PRZTN Playoff Preview: 3A

It's playoff football in Tennessee, and Prep Redzone is here to preview each classification ahead of the first round on Friday night.   Chris Smith did his 1A preview yesterday. Now, I'm here to talk about 3A.   This classification is somewhat top-heavy with five or six legitimate contenders, but don't sleep on the next tier of teams.   There are multiple programs sprinkled in the bracket that could pull off some upsets and make a deep postseason run.   Let's get into my 2025 TSSAA 3A State Playoffs preview with the bracket, championship favorites, top prospects and more.   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/gsimpson.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1529148" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Westview QB [player_tooltip player_id='424594' first='Graham' last='Simpson']. Taken by Matthew Joyner, @shots.with.mj.</figcaption></figure>   Class 3A Brackets   #4 Kingston (6-3) at #1 Gatlinburg-Pittman (10-0)   #3 Forrest (7-3) at #2 Chattanooga Prep (4-6)   ---   #4 Johnson County (3-7) at #1 Meigs County (9-1)   #3 Brainerd (1-8) at #2 Sequatchie County (7-3)   ---   #4 Watertown (5-5) at #1 Tyner Academy (9-1)   #3 Sweetwater (6-4) at #2 Unicoi County (8-2)   ---   #4 Chattanooga Central FORFEITED (1-9) at #1 Giles County (7-3)   #3 Pigeon Forge (4-6) at #2 McMinn Central (7-3)   ---   #4 Sycamore (6-4) at #1 White House Heritage (7-3)   #3 Wooddale (6-4) at #2 Covington (9-1)   ---   #4 Stratford (3-6) at #1 Fairview (8-2)   #3 Dyersburg (6-4) at #2 Bolton (5-3)   ---   #4 Hamilton (3-7) at #1 Westview (9-0)   #3 Camden (5-5) at #2 Westmoreland (5-5)   ---   #4 Bolivar Central (5-5) at #1 Melrose (8-1)   #3 Maplewood (3-6) at #2 Waverly (9-1)   ----------   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/braymaples.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1708044" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Gatlinburg-Pittman RB [player_tooltip player_id='1182191' first='Brayden' last='Maples']. Photo by GP Athletics.</figcaption></figure>   Top Title Contenders/Favorites   Westview: The Chargers head into the playoffs at 9-0 and have great odds to capture their first state title since 2021. Westview boasts a potent offense led by blue-chip quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='424594' first='Graham' last='Simpson'], who's having another standout campaign as a sophomore.   They're averaging 52 points per game, but don't sleep on their defense.   The Charger D has been dominant for most of the season, holding teams to fewer than 20 points in six games.   Gatlinburg-Pittman: Gatlinburg-Pittman is one of the other heavily favored teams in the 3A playoffs, and for good reason. The Highlanders are an extremely balanced team with some of the best skill players in the state.   Junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1182191' first='Brayden' last='Maples'] is their leading rusher with 969 yards on 8.7 YPC and 24 total touchdowns.   GP has a solid passing game, led by quarterback Tyson Sutton, who's nearing 2,000 passing yards. Defensively, they're giving up 9.3 PPG, which is one of the best in their classification.   Tyner Academy: Tyner Academy has been unstoppable this season, besides its 49-42 loss to No. 2 Nashville Christian.   But solely against their level of competition, the Rams have dominated just about everybody in their way.   Antonio “Dion” Edwards is arguably their best weapon, averaging nearly 100 total yards per game. However, they're somewhat of a by-committee offense, with five players having at least 300 rushing or receiving yards.   Quarterback Tyler Anderson has been a productive dual-threat guy, while the Tyner defense features multiple Division I prospects.   Meigs County: The Tigers enter postseason play with an impressive 9-1 record (5-0 in region play), which is good enough to earn them the No. 1 seed in 3A Region 2.   Meigs County is a running team with two of the best players in the state, quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1565598' first='Kaiden' last='Brewster'] and running back Tuff Ricker.   The two have combined for 1,234 yards on 7.1 YPC and 18 rushing touchdowns.   The MCHS defense is one of the best in its classification, holding opposing teams to 10 points or fewer in seven of its 10 contests.   Melrose: The Melrose Golden Wildcats are one of the most dangerous teams in 3A.   After losing its season opener to Memphis Central, they've rattled off eight consecutive wins, outscoring opponents 376-25 in that stretch.   Sophomore sensation [player_tooltip player_id='1037302' first='Thomas' last='Heffner'] is the team's quarterback, and he's had himself a breakout campaign, posting 2,092 total yards and 34 touchdowns.   The Melrose defense has also been elite this season, giving up 61 points all year and pitching six shutouts.   Fairview: Fairview comes into the postseason at 8-2 and No. 24 in Chris Smith's Small School Power Poll.   Led by senior quarterback Jax McCoy, a three-headed monster at tailback and a solid defense, they're a team that could certainly make noise in the playoffs.   They've totaled 1,461 passing yards, but the scariest part of the offense is their rushing attack, which is averaging over 200 YPG.   When you factor that in with their defense, that's been stout and made clutch stops all season long, they're certainly a player in this state title race.   -----   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/qmitchell2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1857029" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: RB [player_tooltip player_id='1589943' first='Quincy' last='Mitchell']. Photo by Forrest Athletics.</figcaption></figure>   Sleeper Teams   Forrest: Forrest is the three seed in their region, but don't sleep on the Rockets. They've won three of their last four games and have one of the most productive running backs in the nation with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1589943' first='Quincy' last='Mitchell'].   The superstar tailback has totaled 2,392 rushing yards on 10.6 YPC and 29 touchdowns, carrying his team to the playoffs. While this isn't a perfect team, I think very highly of Mitchell and could see him lead Forrest to a deep run.   Sequatchie County: The Indians are 7-3 heading into the postseason, but have a talented offense that's getting hot at the right time.   Sequatchie County has put up 30+ points in five of its final six games this season, which spells postseason success.   Their draw in the bracket isn't the easiest, but I trust this offense to make plays. If their defense can get it going consistently, SCHS is a team I could see making a run.   Covington: The Chargers are one of the best teams in 3A, but are being forgotten because they aren't one of those top-tier teams like Westview or Melrose.   However, they're talented and were handed a great draw in the bracket.   While Covington is the two seed in their region, they have the best record of anybody they would face over the first three rounds.   I could see them flying through the first few contests, then being set up with a semifinal matchup against Westview, who beat them 42-20 in the final game of the regular season.   ----------   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/Photo-Nov-03-2025-3-51-24-PM.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-2004185" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: The 2022 TSSAA State Championship Trophy. Taken by Hellen Comer, The Daily News Journal.</figcaption></figure>   Final Four/State Title Predictions   Upper Half: Gatlinburg-Pittman vs. Tyner Academy   Bottom Half: Covington vs. Westview   ---   State Title Game: Gatlinburg-Pittman vs. Westview   Class 3A State Champion: Westview Chargers   -------   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Photo-Oct-02-2025-4-06-28-PM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1925303" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Melrose QB [player_tooltip player_id='1037302' first='Thomas' last='Heffner']. Taken by Braiden Headley, Bheadley_photography.</figcaption></figure>   Top Prospects to Watch   QB [player_tooltip player_id='424594' first='Graham' last='Simpson'] – Westview: Simpson is the No. 1 player in 2028 for a reason. He's a great passer with pristine accuracy, excellent pocket awareness and solid mobility to keep plays alive or scramble if necessary.   The little brother of Heisman Trophy frontrunner Ty Simpson had an outstanding freshman season but came up short in the 2024 TSSAA 3A State Championship.   Now, he's coming back to try and capture Westview's first title since 2021.   QB [player_tooltip player_id='1037302' first='Thomas' last='Heffner'] – Melrose: Heffner saw limited time as a freshman, totaling 1,162 yards and 10 touchdowns in eight games at Olive Branch High School in Mississippi. He transferred to Melrose and has been highly productive and efficient for the Wildcats.   He's a true dual-threat quarterback who can do it all for his team. Heffner features a strong and accurate arm, especially on deep throws, where he excels. He won't run too much but has the mobility to keep plays alive and take off if necessary.   RB [player_tooltip player_id='1589943' first='Quincy' last='Mitchell'] – Forrest: 2028 running back [player_tooltip player_id='1589943' first='Quincy' last='Mitchell'] is going nuclear this season, posting some of the most impressive numbers I've ever seen from a Tennessee tailback.   He was already a beast, earning 2A Region 4 Running Back of the Year honors as a freshman, but he's taken the next step in 2025. Mitchell is a compact running back with outstanding speed and vision.   The Forrest tailback is patient enough to take the smaller gains, but if you give him a crease, he'll take it to the house. Mitchell also has some of the best speed and acceleration in the 2028 class.   TE [player_tooltip player_id='454466' first='Jack' last='Evitts'] – Sequatchie County: [player_tooltip player_id='454466' first='Jack' last='Evitts'] is one of those rare players who has the athleticism, speed, and quickness of a wide receiver in a 6-foot-4, 225-pound body.   He's been very impressive this year for a Sequatchie County team that moves him around the field like a chess piece.   The junior boasts a good, long frame with room to put on more weight.   Evitts is willing to block and do the dirty work up front, but he's clearly more of a receiving threat with the complete mismatch he is for nearly everybody.   He's too athletic for linebackers and too big for defensive backs, so he's able to do just about whatever he wants to opposing defenses.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1587004' first='Gerrard' last='Kaufman'] – Melrose: [player_tooltip player_id='1587004' first='Gerrard' last='Kaufman'] from Melrose is somebody who immediately caught my eye when I turned on the tape.   He's a versatile player who has lined up at middle linebacker, edge rusher and even safety at times. However, he is an excellent fit for an EDGE due to his build and athleticism.   Kaufman is 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds with a long frame and a great jump off the line. Kaufman also features good technique with quick hands and nice bend. He's totaled over 30 tackles with multiple sacks and TFLs in what's becoming a breakout campaign for the talented 2027 prospect.   DL [player_tooltip player_id='1032139' first='Drake' last='Hickman'] – Westview: [player_tooltip player_id='1032139' first='Drake' last='Hickman'] is an electric player for the Westview Chargers. After posting an excellent freshman season in 2024, he's looked even better this year. The big interior lineman is straight-up dominant against the run, showing a remarkable ability to get off blocks and into the backfield.   He's quick off the ball, has nice hand placement and technique, while being extremely physical and fighting through whoever tries to block him.   RB [player_tooltip player_id='1038480' first='Dee' last='McNealy'] – Tyner Academy: He's a do-it-all RB who thrives running the football, but can also hurt you in the receiving game. McNealy is a compact player at 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds who uses his build well to weave through traffic and fight for extra yards.   He has excellent vision and twitch when toting the rock, while showing patience to allow running lanes to open up. He checks all the boxes for a finesse runner, but he's also strong and can lower his shoulder if necessary.   McNealy isn't afraid to run through somebody, and that physicality makes him a full-package player.   DB Dion Edwards – Tyner Academy: The 2028 Tyner Academy player is very productive on both sides of the ball. However, he excels at safety. He plays a good center field, but can cover all over the gridiron while being able to play corner if necessary.   Antonio “Dion” Edwards has a good frame with a lot of explosiveness, burst and good football instincts. The sophomore also impresses with his tackling ability, showing he's not just a one-trick pony as a coverage guy.

It's playoff football in Tennessee, and Prep Redzone is here to preview each classification ahead of the first round on Friday night.