#PRZTN Championship Preview: Macon County vs. Melrose

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Macon County Tigers</strong> vs. <strong>Melrose Golden Wildcats</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Records:</strong> <strong>Tigers</strong> (11-2) <strong>Golden Wildcats</strong> (12-3) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>When:</strong> <strong>Dec. 7 - 11:00 am</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Where:</strong> <strong>Chattanooga, TN</strong> (Finley Stadium)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TV/Internet:</strong>&nbsp;<strong>WUXP-30, TSSAAsports.com</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":["219401"],"_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-6753304d4f80d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In the first place spot on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='219401' first='Jamarion' last='Morrow'], a running back at Melrose High School. Morrow stands out with his ability to quickly breach the pocket off the handoff, proving he can break free of the defense and take it all the way to the house for the touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16258411/632f752819a5ed05445dce7f">Tape:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1103458"],"_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-675330d8c88ce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I am additionally impressed with [player_tooltip player_id='1103458' first='Tavarco' last='Jackson'], an athlete at Melrose High School. On top of great size and breakaway speed, Jackson stands out with his ability to haul in the deep pass from along the edge, showcasing his ability to elevate off the ground to meet the ball in the air.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21204952/67529e8dd80918d42854737b">Tape:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1264564"],"_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-6753304d4f876"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Claiming the number three spot on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='1264564' first='Jaden' last='Jones'], an athlete/wide receiver at Melrose High School. Jones impresses me with his explosive speed and ability to juke out defenders on the run. I also like how Jones can quickly blast into enemy territory and march into the endzone for the score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18565761/66f84bcfd573e6fd2638a0eb">Tape:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["841232"],"_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-6753304d4f8c1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another skilled prospect to watch for is [player_tooltip player_id='841232' first='Caleb' last='Hollowell'], a defensive lineman at Melrose High School. What makes Hollowell so impactful at the line of scrimmage is his ability to read the offense like a book and quickly blast playmakers in the pocket. With great size and strength, Hollowell makes a difference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18600005/671c62fb4d23b4484462f7c6">Tape:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1310950"],"_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-6753304d4f907"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coming in at number five on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='1310950' first='Gabe' last='Borders'], an athlete at Macon County High School. What impresses me about Borders is his his ability to blast past the defense as a kick returner. I also like how Borders can get in prime position for the interception on the other side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12990981/65bd1fccb3c8b210cc784d31">Tape:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>– – – – –</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Preview</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Macon County will be meeting Melrose in the Class 4A title game after both squads made their presence known during both the regular season and postseason play. I believe this game will be close as both teams have an assortment of talent on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Macon County will be difficult to stop on both sides due to players like [player_tooltip player_id='1310950' first='Gabe' last='Borders'], who can make huge plays on both offense and defense. The Tigers will likely utilize Borders in any way they can as I expect to see him play both sides. I'm also expecting a solid game from Macon County's offensive line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Melrose also has some playmakers on their roster. Perhaps the most explosive prospect is Texas A&amp;M commit [player_tooltip player_id='219401' first='Jamarion' last='Morrow'], who makes the running back position look easy with his explosiveness off the snap. [player_tooltip player_id='1103458' first='Tavarco' last='Jackson'] will be another playmaker that Macon County will need to watch out for as he can quickly break free from coverage and haul in the deep pass. The Tigers' defense will need to watch out for [player_tooltip player_id='1264564' first='Jaden' last='Jones'] as he can quickly break tackles and take it all the way to the house. On the defensive line, [player_tooltip player_id='841232' first='Caleb' last='Hollowell'] will likely be difficult to shake as he can use his size to blast the offense and shut down the run game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>– – – – – </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Prediction</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm expecting a close, back-and-forth contest between these two amazing teams. While I expect a nail-biter, I think that Melrose will inevitably come out on top due and take down Macon County in the Class 4A title game due to how explosive their offense is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Score: <strong>Melrose</strong> 27 <strong>Macon County</strong> 21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->