#PRZTN Class 3A POTY (Positional Awards)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who earned our player of the year and top positional honors from the 3A ranks after the 2024 season? Find out below w/ our Prep Redzone Tennessee postseason awards! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prep Redzone 3A Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1110699"],"_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-679d648929dda"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ever since this West TN ball carrier hit the field as a sophomore, Smith has done nothing but produce at a high level and for his senior season, the Chargers offensive playmaker took things to another level by producing over 2,200 yards of total offense and 47 touchdowns with 41 of them coming on the ground. This senior running back was nearly unstoppable last Fall as opposing defenses had a hard time dealing with his speed and tough running style. The Chargers had a banner year as well, finishing one game short of a title game appearance with Smith being the main catalyst in those efforts. He may be a tad undersized but Smith would be a steal and a potential starter for whoever he eventually signs with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offensive MVP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["424594"],"_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-679d648929e36"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What a high school debut it was for Simpson last Fall as he led his Chargers team to the Class 3A championship game and put up some staggering stats and numbers that upperclassmen only dream of producing. This West Tennessee passer threw for 4,135 yards and 57 touchdowns on the season while having only one interception with a 75 percent completion percentage. Those are the kind of numbers that can earn you all sorts of awards, honors and it was done by a true freshman. The sky's the limit for Simpson. Having three years remaining at Westview, you might see Simpson eventually become the all-time leading passer in this state, barring injuries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive MVP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1118589"],"_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-679d648929e81"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Choosing our Class 3A defensive player of the year was tough but looking at the production from Springer and his impact within his Patriots team last season, it was hard not to give it to this athletic secondary playmaker. Springer had such a big senior year that he could have been in consideration for receiver of the year as well. His defensive work was impressive where the Patriots safety produced 137 total tackles along with four for loss, two sacks, five passes defended and six interceptions. Springer's game play and energy throughout the season was highly impactful on the Patriots overall success. It was also a strong year that pushed his recruiting stock higher where some FCS schools have taken notice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lineman MVP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1585716"],"_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-679d648929ec8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">&nbsp;The 2024 season was a breakout campaign for this Memphis area D-lineman that put opponents on notice with his active presence within the trenches as he equally did good work at stopping the run and getting after the passer. Holcomb stayed consistent throughout the whole season where he produced 86 total tackles with 27 of them for loss while also forcing five forced fumbles and creating 14 sacks on the season. The Tigers D-lineman was an absolute force that many opposing offensive linemen had a hard time dealing with as Holcombs athleticism and motor placed him consistently around the ball. It will be interesting to see how this guy progresses over the off-season as Holcomb shows upside for the collegiate level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach of the Year&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rusty McIntyre - Sequatchie Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- We had several options to choose from for our coach of the year but I felt the job Coach McIntyre and&nbsp; his Indians staff did this year was exceptional. After beginning the season at 0-1, the Indians ran off 12 wins in a row on their way to a region title and a quarterfinal placement in the 2024 3A playoffs. Sequatchie Co. proved to be one of the better teams in the 3A ranks for the 2024 season, which was led by a strong senior class and a few underclassmen that will look to repeat this year's success during the 2025 campaign. Coach McIntyre and his staff did a great job of keeping this year's team focused, playing consistent football and bringing a region championship back to Sequatchie County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1615347,"width":"358px","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/sequatchie2-crop-1152x757-1738368888.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1615347" style="width:358px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Positional MVP's (Class 3A)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='783053' first='Eli' last='Graf'] - </strong>Alcoa: The leader and playmaker that drove the Tornadoes offense and team to another state championship, Graf had another big year under center where he was the top offensive producer of yards while completing 71 percent of his passes. His running abilities were also a problem for opposing defenses and a dynamic that helped put another “Gold Ball” in the Tornadoes trophy case.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB MVP: ‘26 [player_tooltip player_id='1199149' first='Hicks' last='Hunter'] </strong>- Sycamore: The War Eagles running back does nothing but produce at a high level and he had another big year in 2024 where Hunter rushed 279 times for 1,982 yards and 26 touchdowns while averaging 7.1 yards per carry.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR MVP: ‘26 [player_tooltip player_id='964719' first='Donteze' last='Joy'] </strong>- Westview: The Chargers have a deep and talented receiving corps but Joy became Simpson's go-to target during the 2024 season and someone that placed himself on the recruiting map. Joy had a big junior year where he caught 64 balls for 1,015 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 15.8 yards per reception.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OL MVP: ‘26 [player_tooltip player_id='1621943' first='Jackson' last='Kirby'] </strong>- Covington: The linchpin up front for the Chargers offensive line, Kirby had his best season yet where he paved the way for possibly the top rushing attack from the 3A ranks. Sporting versatility and the potential to handle three positions in college, Kirby is a possible college guy that showed in 2024 his ability to drive his man off the ball and reach the 2nd level with ease.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL MVP: ‘26 [player_tooltip player_id='1614937' first='De'Angelo' last='Franklin'] </strong>- Sheffield: The Knights continue to churn out productive D-linemen and Franklin was the next in line. He made a big presence last Fall where the junior big man made 64 total tackles, 25 tackles for loss and 13 sacks on the year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB MVP: ‘26 [player_tooltip player_id='1432214' first='Craig' last='Huskey'] - </strong>Gatlinburg-Pittman: Huskey had his coming out party last Fall where he finished in the Class 3A top five with tackles at 132 total along with making ten of them for loss. The Highlanders junior backer also forced two fumbles while recovering two of them and defending three passes on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='1159809' first='Antoni' last='Morton'] </strong>- East Nashville: Signed to play his college ball at Austin Peay, Morton had a big senior year for his Eagles defense where he led the 3A classification in interceptions at eight while also producing 27 tackles, 12 passes defended and three forced fumbles. He continued his strong play in the TNFCA All-Star game where Morton picked off two passes and batted down several others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1615351,"width":"258px","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/antmorton.jpg?w=550" alt="" class="wp-image-1615351" style="width:258px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->