Season Preview: Class 3A Title Contenders

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">All signs point towards Westview repeating as state champs as they return a loaded roster with multiple Power Four, D1 prospects but who can contend with the Chargers? We break that down here with our preseason look at the top title contending teams coming out of the 3A ranks. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top of the List ……</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Westview Chargers - Class 3A-Reg. 7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- It's tough to say this about the rest of the teams from the 3A ranks but this year, it's Westview and everybody else! There is one particular team that will be talked about next that is the closest but the Chargers are head and shoulders the favorite to win the 3A title and earn back to back state championships. Westview has a loaded roster for the 2026 campaign, led by star quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='424594' first='Graham' last='Simpson'] </strong>and his bevy of weapons with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103496' first='Asa' last='Barnes']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422977' first='Miles' last='Brown']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2112205' first='Ja'Kye' last='Beard'] </strong>and others that should dominate opponents this year and potentially go undefeated all the way to Chattanooga. I honestly don't see many weaknesses with this squad. Now do they need to fill in some spots with new starters, yes but overall, the Chargers have everything they need to bring another “Gold Ball” to campus. It will be interesting to see if anyone tests these guys and provides competition on their way back to the 3A title game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyner Academy Rams - Class 3A-Reg. 3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- If anybody on the 3A level has a shot this season at knocking Westview off the top spot, it's Tyner Academy. The Rams have a talented roster with multiple college level prospects and a veteran team that won a lot of ball games last year. This year's team also has a few new additions that should make them even stronger. The Tyner offense should be well balanced with explosive game changers like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1038480' first='Dee' last='McNealy'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2132918' first='Karontae'' last='Cunningham'] </strong>while their defense could be the best on the 3A level with standout performers like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2235589' first='Ja'Marien' last='Crawl']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2251064' first='Nasir' last='Hayward'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1565851' first='Antonio' last='Edwards'] </strong>roaming in the secondary. The offensive line has <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592127' first='Carmello' last='Peoples'] </strong>but the rest of the front five is the one area that I think needs to be developed to chase down the 3A title. Everything else is there for Tyner to not just dominate this coming year but genuinely compete with Westview for the state championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2059716,"width":"264px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.2047184807161382","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/Dee9.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2059716" style="aspect-ratio:1.2047184807161382;width:264px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Drew Toennies, Prep Redzone Tennessee</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Middle Tier ……</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gatlinburg-Pittman Highlanders - Class 3A-Reg. 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Highlanders reached the 3A title game last year but fell to a talented Westview football team but their experience getting there should benefit Pittman for the coming 2026 season. I do think it will be a different squad this Fall as the staff is having to replace several key players but return enough talent to go along with their culture to make another run. Everything starts with quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2089174' first='Tyson' last='Sutton']</strong>. His play behind center this Fall is critical towards his team's success. He will need help and he has some from receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2148269' first='Jackson' last='Savarese'] </strong>and an up and coming ball carrier in <strong>Marshal Gay</strong>. The defense has a stud in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2210096' first='Jackson' last='Younger'] </strong>but that side of the ball is where I have the most question marks. I do expect the Highlanders to win their region and go on a solid playoff run but I don't know if they have enough to earn the 3A title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Giles Co. Bobcats - Class 3A-Reg. 4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This is the team to watch for on the 3A level this year. I like what Giles Co. has on their roster this season to potentially have a big year that very well may end in Chattanooga chasing after the 3A title. The Bobcats have a veteran backfield with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2089183' first='Xavier' last='Randolph'] </strong>at quarterback, new transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1668515' first='Carter' last='Pettigrew'] </strong>at running back, junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1662941' first='Damari' last='Allen'] </strong>at wideout while also having one of the better O-line groups in this classification. The defense doesn't have the star power like the offense but still has some solid contributors like <strong>Braylon Davis</strong>, <strong>Xavier Hannah </strong>and leading tackler <strong>Tate Bedford</strong>. This is a veteran ball club that has played a lot together and won a ton of ball games. Giles Co. may finally have the team that can not just go on a deep playoff run but potentially win their way to Chattanooga and give Westview a run for their money.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2195191,"width":"247px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/dallen.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2195191" style="width:247px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Giles County WR [player_tooltip player_id='1662941' first='Damari' last='Allen'] during a game. </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sleeper Teams ……</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fairview Yellow Jackets - Class 3A-Reg. 6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- It may be a long shot for Fairview to reach the 3A title and get past Westview but they have a good bit of starters returning from last year's region title team and a culture of winning that could work throughout postseason action. The Yellow Jackets are known for running the ball and that will be the recipe again this Fall as they return one of the top backs in this classification with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2219604' first='Bryson' last='Harrison']</strong>. He is helped up front by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1635686' first='Blaze' last='Parker'] </strong>and a solid offensive line but the addition of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687470' first='Isaac' last='Burgos'] </strong>this offseason at quarterback should provide passing and balance to the Fairview offense. Defensively, linebacker <strong>Cole Neal </strong>is a volume tackler that does well against the run game. More athleticism and production is needed on defense but the Yellow Jackets should be good enough to keep their offense in games. I'm fully expecting another winning year from Fairview but I don't know if they have enough to work past Westview but that's why we play the game!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Forrest Rockets - Class 3A-Reg. 4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- When you have the state's leading returning rusher in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1589943' first='Quincy' last='Mitchell']</strong>, you have a shot at winning a bunch of games and that's the case this Fall for Forrest. We have the Rockets picked second in their region but once you get to the playoffs, it's all about matchups and Forrest could be a team others may not want to see in postseason play. Now a lot of pieces must come together this season for Forrest to become a title worthy football team but having someone like Mitchell is a great starting place. The Rockets do have a few two-way skill guys in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1933954' first='Isaac' last='Cruse'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2152622' first='Shawn' last='David'] </strong>that will help take pressure off Mitchell but it's the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball that worry me. As it was mentioned above, it's all about matchups with this team and who they may face in the playoffs and if they face the right teams, going on a deep run is possible.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2253184,"width":"225px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/icruse.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-2253184" style="width:225px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Whites Creek Cobras - Class 3A-Reg. 5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Cobras may be a year away from being a “true' title contending team but you can't look past their talented roster and what they could do throughout the coming 2026 season. This is the best Whites Creek team we should see in quite some time. A lot of the roster gained good experience last year and that should benefit them throughout the coming season. Junior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1580784' first='Deon' last='Barnes'] </strong>is a sleeper Mr. Football candidate that has a deep receiving corps to throw to, including star junior <strong>De'Aires Holland</strong>. The offense has a chance to be explosive and high scoring but the Cobras should have a solid defense as well. <strong>Brayden Conley </strong>up front can be a game changer. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2158322' first='Santana' last='Box'] </strong>could contend for the best sack artist on the 3A level and the secondary is talented with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1409373' first='Brandon' last='Powell'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2180773' first='Andru' last='Pritchett']</strong>. There are a lot of pieces on this team that says the Cobras could go on a deep run but they may be a year away from being the best they can be.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>White House-Heritage Patriots - Class 3A-Reg. 5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- When you have a veteran quarterback like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='317160' first='Xavier' last='Murray'] </strong>under center, you have a chance to win a ton of games and with his return this season, the Patriots should compete for the top spot in their region and potentially place themselves nicely in the playoffs. Murray should have a solid skill group around him, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1909567' first='Mar'Shaun' last='Fletcher'] </strong>and rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2233990' first='Jalen' last='Hamilton']</strong>. The O-line needs some work but if the staff can get that group playing solid football, the Patriots could have a high scoring offense. Defensively is where I believe Heritage will have a shot at making a run. They have star players at all three levels with Fletcher and Hamilton in the secondary, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1726932' first='Bradley' last='Butler'] </strong>on the D-line and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1588275' first='Dricus' last='Williams'] </strong>at linebacker. I do see several areas that need further development but Heritage should have enough talent to be formidable this season and potentially become a surprise team throughout postseason play.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three More Teams to Track: <strong>Melrose</strong>, <strong>Stratford</strong>, <strong>Unicoi Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2103210,"width":"257px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.0089921756393787","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/32-Bradley-Butler.png?w=786" alt="" class="wp-image-2103210" style="aspect-ratio:1.0089921756393787;width:257px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->