep run.    I think the biggest key towards advancement for Father Ryan is the play of their defense. This side of the ball has shown flashes of excellent play but their best must come now as each round presents a big challenge, especially in Round One where they face a hot Brentwood Academy team. Overall, I like this team and their chances in the playoffs but with being in the D2-Class AAA ranks, every game is big, so Father Ryan must keep their attention high and be ready to go come Friday.    - - - - -    Projected Final Four   Baylor vs. Brentwood Academy   McCallie vs. Ensworth    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/eutley2.webp?w=720" alt="" class="wp-image-1277349" style="width:383px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - -    Projected Title Game   Baylor vs. Ensworth   - Looking through the matchups and how things could play out, I see both D2-Class AAA undefeated teams in Baylor and Ensworth making it to Chattanooga and competing for the state title. Throughout this 2024 season, both the Red Raiders and Tigers have looked like the two best teams in this classification and two teams destined to play each other. Nothing is guaranteed as Baylor and Ensworth could be taken down if they don't play up to standards but if both do compete like I and others expect them to, Chattanooga should be the destination for both teams.    If these two do match up, Baylor will be the best offense Ensworth has seen all year and will present challenges. On the other side of the coin, the Tigers defense may be the best unit the Red Raiders offense has seen all year. It would be very interesting to see these two teams go against each other and see which side of the ball would win out.    If these two do make it to Chattanooga, what I think you will find is a highly contested game that may go until the 4th quarter before the game is settled. I do think the Ensworth defense can make life difficult for the Red Raiders offense and keep things close till the very end. This championship bout may be the best overall game down in Chattanooga, if these two make it. Eventually, I do feel the Baylor offense and their athleticism will win out and bring another state title to campus.    Projected D2-Class AAA Champs: Baylor Red Raiders   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/jbryson.jpeg?w=1010" alt="" class="wp-image-1296087" style="width:420px;height:auto" /></figure>