Nightmare on Postseason Street: Scary Playoff Teams (1A-4A)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">We are one week away from starting postseason play here in Tennessee. Crunch time is upon us and while many teams will be seen as favorites in the coming playoffs, we see a grouping of schools here that may not be on the top line of championship contenders but are scary teams that others may not want to face. Here are the squads from Class 1A, 2A, 3A &amp; 4A that we see as nightmare matchups and teams to keep eyes on for a potential deep playoff run.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(All these teams mentioned are guaranteed to reach the playoffs)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 1A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fayetteville: </strong>You have to look past the Tigers overall record of 3-5 to see the talent and potential they have in postseason play. Fayetteville has some players like <strong>Zyon Nnaji </strong>and others that have college potential, which could make the Tigers a formidable squad to face in the playoffs. They have battled a tough schedule as well this year, so it should make them quite tested for the biggest part of the football season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oliver Springs: </strong>The Bobcats have been a consistent playoff competitor over the past few years due to their efficiency on offense and strong play on defense. That recipe has continued this year as Oliver Springs has put together another strong year, currently sitting at 6-3 overall with a big game upcoming in “Week Eleven” versus Coalfield. The Bobcats have a veteran quarterback in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432186' first='Liam' last='Boeke'] </strong>that should provide a nice advantage in the coming playoffs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McEwen: </strong>Throughout this 2025 season, the Warriors have been a tough out for the opposition. This is a well balanced team that leans on both sides of the ball to accomplish victories. Their ability to run the ball and play physically in the line of scrimmage are key pieces towards going deep in the playoffs. The Warriors have proved this year they can beat good teams as they have wins over Houston Co., Harpeth and others, so you can't sleep on this West TN squad and their shot at winning several games in the playoffs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1672953,"width":"243px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/lboeke.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1672953" style="width:243px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 2A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Adamsville: </strong>Putting together a record of 6-3 headed into “Week Eleven”, the Cardinals are a battle tested team that others may have a hard time dealing with in the coming playoffs. Led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='932830' first='Asah' last='Story'] </strong>and their defense, Adamsville has been a tough out this season as they have shut down some opposing offenses while showing flashes of high scoring games. If the top version of the Cardinals shows up in Round One, they could find a recipe that helps them go deep in the playoffs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bledsoe Co.: </strong>This has been one of the tougher teams to face on the 2A level over the past few years but the Warriors have yet to break through and achieve a state title. I'm not saying that will change this year but you can bet Bledsoe Co. won't be an easy out. The Warriors have only taken defeat twice this season while picking up several good wins. This is a well balanced team that can get the job done in multiple ways, so whoever is in their path won't have an easy time knocking them out.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cannon Co.: </strong>The Lions might have one of the more explosive offenses on the 2A level but can it travel into postseason play? I think it can, especially if <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='819521' first='Eli' last='Garrett']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1803381' first='Miles' last='Alexander'] </strong>and others continue to perform at a high level. I think the biggest key towards Cannon Co. going on a deep run will be the play up front in the offensive line and their defense stepping up to play their best ball of the season. I can certainly see a scenario where the Lions upset some teams and make it to the quarterfinals and beyond.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1700902,"width":"222px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/egarrett.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1700902" style="width:222px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 3A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fairview: </strong>The Yellow Jackets have steadily gotten better each week throughout the season with a defense that has remained consistent and an offense that has become high scoring the deeper we have gone into the football year. Fairview brings a solid backfield duo of <strong>Jax McCoy </strong>and <strong>Bryson Harrison </strong>into the playoffs along with probably one of the more underrated defensive units in the 3A ranks. Depending on matchups, I like the Yellow Jackets and their chances at creating upsets and going deeper than some may think.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Forrest: </strong>This is a scary team others may not want to face, especially if the Forrest defense shows up and shows out. I fully expect their offense to lead the way, as they have all season long with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1589943' first='Quincy' last='Mitchell'] </strong>becoming a top contender for Mr. Football. The Rockets offense has been consistent, scoring enough points week in and week out but their defense has shown leaks. If they can shore that up in “Week Eleven” and into the playoffs, Forrest could definitely become a tough out.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Giles Co.: </strong>All season long, the Bobcats have been tough to face and I expect that to continue into the coming playoffs. Giles Co. is battle tested and a team that plays disciplined, physical football, which are two traits that travel well into the postseason. They are led by <strong>Xavier Randolph </strong>and their offense but the defense is quite good as well. The Bobcats may be one of the top teams in this article that I can see winning several games and making their way to the Semi's with a shot at Chattanooga.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Unicoi Co.: </strong>When you have a veteran quarterback like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115203' first='Kolby' last='Jones']</strong>, who has a college future, you have a shot to do some damage. Jones has won a lot of ball games throughout his Blue Devil career and I'm sure would like to finish it out with a shot at the 3A title. Unicoi Co. will have to work past tough competition but they have the signal caller and pieces around him to potentially make some noise and maneuver their way through the playoffs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1595937,"width":"254px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/qmitchell.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1595937" style="width:254px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 4A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carter: </strong>The Hornets are coming off a tough loss to Alcoa in “Week Ten” but still have enough talent to regroup and potentially make some noise in November. Carter has an offense, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1535791' first='Brody' last='Sparks'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1467544' first='Jody' last='Scruggs'] </strong>that can be explosive and high scoring. It's their defense that needs to step up and perform at a higher level for the Hornets to cause some damage in the playoffs. If their defensive unit shows up while Sparks remains on point, watch out for Carter to be a sleeper team that can advance multiple rounds.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Crockett Co.: </strong>Competing in one of the toughest regions within the 4A ranks, the Cavs are a battle tested team that won't be afraid of anyone while having explosive offensive talent that can be difference makers in the playoffs. Having a senior quarterback like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1743787' first='Ben' last='Burgess'] </strong>behind center helps the cause but so does junior ball carrier <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1668510' first='D.K.' last='Woods']</strong>, who has the capabilities of going off for big games. It's the Cavs defense that needs to compliment the offense and if they do so, watch out for Crockett Co. to make a run.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>White Co.: </strong>Even though the Warriors are coming off a shutout loss to Upperman, I still think this is a good enough team to not only win early in the playoffs but pull off several victories. For most of the season, the White Co. defense has been rock solid, led by a defensive front that is spearheaded by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1405051' first='Hunter' last='Broyles'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1617402' first='Lex' last='Winfree']</strong>. The offense has been good as well with <strong>Cole Sims </strong>and the run game being their bread and butter. Depending on matchups, White Co. could be a tough out and a team that catches fire and goes deep into the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1667196,"width":"220px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/hbroyles.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-1667196" style="width:220px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->