Five 6A football programs with upward trajectory in 2026

<p>The 6A classification is the top level of public school football in the state of Tennessee and there was several strong teams last season that fell under the radar with the potential to build on that success and have strong outputs in the 2026 season.</p>   <p>While the top team in the class remains Oakland, the next tier of teams is wide open for other programs to step up into the contention picture. Here are five teams that could surprise and take another step forward into becoming a contender this season.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Southwind Jaguars (13-1)</h2>   <p>Southwind continued to build on the newfound success they had shown at the 5A level with a one-loss season in the first year competing in 6A after making the jump. They were lead by do-it-all standout quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='480742' first='Kelvin' last='Perkins'], accounting for over 4,200 all-purpose yards as a senior.</p>   <p>With veterans such as Perkins, receiver [player_tooltip player_id='637139' first='Tray' last='Moore'], defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='854363' first='Charles' last='Sullins'] and a handful of other seniors moving on the program, some could question if the success at the 6A level will be sustainable, but there is plenty of talent on the roster for next season, and they could continue to build on the momentum that they have created.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/1930042039493898676?s=20 </div></figure>   <p>Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='905235' first='Khamoni' last='Williams'] is one of the best running backs in the entire state and he has transferred in to Southwind, giving them a dynamic rushing attack with a premier offensive line (featuring [player_tooltip player_id='1159814' first='Antonio' last='Keefer'], [player_tooltip player_id='378854' first='Chris' last='Campbell'], [player_tooltip player_id='904973' first='Zachais' last='Ratliff'], etc) up front to create lanes for the tailbacks to run through. [player_tooltip player_id='1759477' first='Malcolm' last='Jack'] and his lively arm transfers in at quarterback to provide an effective complement.</p>   <p>Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='1699523' first='Roosevelt' last='Bates'] returns as the anchor of a strong defensive line unit following a junior season where he led the team with six sacks in addition to his 42 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. [player_tooltip player_id='1617036' first='Miguel' last='Moore'] was a force at safety in his sophomore season and should provide a stable tackler on the back end.</p>   <p>Southwind was one close loss to Ravenwood away from reaching the state championship game this season and they return plenty to have that exact opportunity next season with the chance to leave the game with a victory.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BatesRoosevelt/status/1984745739667607960?s=20 </div></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Blackman Blaze (12-2)</h2>   <p>Blackman pushed through the expectations last season under Matthew Kriesky, winning 12 games and made it to the state semifinals where they would fall to the eventual champions. While some of the stars from that team are leaving, there is more than enough talent on the roster for new head coach Will Hester to instantly compete this season.</p>   <p>The offense will be built around a strong rushing attack that will be spearheaded by rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1029916' first='Micah' last='Nance']. He was one of the top young tailbacks in the state this past season and should have a complete breakout year on the horizon. Another breakout candidate is two-way prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1030583' first='Brycen' last='Mitchell'], a player that should lead a new-look receiving corps.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/connersmith04/status/1966657085912817990?s=20 </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1648682' first='James' last='Stewart'] is a massive loss at nose tackle, but there could be a prime replacement option already in house, which is great news for the new coaching staff. Makhi "Nacho" Rodriguez is an exciting two-way lineman prospect that is massive and violent, something that should translate well in the middle of the defensive line.</p>   <p>Blackman loses some talented defensive backs that were the leaders of the secondary, but there are still plenty of talented options and other breakout candidates to the point that the unit could be the best part of the team this season, led by [player_tooltip player_id='1925934' first='Tristan' last='Thornton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1580781' first='Jayden' last='Sanders'].</p>   <p>Hester and his staff should be expected to get the most out of the players on their roster that is filled with exciting talent, proven experience, and a high ceiling. There is a lot for Blackman football fans to get excited about for next season under the incoming coaching staff.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/2011845723814326672?s=20 </div></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brentwood Bruins (7-5)</h2>   <p>While on paper the 7-5 record Brentwood produced last season could leave the feeling of wanting more, taking a look at the opponents on that slate is substantially more revealing to the talent level on this team, each loss coming to one of the top teams in the state.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KyleNabrotzky/status/2016974497040027716?s=20 </div></figure>   <p>Brentwood is always a program that plays blue-collar football up front in the trenches and tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1286232' first='Kyle' last='Nabrotzky'] will lead the way this season in one of the most underrated offenses in the entire state. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='904978' first='Gavin' last='Strang'] should take another step forward as a junior and will have countless weapons at his disposal.</p>   <p>Each of these weapons are versatile pieces that can win from different alignments and allows the offensive play call to be very creative. Brentwood has a lot of players that play on both sides of the ball, but have plenty of depth to keep everyone fresh and playing to the best of their ability. </p>   <p>The strength of the record and competitiveness in those games should show the ceiling that this team has and will be an intriguing program to watch in their region as Ravenwood loses a lot from a state runner-up team. Brentwood could be a sneaky team in the mix if everything goes right.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CharlieBateman2/status/1987001622824681841?s=20 </div></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Antioch Bears (10-2)</h2>   <p>Antioch was one of the best stories inside the state of Tennessee last season as [player_tooltip player_id='378901' first='Andre' last='Adams'] led a talented squad to the best season in program history as they won 10 games and was one of the top teams in 6A.</p>   <p>Adams returns to lead the offense and is the most talented quarterback in the state according to several recruiting outlets. It is easy to see why with his elite dual-threat abilities which helped him shatter every record in the book and then break his own.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/1976445044757495828?s=20 </div></figure>   <p>RB/LB Jaylen Parker transfers in from Pearl-Cohn and should help take the pressure off Adams as he loses some of his top targets. While he loses some veteran pass catchers, [player_tooltip player_id='1617205' first='Aaden' last='Adams'] (Andre's younger brother) returns after a freshman season that resulted in over 600 receiving yards.</p>   <p>The defense certainly has the potential to get significantly better this season as players get older, such as defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1909562' first='Fred' last='Ntumba'], who recorded 118 tackles and 18 tackles for loss as a sophomore. [player_tooltip player_id='1719716' first='Jayden' last='Hunter'] is a 2029 linebacker to know.</p>   <p>A pair of transfers will help replace top contributors as Parker steps into the middle linebacker role and Lebanon transfer WR/DB Jamoine Busby will help fill in along the secondary. The younger Adams returns after breaking up eight passes as well.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/connersmith04/status/1978608971775688867?s=20 </div></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Whitehaven Tigers (7-5)</h2>   <p>Whitehaven is another football program that lost their head coach this offseason, but still have a lot of young talent with potential on the roster, and that was reflected last season as the team went 7-5 with competitive losses to five of the best teams in the state, including a one score loss to Ravenwood in the postseason.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/RivalsHS/status/2008965663600324951?s=20 </div></figure>   <p>The question will be can the new coaching staff get that young talent to break through and build on that success. There will also be a lot of valid questions about the trenches for the Tigers next season, following the departure of some players including [player_tooltip player_id='1367238' first='ZaColby' last='Malone'].</p>   <p>The strength of this team will be the perimeter playmakers on both sides of the ball with the next quarterback having plenty of perimeter weapons to distribute the ball to. Some of these playmakers will show up in the secondary as well, the playmaking abilities of this team evident all throughout last season as they competed with the best.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1398037' first='Jacorian' last='Marshall'], Christopher Hood, and [player_tooltip player_id='1200903' first='Larry' last='Hampton'] are among those perimeter playmakers to know for next season.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/LarryHampton02/status/2014482776720875578?s=20 </div></figure>

The 6A classification is the top level of public school football in the state of Tennessee and there was several strong teams last season that fell under the radar with the potential to build on that success and have strong outputs in the 2026 season.