Underrated Teams with State Title Potential: Class 3A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're in the deep part of the high school football offseason, where the portal has somewhat calmed down, and schools are beginning their prep for spring ball. With a lot of pieces coming in and veterans graduating, I thought it would be fun to talk about some sleeper state championship squads for every classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next in this series, let's discuss five teams in the Class 3A state title picture who aren't getting talked about enough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westview and Gatlinburg-Pittman are the clear programs to beat at the moment, but that doesn't mean there aren't teams that can stop them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2058795} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/kbrewster.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2058795" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Meigs County QB [player_tooltip player_id='1565598' first='Kaiden' last='Brewster'] during a game.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meigs County High School – (11-2 in 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meigs County has always been a good program, especially over the last decade, with 10 straight playoff appearances and two state championship game berths. The Tigers lost quite a bit of talent from last year's roster, but they return star quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1565598' first='Kaiden' last='Brewster'], who is a big boost.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They also return some talented players on defense, including defensive back Colt Howard. Meigs County has been the definition of consistent and will not stop anytime soon. The Tigers have a good group of youngsters on offense who will help make the team scary next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2124583} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/DSC06230-crop-1770x1162-1770752596.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2124583" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Whites Creek safety [player_tooltip player_id='1664092' first='Amari' last='Mitchell'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Whites Creek High School – (7-3 in 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whites Creek missed the playoffs last season, despite going 7-3. However, they're loaded with talent on offense and have a bright future under Coach Darnell. They've been a streaky program throughout their school's history, but I think they're turning a corner with a surplus of young talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cobras return an excellent group, led by quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1580784' first='Deon' last='Barnes'], wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1687542' first='De'Aries' last='Holland'] and athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1409373' first='Brandon' last='Powell']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They made a significant addition this offseason, acquiring [player_tooltip player_id='1664092' first='Amari' last='Mitchell'] from FRA, who will play both ways. Whites Creek was up and down in 2025, but it has too much talent not to be a factor in the state title picture this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2085587} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/damallen-crop-365x240-1766080663.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2085587" /><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>Giles County High School – (9-4 in 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Giles County has good history, including a state title in 2013, but is still one of those Tier B squads in the 3A classification. However, they could be a sneaky team in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1662941' first='Damari' last='Allen'] is one of the best players at his position in Tennessee, giving them that go-to guy on offense. The Bobcats have several talented pieces on defense and an offense with enough to be a double-digit-win team in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I also have much respect for Coach David O'Connor and what he's built, which has made me believe in this program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1207094} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/03/Dee-Mac.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1207094" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Tyner Academy RB D'Aerion McNealy at a game.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyner Academy – (12-2 in 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tyner head coach Christian Mainor has done a nice job rebuilding what's been a historically great 3A program. They won just 10 games through his first two seasons before exploding for a 12-2 record in 2025, including a deep playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's an abundance of young talent on this roster, especially on the offense. The Rams return their starting quarterback, running back, best receiver and several good trench players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I know this is a sleeper list, but Tyner Academy is the team that I believe has the best odds of knocking off Westview.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2124599} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Photo-Feb-10-2026-1-52-54-PM-crop-839x551-1770753285.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2124599" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Waverly Central football players. Photo by the Waverly Quarterback Club.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waverly Central High School – (9-2 in 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waverly Central went 0-10 in 2024, but rebounded nicely with a 9-2 record and a postseason appearance. Randall Boldin has won a lot since joining the program as its head coach, and has a solid group of young players who are hungry for serious playoff success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The most significant returnee is running back [player_tooltip player_id='933043' first='Logan' last='Harbison'], but I like the underclassmen talent that they have. Waverly Central won't get a ton of love because of their inexperience, but they're a team that could pop in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->