Prime Time Playoff Performers: 1st Round

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The postseason is a great platform for prospects to perform at a high level and push their recruiting stocks forward. These players we believe did that in "Round One" with standout performances that either opened eyes on their abilities or pushed their teams into the second round. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1885892' first='Daniel' last='Booker'] - Columbia Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Booker picked the right time to have his best game yet throughout his high school career as the Lions quarterback ran through East Hamilton for 355 yards rushing on 29 carries and 6 touchdowns in his team's victory over the Hurricanes. There was not a thing the East Hamilton defense could do to stop Booker. His pure athleticism, speed and vision to find the open field proved to be a dagger in the hearts of the Hurricanes. Booker displayed excellent poise and leadership while making several good passes in this contest but it was his running that got the job done and advanced his Lions to the second round.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1885898,"width":"249px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/dbooker.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1885898" style="width:249px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1668515' first='Carter' last='Pettigrew'] - Lawrence Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- One of the biggest upsets from “Round One” came from Lawrence Co. as they went on the road and knocked off one seed Rhea Co. and the Wildcats were able to do that behind a sensational game from Pettigrew. This junior ball carrier punished the Golden Eagles front seven as Pettigrew ran for 239 yards on 19 carries while scoring three times. His powerful running style and breakaway speed proved to be too much for the Rhea Co. defense as they simply had no answers in stopping him. When you run the ball to succession in the playoffs, you have a great recipe at advancement, so expect the Wildcats to continue leaning on Pettigrew this week in their second round matchup.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1668510' first='D.K.' last='Woods'] - Crockett Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This West Tennessee running back has been on fire over the last month with his strong play continuing into the playoffs as Woods went off in the first round in his team's win over Kirby. The Cavaliers junior ball carrier ran through the Cougars defense for 264 yards on 15 carries while finding paydirt three times. Woods is a physically well built young man that uses his power to lead the way but once he gets into the open field with his deceptive speed, the Cavs running back is hard to bring down. Woods will need to bring his “A” game again in round two as the Cavs are set to face state power, Pearl Cohn.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1868595' first='Jacob' last='Vaughn'] - Riverdale</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Vaughn has emerged this season as one of the top young backs coming out of the Mid-Tennessee region and he continued his strong play in “Round One” during his team's 28-7 victory over Lebanon. The Warriors sophomore ball carrier was a one man wrecking crew versus the Blue Devils defense as Vaughn ran the ball 28 times for 284 yards and two touchdowns to advance Riverdale into the second round. Elusive and fast with great initial burst, Vaughn is a dynamic runner that gets into the open field quickly and usually ends the run with explosive plays or finishing in the end zone. His play alone could take his Warriors team deep into the 6A playoffs and possibly towards Chattanooga.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1939296,"width":"294px","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/Photo-Oct-07-2025-3-58-28-PM-crop-1069x702-1759872047.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1939296" style="width:294px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: RB [player_tooltip player_id='1868595' first='Jacob' last='Vaughn']. Taken by 615 Preps.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1589943' first='Quincy' last='Mitchell'] - Forrest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- At this point, I think it's a foregone conclusion that Mitchell should be your Mr. Football winner from the 3A level, especially after his monster performance in “Round One” versus Chatt. Prep. This sophomore running back ran all over the Sentinels for his best rushing performance of the season by going for 406 yards on 43 carries while scoring six touchdowns. Mitchell was basically unstoppable and has been all season long. The Rockets ball carrier may be undersized but he's a natural runner that is well balanced with lower body strength, shifty feet and great vision. This sophomore campaign has also put Mitchell on the recruiting map and I expect his stock to only continue rising throughout his high school career.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR/DB) Bryson Headrick - Sevier Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- </strong>Over the past two weeks, Headrick has been on another level, especially on offense where he has become the team's top playmaker and deep threat receiver. His first round work versus Knox. West was exceptional as Headrick produced 178 yards receiving on 7 receptions and three touchdowns against the Rebels. This senior two-way prospect has boosted his stock as a possible college receiver by showing his ability to get behind defenders while making some touch receptions amongst physical contact. His defensive work has been solid too as Headrick generated three tackles and one interception against Knox. West as well. Headrick's play will be critical moving forward as the Smoky Bears look to repeat as 5A state champions.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1608559' first='Kadyn' last='Page'] - Stone Memorial</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Panthers had an impressive first round showing in their 44-21 win over Loudon with this junior wideout standing out as a top performer. Page is one of the better under the radar receiver prospects from our junior class that had himself a day versus the Redskins with 112 yards receiving on 9 receptions while scoring three times. This dynamic receiver proved to be a problem for the Loudon secondary as Page got open on a consistent basis then used his athleticism and speed to breakaway into the open field. Page is a tough matchup due to mature abilities out wide and will be a player Anderson Co. must key on to stop in round two.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1871038,"width":"247px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/kadpage.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1871038" style="width:247px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(G/C) [player_tooltip player_id='1695364' first='Sloan' last='Bass'] - Page</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Last week in the first round of the TNHSFB playoffs, Page dominated Hendersonville in their 62-0 win over the Commandos with their offensive line standing out and Bass possibly being their top performer up front. Looking over the film, the Patriots senior O-lineman had a stellar game against Hendersonville as he showed clean snaps along with great hand placement and his ability to stand up his opponent and keep him in-check. The Commandos could not disrupt anything from the middle of the line and a lot of that was due to the play of Bass. If this senior center continues to perform at a high level moving forward, you could very well see the Patriots in Chattanooga competing for the 5A title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='906615' first='Shelvy' last='Clark'] - Bartlett</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Panthers might have taken defeat in “Round One” but Clark was a baller that Whitehaven had a hard time blocking. This junior linebacker is one of the bigger breakout defensive stars from the 2025 season that generated another strong game versus the Tigers. Clark produced 19 total tackles with 4 of them for loss as well as 1 pass defended, 1 forced fumble and 1 sack in his team's first round action. Throughout the entire Fall season, Clark has been a tackling machine that mixes in a nice combination of athleticism, size and speed that should give him a look for the D1 level. His junior season may be finished now but expect to continue hearing more and more about this Memphis area linebacker moving forward.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1103503' first='Gabriel' last='Lee'] - Trinity Chrst. Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Lee has put forth his best season throughout his high school career this year and his strong play continued in “Round One” where he helped knock off Franklin-Christian, 55-7 to advance in the playoffs. This senior two-way talent has been a playmaker on both sides of the ball this year for his Lions team that used his versatile skill set to get past the Falcons, especially his work on defense. Lee was a ball hawk that picked off the Falcons three times while taking one back for a touchdown. He also generated six tackles while also hauling in 3 passes for 67 yards on offense. His play in “Round Two” and possibly beyond will be key in his team's hopes at advancing and potentially competing for a state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2045218,"width":"249px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/glee.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2045218" style="width:249px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->