PRZTN Class 3A POTY/Positional Awards

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Westview took home the 3A title this year, so you would assume they would earn the most postseason honors as well. That is the case as the Chargers achieved the most awards by Prep Redzone Tennessee, including the player of the year and several other positional winners. Gatlinburg-Pittman is well represented as well. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 3A Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["424594"],"_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-695fe2962fae7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The state's top quarterback prospect for the 2028 in-state class, Simpson had a monster sophomore campaign that saw him put up silly stats while leading his Chargers team to a Class 3A state championship. This signal caller certainly earned our 3A player of the year honors on top of his Mr. Football win in December after a dominating 2025 season. Simpson ended the year throwing for 3,565 yards on 194 completions while tossing for 43 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. The Chargers sophomore also completed 75 percent of his passes due to quick play recognition and strong play up front. The kind of numbers that Simpson generates may put him in-line to become the state's all-time leading passer by the time his career is over.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 3A Offensive POTY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1589943"],"_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-695fe2962fbb8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">&nbsp;If it wasn't for the overwhelming season put up by Simpson, this Mid-Tennessee running back would be our player of the year. Mitchell had a dominating sophomore campaign where he produced 2,919 yards rushing on 296 carries with 36 touchdowns while averaging 9.8 yards per carry. Nobody the Rockets faced this year could stop or had answers for Mitchell. He ran around and through his opponents all year long using his balance, speed and vision to get the job done. The Rockets sophomore is a bit undersized with height but Mitchell plays much bigger while having the unique feel for running the ball that I believe works well on the next level. Mitchell will definitely be in the mix to compete for our 3A player of the year honors over the next two years, barring any injuries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 3A Defensive POTY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2087193"],"_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-695fe2962fc53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We had several options to choose from for our defensive player of the year but after all the researching and scouting, everything kept coming back to Csillag. The Longhorns senior linebacker was an absolute tackling machine this Fall season where opposing teams had a hard time keeping Csillag out of their backfield. For the 2025 season, Csillag produced 186 total tackles with 22 of them for loss along with 2 forced fumbles, 4 sacks and 1 interception. His Longhorns team struggled on offense this year but their defense was strong, spearheaded by Csillag and his non-stop motor. This East Tennessee talent is still available on the open market too, so whoever lands him will be getting an instinctive tackler that plays hard and fast.</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>Westview Chargers&nbsp; </strong>(Notable Players: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1629118' first='Josh' last='Frensley']</strong>, <strong>Jamal Barnett</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1719298' first='Aidan' last='Hill']</strong>)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- When you put up the kind of offensive numbers the Westview offense did this past season, you have to give credit to the offensive line for doing their job and allowing their stars to shine. The Chargers generated some silly offensive firepower this past season and a big reason why was the play up front. Led by first team All-State members <strong>Jamal Barnett</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1629118' first='Josh' last='Frensley']</strong>, the Westview O-line did great work in the trenches opening holes for Barnes and their rushing attack while providing solid action with their pass protection. Simpson was barely touched this year and the offense as whole, performed at a high level each and every week and that would not have happened without the stellar play from their big men in the trenches.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 3A Coach of the Year&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyler Williams - Gatlinburg-Pittman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Even though the Highlanders fell short in the 3A title game, they still got there after the best football season in Gatlinburg-Pittman history, which was led by the teaching of Coach Williams. Expectations were somewhat high going into the season for Pittman, especially with the talent returning but they still had to perform and a lot of credit must go to Coach Williams and his staff for putting the right pieces in place to find success. The Highlanders went undefeated until the final game with an offense that was explosive and high scoring along with a defense that was consistent and opportunistic. The team played consistent football throughout the entire season, which speaks to their culture and the buy- in provided by Coach Williams and his staff.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2101505,"width":"327px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.501511939105349","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/tywilliams.webp?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2101505" style="aspect-ratio:1.501511939105349;width:327px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - -</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 3A Positional Awards</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='2089174' first='Tyson' last='Sutton'] - Gatlinburg-Pittman ‘27</strong>: The Highlanders reached the 3A title game this past season with Sutton being a major factor why. This junior signal caller had a coming out party for his Highlanders team where he generated 2,783 yards with 25 touchdowns and 7 interceptions while completing 62 percent of his passes. Sutton's calm demeanor and steady play behind center was a key reason for the Highlanders having one of the better offenses on the 3A level for the 2025 season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='1103496' first='Asa' last='Barnes'] - Westview ‘27: </strong>Providing balance to the Chargers offense, Barnes did a lot of damage this Fall running the ball while producing in the passing game as well. The Chargers junior ball carrier produced 1,270 yards rushing on 146 carries while scoring 25 touchdowns and averaging 9.0 yards per carry. Barnes also generated 27 receptions for 567 yards and 6 touchdowns on the year, providing a safety blanket coming out of the backfield.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='964719' first='Donteze' last='Joy'] - Westview: </strong>One of the more underrated prospects from our senior class, Joy was a go-to target for his Chargers offense this season where he produced 1,167 yards receiving while scoring 12 touchdowns. Joy was a mismatch problem for opposing defenses where he averaged 21.2 yards per catch while also being a threat in the red zone. The offensive staff would even give Joy some carries as well due to his physical build and speed into the open field.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(OL POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='1621943' first='Jackson' last='Kirby'] - Covington: </strong>Consistency is the key word here with Kirby. Each and every week, this West Tennessee O-lineman showed up and performed at a high level while providing exceptional leadership as a multi-year starter. The Chargers senior has been strong throughout his career but might be coming off his best season yet where Kirby spearheaded one of the better rushing attacks from the 3A level. Headed to play his college ball at UT-Martin, Kirby might go down as the best offensive lineman to ever come out of the Covington football program.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1720557,"width":"238px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/jkirby.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1720557" style="width:238px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DL POTY) Ben Reece - Johnson Co.: </strong>The Longhorns had a down year overall but their defense was solid, especially due to the play up front from Reece. This senior defensive end was highly active this past season where he generated 120 total tackles with 20 of them for loss, 3 forced fumbles, 4 fumbles recovered and 9 sacks on the year. His impact was large for his Longhorns team as Reece was a focal point that helped keep his squad in games, while the offense struggled to score points.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='2100530' first='Finn' last='Snider'] - Westview ‘27: </strong>Leading the way for the Chargers defense, Snider had a breakout year as the team's top tackler and run stuffer as well as a key defensive piece behind Westview's Class 3A championship. This junior linebacker had a strong junior season where he produced 150 total tackles with 9 of them for loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception, 1 blocked kick and 3 sacks on the year. Snider certainly earned this honor with his stellar play but I think he has another level to his game, which I think we will see throughout his senior year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='2101292' first='John' last='Keohane'] - Gatlinburg-Pittman ‘27: </strong>The Highlanders had a well balanced ball club this season that helped get them to the 3A title game with Keohane being a key factor in those efforts. Playing full time at safety this season, Keohane had a banner junior year where he produced 93 total tackles with three of them for loss along with 6 interceptions. This East Tennessee defender was a game changer on the back end that made violent tackles all year along with being an instinctive ball hawk.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(ATH POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='2083579' first='Elijah' last='Spence'] - Gatlinburg-Pittman: </strong>We had several options for this honor but the impact Spence made on both sides of the ball was too strong to look over. This senior athlete was the team's top two-way playmaker that showed up big game after game. For the 2025 season, Spence produced 57 receptions for 1,036 yards and 14 touchdowns at receiver while also locking things down at cornerback with 40 tackles, 8 passes defended and 5 interceptions. It was a strong way for Spence to end his career with the Highlanders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2101542,"width":"301px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/espence.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2101542" style="width:301px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->