Underrated Teams with State Title Potential: Class 6A

<!-- 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 6A state title picture who aren't getting talked about enough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oakland is the clear program 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":1925315} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Photo-Oct-02-2025-4-12-12-PM-1-crop-1197x786-1759440184-crop-800x525-1759440750.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1925315" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Antioch quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='378901' first='Andre' last='Adams']. Taken by Austyn Day, Allday media</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Antioch High School – (10-2 in 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Antioch Bears are coming off one of the best seasons in program history, led by four-star quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='378901' first='Andre' last='Adams']. They do lose a ton of production on both sides, especially on the offense, with 1,600-yard receiver [player_tooltip player_id='966033' first='Brandon' last='Goliday'], [player_tooltip player_id='1523324' first='Khalil' last='Ferguson'] and Coby Belton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>AHS loses a few pieces on defense, including their top tackler. But there's enough returning production to warrant them being on this list. While it seems like they've lost too much to be considered a state title-type team, they'll always be in it with the Adams brothers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Andre is the best player in this class, with his younger brother Aaden returning and also having a big 2025 season on both sides. I trust the coaching staff to bring in the necessary pieces to complement those two and remain competitive in 6A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2131431} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/mhoward-crop-700x460-1771449575.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2131431" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Oak Ridge TE [player_tooltip player_id='483481' first='Malik' last='Howard'] during a game.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oak Ridge High School – (9-2 in 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oak Ridge had a good season in 2025, winning nine games and making the playoffs before being upset by Science Hill in the first round. The Wildcats lose starting quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='205650' first='Blaine' last='Stansberry'], but there's still a lot to like about this team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four-star tight end [player_tooltip player_id='483481' first='Malik' last='Howard'] is back, along with their leading rusher, 2028 receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1570535' first='Zayden' last='Williams'] and Powell transfer receiver La'Miere Porter. They're replacing Stansberry with [player_tooltip player_id='1535791' first='Brody' last='Sparks'], a talented 2027 transfer from Carter High School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's plenty of veteran production coming back on defense, making this one of the top teams in 6A. Oak Ridge was a year away in 2025, but this season is where they can make a deep run in the state playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2130797} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/IMG_2269-crop-1320x867-1771393575.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-2130797" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Blackman running back [player_tooltip player_id='1029916' first='Micah' last='Nance']. Photo by Blackman Athletics.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blackman High School – (12-2 in 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blackman High School had an eventful offseason with blue-chip receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1103038' first='Brylan' last='Oduor'] and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1648682' first='James' last='Stewart'] leaving for Riverdale. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those were two humongous losses, along with the departure of head coach Matt Kriesky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How did they replace one of the best coaches in Tennessee, you may ask? Well, they brought in former Ravenwood head coach Will Hester, another elite 6A coach. He's been able to retain most of that roster, outside of the two losses to an in-county rival. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's still an abundance of talent within that program, alongside an impressive coaching staff. The Blaze were an excellent team last season, but they're going nowhere with Hester now at the helm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1925296} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Photo-Sep-19-2025-9-29-29-PM-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1759440219-crop-797x523-1759440260-crop-796x522-1759440323.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1925296" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Riverdale QB [player_tooltip player_id='1287058' first='Gavin' last='Hampton']. Taken by Conner Smith, Prep Redzone</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Riverdale High School – (8-4 in 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the flip side, Riverdale High School had a tremendous offseason. Offensive studs [player_tooltip player_id='1538130' first='Luke' last='Tritch'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1287058' first='Gavin' last='Hampton'] are back, but the Warriors did work in the transfer portal. They nabbed both Oduor and Stewart from Blackman, along with Centennial wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='2101290' first='Gavin' last='Johnson'] and Ravenwood tight end/defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1103559' first='Sutton' last='Gutting'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Losing running back [player_tooltip player_id='1868595' first='Jacob' last='Vaughn'] was big, but a large portion of their 2025 squad is back. Then you factor in those three elite pickups. Riverdale could have the best offense in Tennessee this season after an offseason spent developing and gelling within the same system. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This upcoming year, Will Kriesky will have arguably the best and most complete team that he's had in his Warrior tenure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1881621} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/twalden.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1881621" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Collierville WR Tae Walden Jr during a game.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Collierville High School – (9-4 in 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Collierville High School is an intriguing team heading into the 2026 season. They lost some key players, including Marshall Smith, [player_tooltip player_id='1104292' first='Cooper' last='Sherrod'] and others. But there's still a large group of returning starters with chemistry and experience under their belts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Star quarterback Brayden Sanitbanez and blue-chip wide receiver Tae Walden Jr are back on offense. Losing [player_tooltip player_id='1669050' first='Lawrence' last='Autry'] hurts, but [player_tooltip player_id='1684759' first='Dillan' last='Vaughn'] is a capable back who will have more opportunities in his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's also a good bit back on one of the better defensive units in 6A from a season ago. Not many people are looking at Collierville, but the Dragons are a team that can win double-digit games and make a deep playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->