#PRZTN Class 1A POTY Finalists

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The 1A level provided several strong options for player of the year this season and these five below are who cracked our list for top classification honors. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finalists - Class 1A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1135175"],"_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-6784395d3233d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Bulldogs had a banner season with a region title and Adams was a major factor in those efforts. Placing himself as a Mr. Football finalist, this Mid-TN quarterback put forth a sensational individual Fall campaign where he threw for 3,553 yards and 43 touchdowns while leading his Bulldogs team to 10 wins. Adams put together one of the better statistical seasons of all time at Clay County, putting himself in school lore forever as one of the best to ever come out of his territory. . His play and leadership was key in the team's overall success for the 2024 season. He is still available too on the open market.</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_player":["1102448"],"_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-6784395d323b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coming home with Mr. Football for his senior year, Surber was nearly unstoppable this Fall where he dominated the field and almost single handedly put his Rebels team in the Class 1A state championship. His team came up one game short but Surber had one of the better individual season's of all time in school history. This future UT-Martin quarterback threw for 3,148 yards with 36 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions. Surber was also a stud on the ground as well where he produced 1,173 yards rushing and 28 scores on the year. The Skyhawks got a steal with Surber and possibly their future starting quarterback.</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_player":["1400354"],"_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-6784395d323f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The addition of Whittaker to the Phoenix offense paid off in a major way last season as he led MASE to their first ever football state championship. This 6 '2 gunslinger and his ability to push the ball down field was a difference maker the team needed to get over the hump and pull in the state title. Whittaker had a stellar senior year where he produced 2,486 yards passing and 48 total touchdowns, 37 through the air and 11 on the ground. His leadership, passing and steady presence behind center proved to be a game changer for the Phoenix that will be hard to replace for the 2025 season.</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_player":["1134336"],"_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-6784395d3243e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Pirates weren't expected to make a run at the 1A title this year but they got there and a big reason why was the play of Buckner. This rising senior running back provided big play abilities for his Pirates team from the backfield and from their secondary that helped get them to the title game. Buckner was the team's top playmaker where he ran for 1,503 yards and 27 touchdowns while producing 89 tackles on defense along with five interceptions and one defensive score. Barring injuries, expect to see Buckner back in contention for #PRZTN 1A player of the year again next Fall.</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_player":["1599884"],"_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-6784395d32481"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Adams boys were nothing short of sensational during the 2024 season with this two-way talent producing in a big way at both receiver and safety. This #TN2026 athlete made his presence known in a big way last Fall where he led the team in receiving at 1,275 yards on 75 receptions while scoring 19 touchdowns. He was also a big force on the defensive side of the ball too. Adams produced 48 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and six interceptions from his safety position. Those are some big numbers and Adams will be back next season, so keep an eye out on the Bulldogs player as a Mr. Football candidate .</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Just Missed the Cut ……</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR/S) Cole Brown </strong>- <strong>McKenzie: </strong>This two-way prospect had a breakout year with a 1,290 yard and 16 touchdown sophomore campaign where he became the offense's go-to #1 target. He was also a key piece on defense where he produced 86 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 1 interception on the season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>&nbsp;(Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='480919' first='Bennett' last='McDougal'] - Whitwell: </strong>A multi year starter for the Tigers, McDougal had a great year on both sides of the ball where he did a little bit of everything from passing to rushing, receiving and making big plays on defense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1600242' first='Marquis' last='Gardner'] - Chatt. Prep: </strong>The Sentinels became a surprise team during the ‘24 season and Gardner was a big reason why. His play established a strong run game for Chatt. Prep where Gardner ran for 1,392 yards on 132 carries with 18 touchdowns. He also produced two scores through the air.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='540048' first='Stanley' last='Burrow'] - MASE: </strong>Burrow was an absolute force last season for his Phoenix defense where he led the 1A ranks in tackles at 183 while also producing 10 sacks and five interceptions. Those are some silly numbers that should turn the heads of several collegiate coaches.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB/WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1557124' first='Devonte' last='Wigfall'] - Cosby: </strong>One of the top playmakers from both sides of the ball in the 1A ranks last Fall was this Eagles two-way talent. Wigfall had a monster season where he brought in 47 catches for 921 yards and 12 touchdowns while also producing 64 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 1 sack and six interceptions throughout his senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1599915,"width":"413px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/bmcdougal.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1599915" style="width:413px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->