TSSAA Week One Freshman Report

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High school football is finally back in the state of Tennessee and the opening week allowed for programs to get their first look at freshmen players on their team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the talent level inside the state continues to increase, the number of freshmen that are making immediate impacts continues to increase as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These six 2030 prospects made a large impact for their teams in week one of the 2026 high school football season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">McCallie RB [player_tooltip player_id='1307180' first='Macc' last='Chapin']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1307180' first='Macc' last='Chapin'] figured to be the tailback of the future after joining McCallie this year, but he proved he was ready to make an immediate impact in a high-profile matchup against Lipscomb Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Facing a strong defense, he rushed 24 times for 140 yards and a touchdown in his first high school game. The eight-yard touchdown put McCallie ahead with 3:26 left in the fourth quarter. He also had a 23-yard touchdown called back earlier in that drive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He put together a well-rounded performance and gave a glimpse into the future of the rushing game at McCallie.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/MaccChapin/status/2091290178908205476?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MaccChapin/status/2091290178908205476?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">East Robertson RB Isaac Prince</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Robertson has a strong tradition of running the football and they have found their tailback to build the offense around for the next four seasons in 2030 prospect Isaac Prince.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a 28-21 victory over Liberty Creek, the freshman running back turned 33 carries into 241 yards and three touchdowns, arriving on the high school level with a loud debut.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/joe_spears7/status/2088418074676338845?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/joe_spears7/status/2088418074676338845?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bradley Central RB [player_tooltip player_id='1596142' first='Hezekiah' last='Thomas']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1596142' first='Hezekiah' last='Thomas'] is a young tailback with a strong frame that has the athleticism to make an early impact for a Bradley Central team that features a promising young core.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When given the chance, he quickly made an impact and would end the night with eight carries for 34 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown came from eight yards out, cutting the deficit down to four in the final quarter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McMinn County would hold on to win the game 22-17, but the Bears found a reliable running back for the future in Thomas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/GabeThomas7175/status/1894856499945496730?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/GabeThomas7175/status/1894856499945496730?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ensworth WR/CB Darius Weaver</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Darius Weaver is an exciting prospect due to his legit explosiveness that has been evident on the track, holding verified track numbers of 22.05 seconds in the 200m and a 19'9.75" in the broad jump as an eighth grader.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He made sure to translate that to the football field on Friday night as he opened the scoring for Ensworth as they defeated a strong Whitehaven team 24-8.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers staff intentionally put him in the game with the offense in the red zone and he rewarded them by working wide open to haul in a receiving touchdown. He also rotated in at cornerback, where he held his own consistently against a pair of Division One prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcUsN0_xp1o/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linku0026amp;igsi=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcUsN0_xp1o/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsi=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Baylor IDL [player_tooltip player_id='1307170' first='I-Key' last='Lewis']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite being just a freshman, Key Lewis Jr played a legitimate drive in a nationally top-15 matchup, and more than held his own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During his three plays from the nose tackle alignment, he was a positive presence working against a Division One senior at center in each rep. He worked to win the leverage battle and wrestled the center off his frame after gaining that advantage. This led to a pair of pressures that pushed the Brentwood Academy quarterback to leave the pocket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has an elite frame for a young player with plenty of room to grow into it without losing his natural athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/2090606264510271975?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/2090606264510271975?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Battle Ground Academy OL [player_tooltip player_id='1307148' first='Brandon' last='McDonald']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1307148' first='Brandon' last='McDonald'] was another freshman lineman that shined on national television as Battle Ground Academy travelled to Alabama to claim a 41-18 victory over St. Michael Catholic on Saturday afternoon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McDonald started moved to the perimeter and will start at right tackle this season for the Wildcats. He held his own with his ability to work up to defenders as a run blocker and anchor to sit down in pass protection.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a very exciting young talent up front that continues to stand out as he earns more opportunity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/McDonald_Brando/status/2091680724231365100?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/McDonald_Brando/status/2091680724231365100?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->