PRZTN Top Performers: Week Five POTW 

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Our latest Prep Redzone Tennessee Players of the Week has a bunch of new names that earned top honors after stellar performances in "Week Five" along with a certain Eastern Region head coach that helped guide his team to a win over a previously top ranked team. Find all that out and more below inside our latest "Top Performers" piece. </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":["2079594"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab56cd9cafb2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stats: 8 rec. for 246 yds &amp; 4 TD's (2 tcks, 1 Int on Def.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more productive wideouts we have had in the state over the past two years finally had his coming out game of the year last week in the Red Hawks seven point region win over Battle Creek. Springer was unguardable as he nearly produced 250 yards receiving while scoring four touchdowns and contributing on defense as well with an interception. The Red Hawks senior was a one man wrecking crew against the Grizzlies as they had no answers for him and basically allowed Springer to do whatever he wanted. Creek Wood has a shot at competing for their region title but will need more games like this from Springer to accomplish that lofty goal.</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":["1630212"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab56cd9cb01e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stats: 11-15 passing for 381 yds &amp; 3 TD's</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off a tough loss to Maryville, McGowan took pride in the defeat to bounce back in a big way in “Week Five” as he led his Blue Raiders team towards a big victory over previously undefeated Oak Ridge. Newly committed to North Alabama, McGowan might have put together one of his best performances of his high school career by throwing for 381 yards and three touchdowns while only tossing four incomplete passes. The Blue Raiders signal caller was near flawless in the win. His accuracy and command of his offense was on point and a unit the Wildcats defense had a tough time slowing down. This performance against Oak Ridge is also an eye opener that may push his PRZTN ranking higher as McGowan tossed it around the yard against a top tier secondary with multiple future college players on the back end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Player of the Week</strong><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1703375"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab56cd9cb073"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stats: 8 tcks, 6 TFL, 1 FF &amp; 3 sacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Through five games, Warren has been an impactful performer on the Dragons defensive line with his best game coming last week in his team's 55-7 win over Arlington. Still uncommitted and looking for a college home, Warren is making a strong case this season for some type of defensive player of the year award, especially if he continues to dominate and produce week after week. The Dragons senior was a force against the Tigers where he produced 8 tackles with 6 of them for loss while forcing a fumble and generating 3 sacks. Warren still has development to go but he is starting to come into own and becoming the kind of big man that might open eyes from several Division one programs.&nbsp;<br></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>Houston Mustangs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Players: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2045254' first='Jaiden' last='Strother']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2005483' first='Carridan' last='Matthews']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1702107' first='Steven' last='Anderson']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- After a three game losing streak, the Mustangs bounced back in “Week Five” with a big region win over Bartlett and their offensive line deserves a lot of credit for the victory. The big men up front did a good job of opening holes in the run game while keeping <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1091453' first='Canon' last='Day'] </strong>clean and allowing him to go off for his best game of the season. Houston produced 38 points against an athletic Bartlett defense and none of that could happen without the play from the Mustangs O-line. The three main guys listed above are college level prospects that can continue boosting their stocks with more strong performances over the coming weeks and hopefully into the playoffs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2199877,"width":"230px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/jstrother.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2199877" style="width:230px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach of the Week</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chris Brown - Cleveland&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- It's been a great start to the 2026 season for Coach Brown and his Blue Raiders team. They generated their biggest win of the year last week, defeating Oak Ridge 35-14 and flexing their muscles against a previously top ten ranked ball club. Expectations were unclear going into the 2026 campaign for Cleveland due to their struggles last Fall but Coach Brown and his staff have done a good job of developing his team to have them in the mix as a formidable squad throughout the 6A ranks. Last week against the Wildcats was one of the best coaching jobs from Coach Brown and his staff and the way the Blue Raiders are playing right now, I wouldn't be surprised to see them listed here again before the season is done.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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='2213219' first='Walter' last='Wilson'] </strong>- Father Ryan ‘28&nbsp; (Stats: 22-31 passing for 255 yds &amp; 4 TD's)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Fighting Irish came from behind in “Week Five” to knock off MUS with Wilson being a major catalyst behind the victory. This junior signal caller was sensational as was efficient and deadly with the ball in his hands. Wilson threw for a little more than 250 yards while tossing for 4 touchdowns in the team's 46-41 thrilling win over the Owls. This Mid-Tennessee product has shown vast improvement this year and pushed himself towards becoming a legit college prospect that still has higher levels to his game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB POTY: J.D. Stafford </strong>- Stratford&nbsp; (Stats: 9 carr. for 241 yds &amp; 4 TD's)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Currently leading the state in rushing, Stafford had his best game to date last week as he ran for more than 240 yards and 4 touchdowns in the Spartans 69-0 win over Nashville Collegiate Prep. This Nashville native did all his damage on only 9 carries, so he definitely made every touch of the ball count. Stafford has flown under the radar throughout the recruiting process but is starting to make a name for himself with a strong senior year that should force college coaches to look harder at his next level upside.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR POTY: [player_tooltip player_id='1608413' first='Stephen' last='Saulter'] </strong>- Pearl Cohn&nbsp; (Stats: 7 rec. for 132 yds &amp; 3 TD's)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Firebirds had their biggest offensive explosion of the season last week in their 56-0 win over Kenwood where Saulter dominated the Knights secondary for 132 yards on 7 receptions while producing three touchdowns. Currently committed to Western Ky. this Nashville area wideout has flashed strong play throughout the season but had his best game of the year last week and hopefully it's a sign of more to come for Saulter, who is a 100 prospect by Prep Redzone Tennessee.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH POTW: [player_tooltip player_id='932942' first='Amaure' last='Manier'] </strong>- Lebanon&nbsp; (Stats: 3 rec. for 155 yds &amp; 2 TD's - 6 tcks, 1 PD &amp; 1 Int on Def.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Going both ways for his Blue Devils team, Manier had his best overall performance of the season in the team's 49-14 win over Station Camp as he flashed major playmaking abilities on both sides of the ball. Manier's athleticism and speed proved to be difference makers in the win where he produced over 150 yards receiving while scoring twice as well as being all over the secondary with six tackles and one interception.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2415003,"width":"227px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/09/amainer.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2415003" style="width:227px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL/Edge POTW: [player_tooltip player_id='904976' first='Wade' last='Jones']</strong> - St. Georges&nbsp; (Stats: 12 tcks, 2 TFL, 1 FF, 1 FR &amp; 1 sack)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Homecoming was last week for the Gryphons and they performed well, picking up a 30-12 win over North Panola, Mississippi with Jones being a major factor on the defensive side of the ball. This senior edge rusher was all over the field last Friday night where Jones produced 12 tackles, forcing and recovering a fumble and generating one sack. The Gryphons senior has good long term potential surrounding him due to his athleticism, length, speed and size.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB POTW: [player_tooltip player_id='1983481' first='Aiden' last='Carrington'] </strong>- McKenzie&nbsp; (Stats: 9 tcks, 3 TFL &amp; 3 sacks)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Rebels defense was stellar last week in their commanding 56-8 win over Camden where Carrington was a major disruptor on the defensive side of the ball. This senior linebacker was all over the Tigers backfield as he produced nine tackles on the night with three of them for loss and three sacks. Carrington is new to McKenzie this Fall season but has made an impact as he is the current tackles leader and a key leader for a Rebels defense that has steadily gotten better each week of the 2026 season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB POTW: [player_tooltip player_id='1704591' first='Kentrell' last='Watkins Jr.'] </strong>- Chatt. Prep&nbsp; (Stats: 4 tcks, 2 PD &amp; 2 Int's - 103 yds receiving &amp; 1 TD)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Last week was tough for the Sentinels as they fought hard in a close loss to top five ranked Marion Co. but Watkins was a standout that did everything he could to push his team to victory. Whether it was on offense or defense, Watkins produced at a high level with 4 tackles and 2 interceptions along with 103 yards receiving and one touchdown. So far for the 2026 season, Watkins has been a playmaker for his Sentinels team while building his stock as one of the more underrated seniors in the state.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1908221,"width":"233px","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/kwatkins.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1908221" style="width:233px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->