Preseason Preview: Class 4A/Region 5

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Marshall Co. goes into the 2025 season as the clear favorite in this region as they bring back the 4A Mr. Football winner from last year along with a nice mix of veteran and youthful talent. We have a new program in this region as well with Battle Creek, who won't be eligible until next year. </h2>     4A-Region 5   Battle Creek Grizzlies   Location: Spring Hill, TN (Williamson Co.)   Head Coach: Justin Burum    2024 Finish: First year of existence    Top Players: ‘27 (QB) Brodie Orton, ‘27 (WR) Blaise Meyers, ‘27 (RB) Zay Williams, ‘28 (WR/S) Braeden Fortune, ‘28 (WR/DB) Stanley Williams Jr., ‘28 (WR/DB) Brody Swoish, ‘28 (Ath) Peyton Smith, ‘28 (TE/DE) Simon Maurer, ‘28 (RB) J'Shean Brown, ‘28 (Ath) Landon Crawford, ‘28 (Ath) Damaris Turner, ‘28 (WR/LB) Jackson Wells   Team Overview: This Fall season will be the first year of existence on the football field for Battle Creek, a new school located in Spring Hill, Tennessee that will be playing a full JV schedule this year. The Grizzlies have a long way to go before they can start winning consistently or competing for region titles as depth needs to be grown. Everybody on their roster this Fall will either be juniors, sophomores or freshmen, so much like the school itself, this football team will be youthful, so it makes sense why they are playing JV ball this year. The Grizzlies will officially play a full varsity schedule starting next year but for the 2025 campaign, it's about growing and learning on the job. One early positive about this program is that it sits in a good area of the state that should provide this program enough talent over the years to eventually compete at the top in this region. This should be a solid football program over time but for now, it's about baby steps and moving everything in the right direction.    - - - - -    Creek Wood Red Hawks    Location: Charlotte, TN (Dickson Co.)   Head Coach: Houston Thiel    2024 Finish: 7-4 Overall (4-3 Region)   Top Returning Players: (RB/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='866740' first='Xavier' last='Knight'], (RB/LB) Landon Agosto, (OL/DT) Colen Ashworth, (OL/DL) Ashton Tippet, ‘27 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='932844' first='Ben' last='Singleton'], ‘27 (LB) Kylan Armstrong, ‘27 (OL/DT) Ryan Bledsoe, ‘27 (LB) Caden Hartley, ‘28 (RB/LB) Brian Sanchez, ‘28 (OL/DT) Kaleb Heath   Team Overview: The Redhawks football program appears to be on the rise, especially coming off a seven win season last year with four regional wins. Several players from that team return for the 2025 football year but do the Red Hawks have enough overall talent to contend for a top two regional spot. They certainly have a chance due to a nice one-two combo in the backfield with junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='932844' first='Ben' last='Singleton'] and senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='866740' first='Xavier' last='Knight']. Those two are the top talents on this roster that have to perform well for the Red Hawks to have a successful season. They need help however, especially from their O-line, which does have three good pieces up front in Colen Ashworth, Ashton Tippet and junior Ryan Bledsoe. Potential is there for the Red Hawks to have a potent rushing attack that can keep the clock in their favor while allowing their defense to stay fresh.    Speaking of the Red Hawks defense, this side of the ball needs some work throughout Fall camp to find their identity. Depth and overall talent is lacking on defense right now for Creek Wood but that can certainly change over the next few months. The team strength on this side of the ball appears to the Red Hawks linebackers. It's a veteran core, led by Knight and fellow senior Landon Agosto and rising junior Caden Hartley that could do a lot of damage this year stopping the run. Helping that cause will need to be a defensive front that is missing the size right now to stuff the middle. There is a lot of unknown as well with the Creek Wood secondary. The defense has to come together and play good football on a consistent basis for the Red Hawks to contend for a top three region spot and a postseason berth.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/xknight.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1742182" style="width:253px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Marshall Co. Tigers    Location: Lewisburg, TN (Marshall Co.)   Head Coach: Thomas Osteen   2024 Finish: 12-1 Overall (7-0 Region)   Top Returning Players: (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1422897' first='Tyler' last='Thompson'], (WR/DB) [player_tooltip player_id='492600' first='Kel' last='Hightower'], (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1671580' first='Marshall' last='Lamberes'], (DB) Mylan Bell, (DE/LB) Zeshawn Swaggerty, (S) Tayshawn Jones, (G/C) Gavin Johnson, (LB) Tyler Railling, (DE/OL) Bowen Porch, ‘27 (WR/S) Davion Stanley, ‘27 (DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1583156' first='Mylan' last='Morris'], ‘27 (TE/DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1648945' first='Marks' last='Mitchell'], ‘28 (LB) Gary Marler, ‘28 (QB) Keegan Brocchini, ‘28 (Ath) J.J. Jackson, ‘28 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1885826' first='Tot' last='Gardner'], ‘28 (DB) Kadonhus McFarland   Team Overview: The clear cut favorite to take this region are these Tigers, who have a returning Mr. Football winner and a lot of parts back from a twelve win football team. The staff is having to replace multiple key starters from last year but having quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1422897' first='Tyler' last='Thompson'] back behind center is massive in their hopes of going on a deep playoff run. Thompson will do his thing as he is as calm and poised as you will find in this state but new performers must be found at receiver and running back to help him out. Senior two-way prospect [player_tooltip player_id='492600' first='Kel' last='Hightower'] or junior tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1648945' first='Marks' last='Mitchell'] could both develop into his go-to guy. His athleticism and speed can be problems for the opposition. The O-line should be good yet again, led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1671580' first='Marshall' last='Lamberes'] and Gavin Johnson. Knowing how this program works, they will find the right guys needed at their open spots and with Thompson at the helm, all should be fine with the Tigers offense.    The defense may have a few open roles compared to their offense but I do see potential here. The secondary is where the most must be replaced but having Hightower back there helps the cause. Look for senior Tayshawn Jones and junior Davion Stanley to take on bigger roles on the back end. The defensive strength could turn out to be their line. The Tigers are needing a replacement for one of the best of all-time but do return some key guys up front like [player_tooltip player_id='1583156' first='Mylan' last='Morris'], Zeshawn Swaggerty and Bowen Porch. Morris in particular is one to watch for with a big breakout junior season. The culture is strong around the Tigers program right now, so I expect everything to fall in place for Marshall County to not only win this region but go on a potential deep run in the playoffs with a shot at making it to Chattanooga.    - - - - -    Montgomery Central Indians   Location: Cunningham, TN (Montgomery Co.)   Head Coach: Wyatt Page    2024 Finish: 2-8 Overall (2-5 Region)   Top Returning Players: (TE/DE) Caden McLean, (WR/S) Wesley Mobley, ‘27 (LB) Cayden Rasch, ‘27 (OL/DT) Aiden Buckley, ‘27 (Ath) Maddox Bryant, ‘27 (DE/OL) Eli Cline, ‘27 (WR/LB) Logan Plouse, ‘27 (OL/DT) Hunter Mitchell, ‘27 (RB/LB) Malosi Laban, ‘27 (WR/S) Grant Otte   Team Overview: Coming off a two win season, the Indians coaching staff and players are looking to move things in the right direction and it's possible they do that, however it won't be easy. Both sides of the ball appear to be lacking all the pieces needed to win this region but I think if some top guys perform well and new players step forward, Montgomery Central could finish in second or third place. The offense has to find someone to run the show behind center. The quarterback position is unknown right now as is all the skill positions and a bare offensive line. The offense definitely needs a lot of work in Fall camp to establish who the go-to guys are while finding the right set of five to handle things up front.    For the Indians to have a successful season, their defense must lead the way. This side of the ball needs work too like the offense but I do see some hope. There are some potential standout players over here with linebacker Cayden Rasch becoming the top guy sporting upside to possibly reach the next level. Senior defensive end Caden McLean must play strong this year up front to allow Rasch and others to make tackles while providing the occasional pass rush. Junior Eli Cline is another guy to watch getting after the quarterback. The secondary needs some development but maybe senior Wesley Mobley can provide sound play and veteran leadership on the back end. There is a lot of work that must be accomplished for the Indians to compete week in and week out but finishing in the top three with a playoff spot can definitely happen.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/montcentral.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1742185" style="width:283px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Spring Hill Raiders   Location: Spring Hill, TN (Maury Co.)   Head Coach: Joshua Taylor (Interim)   2024 Finish: 2-8 Overall (1-5 Region)   Top Returning Players: (S) [player_tooltip player_id='1599130' first='Reeves' last='Gill'], (DT/OL) Rashaud Cooper, ‘27 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1261066' first='Lionel' last='Brooks'], ‘27 (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1896221' first='Landon' last='Hill'], ‘27 (WR) Luca Firriolo, ‘27 (OL) Isaiah Ruth-Santos, ‘27 (OL) Jackson Brown, ‘27 (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1209436' first='Jackson' last='Taylor']   Team Overview: This program is in transitional mode over the next year as the Raiders are being led by an interim head coach right now, who could become the full time guy eventually but we won't know that till the end of the season. What the Raiders team and coaching staff can look forward to is new life on the 4A level where Spring Hill can become a solid football program one day and eventually compete for region titles. They may be a little better this season as well and be able to add more than two wins compared to last year. The offense should be centered around [player_tooltip player_id='1261066' first='Lionel' last='Brooks'] and the Raiders rushing attack. This junior ball carrier shows college talent on film and he should have a solid O-line to block for him with [player_tooltip player_id='1896221' first='Landon' last='Hill'], Isaiah Ruth-Santos and Jackson Brown. The quarterback position looks unsettled at the moment but will definitely have to get figured out by the start of the season.    I think the offense will be ahead of the Raiders defense starting in Week One as this side of the ball is lacking talent in multiple areas, so work must be done. Spring Hill does have two solid seniors to build around in Rashaud Cooper on the D-line and safety [player_tooltip player_id='1599130' first='Reeves' last='Gill'] in the secondary. Gills in particular is an under the radar college talent that runs very well and could boost his stock with a strong senior year. Beyond those two are a lot of unknowns and if the defense can't get figured out, it might turn into another long year for the Raiders. As mentioned above, I do think Spring Hill will be better this Fall but I don't know if they will have enough depth or talent to compete for a top three regional spot but because of Battle Creek playing junior varsity and this region only being five deep, the Raiders will make the postseason.    - - - - -    #PRZTN Preseason Predictions   Predicted Order of Finish   1. Marshall Co.   2. Creek Wood   3. Montgomery Central   4. Spring Hill   5. Battle Creek (Playing JV this season)   - - - - -    Preseason Regional Top Honors   Reg. MVP: (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1422897' first='Tyler' last='Thompson'] - Marshall Co.    Off. POTY: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='866740' first='Xavier' last='Knight'] - Creek Wood   Def. POTY: ‘27 (DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1583156' first='Mylan' last='Morris'] - Marshall Co.    Lineman POTY: (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1671580' first='Marshall' last='Lamberes'] - Marshall Co.    Coach of the Year: Thomas Osteen - Marshall Co.    Mr. Football Contenders: (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1422897' first='Tyler' last='Thompson'] - Marshall Co., (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='866740' first='Xavier' last='Knight'] - Creek Wood, (WR/DB) [player_tooltip player_id='492600' first='Kel' last='Hightower'] - Marshall Co.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/67-Tyler-Thompson-rotated-e1736532770582-crop-1604x1054-1738861236.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1618807" style="width:321px;height:auto" /></figure>