#TNHSFB Preview: Class 1A/Region 4

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The team to beat out of this region is Clay Co. but the Red Devils of Jo Byrns could have something to say about it this year. It's a small region but one that could be interesting to follow throughout the 2025 football season. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clay Co. Bulldogs&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Celina, TN (Clay Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Bruce Lamb</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Finish: </strong>10-3 overall (3-0 Region)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returning Players: </strong>(LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1543010' first='Reece' last='Adams']</strong>, (WR/S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599884' first='Nolan' last='Adams']</strong>, (S/LB) <strong>Cole Eads</strong>, (WR/DB) <strong>Waylon Cherry</strong>, (LB) <strong>Bryson Sharp</strong>, (DT/OL) <strong>Kolton Brown&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Overview: </strong>Coming off a successful 2024 campaign that saw the Bulldogs earn a region title, this year's team will be a bit different but still have enough fire power to reign yet again. The biggest reason that the Bulldogs could be the team to beat within this region is the return of Adam's brothers. Linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1543010' first='Reece' last='Adams'] </strong>is a hidden gem that plays hard and fast while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599884' first='Nolan' last='Adams'] </strong>is strong athletically that brings upside for receiver or safety. Both these guys are game changers on the 1A level that opposing teams will have to focus on to slow down.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The stars are in place for the Bulldogs to win ball games but to contend for championships, new starters must step forward and shine. Finding contributors and beef up front will be key to the team's succession this Fall. I think if the Bulldogs can find consistent play in the trenches, another 10 win season is possible. The Adam's brothers must stay healthy while others like Eads, Cherry and more must contribute to remain at the top but I think all will go according to plan with the Bulldogs reaching postseason play yet again.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Innovation Academy Sentinels&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Springfield, TN (Robertson Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Frank Matherly&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Finish: </strong>0-9 overall (No Region Play)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returning Players: </strong>(OL/DL) <strong>Calvin Dillard</strong>, (WR/DB) <strong>Caleb Perry</strong>, (RB/LB) <strong>Matthew Stewart</strong>, ‘28 (DB) <strong>Kyzaiah White</strong>, ‘28 (RB) <strong>Javari Dunn</strong>, ‘28 (OL/DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1701430' first='Isaac' last='Lane']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Overview: </strong>The Sentinels have been placed inside a region for the 2025 season that will place them in the playoffs but how good will they be for the coming Fall football season? There is much to learn about this young program and a lot of growth to come. Innovation Academy is new on the scene but has a great opportunity on the 1A level to build something and it's not like they are lacking a few talented players to build around. Their rising sophomore class of <strong>Kyzaiah White</strong>, <strong>Javari Dunn </strong>and others show potential and show a nice building block for this program to eventually do some damage on the 1A playing stage. The 2025 season might be more learning on the job for the Sentinels but being in a four team region allows them a spot in postseason play and a chance to grow their program.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jo Byrns Red Devils</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Cedar Hill, TN (Robertson Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Justin Robison</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Finish: </strong>3-8 overall (1-2 Region)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returning Players: </strong>(WR/S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1635622' first='Clay' last='Woody']</strong>, (RB/LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1676844' first='Kaveon' last='Broxton']</strong>, (QB/S) <strong>Luke Miller</strong>, ‘27 (OL) <strong>Leonel Valdez</strong>, ‘27 (OL) <strong>Adam Lankford</strong>, ‘27 (LB) <strong>Thomas Sherrell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Overview: </strong>The sleeper to contend with Clay Co. for the region title are the Red Devils. They return a solid senior core along with nice up and coming youthful pieces that could form into a formidable team on the 1A level this year. There is some skill on offense that could be tough to deal with in Woody, Broxton and Miller. All three of those guys are key players on defense as well. Recently landing an offer from Bethel, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1635622' first='Clay' last='Woody'] </strong>is the team's top playmaker that will be expected to produce big at both receiver and safety. Broxton could have a big year too, especially if the Red Devils O-line forms together and performs at a high level. I do think this team could be lacking in overall depth to make a deep playoff run but they just might have enough talent to take this region. It will be tough because Clay Co. won't hand it over but Jo Byrns has a shot.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Red Boiling Springs Bulldogs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Red Boiling Springs, TN (Macon Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Derek Meador&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Finish: </strong>2-9 overall (0-3 Region)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returning Players: </strong>(Ath) <strong>Houston Taylor</strong>, ‘27 (OL) <strong>Aiden Barr</strong>, ‘27 (S) <strong>Jerry Clark</strong>, ‘27 (WR/S) <strong>Logan Eckhardt</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Overview: </strong>The Bulldogs are coming off a tough year where they went winless within the region and the 2025 season may be much of the same. Lacking overall depth and marquee talent, Red Boiling Springs may have an uphill battle against teams in this region that have gotten better with a team that has a lot of unknowns headed into the Fall. One good thing for this team is that opportunity is there for players to step forward and establish themselves as top performers. The Bulldogs coaching staff I'm sure will be working their guys hard to find those players that want to be leaders and top guys. We will see how things play out. Red Boiling Springs will make the playoffs due to the region being small but producing more than two wins will be a move in the right direction.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#PRZTN Pre-season Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Predicted Order of Finish</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Clay Co.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Jo Byrns</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Innovation Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Red Boiling Springs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pre-season Regional Top Honors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region POY: </strong>(LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1543010' first='Reece' last='Adams'] - Clay Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offensive POY: </strong>(WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599884' first='Nolan' last='Adams'] - Clay Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive POY: </strong>(LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1543010' first='Reece' last='Adams'] - Clay Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lineman POY: </strong>‘27 (OL/DL) <strong>Adam Lankford - Jo Byrns</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach of the Year: Justin Robison - Jo Byrns</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mr. Football Contenders: </strong>(LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1543010' first='Reece' last='Adams'] </strong>- Clay Co., (WR/S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599884' first='Nolan' last='Adams'] </strong>- Clay Co., (WR/S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1635622' first='Clay' last='Woody'] </strong>- Jo Byrns</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1677041,"width":"249px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/cwoody.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1677041" style="width:249px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->