Underrated Players Making Big Contributions in The Postseason

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been an exciting November of postseason high school football in Tennessee. While there are plenty of stars who have shown out for their team, there are also many underrated players who have made significant contributions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, I'll be talking about 10 under-the-radar players who have been outstanding pieces to their respective playoff teams. Let's get into it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1857040} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/damallen.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1857040" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Giles County WR [player_tooltip player_id='1662941' first='Damari' last='Allen']. Photo by Giles County Athletics.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1662941' first='Damari' last='Allen'] – Giles County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1662941' first='Damari' last='Allen'] has been one of the breakout players in Tennessee this season. He's a versatile weapon who's a big play waiting to happen, as he averages 19.9 yards per reception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Allen has over 700 receiving yards this year, but he had a solid game against McMinn Central in the second round. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2028 WR had three catches for 48 yards, including two big catches that moved the chains for Giles County to get into scoring position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's their best wide receiver and will continue to be a big piece of their playoff team, however far they may go.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1537564} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/ljfunk.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1537564" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Pearl-Cohn QB LJ Funk. Photo by Pearl-Cohn Athletics.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 QB LJ Funk – Pearl-Cohn</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pearl-Cohn's LJ Funk is one of the more underrated quarterbacks in the state, leading a good team with a path to the state championship game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Firebirds have dominated both playoff games they've played so far, outscoring opponents 105-28, with Funk being a big part of it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior has completed 75% of his passes for 384 yards and five touchdowns to one interception. He hasn't been forced to play or throw the ball as much with his team being up by so much, which makes his numbers more impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2058982} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/Photo-Nov-19-2025-2-20-29-PM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2058982" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Pearl-Cohn LB Jaylen Parker. Photo by Pearl-Cohn Athletics.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 LB Jaylen Parker – Pearl-Cohn</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keeping the conversation about Pearl-Cohn, junior linebacker Jaylen Parker has been dominant in both postseason contests, recording 16 tackles, three TFLs and a sack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not only has he been productive on the stat sheet, but Parker has played good coverage and completely owned his side of the field. He's one of the better linebackers in the Midstate and is showing everybody why he deserves more respect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 RB Carsen Carter – Lincoln County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln County is one of the biggest surprises in this year's playoffs. They've been a good team all season, but demolishing McMinn County, then turning around and beating my 5A state champion, Powell, is impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior running back Carsen Carter is one of the catalysts for this surprising run, where he's been highly productive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On 50 carries, Carter ran for 271 yards (5.4 YPC) and a touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They have a balanced offense, but the junior has been their best player, consistently moving the ball and putting them in scoring positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2058994} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/Photo-Nov-19-2025-2-22-12-PM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2058994" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Oakland RB Kamani Bass. Photo by Oakland Athletics.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 RB Kamani Bass – Oakland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kamani Bass goes heavily under the radar due to Oakland's two senior running backs, [player_tooltip player_id='856867' first='Craig' last='Tutt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1603958' first='Justis' last='Haggard'], but he's been an excellent player for the Patriots in a pair of big wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He had an impressive game last week against Bradley Central, compiling 133 total yards and a score on just eight carries. Bass also had multiple big runs in the first round against Cookeville, leading to a 42-10 blowout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior tailback isn't the big name in that offense, but he's lightning in a bottle and provides a spark every time he touches the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1907142} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/manderson.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1907142" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Ravenwood LB [player_tooltip player_id='1373099' first='Matthew' last='Anderson']. Photo by Ravenwood Athletics.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1373099' first='Matthew' last='Anderson'] – Ravenwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1373099' first='Matthew' last='Anderson'] has arguably been the most productive defensive player in the state of Tennessee this season. After a 100+ tackle season, he's a shoo-in for another all-region and all-state selection.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson had a good game against Cane Ridge, then exploded for 11 tackles, one TFL and an interception in a second-round victory over Houston.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1137758} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/Jack-Nimitz.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1137758" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: FRA QB Jack Nimitz at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 QB Jack Nimitz – Franklin Road Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore quarterback Jack Nimitz had an up-and-down regular season as he tried to get used to the high school level, but you could see the potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Well, he's been fantastic in the first two rounds, racking up big numbers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nimitz totaled 590 yards and six scores while completing 61% of his passes through the first two playoff games. Quarterback was a question for FRA heading into the postseason. However, it now appears to be one of their strengths.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":905297} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Fletcher-fields-prz.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-905297" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: BGA ATH [player_tooltip player_id='905296' first='Fletcher' last='Fields'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='905296' first='Fletcher' last='Fields'] – Battle Ground Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='905296' first='Fletcher' last='Fields'] is an interesting player to discuss. He's been a wide receiver for the entirety of his high school career, but after an injury to BGA's running back, he was moved to that position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While you can see him line up out wide at times, the majority of his snaps this year have been at running back. It took him a second to adjust, but Fields has been terrific the past two weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On just 17 carries in the playoffs, the junior has totaled 240 rushing yards and a score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Very impressive numbers, while playing a position that isn't his natural one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2058995} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/Photo-Nov-19-2025-2-22-34-PM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2058995" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Sale Creek RB Hunter Fowler. Photo by Sale Creek Athletics.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 ATH Hunter Fowler – Sale Creek</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior athlete Hunter Fowler has been a highly productive player on both sides of the football and has carried that momentum into the month of November. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sale Creek star has racked up 291 total yards and four touchdowns on offense, but is surprisingly good on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a middle linebacker, Fowler has 11 tackles and a TFL, proving his value as a dual player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CarlBirts_90/status/1944766841919868983?s=20","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/CarlBirts_90/status/1944766841919868983?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 DE Carl Birts Jr – East Nashville Magnet</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior defensive end Carl Birts Jr has been a big-play machine for East Nashville in the playoffs. He won't total too many tackles, but when he does, it's a negative play that changes the momentum and outcome of games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In his two games, Birts Jr has five tackles, three TFLs, three sacks and multiple QB pressures. The Eagles are a legitimate state championship contender, with the junior defensive end being a reason why they can make a run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->