Preseason Preview: Class 6A/Region 4

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">If you localized high school football competition, this may be the region for you. All teams here are semi-close to on another, which should make most Friday nights exciting! This year we like Green Hill as the team to beat but the rest of the region will be battling for that top spot as well. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6A-Region 4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cookeville Cavaliers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Cookeville, TN (Putnam Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Taylor Hennigan&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Finish: </strong>8-3 Overall (4-2 Region)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returning Players: </strong>(OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866469' first='Austin' last='Hoane']</strong>, (DT) <strong>Amare Williamson</strong>, (WR/S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1651288' first='Nicholas' last='Johnson']</strong>, (WR/S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595493' first='Caden' last='Sisco'], </strong>(RB/LB) <strong>Blake Barrett</strong>, (RB/LB) <strong>Evan Banks</strong>, (TE/DE) <strong>Gavin Lintz</strong>, (DB) <strong>Kingston Felder</strong>, ‘27 (Edge) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1566184' first='Landon' last='McCarter']</strong>, ‘27 (Ath) <strong>Jackson Jones</strong>, ‘27 (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1617016' first='Easton' last='Davidson']</strong>, ‘27 (QB) <strong>Gavin Gillespie</strong>, ‘27 (Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1650465' first='Matthew' last='Eldridge']</strong>, ‘27 (RB/LB) <strong>Hunt Reese</strong>, ‘28 <strong>&nbsp;</strong>(OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1588842' first='Grant' last='Vinson']</strong>, ‘28 (WR/S) <strong>Bryson Gallagher</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1637659,"width":"329px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/ahoane2.webp?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1637659" style="width:329px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gallatin Green Wave</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Gallatin, TN (Sumner Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Michael Stroup</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Finish: </strong>3-7 Overall (2-4 Region)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returning Players: </strong>(QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='353896' first='Jackson' last='Stroup']</strong>, (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1583149' first='Javiyon' last='Link']</strong>, (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1291272' first='Malachi' last='Harper']</strong>, (WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687176' first='Ryan' last='Williams']</strong>, (WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142024' first='Justin' last='Cagle']</strong>, (DL) <strong>Landon Peveler</strong>, (OL/DT) <strong>Jameson Hardin</strong>, (QB/S) <strong>Riley Ridings</strong>, (LB) <strong>Xander Jones</strong>, (DB/WR) <strong>Amari Holman</strong>, (Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1636413' first='Ontarius' last='Scott']</strong>, ‘27 (DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1654146' first='Kason' last='Boswell']</strong>, ‘27 (TE/DE) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1675569' first='Preston' last='Mooney']</strong>, ‘27 (G/C) <strong>Gabriel Cruz-Granados</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Additions: </strong>(LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1280293' first='Andy' last='Brock'] </strong>(Beech), ‘27 (WR/DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595502' first='K'Saun' last='Barksdale'] </strong>(Davidson Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Green Hill Hawks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Mt. Juliet, TN (Wilson Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Jeremy Crouch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Finish: </strong>10-1 Overall (6-0 Region)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returning Players: </strong>(QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='964976' first='Kannon' last='Burroughs']</strong>, (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1610497' first='Omeiza' last='Daniyan']</strong>, (TE) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='856164' first='Ayden' last='Sadler']</strong>, (DT/OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='981349' first='Ethan' last='Harris']</strong>, (OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1250497' first='Devin' last='Rightor']</strong>, (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1707498' first='Jackson' last='Crawford']</strong>, (DB/WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1316604' first='Trent' last='Buchanan']</strong>, (G/C) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480876' first='Ronan' last='McNamara']</strong>, (WR) <strong>Dylan Hawks</strong>, (G/C) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1671834' first='Gavin' last='Uhlir']</strong>, (DB) <strong>Khalen Brown</strong>, (WR) <strong>Luke Pfeiffer</strong>, (OL/DL) <strong>Haston Wolf</strong>, (K) <strong>Caden Chandler</strong>, ‘27 (S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1368155' first='Will' last='Butler']</strong>, ‘27 (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1841394' first='Zachery' last='Cartwright']</strong>, ‘27 (OL/DT) <strong>Colton Redmon</strong>, ‘27 (TE/LB) <strong>Miles Hardin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Additions: </strong>(DB/WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1316604' first='Trent' last='Buchanan'] </strong>(West Creek)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1306479,"width":"241px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/ethharris.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1306479" style="width:241px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lebanon Blue Devils</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Lebanon, TN (Wilson Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Chuck Gentry</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Finish: </strong>4-7 Overall (3-3 Region)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returning Players: </strong>(WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492563' first='John' last='Binion']</strong>, (DE/LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1660956' first='Jajuan' last='Stafford']</strong>, (LB) <strong>Breccan Rogers</strong>, (LB) <strong>Sh'rell Simpkins Jr.</strong>, (WR) <strong>T.J. Searcy</strong>, (DT/OL) <strong>Cedric Dion Mills</strong>, ‘27 (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='932944' first='Marktavious' last='Walker']</strong>, ‘27 (TE/Edge) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='932943' first='Jaden' last='Stafford']</strong>, ‘27 (WR/DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142022' first='Jamonie' last='Busby']</strong>, ‘27 (QB/LB) <strong>Carter McPeak</strong>, ‘27 (DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='906625' first='Markell' last='Owens']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mt. Juliet Golden Bears</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Mt. Juliet, TN (Wilson Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Trey Perry&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Finish: </strong>10-2 Overall (5-1 Region)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returning Players: </strong>(DE/Edge) <strong>Miguel Arellano</strong>, (OL) <strong>Madden Daly</strong>, (LB) <strong>William Payne</strong>, (OL) <strong>Joey Hafner</strong>, (LB) <strong>Gavin Moseley</strong>, ‘27 (OL) <strong>Caleb Fox</strong>, ‘27 (DE) <strong>Elijah Gibbs</strong>, ‘27 (Ath) <strong>Yonas Gizaw</strong>, ‘27 (Ath) <strong>Julius Burton</strong>, ‘27 (LB) <strong>Xander Bohannon</strong>, ‘27 (QB) <strong>Justin Helm</strong>, ‘27 (LB) <strong>Zach Gleaves</strong>, ‘27 (G/C) <strong>Gabe Castillo</strong>, ‘27 (Ath) <strong>Josh Patterson</strong>, ‘27 (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='933042' first='Hudson' last='Beal']</strong>, ‘27 (WR/RB) <strong>Brock Mietzel</strong>, ‘27 (K/P) <strong>Tate Merbitz</strong>, ‘28 (OL) <strong>Brayden Lazenby</strong>, ‘28 (Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595491' first='Austin' last='Hardin']</strong>, ‘28 (Ath) <strong>Keylan Thomas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Additions: </strong>‘27 (DT) <strong>Christian Lillard </strong>(Pearl Cohn)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wilson Central Wildcats</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Lebanon, TN (Wilson Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Ben Kuhn&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Finish: </strong>3-7 Overall (1-5 Region)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returning Players: </strong>(RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1116799' first='Chaz' last='Martin']</strong>, (WR/LB) <strong>Topher Allen</strong>, (TE/LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1116800' first='Evan' last='Bragg']</strong>, (QB/LS) <strong>J.R. Arnold</strong>, (OL) <strong>Rylan Baskin</strong>, (TE/LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1332912' first='Kaden' last='Rau']</strong>, (DT/OL) <strong>Tyler Hulse</strong>, (G/C) <strong>Blake Schweitzer</strong>, (OL) <strong>David Roberts</strong>, ‘27 (TE) <strong>Beckham Fehrman</strong>, ‘27 (WR/DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1655631' first='Darian' last='Morton']</strong>, ‘27 (RB/DB) <strong>Charley Neal</strong>, ‘28 (Ath) <strong>Kendrick Lewis</strong>, ‘28 (G/C) <strong>Oskar Ward</strong>, ‘28 (G/C) <strong>Porter Dickerson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1825910,"width":"447px","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/chazmartin.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1825910" style="width:447px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region Overview: </strong>This is a newly formed region but a lot of familiar foes. If this region stays the way it is for years to come, this should become a fun six team unification to watch. The leader in the clubhouse going into the 2025 season is Green Hill. The Hawks are coming off a ten win, region championship season and I think another successful year is upon them. They return a strong senior core, led by their offense and UT-Martin quarterback commit, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='964976' first='Kannon' last='Burroughs']</strong>. He will be complimented by a strong offensive line and deep crop of skill guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1841394' first='Zachery' last='Cartwright']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='856164' first='Ayden' last='Sadler'] </strong>and <strong>Dylan Hawks</strong>. Their defense should be solid too, led by potential defensive player of the year <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1610497' first='Omeiza' last='Daniyan']</strong>. A lot of pieces are in place for the Hawks to have a special season but who in this region could battle them for the top spot?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right now we like Cookeville but only by a small margin over Gallatin. The Cavaliers have some college talent in the line with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866469' first='Austin' last='Hoane']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1641926' first='Amaree' last='Williamson']</strong> and a few solid senior pieces in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1651288' first='Nicholas' last='Johnson'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595493' first='Caden' last='Sisco'] </strong>that can help push their team into second place but they will be young in a lot of areas, so this Cookeville squad has question marks. The Green Wave is the team to watch for the Fall season. They have a veteran team returning, led by their offense and senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='353896' first='Jackson' last='Stroup']</strong>. He will have a solid receiving corps to throw to with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142024' first='Justin' last='Cagle']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687176' first='Ryan' last='Williams'] </strong>and incoming transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595502' first='K'Saun' last='Barksdale']</strong>. If the Gallatin defense can form together and find their identity, I can see the Green Wave finishing in second and giving Green Hill a run for their money.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We may get some backlash for this but I see a transitional year ahead for Mt. Juliet. Over the years, you could bet on the Golden Bears winning at least eight games a year and that could still happen in the Fall but for this looks like a .500 team that will be leaning on a lot of young players. One thing going for Mt. Juliet this year is their chance at being good in the line of scrimmage. Senior defensive end <strong>Miguel Arellano </strong>and <strong>Madden Daly </strong>on the O-line are two key performers this year. The trenches have to be good as the Golden Bears will be implementing new players at all the skill positions on offense, including quarterback. I do like Mt. Juliet for the fourth playoff spot but they gotta watch their backs as Wilson Central may sneak up on them.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats have faced some struggles over the past decade and I still don't think they are ready to get over the hump but they may be closer than ever. They return a solid senior core this Fall, led by athletic and explosive ball carrier <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1116799' first='Chaz' last='Martin']</strong>. The Wilson Central O-line isn't that big but they should be good enough to get the job done. The defense is where big improvements need to be made. They do have a potential stud pass rusher to play off this year in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1116800' first='Evan' last='Bragg']</strong>. If certain position groups can develop at a high rate this year, fighting for that fourth playoff spot is possible. There is a lot to learn about Lebanon for the coming year. I see a bunch of unknowns and development needed with their roster. We have the Blue Devils pinned for sixth place right now but that could certainly change throughout the upcoming football season.&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. Green Hill</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Cookeville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Gallatin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Mt. Juliet</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Wilson Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. Lebanon</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>(QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='964976' first='Kannon' last='Burroughs'] </strong>- Green Hill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Off. POTY: </strong>(QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='353896' first='Jackson' last='Stroup'] </strong>- Gallatin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Def. POTY: </strong>(LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1610497' first='Omeiza' last='Daniyan'] </strong>- Green Hill&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lineman MVP: </strong>(OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866469' first='Austin' last='Hoane'] </strong>- Cookeville&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach of the Year: Jeremy Crouch </strong>- Green Hill&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mr. Football Candidates: </strong>(QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='964976' first='Kannon' last='Burroughs'] </strong>- Green Hill, (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='353896' first='Jackson' last='Stroup']</strong> - Gallatin, (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1291272' first='Malachi' last='Harper'] </strong>- Gallatin, (OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866469' first='Austin' last='Hoane'] </strong>- Cookeville, (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1610497' first='Omeiza' last='Daniyan'] </strong>- Green Hill, ‘27 (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1841394' first='Zachery' last='Cartwright'] </strong>- Green Hill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1825919,"width":"341px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/IMG_20240928_105020-crop-772x507-1755552982.jpg?w=772" alt="" class="wp-image-1825919" style="width:341px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->