PRZTN D2-Class AAA POTY/Positional Awards

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The final look back at the 2025 season ends right here with our D2-Class AAA positional honors. Baylor earned the state championship last season and their team is well represented below, including the player of the year, who returns to the Red Raiders for the 2026 football year. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D2-Class AAA Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1210671"],"_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-69a9f934f383a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Probably nobody in the state was more important to their team last season than Gabriel-Georges, who performed like a man among boys on several occasions. This Canadian native took a major step in his game last Fall where he showed the upside to potentially be the top running back prospect in the country and one of the best overall players in the nation. For his junior campaign, Gabriel-Georges ran for 1,756 yards and 27 touchdowns, including a 212 rushing and 2 score performance in the state title game versus Brentwood Academy. This guy is a prime contender to go back to back to back winning Mr. Football next Fall as well as earn our #PRZTN player of the year yet again due to his overwhelming play on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D2-Class AAA Offensive POTY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["222957"],"_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-69a9f934f38d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If the Red Raiders didn't have Gabriel-Georges taking carries out of the backfield, Cherry might have been our D2-Class AAA player of the year but he will settle for the next best prize. This future Louisville signal caller earned our offensive player of the year award after throwing for 3,000 yards and 32 touchdowns on the year while leading his team to a state championship. Cherry was near flawless throughout his senior season and a top notch leader that did everything asked of him to help his Red Raiders team succeed. You will now see Cherry spin it on the college level with Louisville and he is talented enough to potentially earn a starting role with the Cardinals early in his career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D2-Class AAA Defensive POTY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212419"],"_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-69a9f934f394e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gentle was an absolute tackling machine throughout his senior season that opposing teams had a hard time blocking or finding answers for. The Blue Tornado defender finished his high school career in a big way by producing 97 total tackles, 32 of them for loss along with 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery and 12 sacks on the year. For most of his career at McCallie, Gentle has been one of the more productive defensive players in the state that simply has a nose for the ball and more times than not, he finishes with controlled violence. Crazy thing too is that Gentle is still on the open market looking for a home, so whoever gets this guy could be gaining a steal and potential defensive leader.</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>Baylor Red Raiders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Notable Players: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1270425' first='Gabriel' last='Osenda']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='926104' first='Charlie' last='Edgeworth']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='926094' first='Jonathan' last='King']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1133950' first='Cash' last='Freeman']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1753840' first='Maddox' last='McClure']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704258' first='Dante' last='Wade']</strong>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The 2025 season saw the Red Raiders offense explode to put up some silly numbers and boat race several teams and that wouldn't have happened without the play from the five guys up front. What helps the cause is that Baylor had six legit college guys on the offensive line that dominated the competition throughout the season and didn't let up on their physicality until the final whistle at the 2025 D2-Class AAA championship, which the Red Raiders won. Whether it was running the ball or throwing it through the air, Baylor was highly successful with the O-line being the key cog that allowed the success to happen.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2145656,"width":"319px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/gosenda2-crop-1639x1076-1772747569.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2145656" style="width:319px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D2-Class AA Coach of the Year&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Paul Wade - Brentwood Academy&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This was a tough call to make between Coach Wade and Coach Kimrey at Baylor but in the end, I chose the head man at Brentwood Academy. Expectations were high for the Eagles going into the 2025 season but I don't know how many people had them making the D2-Class AAA state title game. They did so and proved to be consistent and one of the better teams coming out of their classification all year long. Coach Wade and his staff did a great job of putting their talent in the right positions to succeed while developing his players properly.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D2-Class AAA Positional Awards</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='492553' first='Hudson' last='Tucker'] - Briarcrest Chrst.: </strong>The Saints had a competitive season in 2025 where they produced seven victories and Tucker was at the helm for all of them, leading the way. His play last Fall was critical with the Saints turnaround season that saw him throw for 2,124 yards and 31 touchdowns along with a 105.9 quarterbacking rating. Tucker also generated 340 yards rushing and 1 score on top of his 2,000 yard plus throwing football year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='723428' first='Larry' last='Sanders II'] - Brentwood Acad.: </strong>The 2025 season was a breakout year for this Mid-Tennessee ball carrier that helped bring the Eagles program back to relevance and put his team into the D2-Class AAA championship game. Sanders had a monster junior campaign that saw him run for 1,833 yards and 31 touchdowns on 238 carries while also providing a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2119276,"width":"276px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.501511939105349","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/lsanders3.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2119276" style="aspect-ratio:1.501511939105349;width:276px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='986024' first='Keeyshawn' last='Tabuteau'] - McCallie: </strong>Headed to Wisconsin to play his college ball, Tabuteau ended his McCallie career in a big way by hauling in 56 receptions for 1,231 yards and 16 touchdowns while averaging 21.9 yards per catch. The Blue Tornado pass catcher took a big step in his progression last year becoming faster and more dangerous while also increasing his route running. It showed during his highly productive senior year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(OL POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='1270425' first='Gabriel' last='Osenda'] - Baylor: </strong>Punishing up front with his overwhelming size, Osenda had a near dominating year where he locked down the blindside for his quarterback while also paving the way with his physicality in the run game. Currently on campus at the University of Tennessee, Osenda is a massive human being that improved himself in several areas that showed up throughout the season. He's much more equipped now to possibly earn a starting role early in his career with the Volunteers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DL POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='1357924' first='Hans' last='Emery Julien'] - Baylor ‘27: </strong>The next level talent you see with Emery Julien started to show up last Fall where this Canadian native had a stellar junior season and established himself as one of the best pass rushers in the state. The Red Raiders defender was highly disruptive as he generated 45 tackles, 10 of them for loss along with 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 14 QB pressures and 9 sacks on the year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='1125289' first='Benjamin' last='Buckhold'] - Christian Brothers: </strong>One of the biggest breakout performers from our outgoing senior class was this Memphis area linebacker that was all over the field, producing at a high level each and every game. The Purple Wave linebacker had a stellar senior year where he generated 132 total tackles, 17 for loss, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries and 4 sacks against top level high school competition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='958217' first='Jamyan' last='Theodore'] - Baylor: </strong>A big part behind Baylor having one of the better defenses in the state was due to Theodore and the Red Raiders secondary shutting things down on the back end and allowing their front seven to attack. This future Tennessee Volunteer was exceptional at taking away one side of the field and making sure the guy he was covering did not make an impact. Theodore has big time upside as a potential All-SEC cover corner with upside for beyond the college game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(ATH POTY) [player_tooltip player_id='1857024' first='J.D.' last='Donaldson'] - Briarcrest Chrst. ‘27: </strong>Donaldson did a little bit of everything for his Saints offense last season while also contributing occasionally on defense and special teams. Most of his work was done on the offensive side of the ball however where this rising senior produced over 1,200 yards of total offense and 15 touchdowns. Donaldson was a clutch pass catcher last Fall that showed up big in the red zone and was dependable throughout the entire year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2145659,"width":"302px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.3932337859193085","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/jddonaldson.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2145659" style="aspect-ratio:1.3932337859193085;width:302px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->