PRZTN Playoff Preview: Divison II-A

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Postseason action is upon us! Playoff games crank up this coming week and here at Prep Redzone Tennessee, we are previewing every classification, including here with the Division II-A level. All signs point to a few teams being in driver's seat for the state title but we definitely have some sleeper teams to watch for too. Find out all that information and more below inside our DII-A playoff preview.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Division II-A Bracket</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bye -- East #1 Providence Christian (8-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West #4 Tipton-Rosemark (4-6) at Middle #2 Friendship Christian (8-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-- -- --</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bye -- West #1 USJ (9-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East #4 Providence Academy (4-5) at Middle #3 DCA (6-4)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-- -- --</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bye -- Middle #1 Nashville Christian (10-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East #3 Concord Christian (5-3) at West #3 Jackson Christian (8-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-- -- --</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle #4 Franklin Christian (6-4) at West #2 Trinity Christian (8-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East #5 Chattanooga Grace (0-8) at East #2 MTCS (5-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Title Favorites/Contenders</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nashville Christian:</strong> The Eagles are led by superstar quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='402548' first='Jared' last='Curtis'], but they are so much more than just one player with functional size up front and in the backfield, as well a plethora of perimeter options that can make explosive plays. This team will be very hard to stop in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USJ:</strong> USJ has had a strong season led by their rushing attack and defense, making them one of the state championship favorites this season. They will look to win at the line of scrimmage and if they can do that, they will hard to beat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/drew_toennies/status/1979254882663022831","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/drew_toennies/status/1979254882663022831 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sleeper Teams</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Trinity Christian:</strong> Trinity Christian has quietly had a strong season this year and will be looking to carry that momentum over into the postseason with some favorable matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Friendship Christian:</strong> Friendship Christian can run the ball against anyone and could present some tough matchups for the title favorites deep in the bracket. Do not be shocked if this team ends up in the state championship game with a chance to win it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KadenBuchanan77/status/1935011085808972228","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KadenBuchanan77/status/1935011085808972228 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Final Four/State Title Predictions</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Upper Half: </strong>Friendship Christian at USJ</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bottom Half: </strong>Trinity Christian at Nashville Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>State Title Game:</strong> USJ vs Nashville Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Division II-AAA State Champion: </strong>Nashville Christian Eagles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Prospects to Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nashville Christian 2026 QB [player_tooltip player_id='402548' first='Jared' last='Curtis']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='402548' first='Jared' last='Curtis'] is one of the top quarterback recruits in the entire nation and is currently committed to Georgia. He makes big plays happen in big games when the Eagles need something to go their way and he will be crucial to the championship push.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NCS 2026 RB/LB TJ Ward</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NCS has a strong rushing attack that features a lot of big-bodied backs and the leader of the running back room is senior TJ Ward, who has been dynamic and powerful in his first full season available for the team. He was utterly unstoppable last postseason and is looking to do the same this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ChadSimmons_/status/1864797962439643322","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ChadSimmons_/status/1864797962439643322 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USJ 2026 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1126012' first='Jackson' last='Pugh']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1126012' first='Jackson' last='Pugh'] is the engine that makes the USJ offense run as he has been highly effective from the tailback position for the team this season, accounting for over 1,500 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns. He will need to have more big games in the end if this team hopes to win it all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USJ 2026 DL Barrett Shelton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The USJ defense has been dynamic in their nine victories and the star of the bunch has been defensive lineman Barrett Shelton, who has produced at an impressive level this season. He will be important when they face strong rushing attacks this postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Friendship Christian 2027 OL [player_tooltip player_id='705894' first='Kaden' last='Buchanan']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>FCS has a dynamic rushing attack with a plethora of options and they tend to run behind their massive, powerful junior offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='705894' first='Kaden' last='Buchanan']. He can line up along the entire line and will fill in where needed to create the best rushing lane, including center.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Friendship Christian 2026 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1104293' first='Blake' last='Waldorf']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1104293' first='Blake' last='Waldorf'] gives the team a dynamic dual-threat quarterback who works great off a strong rushing attack as both a passer and rusher. He will have to make a lot of plays reading the defense when the team gets deep in the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/joe_spears7/status/1984445727351747053","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/joe_spears7/status/1984445727351747053 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Trinity Christian 2026 QB/DB Owen Atwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trinity Christian has had a strong season this year and Owen Atwood has been a large reason for the success this year with both his play at quarterback and defensive back. He is a dual-threat quarterback who can make plays with both his arm and legs and is among the team leaders in pass breakups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MTCS 2028 RB/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1066002' first='Alie' last='Bangura']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MTCS has strong cores at running back and defense with sophomore standout [player_tooltip player_id='1066002' first='Alie' last='Bangura'] is one of the leaders at both. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards this season and consistently makes tackles on defense as well. He will have to have some impressive games to close out this season for a deep playoff push.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Brooks_615/status/1984436022243930567","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Brooks_615/status/1984436022243930567 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Providence Christian 2026 RB/LB Sean Birkofer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sean Birkofer has been an essential part of the breakthrough season that PCA has had this year, as both a rusher and linebacker. He has good size and that allows him to be a strong rusher that picks up a lot of yards. He is dynamic as a linebacker, racking up tackles and even making plays in the passing game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DCA 2027 RB Riley Biddle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Donelson Christian Academy has had success on the ground this season with junior Riley Biddle who has broken out this season and could break the 1,000 rushing mark in the postseason. DCA tries to get their playmakers in space and having a strong rushing attack allows the team to do that even more, so Biddle will be counted on heavily.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->