Prime Time Playoff Performers: Quarterfinals/D2-Semi’s

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The state of Tennessee saw some big time performances take place last week in some big time matchups that helped advance their teams to the next round. Here we breakdown some of the best individual performers coming from the third round of playoff action. </h2>     (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='480742' first='Kelvin' last='Perkins'] - Southwind   - What do you know, Perkins produced yet another monster performance with his latest, moving the Jaguars into the semifinals after a 42-21 win over Collierville. This Mr. Football semifinalist was absolutely sensational in the victory as Perkins went 12-20 passing for 263 yards and 4 touchdowns while also carrying the ball 14 times for 222 yards rushing and two scores. Perkins alone produced 485 yards of total offense and was the main culprit in the defeat of the Dragons. This type of performance speaks volumes towards Perkins' poise and ability to dominate within highly important games. Perkins is the kind of guy that can put his team on his back and lead the Jaguars towards the 6A title game and bring a “Gold Ball” back to Memphis.    - - - - -    ‘28 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1037670' first='Jack' last='Nimitz'] - Franklin Road Academy   - Nimitz might have had his coming out show in the Panthers 49-21 victory over Lausanne where this sophomore quarterback produced four touchdowns on the night. Calm and poised in this win, Nimitz had an impressive night as he generated three passing touchdowns while scoring another on the ground in helping his Panthers team advance to the D2-Class AA title game. This sophomore signal caller played a mature ball game, showing excellent control of his offense while putting the ball into his playmakers hands on a consistent basis, especially in the red zone. I don't know how Nimitz will perform in Chattanooga but this game showed a potential bright future during his time at FRA.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/jnimitz-crop-1984x1303-1764090463.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2065488" style="width:289px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1222053' first='Jaiden' last='Bunch'] - Coalfield   - Recently becoming the school's all-time leading rusher, Bunch continued to add to his total with a monster performance in the Yellow Jackets quarterfinal victory last week over Sale Creek. This senior ball carrier went off against the Panthers as Bunch ran 22 times for 268 yards while scoring six touchdowns in helping push his Coalfield team towards a big semifinal match against South Pittsburg. Over the back half of the schedule, Bunch has been on a tear, running through opposing defenses, which has continued into the playoffs. His play has been critical towards the team's success and will remain so this coming Friday against the Pirates and hopefully into the Class 1A state title game.    - - - - -    (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1210671' first='David' last='Gabriel-Georges'] - Baylor   - The best individual performance coming from last week's playoff action came from this junior running back that ran all over the McCallie defense on his way to helping his Red Raiders team advance to the D2-Class AAA championship game. Gabriel-Georges put his team on his back in the semifinal round as he ran for 431 yards on 32 carries while producing 7 rushing touchdowns. That's one of the best rushing performances we have had in this state in a while and the Canadian native is only a junior. Gabriel-Georges is a man among boys on the football field that can do anything he wants, so imagine how good he will be once he reaches the college level.   - - - - -    ‘27 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='723428' first='Larry' last='Sanders II'] - Brentwood Academy   - The Eagles advanced to the D2-Class AAA state championship game after a commanding victory over CPA with Sanders being the main catalyst that stamped their placement to Chattanooga. This junior running back has put forth a breakout season this year by establishing himself as one of the better prospects at his position from the greater Mid-Tennessee area and his recruiting class. Sanders continued to build his stock last week against CPA as he produced four rushing scores on the night on top of rushing for 205 yards. His next opportunity to grow his stock comes in two weeks when he faces Baylor and if Sanders goes off again, his Eagles team could be coming home with a “Gold Ball.”   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/2-Larry-Sanders-II-rotated-e1736534050602.jpg?w=946" alt="" class="wp-image-1598676" style="width:228px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -     (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='932932' first='Kenton' last='Smith'] - Huntingdon   - This under the radar senior athlete came up big when his Mustangs team needed to in their 42-20 win over East Robertson. Whenever Huntingdon got near the goal line, Smith punched it in, doing so in two different ways. The Mustangs senior ran 15 times for 123 yards and four rushing touchdowns while also throwing for 97 yards and throwing for one score. Smith is a natural athlete that stars on the basketball court but has shown this season his upside for the collegiate gridiron. His ultimate position may sit at either receiver or somewhere on defense but Smith is a gamer that has shown up big this year and is a guy that could lead the Mustangs to the Class 2A state championship game.    - - - - -    ‘27 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='2065483' first='Zaiden' last='Humphrey'] - Marion Co.   - The Warriors find themselves in a familiar position as they are set for a semifinal matchup versus Eagleton this Friday after Humphrey helped lead his team to a 42-14 victory over Gordonsville in the quarterfinal round. This junior athlete was sensational as he used his natural athletic abilities to cause fits for the Tigers defense as they had no answers for him. Humphrey produced four touchdowns on the night with three of them coming on the ground and another on defense where he ran back a 45 yard pick six. The Warriors junior has stepped up big time this year, providing excellent big play abilities and someone the team can lean on when a big play is needed. Humphrey will need to continue his playmaking ways this Friday and potentially beyond and help Marion Co. go back to back as 2A state champions.    - - - - -    (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='402552' first='Jordan' last='Curll'] - Page   - I don't know what bigger college programs are not seeing in this Mid-Tennessee O-lineman because Curll is legit and has absolutely dominated his opponents this year, including last week against Beech. I personally scouted the Patriots win over Beech last Friday while keeping tabs on Curll and nobody from the Bucs defense could do anything with him. This Western Ky commit locked up everything thrown at him as Beech pass rush could not get past Curll due to his excellent footwork, athleticism and arm length. This has been an exceptional senior season from Curll that will boost his PRZTN ranking but it should have already enticed interest from some Power Four programs because the Pat offensive tackle is that good!   - - - - -    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1373099' first='Matthew' last='Anderson'] - Ravenwood   - The Raptors advanced last week with a close, hard fought 20-12 win over Whitehaven with Anderson and the Ravenwood defense being a big factor behind the victory. All season long, Anderson has been a tackling machine and it continued against the Tigers where this senior linebacker generated 12 total tackles with two of them for loss along with several pass breakups and one sack on the night. The Ravenwood offense had its struggle versus the Tigers, so the Raptors needed strong play from their defense where Anderson stepped up. He has certainly helped his cause and stock this season as one of the better run stuffers in the Mid-State area while also having the ability to rush the passer as well.    - - - - -    (S) [player_tooltip player_id='540028' first='Knight' last='Wilson'] - Page   - Big time players step up in big moments and that's what Wilson did in the Patriots 31-21 victory over Beech. His work on defense was consistent the entire game as Wilson made several tackles against the Bucs run game while providing blanket coverage on the back end. Where he made his presence known was on offense where the future Air Force safety produced over 100 yards receiving, including a 60 yard touchdown that allowed the Patriots to push ahead for good. That touchdown reception saw Wilson juke several defenders while using his physicality to work past them and into the end zone, showing off his natural athleticism and versatility. Wilson is as steady as they come from our senior class and a playmaker to watch in the Patriots upcoming semifinal contest versus Centennial.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/Photo-Nov-22-2025-12-32-02-AM.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2062225" style="width:284px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Shayne Pickering Prep Redzone</figcaption></figure>