Preseason X-Factors: Sevier County Football

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Smoky Bears have become a Class 5A power over the past few years and I expect their winning ways to continue for the 2026 season, especially with keys returning and several big transfer additions. Who will be the key contributors for Sevier Co. this Fall? We clue you in here with our pre-season X-Factors! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the past few years, Sevier Co. has emerged as one of the top programs from the 5A level as well as the East Tennessee region and I expect the Smoky Bears to remain at the top this coming Fall season where they have a shot at competing for another state title. Several reasons sit behind the Smoky Bears chances for another title and that is the return of multiple key X-Factor players that have loads of experience, including helping Sevier Co. win their first ever state championship two years ago.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top X-Factors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#TN2027 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1142902' first='Cooper' last='Newman']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Our reigning Class 5A Mr. Football winner is Newman and he returns to cap off a potential historical career with the Smoky Bears as one of the top quarterbacks in the state, who is actually still settling on a future college home. Newman is a three year starter at Sevier Co. and the school's all time leading passer, who has thrown for 9,084 yards and 112 touchdowns throughout his career. This East Tennessee product knows how to lead and how to win. Having Newman back under center puts Sevier Co. squarely at the top of the list to contend for another state title this year while continuing to rack up the stats. I expect our PRZTN 4th ranked quarterback to contend for another Mr. Football this year while putting his Smoky Bears team in the mix for a return trip to Chattanooga by season's end.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2115092,"width":"223px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/cnewman.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2115092" style="width:223px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#TN2027 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1182191' first='Brayden' last='Maples']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This East Tennessee running back was the biggest off-season addition by the Smoky Bears and someone that can be a game changer with the ball in his hands. Currently ranked as a “top ten” ball carrier by PRZTN, Maples is a big play back that has a great initial burst then a second gear into the open field that usually lands him in the end zone. The backfield will be shared with another but Maples looks to be the lead back due to his game changing abilities. Running the football will be key this Fall for Sevier Co. as opposing teams will look to get after Newman and slow down the passing game, so having Maples carry the ball will provide balance and keep defenses honest. This is also another guy on the Smoky Bears roster that has a shot to contend for Mr. Football this year and may prove to be the main X-Factor that brings another “Gold Ball” to their trophy case.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#TN2027 (TE/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1577078' first='Parker' last='Newman']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Nobody on the Smoky Bears roster has emerged and pushed their stocks to higher levels than this two-way talent that is being eyed for tight end on the college level. Newman is an athletic young man that is still far from a finished product but he has produced a ton during his time with Sevier County. His play on both sides of the ball will be critical this Fall towards the Smoky Bears chances at competing for a Class 5A title. Where he should create the most damage is on offense where Newman can be a mismatch problem for opposing defenses and someone that can produce in the red zone. His defense will be needed as well but I think Newman can make a big difference on offense as most teams Sevier Co. will face won't have someone that can match up with the state's second ranked tight end prospect.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#TN2027 (DE/Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1103040' first='Jaxson' last='Perry']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A multi-year starter on the Smoky Bears defense, Perry is a team leader, a key contributor on both sides of the ball that might be in-store for his best season yet. This East Tennessee product is the team's top sack artist as well as their in-line tight end on offense that must play at a consistent high level for his team to succeed the way everybody thinks they can. Perry is a force off the edge that does a good job of playing with a nice mix of athleticism and physicality along with high football intelligence. His motor is high and the Smoky Bears will need that motor in the Fall to be the kind of disruptor Perry has been throughout his career. This guy is a definite X-Factor that must play at a high level for the Smoky Bears to return to Chattanooga and compete for a state title. Putting forth his best season yet might also help his recruitment and force bigger programs to look his way.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#TN2027 (S) [player_tooltip player_id='2101292' first='John' last='Keohane']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Transferring into Sevier Co. for his final year of high school ball, Keohane could be a massive addition to the Smoky Bears defense and someone that might add significant college interest with a strong season. I'm quite bullish on this senior safety as I see a player with nice size, athleticism and ball hawk tendencies that may become quite useful throughout the coming season. What stands out the most to me about Keohane is his speed and how he closes fast on the ball with controlled violence. I think this is a major pickup for the Smoky Bears as a whole but especially their defense where the staff needed to replace several key starters from last year. Barring any injuries, I could see this senior safety leading the 5A ranks in interceptions while also making a boat load of tackles. Keohane is a bonafide X-Factor on defense for Sevier Co. that might be a key piece towards helping them earn another “Gold Ball.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2217332,"width":"302px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/jkeohane-crop-1536x1009-1779914753.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2217332" style="width:302px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Three Other X-Factor Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (DE/Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1871036' first='Elijah' last='Valentine']: </strong>Another key transfer for the Smoky Bears this Fall is Valentine, a pass rusher with untapped edge skills that does good work versus the run. When you watch his film, you see someone that shows flashes of excellent pass rushing upside but Valentine needs to increase his agility and speed to become the kind of talent I think he can. Regardless, his addition to the Smoky Bears defensive line should be quite impactful with X-Factor qualities that might shine this Fall season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1661127' first='Nathan' last='Patterson']: </strong>Part of a nice one-two punch in the backfield with Maples, this sophomore power back should be the guy that the offense leans on in the red zone as well as needed on short yard situations. Patterson should be a nice compliment to Maples and provide Sevier Co. possibly the best backfield within the greater East Tennessee region and one of the best in the entire state.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (S/WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1178599' first='Zach' last='Banks']: </strong>This rising junior could be the team's breakout star this Fall as Banks is set to be a major contributor on both sides of the ball. We have this TN2028 prospect pinpointed in college at safety where his ball hawking abilities and size can flourish. Banks is a big dude on the back end that covers ground quickly while having a nose for the ball. His ball skills and playmaking abilities might become major X-Factors for the 2026 season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Contributors: </strong>(DT/OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1308269' first='Graven' last='Wilson']</strong>, (S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2154315' first='Diego' last='DeCoursey']</strong>, (WR) <strong>Mason Akers</strong>, (C/G) <strong>Drake Meek</strong>, ‘29 (WR/S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2172555' first='Cian' last='Thompson']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2217334,"width":"239px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/npatterson2.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2217334" style="width:239px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->