Early #PRZTN Small School Rankings (‘25 Season)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Days before Christmas, we decided to post our early look at the top teams from our small school division (3A, 2A, 1A, D2-A) for the 2025 season w/ our pre-season Top 15 Power Poll. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much will change over the next seven months but as of today, these fifteen programs are who we like headed into the 2025 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pre-season Small School Top 15&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Nashville Christian Eagles</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming off a state title and the return of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402548' first='Jared' last='Curtis']</strong>, the Eagles gotta be at the top of charts for the 2025 season. He brings back several key targets too with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1549102' first='Javin' last='Drewelow']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284142' first='Bryson' last='Holt'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='933063' first='Kaden' last='Grigsby']</strong> along with a top tier back in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1238919' first='T.J.' last='Ward']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Westview Chargers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Chargers might have the best QB in the state with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='424594' first='Graham' last='Simpson']</strong>. Even though he fell to defeat in the 2A title game this year, Simpson gained significant experience. He will have three major contributors returning in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='964719' first='Donteze' last='Joy']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103496' first='Asa' last='Barnes'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422977' first='Miles' last='Brown']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. East Nashville Eagles</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The 2024 season was successful from a winning standpoint but the Eagles can do better and I think they will next Fall with a strong roster returning with key guys coming from the backfield with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1668630' first='Dallas' last='Covington']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='971296' first='Keith' last='Johnson'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1597876' first='Kinnie' last='Fuller, Jr']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. East Robertson Indians</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Indians fell short of their expectations this year but they leaned on a lot of young guys, which could pay off big in 2025. They bring back two of the better overall players coming from their classification in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='820950' first='Zach' last='Groves'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422904' first='Kason' last='Young'] </strong>but also return several other key players like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1630972' first='Cade' last='Brooks']</strong> and O-lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1738226' first='Bryson' last='Shreeve']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1428968,"width":"286px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/kyoung.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1428968" style="width:286px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Webb School Feet</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Jumping down to the D2-Class A level this year could be highly beneficial for the Feet. They have a strong and talented junior class coming back with guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150057' first='Ryan' last='Wirtzfeld']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1532741' first='James' last='Pierre']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1281472' first='Joel' last='Wyatt'] </strong>leading the way along with a big offensive line that could push them to a state title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. South Pittsburg Pirates</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Pirates made a semi-surprising run to the 1A title game this year as they were young in 2024 but the experience and playoff run could pay off next Fall. They will have one of the top backfields on the 1A level next year with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1134336' first='JaMychal' last='Buckner'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1577095' first='Dayon' last='Cooper'] </strong>leading the way and a defense that should be much improved.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7. Milan Bulldogs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Placing themselves in the 2A title game this Fall, the Bulldogs got an idea on what it was like to compete for a championship and with guys returning like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1562203' first='Jaydon' last='Peete']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1658485' first='Cordarius' last='Johnson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1660959' first='Terrence' last='Moses'] </strong>and <strong>Will Johnson</strong>, Milan should have the pieces to make a deep playoff run yet again in the 2025 season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8. Melrose Golden Wildcats</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming off a 4A title game appearance, the Golden Cats should be poised to chase down a 3A championship next year with several key guys returning in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103458' first='Tavarco' last='Jackson'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1453249' first='Darrius' last='Baldwin']</strong>. They do lose a good senior class but young talent should be on deck, ready to step up.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9. Sequatchie Co. Indians</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Even though the Indians are losing some key seniors, they still bring back a solid core of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142005' first='Austin' last='Griffith']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1547372' first='Harrison' last='Smith']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904934' first='Kason' last='Hicks'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454466' first='Jack' last='Evitts'] </strong>that can lead their team back to a region title and even possibly go deep in the playoffs towards a 3A championship appearance.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1586870,"width":"297px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/harrsmith.jpg?w=930" alt="" class="wp-image-1586870" style="width:297px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10. Tyner Academy Rams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The 2024 season was a learning experience for this Rams team, who was quite young but showed strong talent and upside. For the 2025 campaign, you gotta watch out for Tyner as they return a large group of underclassmen that could propel the team on a run to the 3A title game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>11. Gatlinburg-Pittman Highlanders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Highlanders are one of the more consistent programs coming from the East TN region and I expect them to be good yet again in the 2025 season. A few key seniors must be replaced but Pittman has some excellent young talent returning in the likes of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432214' first='Craig' last='Huskey']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182191' first='Brayden' last='Maples'] </strong>and <strong>Diego DeCoursey</strong> to build around.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12. Forrest Rockets</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Keep an eye on these Rockets for the ‘25 season! After battling injuries this past Fall, the Rockets return a talented roster that is spearheaded by a strong senior class of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1178947' first='Cohen' last='Grissom']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='244591' first='Eli' last='Bell'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1302528' first='Mitch' last='Todd'] </strong>up front. They also have a star in the making with rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1589943' first='Quincy' last='Mitchell']</strong>, who could contend for 3A Mr. Football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13. White House-Heritage Patriots</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- It could be a special 2025 season for the Patriots but that all hinges on the health of junior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='317160' first='Xavier' last='Murray']</strong>. He will miss most of the on field work this off-season but should return for the Fall campaign and if he is back to 100%, the Pats have a chance to make a deep run after the 3A title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>14. Chatt. Prep Sentinels</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- One of the bigger surprises from the 2024 season was this Sentinels team. Two big reasons for the surge was the play of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1590252' first='Austin' last='Jones'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600242' first='Marquis' last='Gardner'] </strong>and both these guys return for the 2025 campaign. The Sentinels have several other young talented players to join alongside, so keep an eye on Chatt. Prep to potentially do some special things next Fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15. Unicoi Co. Blue Devils</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- When you have a guy like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115203' first='Kolby' last='Jones'] </strong>behind center, you have a shot to win a lot of ball games. The Blue Devils have a shot to compete for a region title next with Jones at the helm as well as possibly go on a deep playoff run that ends in Chattanooga for a shot at the 3A title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Just Outside Top 15: </strong>Friendship Christian, Coalfield, McKenzie, Halls, Covington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1586874,"width":"355px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/braymaples.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1586874" style="width:355px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->