TNHSFB Week Four Statewide Recap

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Before we move into a new week of football action here in Tennessee, let's look back to "Week Four" where we saw a few big upsets take place as well as some big wins that should help certain programs move their programs forward. </h2>     Week Four Top Stories    Stock Up   - The biggest story coming out of “Week Four” was Ensworth stunning the state by knocking off our previously top ranked “Big School” team in the state, McCallie, by the score of 20-10. Myself and many others didn't see this outcome happening but you have to give tons of credit to the Tigers team and their coaching staff for being prepared and ready for the challenge. You have to be physical and play well in the trenches to win a game like this and that's what you got from Ensworth. You also got a stellar defensive performance by the Tigers that did a good job of keeping the Blue Tornado playmakers in-check while making sure they couldn't get their run game going.    Players like [player_tooltip player_id='1132842' first='Blake' last='Surratt'], [player_tooltip player_id='1585715' first='Quinn' last='Taylor'], [player_tooltip player_id='1305812' first='Bishop' last='Starling'] and others did a sensational job of playing their roles at a high level, consistently from beginning to end while not making mistakes. The Tigers offense did enough to get by. Their line played well, led by [player_tooltip player_id='1673214' first='Jake' last='Baker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1153810' first='Taylor' last='Hasselbeck'] was a game manager. Ensworth has room to grow with their offense but their defense played at a championship level against the Blue Tornado. It appears losing to Nash. Christian a few weeks ago might have woken up this Tigers team. They went into this matchup ready to go and I can bet they keep that same mindset moving forward in what will be a challenging schedule ahead.    - - - - -    - Don't sleep on the Powell Panthers as they look to be rounding into form after a commanding 47-16 win over William Blount last Friday. Going into “Week Four”, I saw this matchup as being much closer but in the end, the Panthers talent proved to be too much for the Govs to handle. The Panthers aren't flashy nor have a bunch of game changers but what they do have is a veteran quarterback in [player_tooltip player_id='1111032' first='Deuce' last='Rodgers'] with solid pieces around him on offense and a defense that is championship caliber, led in the trenches by South Florida commit [player_tooltip player_id='1154536' first='Iverson' last='Garcia'].    That defense in particular flexed its muscles big time against the Governors where they shut down a William Blount offense that had performed well leading into this game. The Panthers bottled up the run game and wouldn't allow [player_tooltip player_id='1582354' first='Jaxon' last='Dabrowski'] to get comfortable in the pocket. Their game plan was good and it went through without a hitch. I think the Panthers defense can lead them to a possible region title but also make them a formidable team come postseason play that many others might not want to face. We will see how things play out but right now, Powell is looking impressive and getting better each week.    - - - - -    - Through four weeks of the 2025 football season, the most impressive team throughout the entire state has been Oakland. The Patriots are a perennial power each and every year under the teaching of head coach Kevin Creasy and his team this Fall is no different. They have dominated the competition so far this year and it's been done against some high quality teams like CPA and last Friday's 38-6 victory over Pearl Cohn. Both sides of the ball for Oakland are playing at a high level. The offense is of course led by the run game with [player_tooltip player_id='856867' first='Craig' last='Tutt'] being their top guy and an offensive line that has been very physical. The defense is already performing at a championship level and I expect that to continue throughout the season.    I don't know if anybody on the 6A level will be able to knock them off once we reach postseason play. That's how good they are and how far apart they are from the rest of the competition. The lone team I can see potentially giving them a challenge if they meet up is Germantown. They have the line of scrimmage and athletes to potentially contend with the Patriots. That game may never happen though, so until Oakland begins to show weakness or players begin to go down due to health, the Patriots are the team to beat and while positioning themselves as not only the best team in the 6A ranks but the entire state as well.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/ohspats2.jpg?w=540" alt="" class="wp-image-1823316" style="width:211px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    - For many years now, Gordonsville has been a winner, a program that consistently puts a good product out on the field and their 2025 team is no different as they have started the season 4-0 after a 27-14 win last week over 5A member Liberty Creek. The Tigers are performing at a high level right now that I feel could put them in the mix to contend for a 2A title by the end of the season. The coaching staff is receiving well balanced play from both sides of the ball and they have a senior in J Foster at quarterback, who has played well this year, to provide a steady, veteran presence behind center.    The offense will continue to take the headlines as the season goes on but I feel it will be the Tigers defense that leads them to potential titles. That side of the ball has performed well this year and is doing so against good competition. So far this 2025 season, the Tigers have wins over Coalfield, Watertown, Fayetteville and last week against Liberty Creek. I think if everyone stays healthy and the team continues to perform like they are currently, Gordonsville could finish the regular season undefeated. You can't ever assume any game is an automatic win but looking at their schedule, their toughest competition the rest of the way may come this week against Cannon County. Stuff happens, so the trajectory of the Tigers season could change but right now, I really like what I'm seeing from them and their chances at playing their way to Chattanooga.    - - - - -    - We have many teams across the state that have started the season at 4-0 but maybe one of the biggest surprises from the 2025 campaign thus far is Grundy County. The Yellow Jackets have performed very well up to this point, receiving strong play from both sides of the ball with their defense leading the way. Through four games, the Grundy Co. defense has allowed a total of 12 points and done so with their defensive front seven being the main cog in those efforts. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1582359' first='Ian' last='Grizzell'] is the team's top prospect and he's done good work on both the offensive and defensive line. Linebacker Eli Seagroves has been a tackling machine. Opposing teams haven't been able to run the ball on the Yellow Jackets defense and their front seven is a big reason why.    Now as we move down the road into the rest of the season, Grundy Co. will have to continue playing at a high level as their toughest competition is ahead. The Yellow Jackets have games looming with region foes Bledsoe Co. and Marion County with those two in their way towards winning the region title. Those games will be tough but if their defense continues to perform like they are while remaining healthy, they will have a shot at knocking those two off and taking the region title.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/igrizzell2.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1641279" style="width:281px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    - Don't look now but Melrose is starting to come on and look like the team that made it all the way to the 4A title game last year. Competing on the 3A level this year, the Golden Wildcats went into the 2025 season as a team to watch for when it came to competing for a state title and I think they are starting to get on that path. After falling in game one to Memphis Central, the Cats have reeled off three wins in a row with two of them coming over Bartlett and Fairley, two strong Memphis based programs that consistently reach postseason play.    The Melrose defense has been steady for all four games but their offense is starting to click with the emergence of sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1037302' first='Thomas' last='Heffner']. He has put up some strong numbers during the past few weeks, displaying college upside and the leadership qualities needed to take his Golden Cats team a long way. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1103458' first='Tavarco' last='Jackson'] is starting to take off as well. Melrose has the athletes and talent to do some special things this year but need their O-line and D-line to play at a high level to contend for championships. That's the area of the team I'm watching for the rest of the season because Melrose has the skill talent in place but if the trenches begin to form together, watch out for the Golden Cats and their potential run in November.    - - - - -    - Over the past several years, one of the more entertaining regions to follow across the state is Class 6A-Region 4 and the team's usually at the top aren't there right now, which makes things very interesting for now and for the rest of the season. As we head into “Week Five”, Lebanon, Gallatin and Wilson Central sit at the top of the region and undefeated and that's not how I or others saw things playing out in the early season. The Blue Devils, especially on defense have been impressive and hold a win over perennial region contender Mt. Juliet. The Green Wave was a team I was high on going into the year and have looked good thus far. Wilson Central is the surprise but looking at their schedule, they have yet to face significant competition.    Between those three teams above, Gallatin is the squad to watch for when it comes to winning this region. I do still feel that Green Hill is the team to beat and in the end, will take the region title but I don't say that with 100% confidence as the Green Wave should be right there with them. The Hawks and Green Wave face off against each other this Friday in what could turn out to be the region championship. Whoever takes that matchup will have a leg up on the rest of the competition towards earning the region title. I am curious too to see how Lebanon and Wilson Central finishes out the year because both have a shot at making the playoffs and that hasn't been in the cards for them over the past few seasons. This region could turn out to be one of the more interesting to follow for the rest of the season to see how things play out and who finishes out on top.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/ghill-crop-1366x897-1730127507.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1543976" style="width:316px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Pam Mattingly Green Hill</figcaption></figure>   - - - - - - - - -    Stock Down   - After four weeks of game play, I think it's ok to make the statement that Mt. Juliet is rebuilding this season. The Golden Bears are 0-4 to begin the 2025 season and with how they have performed up to this point, I don't know how many chances they have left this year to pick up wins. Their schedule has been tough and it shows with their offensive output. Mt. Juliet has yet to produce a touchdown this season. That's how tough things are this year for the Golden Bears. They are a young ball club with a ton of new starters. Knowing that, you can expect them to have some struggles but I don't know if the staff or team envisioned them being 0-4 without having scored a touchdown through four weeks of play.    The path the rest of the way doesn't get easier for the Golden Bears. They welcome in a solid Jefferson Co. team this Friday then have looming games with Cookeville, Gallatin, Green Hill and Wilson Central down the road. They fell to Lebanon last week, 21-3, so Mt. Juliet already has a loss within the region. It's been a long, long time since the Mt. Juliet football program has looked like this, so I guess they were due for a down year but I didn't know it would look this rough. They have a chance to turn things around but I don't see positive signs that point towards that happening, so 2025 may be a rough year for the Golden Bears but maybe one they can build off of and grow from moving forward.    - - - - -    - Another surprising team that has started off the season winless is White Station. The Spartans went into the 2025 football year with somewhat high expectations due to the level of talent on the team but things have certainly not worked out thus far the way they wanted. The biggest challenge for them so far has been scoring points. Their offense has not been able to find their identity or really move the ball with any consistency. The Spartans are also having problems on defense, which is a little surprising due to having guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1432227' first='Ean' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='1116810' first='Keon' last='Fields'], [player_tooltip player_id='1285771' first='Camren' last='Cox'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1310642' first='Antwan' last='Jackson'] on this side of the ball. I thought their defense would be strong this year and do enough to overcome any growth needed from their offense but things just haven't clicked thus far.    I do see a scenario over the next several weeks for White Station to turn things around as their schedule eases up a bit before going head to head with Germantown in October. The Spartans will continue to develop as the season goes on, so they need their defense to step it up and find themselves to pursue a region title. It won't be easy but there is talent on this team to get things right or become a team that can compete with others, especially once we reach November action.    - - - - -    - The key theme in this section is rebuilding and that looks to be happening at Cleveland. The Blue Raiders have begun the year at 0-4 and while they have shown some competitive work, it's been a struggle thus far and the schedule doesn't lighten up as they hit the road again this Friday to face an undefeated Oak Ridge football team. I didn't have high expectations for Cleveland going into the year as they were replacing several key players but it's been a struggle on both sides of the ball and I don't know if things will get better the remainder of the season.    One positive thing about this year could be the growth of their young players. The Blue Raiders have a few talented underclassmen like [player_tooltip player_id='966038' first='Kyree' last='Scott'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1695341' first='Kyreece' last='Westfield'] that are gaining a lot of experience, playing big roles this year that could benefit them next Fall. It's a tough road towards earning a spot in the playoffs for Cleveland but they have a small glimmer of hope in their final four games of the year against Bradley Central, Bearden, Hardin Valley and Farragut. We shall see how things play out but this is definitely a rebuilding year for the Blue Raiders and a season that should be used for fuel to grow the program further.    - - - - -    - Expectations were high for Camden Central and Halls going into the 2025 season but after four weeks of action, they both sit at 1-3 on the year and look questionable to turn things around the rest of the year. Neither team has performed like either wanted up to this point but they have a chance to get things right and still compete for region titles. They must start the resurgence now as both Camden and Halls have tough schedules ahead with most of their big inner-region games left to be played.    Both the Lions and the Tigers have struggled to score points and maintain any consistency on offense. That's a little surprising as both have some good athletes but something just hasn't clicked. Better play up front in the trenches could be the answer. Leaning on their veterans will be key as well and both Camden and Halls have those kinds of guys to depend upon. The Lions stay on the road and out of region this week at McKenzie while the Tigers hit the road as well against region foe Union City. Hopefully this is the week both teams begin to turn things around because if they don't, Camden and Halls could be in for a long season.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/antjackson2.jpg?w=650" alt="" class="wp-image-1891960" style="width:197px;height:auto" /></figure>