Preseason Preview: Class 2A/Region 1

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">This is a small region with only four teams but it should be competitive with South Greene sitting on top as the team to beat as they sport multiple players with college aspirations. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2A-Region 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cumberland Gap Panthers&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Cumberland Gap, TN (Claiborne Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Nick Nash&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Finish: </strong>0-10 Overall (0-5 Region)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returning Players: </strong>(WR/S) <strong>Hunter Gibson</strong>, (OL/DT) <strong>Daltyn Smith</strong>, ‘27 (DL/OL) <strong>Jacob Claggett</strong>, ‘27 (WR/S) <strong>Benson Hensley</strong>, ‘27 (WR/S) <strong>Aiden Peters</strong>, ‘27 (OL/DL) <strong>Cooper Muncy</strong>, ‘27 (RB/LB) <strong>Curtis Hunley</strong>, ‘28 (RB/S) <strong>Hunter Ellison</strong>, ‘28 (QB) <strong>Kole Carter</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Overview: </strong>Going into the 2025 season, the Panthers have nowhere to go but up, especially coming off a winless season last year. It's a new campaign at Cumberland Gap with an opportunity to right some wrongs and turn this program around. Sitting inside a region of four teams, the Panthers will automatically reach postseason play but they would like to produce multiple wins and position themself as a top seed as much as possible. Depth in the trenches is where the Panthers are lacking but they have a few guys in Smith, Claggett and Muncy to lean on and hopefully build around. There are also a few skill guys in <strong>Hunter Gibson</strong>, <strong>Benson Hensley</strong> and <strong>Aiden Peters </strong>that could develop into difference makers at the skill positions. I see a few pieces within the Panthers that could help them get out of the cellar and into the top two within this region. Much development is needed though, so watching this team perform early on in the season will go a long way towards seeing if the Panthers have improved and pushed their program forward.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1695022,"width":"188px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/hgibson.jpg?w=701" alt="" class="wp-image-1695022" style="width:188px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Claiborne County Sports Zone </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Happy Valley Warriors&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Elizabethton, TN (Carter Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Chris Wells&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Finish: </strong>7-2 Overall (4-1 Region)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returning Players: </strong>(G/C) <strong>Nic Primeau</strong>, ‘27 (LB) <strong>Mason Norman</strong>, ‘27 (WR) <strong>Andrew Parker</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Overview: </strong>We don't have a lot of info regarding the Warriors headed into the 2025 season but I do know they had a very successful year last Fall and I'm sure they would like to replicate those efforts. The Warriors are already penciled in for the playoffs being inside a four team region but I bet their goal is to win the region, however it won't be easy, especially after losing some key players from last year. This is a run based program that will lean on their backfield while their defense plays technique sound football. If the Warriors can play mistake free football, play physically in the line of scrimmage while the defense gets off the field on a consistent basis, fighting for a region title isn't out of the realm of possibility.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Greene Rebels</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Greeneville, TN (Greene Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Shawn Jones&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Finish: </strong>8-2 Overall (5-0 Region)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returning Players: </strong>(OL/DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1597029' first='Heath' last='Norton']</strong>, (RB) <strong>Nash Rader</strong>, (G/C) <strong>Zachary Bledsoe</strong>, (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1709701' first='Lucas' last='Couch']</strong>, (WR/LB) <strong>Charlie Lane</strong>, (DT/OL) <strong>Jovan Pendleton</strong>, (K/P) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1571451' first='Brant' last='Wilhoit']</strong>, ‘27 (Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1695008' first='Tripp' last='Neas']</strong>, ‘27 (DB) <strong>Shawn Ownby&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Overview: </strong>The Rebels head into the 2025 season as the team to beat in this region. They return a solid core group of seniors that should bring another region title home and place themselves with a high seed once we reach postseason play. One area that sets the Rebels apart from their regional competition is the beef up front. They have a solid O-line, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1597029' first='Heath' last='Norton'] </strong>and <strong>Zachary Bledsoe </strong>along with a strong defensive front, spearheaded by Norton and senior <strong>Jovan Pendleton</strong>. The Rebels also have a star back in <strong>Nash Rader </strong>that could be in the mix for Mr. Football by the end of the season. The recipe of running the ball and playing physical defense remains the same for this team for the ‘25 season. New depth will need to be found with the Rebel underclassmen but I expect this East TN program to remain at the top of this region and be a sleeper to go on a strong playoff run.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1695020,"width":"283px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/southgreene-crop-474x311-1750531679.jpg?w=473" alt="" class="wp-image-1695020" style="width:283px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Greene Buffaloes&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Mosheim, TN (Greene Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Evan Monroe&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Finish: </strong>3-7 Overall (1-4 Region)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returning Players: </strong>(DE) <strong>Ethan White</strong>, (OL/DT) <strong>Caidyn Fortner</strong>, (OL) <strong>Leland Payne</strong>, (TE) <strong>Johnathan Tucker</strong>, ‘27 (RB) <strong>Thomas Cogsdell</strong>, ‘27 (S) <strong>Hayden Jennings</strong>, (S/WR) <strong>Mathew Harral</strong>, ‘27 (RB/LB) <strong>Shawn Bailey</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Overview: </strong>The best competitor to dethrone South Greene from the top of this region could be the Buffaloes. This Greene County program returns some solid pieces within the trenches and some up and coming skill players that could help the Buffaloes contend for first place. A big factor this season will be the Buffaloes finding a quarterback to steady things on offense and behind center. I believe the Buffaloes will be good at running the ball with a solid O-line paving the way for junior back <strong>Thomas Cogsdell</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finding a complimentary passing game could take the West Greene offense to another level. The defense should be solid, especially with <strong>Ethan White </strong>disrupting things up front. The secondary shows potential as well with rising juniors <strong>Hayden Jennings </strong>and <strong>Mathew Harral </strong>leading the way. More depth is needed across the board for West Greene to compete for the top spot and take themselves on a deep run in the playoffs. Remaining healthy is key as well. I do like what I see from the Buffaloes for the 2025 season, so it will be interesting to see if they live up to my expectations of them.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#PRZTN Preseason Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Predicted Order of Finish</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. South Greene</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. West Greene</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Cumberland Gap</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Happy Valley&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Regional Top Honors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region POY: </strong>(RB) <strong>Nash Rader </strong>- South Greene&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offensive POY: </strong>(RB) <strong>Nash Rader </strong>- South Greene&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive POY: </strong>(DE) <strong>Ethan White </strong>- West Greene&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lineman POY: </strong>(OL/DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1597029' first='Heath' last='Norton'] </strong>- South Greene&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach of the Year: Shawn Jones </strong>- South Greene&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mr. Football Contenders: </strong>(RB) <strong>Nash Rader </strong>- South Greene, (OL/DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1597029' first='Heath' last='Norton'] </strong>- South Greene, (WR/S) <strong>Hunter Gibson </strong>- Cumberland Gap, ‘27 (RB) <strong>Thomas Cogsdell </strong>- West Greene</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1690578,"width":"221px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/prztn.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1690578" style="width:221px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->