PRZTN Top Performers: Week One POTW

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Our first official Prep Redzone Tennessee players of the week is here and it's a star studded group that earned top honors after the opening week of action, including the top player in the state. Find out below who took home our statewide player of the week as well as our positional awards and more! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prep Redzone TN Statewide Player of the Week</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-6a90653b39687"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Stats: 25 carr. for 173 yds &amp; 3 TD's (78 yds receiving)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We had several strong options for our first player of the week of the 2026 season but it was too tough to look past Gabriel-Georges and what he did to the Brentwood Academy defense in his team's opening night victory. The future Tennessee Volunteer produced the entire game but really cranked things up in the 2nd half where Gabriel-Georges ran around and through Eagles defenders to put his team ahead and for good. This senior ball carrier is a different breed of human being that can do things on the football field that others can not. In the second period, Gabriel-Georges produced some “wow” type plays that had people in the stands and on TV dropping their jaws. Expect more eyebrow raising game play from this star offensive playmaker throughout the coming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offensive Player of the Week</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2161201"],"_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-6a9066e97faf6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Stats: 16-21 passing for 382 yds &amp; 3 TD's</strong>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bryan was near flawless in his debut game with the Wildcats as he only had five incompletions while throwing for nearly 400 yards and leading his team to a road victory over St. Michaels, Alabama. This senior signal caller showed outstanding football intelligence and poise for it being his first ever start while displaying next level abilities. He especially looked exceptional with the deep ball as Bryan threw with accuracy and timing. Bryan does need to keep working on his release moving forward but there was a lot to like about how he looked and performed under the bright lights of national television. His performance lends a possibility towards BGA repeating as state champs this year as long as he stays healthy.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Player of the Week</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1649499"],"_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-6a9066e97fb43"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Stats: 10 tcks, 3 TFL, 3 QBH &amp; 2 sacks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>&nbsp;Last week during the Lions road win over Pope Prep, Bell was an absolute monster in the trenches that the Knights offensive line could not handle. Whether it was stuffing the run or getting after the quarterback, Bell was constantly in the Pope Prep backfield making plays or forcing the action to his teammates. It was a stellar opening game from this current Chattanooga commitment as it showed how much Bell has improved and how he could be ready to take that next step in his progression. If the Lions senior D-lineman continues to perform like he did in “Week One”, I would not be surprised to see D1 programs start to take notice and extend potential offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>O-line Unit of the Week</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Powell Panthers&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Players: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2231143' first='Hayden' last='Wallace']</strong>, <strong>Jacob Kwak</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1554817' first='Bryson' last='Kirkpatrick']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='906632' first='Caleb' last='Lewis']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Panthers had one of the more impressive opening week victories as they went into Anderson Co. and owned the Mavericks, 56-44. It turned into a lopsided affair due the explosive game play on the offensive side of the ball. Between the Panthers quarterback, running back and receivers, everybody was able to eat and a lot of that was due to the play up front by their offensive line. Senior signal caller <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904027' first='Jaylon' last='Benjamin'] </strong>had a clean jersey after the win as his O-line did a great job of playing their assignments and staying with their blocks. The Panthers O-line will be critical the rest of the season and if they continue to perform well each week, competing for their region title is very possible.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach of the Week</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Damien Harris - East Nashville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- When it was time to go through the best matchups for “Week One”, East Nashville versus Collierville was at the top of the list but I don't know how many actually had the Eagles going into Memphis and knocking off the Dragons but it happened. It wasn't the prettiest of games but Coach Harris and his staff did a good job of priming their players for this matchup and having them focused on the task at hand throughout the entire game. It was an eye opening performance by East Nashville that helped grow their stock as a potential 2A title contending team this year after beating such a highly thought of Collierville football team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2347677,"width":"231px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/08/damharris.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2347677" style="width:231px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Positional Players of the Week</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB POTY: [player_tooltip player_id='904027' first='Jaylon' last='Benjamin'] </strong>- Powell&nbsp; (Stats: 17-30 passing for 297 yds &amp; 3 TD's (4 carr. for 84 yds &amp; 1 TD)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Last Friday was the best performance I've seen from Benjamin thus far in his high school career. The Panthers senior signal caller had full command of his offense, continuously making the right reads while producing with both his arm and his legs. Benjamin looked comfortable behind center, showing maturity and poise along with noticeable improvement in all areas of his game. If he continues to perform like he did last Friday, Mr. Football consideration could be in his future.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB POTY: Caden Jay </strong>- Lenoir City&nbsp; (Stats: 32 carr. for 227 yds &amp; 5 TD's (4 rec. for 28 yds)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Panthers went for an offensive explosion last week in their 56-30 win over Campbell Co. and Jay was a major factor behind the victory. This senior running back went for nearly 230 yards rushing while scoring five times on the night, giving his Panthers offense a constant force running the ball and maintaining offensive possession. His performance against Campbell Co., speaks towards Jay having his best high school yet as long as he stays focused and healthy.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR POTY: [player_tooltip player_id='1030085' first='Max' last='Curry'] </strong>- BGA&nbsp; (Stats: 5 rec. for 191 yds &amp; 2 TD's)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- St. Michael's had no answers for this Mid-Tennessee wideout that generated a big play anytime the ball touched his hands. Curry was electric last Saturday afternoon that used his playmaking abilities and speed to wreck havoc on the opposition's defense. Watching him perform in “Week One”, Curry looked bigger, stronger and faster on the football field compared to last year. I definitely think you will see his ranking rise during our next update because Curry nearly looks like an elite prospect.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH POTW: [player_tooltip player_id='933041' first='Darion' last='Taylor'] </strong>- Humboldt&nbsp; (Stats: 9 rec. for 135 yds &amp; 1 TD (12 tcks, 1 TFL, 2 FF, 2 PD &amp; 1 Int on Def.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Vikings had an impressive “Week One' win over Halls with Taylor being a major factor. This current “Top 100” prospect was stellar on both sides of the ball where he was the team's leading receiver while also making plays all over the Vikings secondary. Taylor is probably the most important player on the Vikings roster this year due to his next level abilities and the impact he can make for the entire team. This performance alone boosted his stock and should get Taylor on more college radars.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2080078,"width":"220px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/dartaylor.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2080078" style="width:220px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL/Edge POTW: Nathanael Karkau </strong>- Columbia Acad.&nbsp; (Stats: 14 tcks, 2 TFL, 1 FF, 1 FR &amp; 2 sacks)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Last Friday night was a great start for the Bulldogs as they needed a strong defensive effort to win their one point game over Fayetteville and Karkau became a force in those efforts that the opposing team could not stop. This junior edge defender was disruptive all night as he produced double digit tackles while making some forceful hits and harassing the Tigers quarterback. Karkau is a long term developmental prospect that needs to get bigger but displayed upside last week as a possible next level edge rusher.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB POTW: [player_tooltip player_id='1895564' first='Ford' last='Bowman'] </strong>- Providence Academy&nbsp; (Stats: 17 tcks, 11 TFL, 1 FF, 3 FR &amp; 3 sacks)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Working out of state last week, the Knights went 1-0 after their 28-6 victory that saw Bowman and their defense led the way with a suffocating performance that caused fits for the opposition all night long. This senior linebacker was a definite force that could not be blocked as Bowman made plays all over the field from stopping the run or getting after the quarterback. His stats show the kind of impact Bowman had on this game and I would expect more of the same the remainder of the year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB POTW: Brodie Hollowell </strong>- Powell&nbsp; (Stats: 14 tcks, 1 FR &amp; 2 Int's)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Talk about a way to open your senior season! Hollowell was a straight ball hawk and beast in the Panthers road win over Anderson Co. where this senior safety was all over the field, making plays on the back end and close to the line of scrimmage. The Mavs basically couldn't play away from this guy as Hollowell was effective both in stopping the run and picking off two passes that halted would-be Anderson Co. scoring drives. More games like this and Hollowell will be competing for All-State honors by the end of the year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2347676,"width":"315px","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/3/2026/08/bhollowell.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2347676" style="aspect-ratio:1.501511939105349;width:315px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->