Nightmare on Postseason Street: Scary Playoff Teams (5A-Private)

<!-- 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 each classification 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 5A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Knox. Halls: </strong>When you have a veteran quarterback that has played and won a lot of ball games for your squad like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1102989' first='Amari' last='Lethgo'] </strong>has, you have a shot to cause some damage in the playoffs. The Red Devils are an interesting team that has had some up's and down's this season but have enough talent to go on a run in the coming postseason. They have played a tough schedule, so they shouldn't be phased by competition. If both sides of the ball perform at a high level, I can see Knox. Halls winning several games and advancing throughout the playoffs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Memphis Central: </strong>The Warriors have quietly been one of the better teams this year coming out of the greater Memphis area with an offense that can be high scoring and a defense with the potential to be suffocating up front. Memp. Central has a potent passing attack with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1094224' first='Brooks' last='Wright'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598138' first='Andrus' last='Farmer'] </strong>that can be tough to handle. They also play well on the D-line with guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1576763' first='Joshua' last='Lane']</strong>. The Warriors have the potential to win more than one game in the playoffs but they must perform better than they have all season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tullahoma: </strong>Sporting a veteran backfield of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432189' first='Lucas' last='Reed'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853128' first='Marvancy' last='Johnson']</strong>, the Wildcats have an excellent one-two punch on offense that could put the team on their back and achieve multiple victories in the coming playoffs. You see pieces spread throughout this team that speaks towards the Wildcats being a tough out but they must push everything to another level compared to how the regular season has gone. Having the rushing attack they do along with a defense that has shown flashes of strong play, the Wildcats are a team to certainly watch out for when it comes to surprising and advancing.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1994344,"width":"323px","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/marjohnson-crop-1229x807-1761936021.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1994344" style="width:323px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 6A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brentwood: </strong>Some may consider the Bruins to be having a down year at 6-3 overall but even with a young squad, this Mid-TN team is still good enough to win a few postseason games and maybe more. The offense is led by sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904978' first='Gavin' last='Strang'] </strong>but it's been <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1597026' first='Jackson' last='Allen'] </strong>and the Brentwood defense that has led the way. Defense is something that travels well into the playoffs and if the Bruins continue to perform at a high level on that side of the ball, they could surprise some teams and advance further than some may think.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Riverdale: </strong>The Warriors have been flirting with potential championships over the past several years and here they are yet again as a formidable team that others may not want to face in the playoffs. Riverdale has steadily gotten better as the season has gone forward. Their offense has a ton of potential, spearheaded by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1287058' first='Gavin' last='Hampton']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1868595' first='Jacob' last='Vaughn'] </strong>and underrated stud senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103005' first='Corben' last='Reynolds']</strong>. There is a lot of talent on the Warriors roster, so they certainly have the capabilities of winning multiple games and making their way to Chattanooga.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Whitehaven: </strong>The 2025 season hasn't gone according to plan for the Tigers but they are still set to compete in the playoffs and they have the talent to make some noise. Whitehaven might have one of the more talented rosters within the 6A ranks but haven't put everything together this year like they hoped. They will be given a second life in the postseason to right some wrongs, potentially go on a deep run and shock some teams. Watch out for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1431775' first='Christopher' last='Talley'] </strong>to possibly become a game changer that helps the Tigers advance.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1994346,"width":"281px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/ctalley-crop-1135x745-1761936301.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1994346" style="width:281px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D2-Class A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Middle TN Christian: </strong>The Cougars have flown under the radar this year with a young team that has a current 5-2 record overall. This year's MTCS team has steadily gotten better as the year has gone on and could be hitting their stride as we head into postseason play. It's hard to gauge the Cougars and what kind of impact they could have in the playoffs but this program has a strong culture about them that has won a lot of ball games over the years, so you can't sleep on MTCS if they fall in your path.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Trinity Chrst. Academy: </strong>After starting the year 1-2, the Lions have reeled off seven wins in a row and are looking like a team that can not only make noise in the playoffs but potentially play their way to Chattanooga. There are others ahead of them as favorites but TCA is playing real good football right now with an offense, led by <strong>Owen Atwood </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103503' first='Gabriel' last='Lee'] </strong>that is scoring a lot of points. If the unity can remain here with the Lions, I like their chances in the postseason and a sleeper team on the D2-Class A level to watch for.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D2-Class AA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lausanne: </strong>Some of the best pure talent from the D2-Class AA level can be found with the Lynx, which makes them a potential scary team to see in the coming playoffs. This year's team has steadily gotten better as the season has gone on with their offense beginning to take over in games, led by senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1562192' first='T.J.' last='Jenkins'] </strong>and his dynamic receiving duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='860627' first='Jawell' last='Rodgers'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1556594' first='Lawrence' last='Britt']</strong>. It's been their defense that has presented questions throughout the season but they have played better of late. Depending on matchups, I like the Lynx to do well in the coming playoffs and be a team to watch for when it comes to playing their way to Chattanooga.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Silverdale: </strong>The Seahawks have flashed excellent game play during the 2025 season but also shown some down moments. If the best of Silverdale shows up in the playoffs, they could certainly be a team that makes a deep run and potentially plays their way into the D2-Class AA title game. The offense can be high scoring, led by <strong>Cody Davenport </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1535798' first='Connor' last='Jenne']</strong> while the defense has potential and has flashed good play but needs to step it up moving forward. The Seahawks have a nice mix of veteran leadership and youthful talent that could come together and do strong work in the playoffs and even maybe play their way into title contention.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D2-Class AAA&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Briarcrest Christian: </strong>When you have a veteran quarterback like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492553' first='Hudson' last='Tucker'] </strong>behind center, you have a shot to win ball games. It's the Saints defense that I need to see step up if they want to contend for a state title. Sitting in the classification they do, the path to Chattanooga is very tough but if Briarcrest can take one game at a time while playing their best football of the season, they have a shot. Their offense can score and the Saints are well balanced with Tucker and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1611645' first='William' last='Jones'] </strong>in the passing game and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1651725' first='Darreus' last='McFadden'] </strong>handling duties at running back. If their defense can find a new level to their game, you have to keep eyes out on the Saints and their postseason chances.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Knox. Catholic: </strong>If there is one main team on the D2-Class AAA level that is your sleeper squad to watch, it's the Fighting Irish. Some of the best talent within this classification can be found at Knox. Catholic but they have struggled with better teams this year. Maybe a reset with a new playoff season can help because the Fighting Irish have enough talent to not only knock off their opponents but go on a deep run as well. It's their offense with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='496084' first='Mack' last='Bartholomew'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284149' first='Tyreek' last='King'] </strong>that need to perform well for Catholic to do something special. The offense has been hit or miss this year but if they are clicking on a level they have yet to play this year, I would not be surprised to see them make a run at Chattanooga.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1994350,"width":"316px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/knoxcatholic2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1994350" style="width:316px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->