Season Preview: Class 4A Title Contenders 

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">While Alcoa is viewed as the team to beat in this classification, the Tornadoes will have competition. There are a select few teams within the 4A ranks that show upside to become state champions but many pieces must come together for contention to happen. Here we breakdown the top contending teams for the 4A title and what tier they sit at headed into the 2026 season. </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>Alcoa Tornadoes (4A-Region 2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The defending 4A champs are well equipped this Fall to run it back and bring another “Gold Ball” back home to place inside the biggest trophy case in the state. The Tornadoes show no weaknesses throughout the entire roster. They are loaded with multiple future college prospects and some up and coming stars that will have a shot to shine this coming season. The team is led by Mr. Football candidate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2058759' first='Thomas' last='Manu']</strong>. He has a bevy of backs behind him to run the ball and an elite cast of receivers, spearheaded by seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='817933' first='Jamir' last='Dean'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1292338' first='Aaron' last='Heatherly']</strong> along with one of the best O-lines in the state. The defense is quite strong as well, especially in the back seven. The only way Alcoa does not make it to Chattanooga is a large injury list that keeps their stars off the field, otherwise, I would expect the Tornadoes to make it back to the 4A title game and be the favorite to earn yet another state championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pearl Cohn Firebirds (4A-Region 6)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- I don't think the Firebirds are as loaded as the team above but they aren't far off and what they do have is the best quarterback on the 4A level with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1286233' first='L.J.' last='Funk']</strong>. Pearl Cohn should have one of the more explosive offenses in the state this Fall with Funk at the helm and a talented receiving core to work with, led by senior wideout and Western Ky commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1608413' first='Stephen' last='Saulter']</strong>. On the other side of the ball, the Firebirds could have an elite defensive unit that has beef and pass rushers up front, spearheaded by seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2132227' first='Christian' last='Lillard'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1847720' first='Mikhai' last='Moshay']</strong>, a solid linebacking core and maybe the best secondary in the 4A ranks with rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2141414' first='K.J.' last='Hoskins'] </strong>being the star on the back end of the defense. This is a very good Pearl Cohn team that has everything on their roster to make it to Chattanooga and bring home that 4A state title trophy. Everybody must stay healthy and do their job but the Firebirds are easily the biggest competition to the Tornadoes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Macon Co. Tigers (4A-Region 4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- There are several players on this team that gained experience winning a state title two years ago, so the know-how is there for the Tigers to have a special 2026 season that potentially ends with achieving that “Gold Ball”. The Tigers aren't as stacked as Alcoa or Pearl Cohn but they have the pieces they need to run their system and play winning football. The offense looks to be strong this season with one of the best rushing attacks on the 4A level, spearheaded by sleeper Mr. Football candidate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2149062' first='Xavier' last='Bentley'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2156646' first='Wyatt' last='Walrond'] </strong>paving the way up front. I like several pieces on the Macon Co. defense as well. Senior defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1642951' first='Anthony' last='Johnson'] </strong>is a hidden gem with next level upside. A few positional groups need to be sorted out and the staff needs their star players to perform at a high level each week but I definitely see a road that leads the Tigers back to Chattanooga. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Springfield Yellow Jackets (4A-Region 6)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Yellow Jackets are in the same region as Pearl Cohn, which makes the road tough for them but if they can win the games they are supposed to and find a way to get past the Firebirds on probably two occasions, they should have an open road to Chattanooga. Springfield will be a different team this Fall compared to last year but should still be quite good with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1588080' first='Kason' last='Woodson'] </strong>back under center and two top level playmakers in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2047637' first='Bryce' last='Baldwin'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1193376' first='Jermaine' last='Cobbins']</strong>. It's the line of scrimmage that I see the most concerns with but if the staff can gel the trenches together, they should have the skill players to make a lot of noise. I am interested to see what kind team Springfield puts on the field this year as they will be young in several spots but sport top level players at key positions. There are several players on this team that has won a lot of ball games, so that experience could bode well this Fall as the vets show their youthful teammates how to win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2197706,"width":"232px","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/bbaldwin.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2197706" style="width:232px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Middle Tier ……</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anderson Co. Mavericks (4A-Region 2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Mavs will be implementing some youthful talent into starting roles this year, so while I think Anderson Co. will be good yet again, I'm not sure right now on how good. I do expect the Mavericks to be high scoring on offense with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='723014' first='J.D.' last='Gillum'] </strong>conducting business behind center. He will have a solid receiving core to work with as well (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1586188' first='Brayden' last='Sharpe']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1035896' first='Daybrein' last='Owen']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='898264' first='Zach' last='Happney']</strong>) but will they have enough on defense to contend with the best the 4A has to offer. We will find out but if the staff can develop their defense and get enough from that side of the ball, I could see the Mavericks finding a path towards Chattanooga. We could also see the Mavericks against Alcoa twice this year, once in the regular season for the region title and again the playoffs with the potential winner having a clear pathway to the 4A title game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Red Bank Lions (4A-Region 3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Everything in football starts with the quarterback and the Lions have a good one under center with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1590252' first='Austin' last='Jones']</strong> and with him and his cast of athletic skill players, Red Bank could develop into a formidable team that makes a run at the 4A title game. Now I think it will be a tough path to get there but you only need to win one game at a time and Jones is someone that can deliver you star performances that helps his team advance. He has good pieces around him this year with guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1654041' first='Marcus' last='Jones']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2237520' first='Dominic' last='Gordon'] </strong>and others that should provide the Lions an athletic offense that can cause fits for opposing defenses. More work is needed throughout the team, especially on the offensive line and linebacking corps but I see upside with the Lions this year and their chances at not just winning their region but becoming an opponent others may not want to see in the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stone Memorial Panthers (4A-Region 4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Panthers probably reside in the toughest region within the 4A ranks this season, so they should be battle tested by the time we reach postseason play and with the kind of offense they have for the 2026 season, I could see Stone Memorial catching a heater and riding it towards the 4A title game. For the Panthers to get there, they would need to get through some really tough teams, especially Alcoa but they may have the offense, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1668404' first='Max' last='Warner']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1608559' first='Kadyn' last='Page'] </strong>and others that could cause problems for opposing teams. I do see some holes on the roster but that could change during camp and into the season. I'm interested to see how Stone Memorial comes together throughout the year, how certain players develop and what kind of team they are in November as I see potential with them to accomplish some lofty goals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1871038,"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/3/2025/09/kadpage.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1871038" style="width:239px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Gibson Hornets (4A-Region 7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Hornets went on a magical run last year, falling one game short of making it to the 4A title game. They have several players returning from that team but also some holes that need to be filled. If the staff can shore up the positions that need impactful starters, I could see the Hornets going on another run with this one ending up in Chattanooga. South Gibson is a run based team and they have their star top ball carrier returning in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2111997' first='Tyshaun' last='Jeter']</strong>. He will be helped up front by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866736' first='Max' last='Paschall']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1570539' first='Cayden' last='Allen'] </strong>and a solid Hornets offensive line. If the defense can be formed together while the new starters perform up standards, I could certainly see South Gibson winning their region while also placing themselves nicely in the playoffs to go on another deep run.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sleeper Teams ……</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Greeneville Green Devils (4A-Region 1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Green Devils are one of the more consistent programs you will find on the 4A level but this year's team may not be as strong as year's past, however I still think they have a shot at being good enough to go on a playoff run. Many of the positional groups and pieces have to be formed properly throughout camp for Greeneville to become a championship caliber team but knowing the winning culture, you can't count out the Green Devils. You will see new starters jumping into starting roles this year, so there are unknowns surrounding this East Tennessee football team but their path to the 4A title game isn't too tough. They will need guys like <strong>Taren Claridy</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1634457' first='Cole' last='Smith'] </strong>and a few others to step forward and perform at a high level for Greeneville to achieve their goals. I could see these guys having a down year compared to their standards or potential coming together and being good enough to cause havoc in the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Haywood Tomcats (4A-Region 8)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Winning tradition while having one of the best players on the 4A level in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1162582' first='Jaden' last='Butler'] </strong>are the main factors for adding Haywood to this list because headed into the 2026 season, I see a lot of unknowns residing with this year's team. This will be a younger ball club for Haywood, so things could go in multiple directions for the Tomcats, however I'm banking on their winning culture to guide them and put them in position to win their region while having an outside shot of reaching the 4A title game. The offense is where I have the most question marks. I expect some new names to pop out but it could take a few weeks for those players to rise up. It may be up to their defense to lead the way early on while the other side of the ball finds their way. If both sides of the ball can come together by the end of season with all the pieces clicking, we might see Haywood sneak their way in the playoffs towards Chattanooga. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lexington Tigers (4A-Region 7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This is the main sleeper team for me to watch throughout the coming season when it comes to making a run towards the 4A title game. This should be the best Tigers team we have seen in many years with a talented roster, spearheaded by potential college guys in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1085958' first='Aviance' last='Huddleston']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1549656' first='Redding' last='Wilson'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='932982' first='Aiden' last='Seaton']</strong>. Lexington should have a balanced squad that can compete for the region title but also become a team others don't want to see in the playoffs. The O-line is the one position I think needs further work but there should be enough skill guys and defensive talent to potentially become a formidable ball club. There are still some questions that need to be answered about the Tigers but on paper, I really like this team and who they can become by the end of the football year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three More Teams to Track: <strong>Fayette-Ware</strong>, <strong>Marshall Co.</strong>, <strong>Upperman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2254826,"width":"255px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.896358543417367","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/Redding-Wilson-2029-crop-2046x1342-1784946239-e1785265818274.jpeg?w=415" alt="" class="wp-image-2254826" style="aspect-ratio:0.896358543417367;width:255px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->