Scouting The State: Washington County

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Deep in the region of East Tennessee, this county has three programs that are all on different levels but present rosters that could allow some big things to happen during the upcoming Fall season. Here we breakdown those schools and provide a brief overview on what to expect this Fall. </h2>     Daniel Boone Trailblazers    Head Coach: Jeremy Jenkins   Top Returning Players   (TE/DE) Jude Hensley (6'1 190) - A multi year starter for the Blazers, Hensley returns as one of the more experienced two-way prospects that will be expected to expand his role further this Fall. His play on the line will be critical towards his team's success this year and if he blossoms, playing college ball could be a possibility.    (OG/C) Sam Alsalim (6'0 250) - The leader up front in the O-line for the Blazers is Alsalim and he is a big component in the trenches this Fall that will be leaned upon to open holes for the run game. If Alsalim can add more weight to his body for this coming season, it would help a ton for not just the team but his overall game and potential recruitment.    (RB/DB) Dillon Murphy (5'11 163) - Murphy has a chance to be one of the top playmakers for his Blazers team this season. Going both ways in the backfield and the secondary, Murphy will be expected to produce and maintain strong play throughout the entire season, especially if the Blazers want to sniff the playoffs.    - - -    Underclassmen to Watch   ‘27 (RB) Dru Fleming (6'0 188) - This rising junior could be a game changer the Blazers need and someone that could help his team find success throughout the upcoming season. Fleming looks to take over the lead role at running back while also contributing on defense at linebacker. If he steps up like I think he can, the Blazers could work themselves into postseason play.    ‘27 (WR/S) Quinlan Held (5 '10 165) - Held will have a big opportunity in front of him this Fall to become the team's top go-to target out wide as well as be one of their top performers in the secondary. The Blazers junior looks to have the athleticism and speed to make a difference but someone has to get him the ball.    - - -    Team Overview: The Trailblazers are in-flux when it comes to their overall standards. Coming off a winless season, there is nowhere to go but up and the 2025 season provides an opportunity for this East Tennessee program to turn things around. What I see within the 2025 roster is a chance for new guys to step forward and become key contributors and starters for the Trailblazers. Whoever steps up will be led by seniors Jude Hensley and offensive lineman Sam Alsalim. Both sides of the ball need to establish physicality in the trenches and that may be a good starting point to get this program turned around.    I still think it will be an uphill battle for Daniel Boone as the roster doesn't look too deep with no real star players, at least for the moment. One guy to keep an eye on is Dru Fleming. This rising junior could be the playmaker needed to make a difference within the 2025 team. Everything is up in the air right now with Trailblazers as there is much to learn about this year's team but like I said earlier, they are working with a blank slate, so anything positive is a good sign for this program.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/dfleming.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1651072" style="width:277px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - - - - - - -    David Crocket Pioneers   Head Coach: Hayden Chandley    Top Returning Players   (OL/DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1646457' first='Devon' last='Sanders'] (6'3 275) - The Pioneers could have a solid O-line for the Fall season with Sanders being one their stalwarts up front. This senior big man has good size along with solid athleticism to make a difference in the trenches, both helping open holes for the run game while providing the occasional pass protection.    (OL) Tyler Ball (6'4 280) - Ball might be the Pioneers top college prospect with a lot of it due to his look/size as well as his O-line versatility. Everything points towards Ball handling tackle but his college future may reside inside at center or guard.    (RB/LB) Sam Casey (6'0 180) - Much will be expected with Casey to perform at a high level this year, providing excellent play on both sides of the ball. The Pioneers backer will take carries at running back but it may be his play on defense that could be most critical towards the team's success.    (DB) Shawn Summers (6'0 170) - Summers is one of the more athletic guys returning for the Pioneers this Fall and someone that will be needed to make big plays at receiver while also locking things down in the secondary. Sporting good size with room to add more weight, Summers has a chance to make a name for himself this Fall and boost his recruiting stock.    - - -    Underclassmen to Watch   ‘27 (QB/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1646456' first='A.J.' last='Wynn'] (6'0 195) - The leadership and game play from Wynn this season could provide the most impact on this Pioneers team when it comes to winning or losing. His play on both sides of the ball will be key but it may be his work at quarterback that dictates how the 2025 season goes for him and his team.    ‘27 (G/C) Aiden Carpenter (6'1 265) - The linchpin in the middle of the Pioneers offensive line is this junior that has a chance to establish himself as one of the better interior blockers coming out of his region this year. Even though he has veterans around him up front, I fully expect Carpenter to step up as a major contributor and team leader.    ‘27 (S) Marckis Carrier (6'1 165) - Playing both ways for his Pioneers team, Carrier is a talented prospect that could have a future on the college stage at safety. Sporting good height and length, Carrier could develop nicely through the coming Fall season as a ball hawk and someone worth looking into for the next level.    ‘28 Darnell Powell (6'3 180) - There is much to learn about this rising sophomore over the coming years. Powell is a physically gifted football prospect that has the college size and the upside to reach the next level but he has yet to make an impact. This Fall season should be his 1st opportunity to step forward into a bigger role and begin establishing himself as the team's top college prospect.    - - -    Team Overview: The 2024 season was a good step in the right direction for the Pioneers program but there was a lot of meat left on the bone as they finished the year at 4-6 with a 1st round loss in the playoffs. A good chunk of the talent from last year returns this Fall and it may lead to a potential region championship, especially if everything goes right and everybody stays healthy. The area which speaks towards a potential successful season is the play up front in the Pioneers offensive line. Between Sanders, Ball, Carpenter and others, the Pioneers should be strong in the trenches that keeps their quarterback clean and paves the road for their ball carriers.    Defensively is where I wanna see improvement and I'm curious to see how things turn out in this area. If the Pioneers can shore things up on defense, I think this could be a sleeper team that does well in their region and could pick up a few wins in the playoffs. All will depend on the emergence of Wynn at quarterback, the consistency up front with the O-line and probably more importantly, a better defensive unit that gets off the field. I like some of the pieces within this Pioneers team but there is still much to learn moving forward.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/ajwynn.webp?w=430" alt="" class="wp-image-1651075" style="width:294px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - - - - - - -    Science Hill Hilltoppers    Head Coach: Stacy Carter    Top Returning Players   (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1577633' first='Lane' last='Clement'] (6'4 205) - Clement is new to the Toppers program but a huge addition in their chances at winning their region and competing for a 6A title. He is that good! Clement has some of the best arm talent I've seen from the #TN2026 class. This is a future college gunslinger that should make a huge impact on the Toppers team this season.    (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='491463' first='Aiden' last='Perry'] (5'11 185) - One of the more underrated talents we have from the #TN2026 class, Perry is a fast and explosive ball carrier that can be a game changer for his Toppers offense. His ability to quickly into open space becomes a problem for the opposition. Perry is a home run hitter that doesn't need much space to break loose and find the end zone.    (DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1633934' first='Haiden' last='Cox'] (6'2 270) - Cox had himself a breakout year last season as a junior, where he established himself as one of the top college prospects coming out of his team's region. The Toppers big man shows good work getting out of his stance quickly and off blocks as he searches for the ball carrier or getting after the quarterback.    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1646496' first='Brayden' last='Austin'] (6'3 225) - Sporting good size and talent that could lead him into the college game, Austin can be a difference maker off the edge for his Toppers defense. This senior backer shows good athleticism, physicality and speed along with versatility to potentially work the middle as well, if needed.    Other Vets to Know: (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1646479' first='Ahsan' last='Ewing'], (G/C) Aidan Taylor, (DT/OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1751827' first='J.B.' last='Gentry'], (G/C) Trenton Hughes, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='347379' first='Ian' last='Mathes']    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/85-Lane-Clement-rotated-e1736532020177.jpg?w=911" alt="" class="wp-image-1598750" style="width:248px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - -    Underclassmen to Watch   ‘27 (RB/LB) Nalique Anderson (6'1 200) - Anderson has a shot to be the next great linebacker to come out of the Hilltoppers program. Looking the part of a college guy, this junior defender shows excellent burst and speed towards the ball along with the violence approach needed at linebacker.    ‘27 (DL) Jacob Horne (6'5 230) - Horne is an interesting talent that I have much to learn about throughout the next year as he brings good size and physical traits to the field that shows college upside. Depending on how he moves and grows into his body, Horne is a candidate to develop nicely on the D-line or possibly build himself into an offensive tackle prospect.    ‘27 (WR/S) [player_tooltip player_id='1646491' first='Branson' last='Newberry'] (5'11 165) - This rising junior may turn out to be the team's top go-to receiver for the Fall season due to his athleticism and ability to get open. Newberry is one of the team's best two-way players that will be expected to step up his game in a big way where he handles the lead role at receiver while making tackles in the secondary.    Others to Know: (RB) Darren Hill, Jr, (G/C) Mason Whitehead, (OL/DT) Sawyer Necessary, (LB) Hayden Smith    - - -   Team Overview: Could the 2025 season be a special year for the Hilltoppers? I think it's very possible, especially with the addition of Clement behind center and Perry taking carries in the backfield. The Toppers offense has the makings to be quite explosive and one of the better units coming out of the East-TN region this Fall. What will help the cause is the Toppers O-line. They have a veteran core returning this year that should allow Clement enough time to push the ball down field and for Perry to run through clean lanes into the open field.    Over on defense, this year's unit will be a little different due to replacing key starters but I still think this side of the ball will be good enough to keep their team in games. They got a few studs on defense in Cox, Austin, Anderson and Horne that should become standout performers. Everything hinges on Clement and the O-line this season. If they perform well, watch out! This appears like a well balanced team with some college level guys on both sides of the ball that can lead the Hilltoppers towards a region title and potentially a deep run in the playoffs.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/bnewberry.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1651078" style="width:257px;height:auto" /></figure>