Underrated Teams with State Title Potential: Class 4A

<!-- 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 4A state title picture who aren't getting talked about enough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alcoa and Anderson County 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":1678961} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/ljfunk-crop-658x432-1748024662.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1678961" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Pearl-Cohn QB LJ Funk warms up for a game.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pearl-Cohn High School – (10-5 in 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pearl-Cohn may be too good for this list, but I'm still adding them with everyone viewing Alcoa and Anderson County as the clear-cut favorites. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Firebirds were in the state title game just last season before losing to the 11-time defending champion Tornadoes. They certainly lost their fair share of senior production, but Pearl-Cohn still has a lot of talent and will always be a player in the state championship picture. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 quarterback LJ Funk is the big returnee, as he's a dark horse Mr. Football candidate. Wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1608413' first='Stephen' last='Saulter'] and athlete [player_tooltip player_id='2076919' first='Landan' last='Left'] are their most productive offensive players outside of Funk. The Firebirds also return a few big-time defensive players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2125774} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/jcobbins-crop-1366x897-1770834525.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2125774" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Springfield sophomore DB [player_tooltip player_id='1193376' first='Jermaine' last='Cobbins'] during a game.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Springfield High School – (11-2 in 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Springfield is coming off a big 2025 season, but returns a lot of talent from an 11-2 team. Starting quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1588080' first='Kason' last='Woodson'] is back for his senior season, along with elite defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1193376' first='Jermaine' last='Cobbins'], who is also a significant factor on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Yellow Jackets' defense lost some productive seniors, but returns their top tackler and interception leader. Springfield's coaching staff is one of the best in this class, so I trust them to address every need they have heading into 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2103316} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/152-Parker-Cox.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2103316" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Stone Memorial OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='1566197' first='Parker' last='Cox'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stone Memorial High School – (10-2 in 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stone Memorial High School was a big surprise last season and brought back a good chunk of its 2025 team. Leading receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1608559' first='Kadyn' last='Page'] and top running back AJ Vandever return, along with an intriguing transfer quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1668404' first='Max' last='Warner'] comes from White County, where he didn't start due to their unique system, but he has a nice skill set as a pocket passer. He's an inexperienced player at the most important position in the game. However, Warner has the tools to be a good QB in 4A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense has some good players returning for their senior seasons, making this a complete team. If their new passer pans out, this is a squad with state championship potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2034200} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/kejones.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2034200" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Gibbs High School football player.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gibbs High School – (9-3 in 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gibbs High School is one of the most intriguing teams heading into this new season. They were good with a ton of underclassmen production in 2025. After another offseason to develop, all of those players will theoretically improve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their starting quarterback, top running back and two key receivers are back, along with good trench play on both sides. The Eagles aren't getting much attention, but they have one of the best young groups in the class. When they turn into a top 4A team next season, don't be surprised.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2125795} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Photo-Feb-11-2026-12-39-41-PM-crop-772x507-1770835363.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-2125795" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Crockett County RB DK Woods. Taken by Ron Barry.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Crockett County High School – (9-3 in 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crockett County High School is another program that was good a season ago and returns many guys with plenty of experience. They went 9-3 in 2025 despite little senior production, especially on offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cavaliers return DK Woods, a 1,600-yard rusher last year, along with several top receivers and their quarterback. Defense is where they lost serious production, but they have promising underclassmen ready to fill in. That's an area to question, but if they figure it out, this could be a scary squad for 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->