Preseason Preview: Class 3A/Region 8

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The new kid on the block here, Melrose jumps into this region as the immediate team to beat. The Golden Cats are loaded on defense with a unit that could lead them all the way to the Class 3A state title game. </h2>     3A-Region 8   Bolton Wildcats   Location: Arlington, TN (Shelby Co.)   Head Coach: C.J. Marshall    2024 Finish: 10-3 Overall (7-1 Region)   Top Returning Players: (RB) Desmond Smith, (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='1648760' first='D.J.' last='McNeil'], (DE/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1648762' first='Henry' last='Flowers'], (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1638580' first='Joseph' last='Lawrence'], (QB) Rashad Mackin, (DL) Kim Akins Jr., (OL/DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1675666' first='Joshua' last='Henderson'], ‘27 (WR/S) Tarrell Simpson, ‘28 (Ath) Kaiden White    Team Overview: The Wildcats are a mystery to me as I could see their season going in multiple directions but I do think they are a playoff potential with a lot of room for growth. Glancing through their roster, I see the defense becoming the team strength as the season plays out. They have talent on this side of the ball along with good senior leadership. The defensive line looks strong with veterans leading the way in [player_tooltip player_id='1648760' first='D.J.' last='McNeil'], Kim Akins Jr. and pass rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1648762' first='Henry' last='Flowers']. I see upside with the secondary. It could be young but they are talented. Finding that tackling machine at linebacker could be the missing piece towards the Wildcats having one of the better defenses in this region.    The offense is a different story. Multiple positions need to be resolved during Fall camp then produce at a decent level throughout the football year for this offense to succeed. The quarterback position and the offensive line are two questionable areas right now. The roster shows Rashad Macklin as potentially the guy behind center but I'm also not 100% sure he will be the starter. The O-line looks to be lacking depth, size or talent up front but that could definitely change as we get into the year. The one unit that could be the offensive strength are the running backs. The Cats should have a nice one-two punch with seniors Desmond Smith and [player_tooltip player_id='1638580' first='Joseph' last='Lawrence']. Leaning on the run game could be the way Bolton scores points and finds offensive success. I see a postseason caliber team somewhere within this team but only if the offense can find its identity while defense plays at a high level.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/hflowers2.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1725307" style="width:255px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Douglass Red Devils    Location: Memphis, TN (Shelby Co.)   Head Coach: N/a    2024 Finish: 0-9 Overall (0-7 Region)   Top Returning Players: (RB) A.J. Lloyd, (RB) D'Ierrius Bonds, (LB) Tavion Russell, ‘27 (DB) Eric Miller, ‘27 (RB/LB) Rodarius Shields   Team Overview: It hasn't been happy days around the Douglass football program for several years now and headed into the 2025 season, I don't know if things will change around this Fall. Going through our previews, Douglass is one of those teams that has very little info out there about them, so it's honestly tough to fully judge them headed into the season. Coming off a winless season, the only way to go is up for the Red Devils. Finding a particular recipe that works for both its offense and its defense will be critical towards finding any success this Fall. That recipe could be running the ball and stuffing the run on defense. Play ball control offense while your defense gets physical up front, forcing teams into 3rd and long. We will learn early on who the 2025 Red Devils are and how far they can go throughout the season ahead but getting off the winless snide is certainly a positive move in the right direction.    - - - - -    Hamilton Wildcats    Location: Memphis, TN (Shelby Co.)   Head Coach: Thomas Johnson    2024 Finish: 3-8 Overall (2-5 Region)   Top Returning Players: N/a   Team Overview: A promising 2024 season quickly went down the drain after some mid-year differences and it looks like changes are still taking place at Hamilton as we head into a new football campaign. The Wildcats have a new staff in place under the head coaching of Thomas Johnson but besides him, there isn't much info out there about their roster. There are a lot of unknowns about the Cats going into the 2025 season, so following them early to see who they are and what they could be will be interesting. Looking at the competition within this region, it looks like it will be an uphill battle for Hamilton. You can't throw it out the window that the Wildcats can't make the playoffs but right now, it doesn't look too promising. Fall camp provides an opportunity for this team to come together and potentially turn this program around but a lot of work has to go into that.    - - - - -    Melrose Golden Wildcats   Location: Memphis, TN (Shelby Co.)   Head Coach: Jarrett Morrow - Gerald Morrow    2024 Finish: 12-4 Overall (5-0 Region - Class 4A State Runner-Up)   Top Returning Players: (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1652146' first='Dorien' last='Partee'], (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1653346' first='Darrius' last='Baldwin'], (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1576833' first='Keymond' last='Jones'], (LB/S) [player_tooltip player_id='1598498' first='Braylon' last='Green'], (OL/DT) [player_tooltip player_id='854353' first='Kody' last='Powell'], (LB) Camren Taylor, (OL) Deon Hull, (WR/DB) Mario Rogers, ‘27 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1103458' first='Tavarco' last='Jackson'], ‘27 (Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1587004' first='Gerrard' last='Kaufman'], ‘27 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1580774' first='Carlos' last='Edwards'], ‘27 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1720876' first='Chase' last='Wade'], ‘27 (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1720872' first='Caden' last='Wade'], ‘27 (WR) Jerome Buchanan, ‘27 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1694328' first='Kyle' last='Aldridge'], ‘28 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1037302' first='Thomas' last='Heffner'], ‘28 (LB) Elijah White, ‘28 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1575276' first='Reginald' last='Banks']   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/keyjones.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1677323" style="width:279px;height:auto" /></figure>   Team Overview: New to the Class 3A level, Melrose immediately steps into this classification and region as one of the top overall teams and a squad that could play their way to Chattanooga and come home with a state title. Now that is a tall task for the Golden Wildcats but I think they are equipped to win a lot of ball games and have a special season that might end with a “Gold Ball”. The one question mark about the offense going into the 2025 season was their quarterback but that was settled recently with the addition of sophomore signal caller [player_tooltip player_id='1037302' first='Thomas' last='Heffner']. This 6'2 passer has college potential about himself, so adding him to the backfield could be huge for the Golden Cats. He will have solid skill around him, including possibly the best core of receivers in the greater Memphis area with [player_tooltip player_id='1103458' first='Tavarco' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1580774' first='Carlos' last='Edwards'], Jerome Buchanan and [player_tooltip player_id='1694328' first='Kyle' last='Aldridge']. The biggest area of concern on offense looks to be the O-line. They do have a massive blocker in [player_tooltip player_id='854353' first='Kody' last='Powell'] but I don't know who will be around him.    I think the offense has a chance to be high scoring but I feel it will be the Melrose defense that leads the way. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1587004' first='Gerrard' last='Kaufman'] is one of the best pass rushers coming out of the #TN2027 class. He has the potential for a breakout season. The defensive line around him needs to be situated but they should be fine. It's the secondary where the Golden Cats will have an advantage each game as they are that talented. A recent addition of [player_tooltip player_id='1652146' first='Dorien' last='Partee'] makes this unit even deeper. Partee will be joined on the back end with senior standouts [player_tooltip player_id='1653346' first='Darrius' last='Baldwin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1576833' first='Keymond' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1598498' first='Braylon' last='Green'] to form possibly the best defensive backfield within their region and maybe even the entire state. This defense is definitely championship caliber but so could the offense and if both sides of the ball play up to par, winning this region should be easy and a deep run into the playoffs should be forthcoming.    - - - - -    Memphis East Mustangs   Location: Memphis, TN (Shelby Co.)   Head Coach: Lonnie Johnson    2024 Finish: 6-5 Overall (5-2 Region)   Top Returning Players: (WR) Monterrious McCroy, (LB) Eryion Johnson, (WR) Khylin Arnett, ‘27 (LB) Malik Moore, ‘27 (DE) Cameron George, ‘27 (DT) Mason Oliver, ‘28 (WR) Kendrick Walker, ‘28 (RB) Julian Wright, ‘28 (Ath) Si Dale    Team Overview: An unexpected change at head coach took place in the off-season with the Mustangs, which had a domino effect of top players leaving the program and looking for different pastures. The 2025 season was expected to look a different way but life moves on and so does this program. It's not a total reset at Memphis East as they do return several key players from last year's playoff team, so there is hope the Mustangs can win enough games and return back to postseason play. Finding go-to offensive threats is something the staff must find throughout camp. Looking through the roster, senior Khylin Arnett and junior Kendrick Walker look like the possible top two offensive weapons for the Mustangs this season. Allowing those two and others to go-off on a consistent basis will happen if the O-line is capable. I don't see a lot of talented big men at the moment for East, so developing that offensive line will be critical towards the team's success.    Forming together a physical defense that can get the ball back to the offense has to be important for the staff going through Fall camp. I think the offense is a work in progress as they try to figure out the O-line and who plays quarterback, so the defense will need to be ready to go in “Week Zero” for this team to have a chance at winning ball games. There is a lot to learn and form about this defense but I do see two good pieces up front to possibly build around in juniors Cameron George and Mason Oliver. Finding a way to stop the run will be a good start towards the defense forming into the kind of unit that can place the Mustangs at the top half of this region. I do foresee some struggles early as this team comes together but by the end of the year, the Mustangs should be good enough to place a competitive team onto the field each week and eventually find their way into the playoffs.    - - - - -    Raleigh-Egypt Pharaohs    Location: Memphis, TN (Shelby Co.)   Head Coach: N/a    2024 Finish: 5-5 Overall (3-4 Region)   Top Returning Players: (Ath) Gentry Hines, (RB) Keenan Banks, ‘27 (Ath) Timothy Hill    Team Overview: The Pharaohs are another Memphis area team that is hard to read as they are lacking information about their squad but thing I do know is that this school will be playing football this Fall. This program has been gutted with guys that have transferred out over the years, so it's been tough to gain any ground in building something sustainable. They are coming off a five win season and a playoff berth, so they aren't too far down but this is a new year with a roster that has a lot of unknowns. The region doesn't offer a lot of easy chances either. Fall camp will be critical towards developing this team and putting a product on the field that will be competitive week in and week out. After the first few weeks of the season, we will start to get a better idea on who this 2025 Pharaohs team will be and if they will be stout enough to contend for a playoff spot.    - - - - -    Wooddale Cardinals    Location: Memphis, TN (Shelby Co.)   Head Coach: Aries Nelson    2024 Finish: 3-8 Overall (3-4 Region)   Top Returning Players: (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1606259' first='Brandon' last='Mitchell'], (RB/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1116723' first='Michael' last='White, Jr'], (OL/DT) Tydus Smith, (RB/DB) Eric Brown, (WR/DB) Elijah Burns, ‘27 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1617013' first='Jermaine' last='Johnson'], ‘27 (DB) Cory Taylor, ‘27 (Ath) Henry Twilley, ‘28 (Ath) Amaris Burnside   Team Overview: The Cardinals weren't too competitive last season but maybe it was a teaching year for the team returning in the Fall and a team that has a shot at finishing inside the top four of this region. It's also brand new staff under the direction of Head Coach Aries Nelson and he has some work to do to get his team right and prepared for the season ahead. The strength of this team could be its defense and they will need to be as the offense looks like a work in progress. The Cardinals “D” will be led by talented and underrated linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1606259' first='Brandon' last='Mitchell']. He has help from senior [player_tooltip player_id='1116723' first='Michael' last='White, Jr']. The linebackers look to be the core of the Cardinals defense but the secondary should be solid too. Finding a pass rush will key in camp as I feel that's the one area lacking on this defense right now from becoming top level.    Moving to the offense, the Cardinals staff have to find the right guys and formula that can work for them this season. There are several open roles to be taken in camp, including quarterback. The offensive line must be worked on as well. I don't see a lot of depth or size within this roster, so the O-line may be an area of concern throughout the season. One area that may have some playmakers is receiver and running back. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1617013' first='Jermaine' last='Johnson'] is someone to follow this season as a potential breakout guy. The Cardinals don't have everything you need to compete for championships but they may have enough to reach the playoffs, especially if their defense plays like I think they can.    - - - - -    #PRZTN Preseason Predictions   Predicted Order of Finish   1. Melrose   2. Bolton   3. Memp. East   4. Wooddale   5. Raleigh-Egypt   6. Douglass   7. Hamilton    - - - - -    Preseason Regional Top Honors   Region POY: ‘27 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1103458' first='Tavarco' last='Jackson'] - Melrose   Offensive POY: ‘28 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1037302' first='Thomas' last='Heffner'] - Melrose   Defensive POY: ‘27 (Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1587004' first='Gerrard' last='Kaufman'] - Melrose    Lineman POY: (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='1648760' first='D.J.' last='McNeil'] - Bolton    Coach of the Year: Jarrett Morrow/Gerald Morrow - Melrose    Mr. Football Contenders: ‘27 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1103458' first='Tavarco' last='Jackson'] - Melrose, ‘27 (Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1587004' first='Gerrard' last='Kaufman'] - Melrose, ‘28 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1037302' first='Thomas' last='Heffner'] - Melrose   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/83-Thomas-Heffner.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1297254" style="width:320px;height:auto" /></figure>