PRZTN Class 4A POTY/Positional Awards

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who took home top Prep Redzone Tennessee honors this year for the 4A level after an entertaining season that saw Alcoa defeat Pearl Cohn in the title? Find out here with our end the season awards where a certain East Tennessee quarterback took home our 4A player of the year! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 4A Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2058759"],"_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-696a92784c648"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It was tough competition for our 4A player of the year but it was hard to look past Manu and his sensational junior season. Leading his team to a 4A state championship, the Tornadoes quarterback was near flawless last season where Manu threw for 3,099 yards and 45 touchdowns with only 2 interceptions while scoring 4 more times on 327 yards rushing. His production was strong and a big factor behind taking this honor but Manu might have been most impressive with his calm presence and leadership behind center. This rising senior signal caller is a cool customer with the ball in his hands that tends to make winning plays and we get to enjoy his game play here in Tennessee for one more season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 4A Offensive POTY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1969867"],"_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-696a92784c6ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Somehow, some way, Greeneville consistently finds some to handle the quarterback position and perform at a high level and that's exactly what Baugh did for the 2025 season. The Green Devils senior took full control behind center last season where he became a leader and a playmaker that led Greeneville to yet another region title. For his senior year, Baugh generated 1,952 yards through the air and 29 touchdowns against one interception while also rushing for 826 yards and another 10 touchdowns. Baugh was efficient, was electric with the ball in his hands and a strong leader last season that did everything it took to help his team win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 4A Defensive POTY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1188598"],"_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-696a92784c701"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Hornets had possibly their best football season in school history last Fall with one of the better defenses on the 4th level, spearheaded by this senior defensive tackling machine. Beaver was an absolute force last Fall that opposing teams had a hard time dealing with due to his physicality and nose for the ball. The Hornets linebacker produced a big senior year with 132 total tackles and 28 of them for loss along with 1 forced fumble, 2 interceptions and 8 sacks on the year. Beaver also contributed in the Hornets backfield with 429 yards rushing and 3 scores. This West Tennessee backer had a stellar senior year that proved to be a big reason behind the Hornets 10-4 season and 4A semifinal finish.</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>Alcoa Tornadoes&nbsp; </strong>(Key Players: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1366546' first='Jacob' last='Crow']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='344895' first='Colton' last='Moore']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904845' first='Marlee' last='Watts']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='902973' first='Lane' last='Ferguson']</strong>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The 4A ranks provided us several strong options for our O-line unit of the year this year but the honor had to go to Alcoa and their big men up front. The Tornadoes had the most well balanced offense from the 4A level last season with the O-linemen being a big reason behind the success. It helps to have several college level guys in the trenches, led by Power Four, D1 guys in Crow and Watts leading the way. Manu was outstanding in the Fall where he was able to do just about anything he wanted to and he was able to do so because of the offensive line. The Tornadoes were able to put another “Gold Ball” in the trophy case last season with their O-line playing a major role behind earning another state title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 4A Coach of the Year&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ben Johnson - South Gibson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- I don't know if anybody had South Gibson reaching the 4A semifinals this past season but it happened and a lot of credit must go to Coach Johnson and his staff. Early on, it didn't look like the Hornets would be in the mix for a 4A title after starting the season 1-3 but South Gibson turned things around and went on a 9 game winning streak before falling to Pearl Cohn in the semifinals. The message provided by Coach Johnson and his staff after the 1-3 start resonated with the players and the team played a different brand of football the rest of the year. It was an outstanding coaching job by Coach Johnson and his staff that leaned on their physicality up front and their senior leaders to get things right and provide the South Gibson community their best football season yet.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2107199,"width":"220px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.7500280363350903","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/benjohnson.jpeg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2107199" style="aspect-ratio:0.7500280363350903;width:220px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 4A Positional Awards</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='1254853' first='Bronzden' last='Chaffin'] - Upperman: </strong>One of the top dual threat quarterbacks from our TN2026 class had another strong campaign for the Bees where he produced 2,130 yards passing with 18 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,344 yards and another 22 scores. Chaffin is a one man wrecking crew behind center that brings a dynamic skill set to the field that helped lead his Bees team to another region title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='806042' first='Jayzon' last='Thompson'] - Anderson Co.: </strong>Playing his final high school season at Anderson Co., Thompson went out with a bang as he generated 1,732 yards and 24 touchdowns on 188 carries while averaging 9.2 yards per carry. The Mavs ball carrier was outstanding last Fall where he provided big play abilities and speed from the backfield that helped lead his team towards a region title and strong run into the playoffs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='1159812' first='Deameion' last='Leavell'] - Anderson Co.: </strong>Leavell made a major impact on his Mavs team last season as a two-way athlete that flourished on the offensive side of the ball. For his senior campaign, Leavell generated a monster 1,564 yard season with 19 touchdowns along with three interceptions on defense. His ability to create big plays and get behind defenders proved to be a difference maker last Fall for his Mavs offense and a big factor behind the Mavs region title season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2107202,"width":"268px","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/dleavell.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-2107202" style="width:268px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(OL POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='1366546' first='Jacob' last='Crow'] - Alcoa: </strong>Signed to play his college ball at Texas Tech, Crow had a dominating senior year from his tackle position that helped pave the way towards the Tornadoes earning yet another state championship. This East Tennessee big man was powerful in the run game where he consistently opened holes for his backs but his best came with his pass blocking as Crow didn't allow a sack all season long.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DL POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='1258053' first='Christian' last='Wilson'] - Volunteer: </strong>Wilson was an absolute disruptor throughout his lone season with Volunteer as he constantly played in the oppositions backfield. The Falcons senior big man had a strong final showing last Fall where he produced 65 total tackles with 37 of them for loss along with 3 forced fumbles, 3 recovered and 8 sacks on the season. Wilson is a gamer that is vastly underrated by college coaches that I feel will be a steal for whoever he signs with.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='1432204' first='Karmelo' last='League'] - Pearl Cohn: </strong>League had yet another high level season for his Firebirds defense where he generated 125 total tackles with 22 of them for loss while also forcing two fumbles and earning 6 sacks on the year. Over the past two seasons, League has been one of the more productive defensive prospects in the state with a versatile skill set that allows him to work the middle while also providing an edge rush.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='1427702' first='Taren' last='Claridy'] - Greeneville ‘27: </strong>It was a coming out party for Claridy during the 2025 season as established himself as the team's top lockdown cover corner while tying for the second most interceptions of all-time in one season. The Green Devils defensive back had a stellar junior year where he produced 40 tackles and 4 of them for loss along with 10 passes defended and a classification leading 8 interceptions on the year. Claridy generated two defensive scores as well. It was an outstanding season from Claridy that showed growth in his game while putting himself on the recruiting map.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(ATH POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='1162582' first='Jaden' last='Butler'] - Haywood ‘27: </strong>The Tomcats were in need of Butler to step forward into a leadership role last Fall and produce at a high level and the junior athlete did just that. Handling several roles last season, Butler produced 503 yards rushing and 9 touchdowns along with catching 31 passes for 541 yards and another 11 scores. The Tomcats junior was also a ball hawk on defense that generated 40 tackles with 3 of them for loss while having 3 passes defended and 6 interceptions on the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2107206,"width":"246px","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/jbutler.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2107206" style="width:246px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->