#PRZTN D2-Class AAA POTY (Positional Awards)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Our final look back at the 2024 season ends here w/ our D2-Class AAA awards and honors where McCallie and their cross-town rival Baylor took home the most achievements.</h2>     Prep Redzone D2-Class AAA Player of the Year    There could be several guys that others may put in this spot but I feel the impact and performance from Syam last Fall was absolutely critical behind the team's run after the D2-Class AAA state title. Over the second half of the season and into the playoffs, Syam took his game to another level and became the go-to offensive threat for McCallie that helped push them over the top, bringing another “Gold Ball” to campus. His postseason action was top notch but his overall work for the 2024 season was sensational where Syam rushed for 1,431 yards and 26 touchdowns for his senior year. His physical running style, grit and determination proved to be game changers on the Blue Tornadoes run after another championship.    - - -   Offensive MVP    Cherry and his Red Raiders team fell one game short from winning the D2-Class AAA title but his work for the entire 2024 season was outstanding and a breakout year that placed him among the best at his position for the #TN2026 recruiting class. Throwing accurate darts throughout the entire year, Cherry was a calm, steady presence behind center for Baylor and a clear leader that pushed the Red Raiders all the way into the title game. For his junior campaign, Cherry threw for 2,718 yards and 31 touchdowns while only tossing 3 interceptions on the season. Opposing defenses had a hard time slowing down Cherry and his offense due to his high football knowledge and ability to place the ball wherever he wanted. I expect the same from Cherry next Fall where he will be a top contender for Mr. Football and our #PRZTN D2-Class AAA player of the year.    - - -   Defensive MVP    The Tigers went into the 2024 season with a defense that had the potential to be elite and I believe it received that status by season's end due to the emergence of Collins and his presence from the Ensworth defensive line. He was able to provide a pass rush that helped balance out the rest of the defense as well as boost his recruiting stock, where he eventually signed with Tennessee State. For his senior season, Collins produced 55 tackles with 12 of them for loss along with 7 sacks and 2 passes defended. While those numbers are solid but not staggering, Collins presence was much bigger and I believe proved to be a game changer on possibly the best defense from the D2-Class AAA ranks last year.    - - -   Lineman MVP    Baylor had an ultra talented offensive line for the 2024 season but Bryson was the leader up front, the constant presence in the middle that played consistently all year long and someone opposing defenders had a hard time dealing with. This future Georgia Tech O-lineman did great work at center last year where he didn't allow any sacks while opening holes for the run game and playing with the kind of physicality needed in the trenches. Bryson was steady all year long. His presence not just in the line was key but also off the field where his leadership was big during his team's run to Chattanooga and the D2-Class AAA title game. Don't be surprised to see Bryson find a role early in his career at Ga Tech and potentially become an All-Conference player that could take his game to the pro ranks one day.    - - -   Coach of the Year    Joel Bradford - McCallie   - Taking over the helm as the head guy for the Blue Tornadoes last year, Coach Bradford had a strong debut where he did his best coaching work in the postseason where he led McCallie to the D2-Class AAA title game and came back home as champion. Even though he had a several college level guys within the roster last year, it wasn't the most talented roster McCallie has put on the field in year's past but Coach Bradford and his staff did an excellent job of playing to their identity and staying together throughout the year to put another “Gold Ball” in their trophy case.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/jbradford.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1633636" style="width:336px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - - - - - - -    Positional MVP's (Class D2-Class AAA)   QB MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='1150055' first='Joseph' last='Derrick'] - Father Ryan: The Fighting Irish had a formidable squad for the 2024 season with Derrick being a major reason why. His play and presence behind center was key last Fall where Derrick threw for 2,385 yards and 25 touchdowns while leading his team to 7 wins and 3-1 within their district.    RB MVP: ‘27 [player_tooltip player_id='1210671' first='David' last='Gabriel-Georges'] - Baylor: Gabriel-Georges earned the 2024 D2-Class AAA Mr. Football after a breakout year where he took over the lead role at running back due to his athleticism, speed and explosive game play. His running style is a game changer that has a bevy of Power Four programs hot on his trail.    WR MVP: ‘26 [player_tooltip player_id='284149' first='Tyreek' last='King'] - Knox. Catholic: The Fighting Irish had some struggles during the 2024 year but it wasn't from the lack of playmaking from this dynamic pass catcher. King put forth a strong junior campaign where he produced 1,062 yards receiving on 49 receptions while scoring 14 touchdowns.    OL MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='219412' first='Chauncey' last='Gooden'] - Lipscomb Academy.: For yet another season with the Mustangs, Gooden was a brick wall that opposing defensive linemen could not handle and now you can see this Mid-TN blocker do his thing in the Big12 at Colorado this coming Fall. Gooden was a road grader that consistently opened holes in the run game while doing a good job in pass pro, keeping his quarterback clean.    DL MVP: ‘26 [player_tooltip player_id='1210664' first='Jayden' last='Arenas-Michel'] - Baylor: Arenas-Michel had a coming out party last Fall where he produced at a high level from the Red Raiders D-line and put himself on the map as a top recruit for the #TN2026 recruiting class. For his junior season, this Canadian native generated 38.5 tackles on the year with 15.5 of them for loss , 7 passes defended and 5 sacks for his junior season.    LB MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='390710' first='Micah' last='Smith'] - Ensworth: The Tigers had an excellent defense for the 2024 season with Smith at the forefront of those efforts. This future MTSU Blue Raider was the team's top playmaker within the defensive front seven that made plays all over the field. He was disruptive in the backfield rushing the passer while also playing in space, making plays versus the pass.    DB MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='219372' first='Carson' last='Lawrence'] - McCallie: The leader for the McCallie ball club in the 2024 season, Lawrence had another strong season where he did a lot of damage on both sides of the ball and was a major component during postseason play that helped lead the Blue Tornado to another state championship.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/dggeorges.webp?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1633640" style="width:407px;height:auto" /></figure>