Preseason Preview: Class 5A/Region 7

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kirkwood goes into the season as our favorite to win this region but it won't be easy as Dickson Co., Henry Co. and Northeast are right there with them, competing for the top spot. This should be a fun, entertaining region to follow that may not be settled till the final week of the regular season. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5A-Region 7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dickson Co. Cougars</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Dickson, TN (Dickson Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Jeff Tomlinson&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Finish: </strong>5-6 Overall (4-3 Region)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returning Players: </strong>(QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1315648' first='Damarcus' last='Strickland']</strong>, (WR) <strong>Isaiah Taylor</strong>, (WR/LB) <strong>Ladanian Walker</strong>, (Ath) <strong>Xavier Taylor</strong>, (RB/LB) <strong>Triston Brown</strong>, (S) <strong>Dylan Adams</strong>, (RB) <strong>Hunter Brandon</strong>, ‘27 (RB/LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='932841' first='Quincey' last='Blue']</strong>, ‘27 (OL/DL) <strong>Trey Ashworth</strong>, ‘27 (WR/S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='932843' first='Eli' last='Overton']</strong>, ‘28 (RB/S) <strong>Caden Ajogri</strong>, ‘28 (WR/S) <strong>Ellis Hamrick</strong>, ‘28 (OL/DT) <strong>Avery Edmondson</strong>, ‘28 (WR/LB) <strong>Caden Newberry</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1803877,"width":"257px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/dstrickland.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1803877" style="width:257px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Henry Co. Patriots</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Paris, TN (Henry Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Josh Wolfe</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Finish: </strong>7-5 Overall (3-3 Region)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returning Players: </strong>(OL/DL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1675576' first='Drew' last='Overton']</strong>, (DL/LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854359' first='Xavier' last='Foster']</strong>, (Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592213' first='Danius' last='Ward']</strong>, (WR/S) <strong>Colin Smith</strong>, (DT/OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402547' first='Jaivyn' last='Patton']</strong>, (RB/LB) <strong>Diezel Ward</strong>, (DL) <strong>Cam Henry</strong>, (FB/LB) <strong>Brock Archie</strong>, (C/G) <strong>Travis Jenkins</strong>, ‘27 (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='932897' first='Ayden' last='Spellings']</strong>, ‘27 (Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592212' first='Deonte' last='Ward']</strong>, ‘27 (OL/DL) <strong>Shawn Long</strong>, ‘27 (LB) <strong>Octavius Smith</strong>, ‘27 (Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='932894' first='Zion' last='Kendall']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kenwood Knights</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Clarksville, TN (Montgomery Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Jarhett Sneed</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Finish: </strong>3-7 Overall (3-4 Region)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returning Players: </strong>(OL) <strong>Tiwan Jackson</strong>, (RB/LB) <strong>Josiah Brown</strong>, (WR/DB) <strong>Christian James</strong>, (Ath) <strong>Christian Simpson</strong>, (Ath) <strong>Ja'Corey Dukes</strong>, (Ath) <strong>Jayde Davis</strong>, ‘27 (RB/LB) <strong>A.J. Sutfin</strong>, ‘27 (DB) <strong>Antonio Howell</strong>, ‘27 (DB) <strong>Stephon Johnson</strong>, ‘28 (OL) <strong>Devin Neal</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kirkwood Cobras</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Clarksville, TN (Montgomery Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Chad Watson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Finish: </strong>8-3 Overall (5-2 Region)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returning Players: </strong>(OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='944767' first='Kamari' last='Blair']</strong>, (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432194' first='Josiah' last='Claybrooks']</strong>, (WR/S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1188476' first='Torrens' last='Malone']</strong>, (LB) <strong>Elijah Fuller</strong>, (RB) <strong>Jacorey Cox</strong>, ‘27 (QB/Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1200717' first='Miles' last='Reding']</strong>, ‘27 (TE/DE) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1316743' first='Parker' last='Keenan']</strong>, ‘27 (Ath) <strong>Jayven Norris</strong>, ‘27 (LB/DE) <strong>Lloyd Lisenbee</strong>, ‘27 (DB/WR) <strong>Carlos Weatherspoon</strong>, ‘27 (Ath) <strong>Jadon Portis</strong>, ‘28 (RB/S) <strong>Demontae Allen</strong>, ‘28 (K) <strong>Hudson Marsh</strong>, ‘28 (TE/DE) <strong>Xaiden Covington</strong>, ‘28 (TE/S) <strong>Tomarco Vereen</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Additions: </strong>(LB) <strong>Austin Jalomo </strong>(West Creek), ‘27 (DL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1671547' first='Torriq' last='Brooks'] </strong>(WH-Heritage), ‘27 (WR/S) <strong>Xzavier Metcalf </strong>(West Creek)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1803879,"width":"245px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/jclaybrooks.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1803879" style="width:245px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Northeast Eagles</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Clarksville, TN (Montgomery Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Deonte Watson&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Finish: </strong>1-9 Overall (1-6 Region)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returning Players: </strong>(LB/RB) <strong>Jahfari Roberts</strong>, (S/LB) <strong>Jamarion Green</strong>, (WR/DB) <strong>Jonas Veasey</strong>, (OL) <strong>Marshontre Bennett</strong>, (OL/DL) <strong>Cameron Nichols</strong>, (LB) <strong>Devon Wilkerson</strong>, ‘27 (WR/DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1597636' first='Terry' last='Jones']</strong>, ‘27 (OL/DT) <strong>Michael Harper</strong>, ‘27 (RB) <strong>Montrell Perry</strong>, ‘27 (OL) <strong>Cameron Clark</strong>, ‘27 (WR) <strong>Talan Payne</strong>, ‘27 (G/C) <strong>Thomas Campbell</strong>, ‘27 (DT/OL) <strong>Andrew Ellis</strong>, ‘28 (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1568928' first='Destin' last='Jones']</strong>, ‘28 (WR) <strong>Damion Jarrett</strong>, ‘28 (OL) <strong>Noah Clark</strong>, ‘28 (WR/DB) <strong>Shamad Parker</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Additions: </strong>‘27 (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1260912' first='Harold' last='Marshall III'] </strong>(Clarksville Acad.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Northwest Vikings&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Clarksville, TN (Montgomery Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Mark Hall&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Finish: </strong>1-9 Overall (0-7 Region)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returning Players: </strong>(DL) <strong>Isaiah Barbee</strong>, (DE) <strong>Jacoby Hinton</strong>, (LB) <strong>Jayvion Turner</strong>, (OL) <strong>Isaia Petaia</strong>, (WR/S) <strong>Dominic Crandell</strong>, (WR/S) <strong>DeMarcus Andrews II</strong>, ‘27 (QB) <strong>Jackson Hazel</strong>, ‘28 (RB/S) <strong>Aalijah Holland</strong>, ‘28 (G/C) <strong>Christian Goins</strong>, ‘28 (RB) <strong>Lyrick Keith</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region Overview: </strong>A newly formed region full of teams from the greater Clarksville region, all signs point towards a three team battle between Dickson Co., Henry Co. and Kirkwood for the region title. All three teams have a case for the top spot but only one team in the end can sit in first place. As things sit right now, I like Kirkwood to be the best team in this region with a potentially high scoring offense and an athletic defense that should be strong in the secondary. The Cobras have the best backfield in this region with quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1200717' first='Miles' last='Reding'] </strong>and running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432194' first='Josiah' last='Claybrooks']</strong>. They are helped up front by the #PRZTN top ranked O-lineman in the state with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='944767' first='Kamari' last='Blair']</strong>. The Cobras return a lot of players from last year's eight win team and several others to form a unit that can not only win this region but potentially go on a deep run in the playoffs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kirkwood may be the favorite but they will have a battle on their hands with Henry Co. for that top spot. The Patriots are a constant year in and year out here in Tennessee as this program has a strong culture about themselves that tends to lead to winning seasons. I expect no different this Fall as the Patriots return a solid senior core but will be led by a junior in quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='932897' first='Ayden' last='Spellings']</strong>. It's a different team for Henry Co., meaning they are more skilled than big up front but they still have enough talent to fight for first place while earning a postseason berth.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dickson Co. is tabbed to finish third but it won't be easy. The Cougars are lacking in several areas throughout the team but have a game changer at quarterback in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1315648' first='Damarcus' last='Strickland'] </strong>that can produce several victories. The athletic skill around Strickland is solid but it's the line of scrimmage that presents questions going into the season. If the Cougars can figure out the trenches, they can compete for a top two region spot.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sleeper team in this region to watch for throughout the year is Northeast. The Eagles have two of the best college prospects in the region with junior wideout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1597636' first='Terry' last='Jones'] </strong>and rising sophomore defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1568928' first='Destin' last='Jones']</strong> but others around them must step forward to help Northeast win ball games. One thing going for the Eagles is that they may have one of the better O-line and D'line's in this region. I see some size within this roster that could prove to be a difference maker amongst their competition. Rounding out the region, Northwest and Kenwood look like the two bottom teams that will be fighting throughout the season to find their identity and scratch out victories. Neither team has the star power or depth to contend with the top four. You never know what can happen but the 2025 season may be a long year for Kenwood and Northwest.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1803887,"width":"233px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/terjones.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1803887" style="width:233px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- 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. Kirkwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Henry Co.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Dickson Co.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Northeast</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Northwest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. Kenwood&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>Reg. MVP: </strong>(RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432194' first='Josiah' last='Claybrooks'] </strong>- Kirkwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Off. POTY: </strong>‘27 (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1200717' first='Miles' last='Reding'] </strong>- Kirkwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Def. POTY: </strong>(LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854359' first='Xavier' last='Foster'] </strong>- Henry Co.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lineman MVP: </strong>(OT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='944767' first='Kamari' last='Blair'] </strong>- Kirkwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach of the Year: Chad Watson </strong>- Kirkwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mr. Football Contenders: </strong>(QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1315648' first='Damarcus' last='Strickland'] </strong>- Dickson Co., (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432194' first='Josiah' last='Claybrooks'] </strong>- Kirkwood, ‘27 (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1200717' first='Miles' last='Reding'] </strong>- Kirkwood, ;27 (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='932897' first='Ayden' last='Spellings'] </strong>- Henry Co.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1803890,"width":"263px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/mreding.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1803890" style="width:263px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->