PRZTN Class 1A POTY/Positional Awards

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Award season is upon us, so it's time to crown some of the best this season from the Class 1A ranks. Find out below who earned our offensive, defensive and overall player of the year honors as well the best from each position throughout the 1A level. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 1A Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1603459"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693c6e8f1cb7d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Even though this junior quarterback didn't win Mr. Football, he is our Prep Redzone Tennessee Class 1A player of the year after a breakthrough season with the Rebels. This athletic playmaker took over leading duties at quarterback and performed very well. Brown ended the 2025 season throwing for 3,011 yards and 36 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,042 yards and 24 scores on the ground. The Rebels junior generated over 4,000 yards of total offense on the year along with 60 combined touchdowns. Brown was a major factor this year behind his team's region title and runner-up finish for the Class 1A state title and he has one more year left, so I'm expecting another big statistical season next Fall from this junior quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 1A Offensive POTY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1222053"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693c719a599f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A Mr. Football finalist for the 2025 football year, Bunch had his best statistical season yet as the Yellow Jackets running back ran for a school record 2,230 yards along with 42 total touchdowns. This East Tennessee product has produced at a high level throughout his Coalfield career but performed his best this senior year and did so during some big games and moments. Bunch is a well balanced runner that can run between the tackles or bounce it outside. He is a good receiver as well, which he put on full display this Fall. Bunch earned this honor after his big senior season and a productive year that should be opening the eyes of college coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 1A Defensive POTY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Mika Lawrence","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"205","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Dresden","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693c719a59ab0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It was a tough call to make for our PRZTN 1A defensive player of the year but after sifting through the stats and overall impact on the 2025 season, Lawrence jumped out as the lead guy. The Tigers senior linebacker was a consistent force all season long where he generated 111 total tackles with 6 of them for loss along with 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, 2 passes defended and 2 interceptions on the year. His Tigers team was knocked out early in the playoffs but Lawrence still was a consistent performer that helped his Dresden defense become one of the best on the 1A level. Lawrence was an impactful player that certainly earned this top honor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offensive Line Unit of the Year&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Pittsburg Pirates&nbsp; </strong>(Notable Players: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604399' first='Logan' last='Sisk']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480895' first='C.J.' last='Francis']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679802' first='Xavier' last='Reviere']</strong>)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Pirates ended up with one of the best offensive units within the Class 1A level this season and that statement wouldn't be made without the play up front. From the start of the year, all the way into the title win last week, the Pirates offensive line was steady as can be, paving the way for a 1,000 yard rusher, a near 2,000 yard passer and a receiver that won Mr. Football. South Pitt would not have won as many games as did they without the play up front from Sisk, Francis, Reverie and others. All three of those seniors mentioned were named to our 1A All-State teams and all three have a path towards competing on the college level, beginning next Fall. It was a banner year that ended with a state championship for South Pitt and that would not have happened without the stellar performance from their O-line.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 1A Coach of the Year&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jason Fitzgerald - Sale Creek</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The 2025 season was the best in Panthers history and a lot of credit has to go towards Coach Fitzgerald and his coaching staff. I don't think many people, including myself, saw Sale Creek going 11-2 this year and competing for their region title but that was the case. Coach Fitzgerald put together a well balanced team that scored a lot of points on offense along with a defense that ranked near the top of the 1A ranks in several categories. Maybe the 2025 season was a breakthrough year that helped the Panthers sustain success and if they do, a lot of it will be due to Coach Fitzgerald and the job he did this year at turning the Sale Creek program around.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2081078,"width":"302px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/jfitzgerald-crop-481x316-1765569753.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-2081078" style="width:302px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Chattanooga Times Press</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - -</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 1A Positional Awards</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB POTY) Darius Caver </strong>- <strong>Oakhaven</strong>: The 2025 season was one of the best in Hawks history and a lot of that was due to the emergence and play of Caver. This senior signal caller had a highly productive senior year where he threw for 2,336 yards with 28 touchdowns and a 119 quarterback rating. The Hawks went 7-4 on the season with a 5-1 region record with Caver being a major force behind those efforts.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='1134336' first='JaMychal' last='Buckner'] </strong>- <strong>South Pitt</strong>: Earning game MVP during the Pirates 1A championship win over McKenzie, Buckner had a strong senior year that saw him excel on both sides of the ball. His work in the backfield was critical however towards the Pirates taking home the “Gold Ball.” This senior playmaker ran for a little more than 1,300 yards on the year along with 30 touchdowns while averaging 8 yards per carry.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='1577095' first='Dayon' last='Cooper'] </strong>- <strong>South Pitt</strong> ‘27: Cooper earned the 2025 Mr. Football award after his 1,252 yard, 17 touchdown offensive performance throughout the season and now he takes home our 1A receiver of the year honor. The Pirates junior proved to be a mismatch problem for opposing defenders due to his size, speed and ability to separate after the catch. Cooper has one more left as well, so repeating as Mr. Football while competing for our PRZTN POTY is very possible.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1562332,"width":"240px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/daycooper.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1562332" style="width:240px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(OL POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='1604399' first='Logan' last='Sisk'] </strong>- <strong>South Pitt</strong>: A multi-year starter for his Pirates team, Sisk had his best season to-date at South Pitt and a football year that certainly helped his college stock. This guy is a space eater and people mover that consistently performed at a high level each game of the season. Sisk along with his trench teammates paved the way for one of the best offenses on the 1A level this year that included a long playoff run that ended with a state title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DL POTY) Le'Quinton Montgomery </strong>- <strong>Oakhaven</strong>: Multiple options were considered for this honor but ultimately it went to Montgomery after his breakthrough senior season. The Hawks big man became a force up front where he generated 46 tackles with 12 of them for loss along with two fumble recoveries and 8 sacks on the year. His play in the trenches was consistent and a key piece behind one of the best defenses on the 1A level this Fall season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='1672075' first='Cooper' last='Jones'] </strong>- <strong>Oliver Springs</strong>: Jones was a tackling machine this year for his Bobcats defense and a consistent performer that showed up each and every week. This senior linebacker produced a big 2025 season as he had 130 total tackles on the year with 7 of them for loss and two sacks. Jones had a nose for the ball, especially in the run game where he imposed his will and made plays sideline to sideline.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB POTY) Matthew Thomas </strong>- <strong>Oakhaven:</strong> Thomas came out of nowhere this Fall football year to lead the 1A ranks in interceptions at nine and he has another year of eligibility remaining to put forth another strong campaign for the 2026 season. This guy was a ball hawk, someone that consistently found the ball and when he did, Thomas came down with the pass. His work this year was critical towards the Hawks finding football success and his defense being one of the better units from the West Tennessee region.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH POTY: Jayden Davidson </strong>- <strong>Rockwood</strong>: Whether it was running the ball or playing ball hawk on defense, Davidson contributed in a major way this Fall as his team's top overall playmaker. This senior two-way prospect produced 1,373 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns on offense while also generating 3 scores and 374 yards through the air. Davidson was also a ball hawk on defense where he had 7 interceptions on the year. It was a sensational season from this under the radar senior talent that's still available.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2081081,"width":"326px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/jdavidson-crop-960x631-1765569895.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2081081" style="width:326px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->