Preseason Preview: Class 3A/Region 2

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">This region has a chance to be fun this year as I can see every team here fighting for a playoff spot while also sporting the opportunity to miss postseason play as well. There are a lot of unknowns with this region except one thing and that's who the team to beat is and that's Meigs County.</h2>     3A-Region 2   Austin-East Roadrunners    Location: Knoxville, TN (Knox. Co.)   Head Coach: Stanton Stevens    2024 Finish: 4-8 Overall (2-2 Region)   Top Returning Players: (DE/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='480860' first='D'Andre' last='Hundley'], (OL/DL) Tylee Jackson, (FB/LB) Jarvis Henderson, ‘27 (Ath) Tracey Hughes, ‘27 (S) Jayden Ealy, ‘27 (DL) David Weaver, ‘27 (DL/OL) Akeem DuBose, ‘28 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1646582' first='DiKye'is' last='Towns'], ‘28 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1331359' first='Wan' last='Davis'], ‘28 (Ath) Nymire Jackson   Team Overview: Some of the best raw, athletic talent in this region resides here with Austin-East but taking those abilities and turning them into a winning team has been the toughest thing for this program to accomplish over the past several years. The Roadrunners head into the Fall season with some aspirations at finishing near the top half of this region and to do so, they have to receive exceptional play up front from both their offensive and defensive lines. They have a potential breakout player on defense in [player_tooltip player_id='480860' first='D'Andre' last='Hundley'], who has the capabilities at pacing the 3A classification in sacks. He needs help however, which means opportunity is there for guys like Tylee Jackson, David Weaver and Akeem DuBose to step up and give the Roadrunners a potential strong defensive line.    The defense has a chance to be solid but the coaching staff has to find a way to score points and right now, I don't know if they have the pieces on offense to do so on a consistent basis. They do have a guy in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1646582' first='DiKye'is' last='Towns'] that could flourish at receiver. The Roadrunners just need to find someone suitable at quarterback to get him the ball. Both sides of the ball need development throughout Fall camp but the offense in particular has to find a solid starting five on the O-line and someone behind center to give this team balance with a shot at a winning record. I like the Roadrunners chances at making the playoffs but they could find some struggles as well.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/dhundley.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1708861" style="width:268px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Kingston Yellow Jackets   Location: Kingston, TN (Roane Co.)   Head Coach: Brian Pankey    2024 Finish: 5-6 Overall (3-1 Region)   Top Returning Players: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1606161' first='Taeshaune' last='Hamilton'], ‘27 (WR/S) Brayden Rivers, (RB/LB) Blake Hester, (TE/DE) Alex Feezell, ‘28 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1704644' first='Avery' last='Belitz'], (DT/OL) Maui Smith, (OL) Turner Drewery   Team Overview: The new cast of teams inside this region may provide Kingston a better path towards titles and key placement in the playoffs. Now will that start this season or something to look towards in the future? We shall see as I do see an opportunity for the Yellow Jackets to have a successful 2025 football year but I also see questions that need answered, especially who to know about on this team beyond senior [player_tooltip player_id='1606161' first='Taeshaune' last='Hamilton']. This year's squad looks young with a lot of unknowns but Hamilton is one guy that is established and someone the coaching staff will be leaning on this year for heavy production. Possibly the X-Factor this season could be the emergence at quarterback with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1704644' first='Avery' last='Belitz']. If he performs well, it will allow Hamilton to go-off and give the Yellow Jackets offense balance.   The biggest question I do see with this team is the line of scrimmage. The Yellow Jackets appear to be lacking size and overall depth in the trenches but maybe that changes after Fall camp. I also don't know how equipped the defense will be either. There appears to be a lot of open roles for new guys to step into this season and begin establishing themselves as key players. Going into the season, I can see multiple scenarios for Kingston, where they could finish in the top half of the region or miss the playoffs all together. Much is to be formed during Fall camp and much to learn about the Yellow Jackets over the next several months.    - - - - -    McMinn Central Chargers   Location: Englewood, TN (McMinn Co.)   Head Coach: J.T. Ostrowski    2024 Finish: 6-5 Overall (2-3 Region)   Top Returning Players: (DB) Zymari Clary, (RB/LB) Bradley Mayfield, (WR/S) Jake Goodin, (S) Josiah Haire, (WR/LB) Landyn Giles, (OL) Ryder Moses, (OL/DL) Eli Millsaps, (LB) Hunter Rayborn, (DL) Xevon Johnson, ‘27 (DB/WR) JaMez Moss, ‘27 (QB/WR) Samuel Miller   Team Overview: Over the past few years, growth has been seen in this program, where the Chargers are consistently competing for the playoffs and I believe that will remain the same for the upcoming 2025 season. While I do think this is a postseason caliber squad, I do see plenty of areas within this team that need development. The Chargers return a solid senior core, led by Zymari Clary, Jake Goodin and others that can set the tone early and help guide some youthful talent forward in hopes of competing for the top half of this region. Much like other teams, the Chargers are lacking overall talent and depth in the line of scrimmage and will need to shore that up during Fall camp.    I do see enough skill guys on this year's squad to make a difference but it's the offensive and defensive front along with unknowns at quarterback that leave questions in my head about the Chargers moving forward. Look for rising junior Samuel Miller to take the reins at quarterback and if he is able to provide stability behind center, things could start moving in a positive direction. I do think by the time we reach the midway point of the season, the Chargers should be rounding into form and become a solid ball club that could become a tough out. If the line of scrimmage can be sorted out, I see McMinn Central fighting for a top three spot and becoming a team others might not want to face come playoff season.    - - - - -    Meigs Co. Tigers    Location: Decatur, TN (Meigs Co.)   Head Coach: Nathan Simbeck   2024 Finish: 9-4 Overall (4-1 Region)   Top Returning Players: (OL/DT) Gavyn Withrow, (QB/LB) Tuff Ricker, (WR/S) Brody Goines, (TE/DE) Eli Lamb, (DT/OL) Lucas Hughes, (WR/S) Daniel Mow, ‘27 (OL/DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1708850' first='Peyton' last='Standridge'], ‘27 (WR/DB) Bowen Combs, ‘27 (QB/S) Colt Howard, ‘27 (RB/DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1666758' first='Cornelius' last='Morgan'], ‘27 (LB) Briar Roberts, 28 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1565598' first='Kaiden' last='Brewster'], ‘28 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1590690' first='Ethan' last='Shaver']   Team Overview: One of the more consistent football programs from the East Tennessee region are these Tigers and I expect them to be good yet again this Fall with a deeper team than usual. They return one of the top productive players on the 3A level with two-way talent Tuff Ricker. He should be a Mr. Football candidate going into the season but for the Tigers to be highly successful, Ricker must receive help and I believe he will from a variety of characters. New addition [player_tooltip player_id='1565598' first='Kaiden' last='Brewster'] could develop into one of the top offensive players. The O-line looks good with guys like Gavyn Withrow, Lucas Hughes and junior mauler [player_tooltip player_id='1708850' first='Peyton' last='Standridge'] handling business in the trenches. Potential is there for Meigs Co. to put a high scoring offense on the field this year but their defense must show up on a weekly basis for this program to compete for championships this year.    I see a few good pieces set up for the Tigers defense this Fall and a unit that could be quite strong by the end of the year. Ricker will be a key player but so should be Brody Goines, Eli Lamb, [player_tooltip player_id='1666758' first='Cornelius' last='Morgan'] and Briar Roberts. Those guys along with others should form together a solid defense for the Tigers that help compliment the offense. I do see some areas within this team that need more development in Fall camp but overall, I like the outlook of Meigs Co. this season and their chances at not only winning this region but potentially going on a deep run during postseason play.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/gwithrow.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1708863" style="width:275px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Scott Highlanders   Location: Huntsville, TN (Scott Co.)   Head Coach: Billy Hall    2024 Finish: 1-9 Overall (0-4 Region)   Top Returning Players: (WR/S) Lucas Newport, (RB/LB) Desmond Bowling, (WR/DB) Jaigen Morgan, (RB/WR) Michael Bond, (OL/DT) Hayden Mason, (K/P) Justyn Lynch, ‘27 (QB/DE) Gage Privett, ‘27 (DE/TE) Jasper Frogge, ‘27 (OL/DL) Adam Boles, ‘27 (WR) Isaiah Washam, ‘28 (OL/DL) Jayden Parra   Team Overview: Even though this squad went 1-9 last year and doesn't regularly show up on map as a consistent program, Scott may prove to be the surprise team out of this region this Fall and find themselves in the playoffs by season's end. On paper, the Highlanders have a nice mix of veterans and youthful talent for the upcoming season but don't necessarily have that star, a known name. They do have a senior core of skill players in Lucas Newport, Desmond Bowling and Jaigen Morgan that can become go-to offensive weapons. For those three to shine, they need solid quarterback play and an offensive line that has a lot of unknowns to form together and provide physical play up front.    The offense could become solid with the development of two-way talent Gage Privett. This junior has the inside route to handle quarterback duties this season while also being a key player on defense that will be expected to produce at a high level. The Highlanders must find others on defense alongside Privett, especially at linebacker and in the secondary. The defensive line may be ok, especially if guys like Jasper Frogge and Adam Boles take steps forward in their games. I'm kind of bullish on the Highlanders this season and their chances at finishing within the top four of this region. I still think it will be a challenge to get there but this Scott team may be a little better than year's past, so the playoffs are a possibility.    - - - - -    Sweetwater Wildcats    Location: Sweetwater, TN (Monroe Co.)   Head Coach: Tommy Bunch   2024 Finish: 3-7 Overall (1-4 Region)   Top Returning Players: (Ath) Jeremiah Parris, (DT/OL) Ayden Steffa, (OL/DL) Hayden Osborne, ‘27 (QB) Nolan Dacus, ‘27 (OL/DT) Corbin Nile, ‘27 (RB) Ty Fitch, ‘28 (WR/DB) Kaeden Grabowski    Team Overview: It's been a struggle over the past several years for the Wildcats program and I'm unsure going into the 2025 season if things will be any different. Looking through this roster, I see a lot of holes that need to be sorted out and even if they are, I don't know if the Cats have enough depth or talent to contend with the top teams out of this region. One position that appears solidified is quarterback where junior Nolan Dacus is ready to run the show. Having Dacus behind center is a good start in the right direction for Sweetwater but the coaching staff must find talent around him, both at the skill positions and on the offensive line. Junior running back Ty Fitch could develop into a nice piece from the backfield that is able to establish a solid rushing attack for the Wildcats.    The offense might have a few pieces to build around in Dacus and Fitch but for the defense, it's lacking name power right now or guys who don't immediately jump off the page, except for senior Jeremiah Parris. The Wildcats are in need of playmakers at all three levels, so opportunity sits in Fall camp for new guys to step forward and claim starting roles. One guy that sticks out to me as a potential force on the D-line is junior Corbin Nile. Depending on how things form together over the next few weeks, Sweetwater could yet again be facing a bottom tier finish in this region but that's why we play the games as you never know what can happen, so opportunity is there for the Wildcats to surprise and fight for a playoff spot.    - - - - -    #PRZTN Preseason Predictions   Predicted Order of Finish   1. Meigs Co.   2. Kingston   3. McMinn Central   4. Austin-East   5. Scott   6. Sweetwater    - - - - -    Preseason Regional Top Honors   Region POY: (QB/LB) Tuff Ricker - Meigs Co.   Offensive POY: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1606161' first='Taeshuane' last='Hamilton'] - Kingston   Defensive POY: (DE) [player_tooltip player_id='480860' first='D'Andre' last='Hundley'] - Austin-East   Lineman POY: (OL/DT) Gavyn Withrow - Meigs Co.   Coach of the Year: Nathan Simbeck - Meigs Co.    Mr. Football Contenders: (QB/LB) Tuff Ricker - Meigs Co., (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1606161' first='Taeshaune' last='Hamilton'] - Kingston   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/taehamilton.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1708866" style="width:261px;height:auto" /></figure>