TNHSFB Week Five Statewide Recap

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Big road win for MBA. Are the Buccaneers back after winning at Upperman. Can Springfield finish the 2025 regular season undefeated? Who's the best team in Memphis? All this & more inside our latest "Statewide Recap" from Week Five. </h2>     Week Five Top Stories    Stock Up   - After taking defeat in their first game of the year, Beech has bounced back and put their season onto the right track, especially after last Friday's road victory over Upperman. The Buccaneers went into Putnam County ready to go with a game plan that was executed to perfection. They knew stopping or slowing down [player_tooltip player_id='1254853' first='Bronzden' last='Chaffin'] and the Bees rushing attack was key to victory and the Bucs defense did enough to get the job done. Now this game could have been different had the Beech offense not perform at a high level but they did, receiving an excellent performance from their backfield of [player_tooltip player_id='866718' first='Kaden' last='Powell'], [player_tooltip player_id='800803' first='Chelton' last='Swafford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1206523' first='D.K.' last='Williams'].    Being able to run the ball like Beech did tells me their offensive line is beginning to gel together. Their front five is moving people off the ball and creating nice holes for the backs while also doing enough to give Powell time to throw when it's called for. I still think the Bucs have room to grow but their toughest part of their schedule is now behind them, so don't be surprised to see Beech sitting at 9-1 going into postseason play. Except for a game versus Gallatin in a few weeks, all the Bucs have left on their schedule is region play and right now, their region competition doesn't look that strong. This win over Upperman was big in multiple plays. Beech looked good Friday evening and this may be who will see the rest of the way.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/beech2-crop-400x263-1723241204.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1366467" style="width:301px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - -    - One of the biggest wins coming out of “Week Five” was MBA going on the road to Knox. Catholic and defeating the previously undefeated Fighting Irish team, 13-10. This might have been one of the more impressive wins of the season thus far when you consider the fire power on the Knox. Catholic offense and the Big Red defense shutting them down. Early on in this matchup, physicality was established in the line of scrimmage for MBA and their line play maintained fierce play until the final whistle. The defensive performance by MBA was impressive in this matchup as they shut down the Fighting Irish run game and made things difficult for [player_tooltip player_id='496084' first='Mack' last='Bartholomew']. The Big Red don't have a lot of known, big names on defense but they are a cohesive, physical unit that plays exceptionally hard and it showed in this game.    Knox. Catholic has had a hard time scoring in the red zone this year and that issue crept up again in this matchup. It's tough to pinpoint what the issue is in the red zone as the Fighting Irish has a good offensive line, multiple talented backs and a senior laden receiving duo of [player_tooltip player_id='284149' first='Tyreek' last='King'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1422957' first='Casen' last='Jenkins']. What they could be missing is that power back, that guy that can run through tackles and find the end zone. For the team that won this game, this was another impressive win for the Big Red and one that showed a defense that may be capable of slowing most offenses they face. Their schedule does remain tough, so it won't be easy the rest of the way but MBA looks like a well coached team that won't back down and should be ready for whoever they come across.    - - -    - Before the season started, I saw Jackson North-Side as a sleeper team that could do some damage this year by possibly winning their region and making a deep run in the playoffs. The Indians are starting to look like that team I envisioned after their impressive 56-27 road victory over previously undefeated Dyer County. I have to admit. I didn't see the Indians winning this game, especially after losing at home last week to Lexington but they did a good job of putting that defeat behind them, moving on and bouncing back in a big way. The offensive output is impressive but the Jackson North-Side defense has to get a lot of credit for this win. They allowed some touchdowns but overall, the Indians did a nice job of keeping the Choctaws offense in-check, who had been averaging nearly 35 points a game.    This win over Dyer Co. now makes things very interesting within the region. You have four teams, including Jackson North-Side all tied for first place at 2-1 inside the region with victories over one another. I think this victory over Dyer Co. may be the catalyst Jackson North-Side needs to find confidence for themselves to rack up wins the rest of the way and potentially win this region. What I saw from them Friday night speaks to me and tells me the Indians may be a force to watch the rest of the season and someone other teams may not want to face come playoff season.    - - -    - Don't look now but Springfield could end their 2025 regular season undefeated, especially after coming off another impressive win over a good, talented football team. It went till the final seconds last Friday but the Yellow Jackets pulled out a sneakaway victory over East Nashville, 29-28 after a game winning field goal from freshman Jovanni Colmanares. The Eagles dropped to 0-4 overall but trust me, they are a talented team that has faced a tough schedule, so this was an outstanding win for Springfield and one that should help moving into the rest of their schedule.    The Yellow Jackets have tested themselves early this season and found ways to win by way of multiple players. The offense is strong, led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='1134310' first='Jaidon' last='Hurst'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1588080' first='Kason' last='Woodson'] in the backfield while their defense still needs to continue improving but they play hard and tough, especially within their front seven. Looking at the Yellow Jackets region and the rest of their schedule, I can see them finishing out the regular season undefeated. For that to happen, they must get past Pearl Cohn, who they play in “Week Six” in what could be for the region title. Watching the Yellow Jackets perform this year, I like the makeup of their team and how they are well coached with a team first mentality. I'm interested to see how things play out for Springfield because I'm starting to see a team here that can not be undefeated going into postseason play but also contend for a spot in Chattanooga at the end of the year.    - - -    - Tyner Academy heads into “Week Six” at 5-0 after their impressive home victory last Friday over Marshall County. This might have been the Rams best win of the season because the Tigers are a well coached football team with a strong culture with a quarterback in [player_tooltip player_id='1422897' first='Tyler' last='Thompson'] that should be throwing in college. Probably the most impressive thing about the Rams win last week was their offensive output versus a solid Marshall Co. defense. Tyner Academy produced 45 points in their victory with multiple guys contributing. The Rams have a well balanced offense that is led by [player_tooltip player_id='1038480' first='Dee' last='McNealy'] and their running game with Tyler Anderson doing enough through the air to provide that balance.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/03/Dee-Mac.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1207094" style="width:310px;height:auto" /></figure>   I think the Rams offense will remain potent throughout the rest of the season but it's their defense that does need to continue developing for this Chattanooga based program to compete for a region and possible state title. Tyner has some talent on defense but hasn't been consistent enough thus far to be considered championship caliber. Maybe the Rams defense needs to just be good enough for the team to have tremendous success because their offense is just that good. We have to take everything one week at time, so for right now, the Rams win over Marshall Co. last week was impressive and another strong checkmark in their march towards what could be a special season at Tyner Academy.    - - -    - After five weeks of action, who is the best team coming out of the greater Memphis area for the 2025 season? Right now, I think it's a battle between Germantown and Southwind and the great thing about it is we will find out who is the best as these two face each other to close out the regular season. Both the Red Devils and Jaguars are coming off another strong showing last Friday where Germantown had a hard test with Lausanne but came out on top 40-35 while Southwind blew past another opponent, beating Holly Springs from Mississippi, 53-0. These are two highly talented ball clubs that could be favorites to win state titles if they weren't in the same classification or region.    If you had to put me on the spot right now to choose who I like the best, it would be tough but I like what I'm seeing from Southwind at the moment. They are well balanced with a potent offense and a defense that has been stifling this year. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='480742' first='Kelvin' last='Perkins'] has been outstanding while [player_tooltip player_id='854363' first='Charles' last='Sullins'] has been a game wrecker on defense. Germantown has been strong on offense themselves with [player_tooltip player_id='1588108' first='Jour'din' last='Shelton'] coming into his own at quarterback with a talented crop of skill guys around him. It's their defense that I have a few questions about right now. They have shown flashes of brilliance but also some weaknesses at times. I still like the upside with the Red Devils defense and their team as a whole. When these two Memphis area squads square up at the end of year, it should be a fun one and be a game that dictates who truly is the best coming out of Shelby County this year.    - - -    - One of the biggest surprises from the 2025 season thus far is Happy Valley and their 5-0 start. It hasn't been a fluke either as the Warriors have defeated some good teams like Hampton and last week's impressive 26-23 win over Class 4A opponent Unicoi County. If you talk to the coaches at Happy Valley, they thought the 2025 season could be a good one but I don't know if they saw them beginning the year 5-0 and undefeated. A big factor behind the strong start has been the play of senior Mason Norman and the Warriors defense. Their defense is giving up less than 15 points a game. They have done excellent work up front, slowing up the opposition's run game while being opportunistic in the secondary.    The offense has been strong as well, averaging nearly 40 points a game. They lean on their run game but will throw it when needed. A big factor behind the offensive success is the play from their line. The O-line has been excellent thus far and could be the unit that leads this team to an undefeated regular season. The Warriors are well equipped on both sides of the ball to not only win their region but potentially go on a deep run once we reach postseason play. Everyone must stay healthy, especially their top guys but it's been a great start for the Warriors that could lead to possibly the best season ever for the Happy Valley football program.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/happyvalley-crop-1252x823-1758559399.webp?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1904003" style="width:340px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Kingsport Times News </figcaption></figure>   - - - - - - - - -    Stock Down   - The first three weeks of the season went very well for William Blount but they have faltered the past two weeks, taking losses to Powell and Knox. Halls while losing those games by double digits. Now I don't think all is lost for the Governors but their stock is certainly down after losing two weeks in a row and struggling against good competition. William Blount sits at 1-2 in their region and now forced into a situation where they can't lose too many more inner-region matchups.    Where the Govs have struggled the past two weeks is on defense, where they have given up a total of 85 points. Their offense hasn't been stellar either but still not as bad as the performances on defense. Looking at it from a far, the Govs could be dealing with some injuries or it may be as simple as they faced better teams in Powell and Knox. Halls and these are the results you get. As mentioned above, the season isn't lost yet but the Govs must get things turned around soon as they only have five games remaining with four of them against region opponents. The schedule does lighten up a little bit moving forward but it's football and you can't overlook anybody. I still like this Governors team but better performances must come the rest of the way if they want to reach postseason play.    - - -    - After beginning the year at 2-0, Stewarts Creek has taken three losses in a row and I don't know if they will be able to get things turned around the remainder of the season. There is always a chance any team can turn things around after one week of good play but the Red Hawks have a semi-tough schedule the rest of the way with games looming against Blackman, Knox. Webb and Oakland, so it doesn't look promising. It also doesn't help that their starting quarterback has gone down for the season. We could be at a crossroads for the Red Hawks and their 2025 season right now as they have a small chance at making the playoffs but they must win out and start performing at a higher level.    Stewarts Creek will run the ball, that's their identity, so getting that right is key but so is figuring things out on defense where that side of the ball has shown leaks throughout the season. Better play is needed up front in the trenches. The execution on the back end needs to be tightened up as well. The Red Hawks have a shot to get things right and gain some confidence this coming Friday when they face a winless LaVergne football team. Stewarts Creek must take things one week at time but the turnaround has to happen now if they want to finish the 2025 season in the playoffs.    - - -    -    - The season isn't lost for Tullahoma but after the past two weeks, the Wildcats have to slow down and reflect to figure out what has led to back to back losses against two good teams but winnable games. Coming off a 27-19 loss at home to Nolensville, the Wildcats could be looking for answers to get things turned around as they are about to head into a stretch of key inner-region matchups that will dictate their season. The Wildcats got off to an impressive 3-0 start with victories over Shelbyville and Cleveland but have stumbled the past two weeks, especially on offense.    Tullahoma has generated only 32 points over the past two games with their defense allowing a total of 61 points. Things just seem to be off right now but knowing the staff and how well this team is coached, I expect the Wildcats to fix their issues and get back on track. They have a stud in [player_tooltip player_id='853128' first='Marvancy' last='Johnson'] that can help them win ball games, so leaning on him more may be key going forward. Better play on defense is needed as well, especially up front in the trenches. Whatever this team needs to do to fix things, they have to do it asap as they have a tough game this Friday, on the road against region foe Lawrence County.    - - -    - Another team that showed upside to begin the year was Obion Co. but after starting the season at 3-0, the Rebels have fallen and fallen hard the past two weeks in losses to Westview and Covington. Now we have to say that those two losses were against two of the best teams overall on the 2A level and our #PRZTN Small School number one and three teams in the state. The Rebels have gone through two tough weeks but what it showed me is that they couldn't hold up against significant competition. Their three wins are against teams that have a combined record of 3-10. It's not a knock against Obion Co. as you face who is on your schedule but it does show growth is needed for the Rebels to contend with top teams.    One good thing about this team is the fact they have key veterans on this team like [player_tooltip player_id='1584097' first='Morgan' last='Carpenter'], [player_tooltip player_id='1617370' first='Bryson' last='Underwood'] and others that can help get things back on the right track. The Rebels do have another tough matchup this Friday against Dyersburg but after them, Obion Co. has a lighter schedule that could help them gain several wins along with building their confidence. Is the stock down right now for the Rebels, yes but they have enough time to turn things around and position themselves for a solid postseason run.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/mcarpenter.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1904005" style="width:449px;height:auto" /></figure>