#PRZTN Championship Preview: Marion Co. vs. Milan

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">We have an East vs. West showdown here in the 2A title game between a high scoring Marion Co. team and a Milan squad that likes to run the ball. Come inside to see our preview on this matchup and who we think will come out on top!</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marion Co. Warriors </strong>vs. <strong>Milan Bulldogs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Records: <strong>Warriors </strong>(12-2)&nbsp; <strong>Bulldogs </strong>(13-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>When: Dec. 7th - 2:00 PM Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Where: Chattanooga, TN </strong>(Finley Stadium)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TV/Internet: WUXP-30, TSSAAsports.com</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coaches</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marion Co.: Tim Starkey</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Milan: Wade Comer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></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":["1282609"],"_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-674fdb8ca8230"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The addition of Mays to the Warriors offense this year has provided balance and power in the backfield to compliment their skill out wide. This senior ball carrier could become the team's offensive X-Factor in this game as weather conditions might be cold, meaning running the ball may be the recipe to success. Look for Mays and the Warriors run game to be established early and potentially be the driving force to winning down the stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["390722"],"_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-674fdb8ca8296"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The most athletic playmaker on the field Saturday afternoon will be this two-way talent that could prove to be the game changer that leads Marion Co. to victory. Pickett is a dynamic ball player that has the speed to cause issues for Milan's defense. If he is able to go-off, the Warriors could be standing in the winners circle, taking a “Gold Ball” back to campus.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1282603"],"_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-674fdb8ca82e4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mays has been a force in the middle of the D-line all season long for Marion Co. and his strong play up front must continue in this 2A title game. He will be tasked with putting a stop to the Milan rushing attack, which is their focal point that drives their offense. Mays may also need to flash his pass rush on occasions too, especially if he and his D-line teammates are able to slow the Milan run game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1423635"],"_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-674fdb8ca8328"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Joining Mays up front is this pass rusher that will have an important role in setting the edge against the Bulldogs run game and keeping their star running back in-check. Scharber has put forth a breakout senior year that has earned him a lot of honors but his biggest achievement could come in this championship contest where his play on defense will be important towards his team's success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Will Johnson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"180","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Milan ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674fdd4bd4373"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This junior quarterback isn't asked to throw the ball too much but he may need to spin it much more in this contest, especially if the Warriors slow down the run game. Johnson is a dual threat guy too that may need to use his legs on occasions to pick up positive gains or first downs. He will need to be steady behind center as Marion Co. presents a solid pass rush that could cause him issues.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1562203"],"_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-674fdd4bd43d2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sitting as a current Mr. Football finalist, Peete has been outstanding from start to finish this year with the Bulldogs needing possibly his biggest game yet, this Saturday versus Marion County. The Bulldogs are a run first offense, so however Peete goes, the team goes. He will be running against possibly the best defense he has seen this year but if he is able to handle business as usual, the Bulldogs could be coming home as a champion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Greg Hayes","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"170","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Milan ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674fdd4bd4460"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The team's top two-way talent, Hayes will play a key role in this matchup as the Bulldogs top deep threat on offense while being tasked to lock things down in the secondary. His role on defense may be of most importance as he and his Bulldogs teammates look to keep Pickett in-check and not allow the Warriors top offensive threat to beat them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1399461"],"_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-674fdd4bd44a4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Over the course of the 2024 season, Cunningham has been a beast in the trenches where he does a nice job of getting after the passer while playing strong versus the run. That kind of play must continue on Saturday as his work up front could be important towards the Bulldogs winning the 2A title. His work getting into the backfield and harassing the quarterback may be the most important trait needed in this matchup.</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><strong>- </strong>For most of the 2024 season, both Marion Co. and Milan have been two of the better teams coming out of the 2A ranks and now they must clash against each other in Chattanooga for a state title but only one can make it out with the “Gold Ball.” Before the season started, Marion Co. was viewed as a potential state title contender and they have lived up to the hype. After a couple of hiccups in the middle of the year, the Warriors have been on a tear where it's continued in these playoffs with an explosive offense, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422888' first='Tilton' last='Pickett']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1282609' first='Mason' last='Mays'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390722' first='Sam' last='Pickett III']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1551741,"width":"369px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/spickett.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1551741" style="width:369px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Chattanooga Times Press</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors offense must continue their strong play in this title match as Milan brings a physical, tough defense to the field, spearheaded by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1399461' first='Markel' last='Cunningham'] </strong>and their defensive front seven that could cause some problems. Marion Co. works with balance between Pickett and the pass game and Mays carrying the ball in the backfield but if the Bulldog defensive front can slow down one of those areas, Milan could put themselves in position to take the win.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to pick which area or side of the ball will be more important in this game as the high scoring Marion Co. offense could be fun to watch versus the Milan defense but seeing how the Warriors defenders compete against <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1562203' first='Jaydon' last='Peete'] </strong>and the Bulldogs offense, could be where the game is won and lost. Peete is a workhorse for his team that will be used a ton in this game but if the Warriors front seven slows him down, junior quarterback <strong>Will Johnson </strong>may have to step up and make plays.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1562323,"width":"280px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/jaypeete_703388.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1562323" style="width:280px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marion Co. has game changers on the defensive line with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1282603' first='Myles' last='Mays'] </strong>disrupting things in the middle with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1423635' first='Taylor' last='Scharber'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219406' first='Braydon' last='Coffelt'] </strong>handling business on the edge. Those three along with others have the talent to make things difficult for Johnson, Peete and the Bulldogs backfield. If the Warriors want to be in position to win this game and the title, their defense must perform at top level and not allow Peete to get going.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I could also see special teams being a key factor. Pickett is one of the top return men in the state, so Milan can't let him loose. It will also be cold, so creating turnovers on special teams is a possibility. If neither team is able to throw with success or score touchdowns in the red zone, the kicking game could come into play.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two teams are opposite in several ways but similar in the line of scrimmage where both like to play a physical brand of football. This 2A matchup could be one of the highest scoring games of the weekend with multiple scenarios to win being in play. I could see either team taking command and winning by double digits but can also see a hard fought contest that isn't settled till the 4th quarter. It will be interesting to see which team's style of play takes over and dictates the game into their favor.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Prediction</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Going into this 2A title game, both Marion Co. and Milan are hot teams that have put together impressive performances throughout these playoffs. Both have different offensive approaches, so it will be interesting to see who's style of play dictates this contest. The Milan defense must not allow Pickett to get loose while the Warriors can't allow Peete to run at will. Watching each defense and seeing how they attack each other should be fun to watch.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I think both teams will look to get a feel for each other early on before one of Marion Co. or Milan starts to take over but who will it be? The Bulldogs have a nice recipe to win late in the season during cold weathered games and that's running the ball. I do think that Peete will have a solid game but I don't know if he will do enough damage to see Milan win.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The veteran Warriors team should eventually take over due to their explosive, high scoring offense while their defense does enough damage in the Bulldogs backfield to eventually pull out the win. Turnovers will be key in this game. I see that as the area where Milan can take the win is by running the ball and controlling the clock while banking on the Warriors to turn it over.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This should be a fun game to follow and to see who's approach wins out in the end. I like the Warriors in this matchup and for them to bring home the Class 2A state championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Score: <strong>Marion Co. </strong>34 <strong>Milan </strong>21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1572100,"width":"313px","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/mymays.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1572100" style="width:313px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->