Preseason X-Factors: Marion Co. Football

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Warriors head into the 2026 campaign as a top tier team and a program that can make it back to Chattanooga for the 2nd time in three years. They have some horses to lead the way and a nice complimentary group of around, so Marion Co. should yet again be a fun team to watch that could win a bunch of ball games. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- One of the best programs from the Class 2A level, Marion Co. looks equipped to chase after more titles this coming season with a solid senior class returning and several key underclassmen with college futures. Several prospects on the Warriors roster stand out as X-Factor players this Fall, including a few guys some may not know about. I think we will see some new names pop up for the Warriors this season but these guys below jump forward as game changing prospects.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top X-Factors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TN2027 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='2065483' first='Zaiden' last='Humphrey']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Currently ranked inside our “Tennessee Top 300” rankings, Humphrey is the most important player on the Warriors roster this coming season and someone that can be a constant game changer towards helping his Warriors team earn another region title. This two-way prospect will be handling key roles on both sides of the ball this Fall with one of them possibly being in the backfield. Humphrey could be handling quarterback duties this year and while he will throw it on occasions, it's his dynamic running that makes him such an X-Factor. His work over on defense will be critical as well as Humphrey presents ball hawk tendencies that should come into play this season. Many other players on the Warriors team this year will be important but Humphrey is “the guy” that runs the show and will be the person that puts Marion Co. in contention for a Class 2A state title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TN2028 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='2160421' first='T.J.' last='Starkey']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This rising junior is the next guy in line to receive tons of college attention, especially if Starkey performs this coming season like I think he can. The Warriors athlete is a dynamic ball player that presents X-Factor caliber abilities on both sides of the ball that translate well to the next level but right now, I'm not sure what position he fits at best right now. That's ok as this coming Fall football year will help prove what Starkey will be in college but regardless, his playmaking abilities will be needed in a major way. What the Warriors junior provides is athleticism, speed and lock down coverage from the secondary. Starkey can be the team's deep threat at receiver while also being a ball hawk in the defensive backfield. If the Warriors didn't have Humphrey as their lead guy, Starkey would be “him” but I still think you will see this two-way product shine this year and work his way into D1, possible Power Four opportunities.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2224879,"width":"236px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/tjstarkey.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2224879" style="width:236px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TN2027 (TE/DE) [player_tooltip player_id='2090526' first='Brady' last='Wathen']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A senior leader, a former state champion and two-way starter, Wathen is one of the more important X-Factor players on the Warriors team this year that must perform at a high level each and every week for his team to succeed. This guy is a versatile performer that will be asked to do a little bit of everything from blocking and catching the ball at tight end to setting the edge against the run and rushing the passer on defense. Wathen is an intriguing prospect that has gained some recruiting attention due to his upside in college at tight end. This coming season will be critical towards landing a spot on the next level, especially if the Warriors senior displays better agility and increased speed. Regardless, Wathen is a key piece on the Warriors team this year that will do a lot of small things that help his team win ball games.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TN2028 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='2178567' first='Willie' last='Garth III']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Transferring this off-season from East Hamilton for his junior and senior seasons, Garth could form into one of the more impactful players on the Marion Co. roster this year as long as he gels into the defense like I think he can. Compact, physical and strong, Garth is a true inside backer that has enough athleticism to work off the edge if needed and provide the Warriors defense an instinctive tackler that can make some explosive plays. This guy is athletic with the ability to make “wow” type plays but his presence alone will allow others to shine as well. It will be interesting to see what the Warriors coaching staff does with Garth and how they line him up within their defensive scheme. I like this addition for Marion Co. as it makes their defense more formidable while adding a guy that could have a future on the college playing stage with further development.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/team/tn/marion-county/" id="https://prepredzone.com/team/tn/marion-county/">#PRZTN Marion Co. Team Page</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TN2028 (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1691522' first='Quincy' last='Mills']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Mills had a banner sophomore season that put him on the recruiting map and he has continued to build his stock throughout these off-season months. He now heads into the 2026 season as one of the top defensive back prospects from the greater Chattanooga region that definitely brings X-Factor abilities to the playing field and to the Warriors secondary. Mills handles the one side of the island for his Marion Co. defense where he uses his instincts, quick feet and ball hawk tendencies to consistently make plays around the ball and that kind of game play will be needed this Fall for the Warriors to contend for titles. Breaking up passes and picking them off are strengths for Mills but if he can enhance his tackling, this rising junior might push his college stock higher with bigger interest. Opposing schools know about this guy now, so they will try to throw away from him but Mills can still be an impactful player for the Warriors that contends for All-State honors.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2007174,"width":"205px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.8271583663622264","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/Photo-Nov-05-2025-7-02-10-PM.jpg?w=848" alt="" class="wp-image-2007174" style="aspect-ratio:0.8271583663622264;width:205px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Marion County Athletics</figcaption></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 (LB) Caden McCrary: </strong>The Warriors leading returning tackler and sack artist, McCrary is a multi-year starter that will be vital this season in his team's overall success. He will have more help this Fall but McCrary will still be set up to play an important role where he could lead his team in tackles yet again. It will be interesting to see if the Warriors staff continues to play him up front in the trenches or allow him to play more in space but regardless, McCrary is a good high school football player that produces.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>. <strong>‘27 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='2216645' first='Taedyn' last='Bibbs']: </strong>New to Marion Co. for the upcoming season, Bibbs could develop into a major X-Factor player for the Warriors that contributes on both sides of the ball. This guy is undersized but athletic and versatile. Bibbs can play several roles for his team from carrying the ball towards working out of the slot at receiver or breaking up passes in the secondary. I could also see Bibbs producing on special teams as well. What Bibbs ultimately brings to the Warriors this year is another athletic weapon that can generate game changing plays.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (OL/DT) Chris Graver: </strong>A key piece up front on both sides of the line, Graver steps into his senior season as not just a key contributor but a leader that will be expected to play at a high level each and every week. The Warriors like to run the ball, so Graver will be a key X-Factor up front opening holes for their ball carriers. He will also be expected to stuff the middle against the run while providing the occasional pass rush. Graver is a worker too that has grown into his body further to become more of a force up front for his Marion Co. team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Contributors:</strong> (RB/LB) <strong>Ashton Richards</strong>, ‘28 (OT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1709991' first='Austin' last='McGowan']</strong>, ‘28 (OL/DT) <strong>Bryson Dagnan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2224881,"width":"270px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/cgraver.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-2224881" style="width:270px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->