PRZTN Top Performers: Week Four POTW

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Before moving on to another week of football action here in Tennessee, let's look back to "Week Four" where we saw a lot of strong individual performances that made it tough for us to choose our players of the week. A certain East Tennessee quarterback gained the top honor after a stellar game that squarely puts him on the Mr. Football radar. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prep Redzone TN Statewide Player of the Week</strong><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2371879"],"_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-6aac3126ae1bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stats: 15-21 passing for 332 yds &amp; 3 TD's (7 carr. for 54 yds &amp; 2 TD's)<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This East Tennessee signal caller has been on a heater so far this season with his best performance coming last week in the Green Devils win over Seymour. Ricker is an athletic, dual threat guy that is using his arm first to get by but will rely on his legs when needed. The Eagles had a tough time dealing with Ricker and his playmaking abilities as he generated more than 380 yards of total offense while scoring five touchdowns. The way Ricker has been playing through the first half of the season, the Green Devils quarterback is working himself into Mr. Football consideration while also boosting his overall college stock. This top honor was well earned and it may not be the last time we see Ricker on this list before the season is over.</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":["1184425"],"_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-6aac32699e867"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stats: 9 carr. for 198 yds &amp; 4 TD's</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tomcats needed every minute to get past Lakeland Prep last week, 64-50 with Harvey being a main catalyst behind the victory. This junior ball carrier has established himself as the team's top ball carrier that produced one of his best games of his career against the Lions where he nearly ran for 200 yards on only 9 carries while scoring four rushing touchdowns. Harvey is undersized but balanced and strong with the ability to provide a great initial burst while breaking tackles with ease. The way the Tomcats running back is carrying the ball this year says he could be in the mix for Mr. Football by the end of the season while taking his college stock and pushing it higher each and every week.</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":["2224053"],"_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-6aac32699e8f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stats: 11 tcks, 5 TFL, 1 FF &amp; 5 sacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This East Tennessee pass rusher has been highly active through five games this season with last week being his most dominating. Disruptive coming off the edge, this junior pass rusher produced 11 tackles and 5 sacks during the Panthers 42-7 win over William Blount and was nearly unblockable throughout the entire game. Through five games, Kay has been one of the more consistent pass rushing specialists in the state and is working his way towards generating double digit sacks this season and All-State honors. The Panthers junior is also building his college stock very well and could push it even higher with continued work in the weight room, building up his mass and overall strength.</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>Haywood Tomcats</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Players: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2372804' first='Mekhi' last='Sanderlin']</strong>, <strong>Eric Bullock</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1280310' first='D'Ayrius' last='Hardin']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1673572' first='Dakylin' last='Proffitt']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Tomcats put up a lot of points last week in their win over Lakeland Prep with the run game doing most of the damage. None of the success on the ground would have happened without the play up front from the Haywood offensive line. Two players in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1184425' first='Braden' last='Harvey'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1162582' first='Jaden' last='Butler'] </strong>ran for nearly 400 yards themselves while scoring seven rushing touchdowns on the night. The Tomcats offensive line owned the line of scrimmage and opened holes all night long and if they didn't do so, they might have lost as Lakeland Prep put up 50 points. Haywood has been running the ball well so far this year, so this may not be the last time the Tomcats O-line earns this top honor.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1752685,"width":"241px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/haywood-crop-649x426-1754342221.jpg?w=648" alt="" class="wp-image-1752685" style="width:241px;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>Tim Hasselbeck - Ensworth&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming off a lopsided home loss to Briarcrest, Coach Hasselbeck and his staff did a great job of refocusing their team and getting back on track as the Tigers went down to Chattanooga last Friday and knocked off previously unranked McCallie. Defeating the Blue Tornado at their house was impressive, especially how the game went back and forth but the Tigers found a way to win. Through four games, Ensworth has played a tough schedule but they sit at 3-1 while still remaining in the mix to win their region. The coaching job that is being done at Ensworth is outstanding as the staff needed to replace several players off last year's team while getting this squad equipped to compete in the toughest classification in the state.&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='1150069' first='Matthew' last='Horner'] </strong>- Independence (Stats: 14-18 passing for 327 yds &amp; 5 TD's - 1 rushing TD)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Eagles needed a big win to help get things back on track and they got it over Shelbyville with the help of Horner. This senior quarterback was a singular force against the Golden Eagles that produced six touchdowns in the game with five of them through the air and one on the ground. He also tossed the ball for over 320 yards while only throwing four incompletions. The Eagles need more performances like this from Horner to further his game while getting his team into postseason contention.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB POTY: [player_tooltip player_id='2371899' first='Malosi' last='Laban'] </strong>- Montgomery Central&nbsp; (Stats: 30 carr. for 315 yds &amp; 4 TD's)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- All Laban has done so far this season is produce monster numbers from his running back position and he did so yet again last in the team's 47-34 win over Northwest. This senior power back put up over 300 yards on the Vikings while putting the ball into the end zone four times. Most defenses Laban has faced this year have had a hard time bottling him up or keeping him out of the end zone. The way this senior back is running this year, more college programs need to look harder at Laban and see if he fits their style of play.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR POTY: [player_tooltip player_id='2128305' first='Brody' last='Bullock'] </strong>- Independence&nbsp; (Stats: 10 rec. for 217 yds &amp; 3 TD's - 3 tcks, 1 PD on Def.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Eagles had an offensive breakout last week in their win over Shelbyville as did this senior wideout who generated over 200 yards receiving while scoring three touchdowns. Bullock has been emerging since last season but appears to really be coming into his own at the right time. Sporting great size and excellent ball skills, Bullock is a potential Fall stock riser that has a chance to reach the next level with continued performances like last Friday night.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH POTW: [player_tooltip player_id='1549656' first='Redding' last='Wilson'] </strong>- Lexington ‘29&nbsp; (Stats: 15 tcks, 1 PD &amp; 1 Int - 5 carr. for 102 yds &amp; 3 TD's; 1 passing TD - 1 punt ret. for TD)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Whatever the Tigers needed last week in their win over Jackson North-Side, Wilson was the guy to do it. This sophomore safety was a pure playmaker in the 48-34 victory where he produced 15 tackles and an interception on defense while running for over 100 yards and 3 scores on offense. He also generated a punt return for a touchdown against the Indians. Wilson has put forth a strong sophomore campaign thus far that is squarely getting him on the college radar and I think his stock will continue to grow with more games like this.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL/Edge POTW: [player_tooltip player_id='2395955' first='Elijah' last='Carter']</strong> - MTCS&nbsp; (Stats: 6 tcks, 5.5 TFL, 1 PD &amp; 3 sacks)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Cougars completely dominated Grace Baptist last week, 56-7 with Carter and their defense being a major force in the victory. This senior edge rusher has emerged as an under the radar talent that more college programs should be looking at much harder. Carter has great size and length with room to get bigger and he's a good athlete that should only get better in that department as he gets older and matures. Last week was his best performance of the season but I bet it won't be his last.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB POTW: [player_tooltip player_id='1669977' first='J'Mari' last='Hall'] </strong>- Columbia Cent. ‘28&nbsp; (Stats: 13 tcks, 4 TFL, 1 PD &amp; 2 sacks)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Hall was an absolute defensive beast last week in the Lions road win over Marshall County. This junior linebacker was all over the field, making tackles from sideline to sideline while spending time in the Tigers backfield as Hall produced 13 tackles with four of them for loss while also sacking quarterback two times. Time has been spent on both sides of the ball for Hall but I can tell he is really embracing his future at linebacker and turning into a quality recruit that coaches need to pay attention to.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB POTW: [player_tooltip player_id='2233990' first='Jalen' last='Hamilton']</strong> - WH-Heritage ‘28 (Stats: 12 tcks, 1 TFL, 2 PD &amp; 1 Int)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Even though his team fell to defeat last week against White House, Hamilton played a heck of game where he produced 12 tackles on the night with one of them for loss while breaking up multiple passes and picking off one. The Patriots junior defender shows potential to be a college guy. He has good size with room to get bigger and an athletic skill set that might work at either safety position. This may be a sign of Hamilton picking up his game and becoming a bigger force on the Pats defensive unit.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2235041,"width":"254px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/jhamilton.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-2235041" style="width:254px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->