#PRZTN Class 4A Players of the Year (Positional MVP’s)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pearl Cohn claimed the 4A championship this season and the awards keep rolling in as the Firebirds have several players mentioned below, picking up PRZTN top honors for the 2023 season. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 4A Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["695080"],"_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_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe 2023 season was a banner year for this future MTSU Blue Raider as Simpson-Smith was a one man wrecking crew on both sides of the ball that helped lead his Firebirds squad to the Class 4A state title. From a production standpoint, Simpson-Smith dominated the field at running back where he had 997 yards and 16 punishing touchdowns while also putting up huge numbers on defense with 122 tackles, 34 tackles for loss and six sacks. Simpson–Smith was a force this season for his Pearl Cohn team that could not leave the field. That's how good he was and how much he was needed. This player of the year honor was most definitely earned and I will be excited to watch how his talents translate to the next level and how much he progresses during his time at MTSU.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a2bfff60674"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offensive Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["466233"],"_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_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ePart of the best one, two backfield punch in the state, Miller stepped forward into the lead role this year and never looked back. Miller took full advantage of almost every carry this season where the 5 '8 rising senior led the 4A ranks in rushing this season with 1,911 yards while scoring 25 touchdowns on the ground. He also produced two receiving scores but it was his work on the ground that earned him PRZTN Offensive Player of the Year. Where Miller hurts you the most is with his speed and quickness in short spaces. His size makes it tough for defenders to grab a hold and once he gets into the open field, Miller has the speed to usually find the end zone. All this work was done at Haywood but for his senior year, catch Miller running the ball for defending 4A champs, the Pearl Cohn Firebirds.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a2bfff606ef"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["207308"],"_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_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eEven though his Bees team fell one game shy of winning the 4A state title, Harris had a sensational senior season where he was a force in that championship game while also playing consistent football throughout the entire 2023 football year. Harris produced his best season yet where he put up 64 tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks from the Upperman defensive line while also providing key blocking on offense at tight end. The Bees senior prospect took his game and motor to another level this season as offensive linemen had a hard time dealing with his quick get-off and speed as well as his ferocious demeanor. Harris played like a warrior this year, like someone that knew this was his last high school season and he sure made the most of it. Right now, the Bees D-lineman sits uncommitted but I expect that to change over the next few weeks as we inch closer to the 2nd #TN2024 signing day. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a2bfff6074e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tony Brunetti - Pearl Cohn</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to not give this top honor to one of the winningest coaches in the state, who finally landed that elusive state title he's been pushing for throughout his coaching career. Coach Brunetti found paydirt this season, helping lead his Firebirds squad to a 15-0 undefeated season that was capped with a 4A state championship. It was a season in the making for Pearl Cohn and Coach Brunetti as his senior class had been building towards this moment during their four year career, especially after falling one game short to Anderson Co. in the 2022 season. Everything fell in place for the Firebirds this year, bringing the “Gold Ball” back to campus and providing Coach Brunetti that championship he had been striving to earn for so long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Positional MVP's&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB: [player_tooltip player_id='258845' first='Keshawn' last='Tarleton'] </strong>- Pearl Cohn</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The leader of the Firebirds Class 4A title team, Tarleton had an efficient season where he passed for over 2,100 yards with 33 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. His calm presence behind center and his ability to not turn the ball over, was a key factor behind the team's championship run this year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1001717,"width":"350px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/ktarleton.webp?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1001717" style="width:350px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: 615Preps.com</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB: [player_tooltip player_id='1102345' first='Kemonte' last='Williams'] </strong>- Haywood ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- If it wasn't for his teammate putting up a big season, Williams would be your offensive player of the year. The Tomcats rising senior had a breakout season where he rushed for 1,889 yards and 29 touchdowns while sharing the backfield, which will be all his next Fall with Miller transferring to the Nashville area.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR: [player_tooltip player_id='193750' first='D'Arious' last='Reed'] </strong>- Pearl Cohn</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Reed has been a consistent performer throughout his HS career with his senior year being one of his best. Anytime Reed touched the ball this year, he created big plays. He averaged 22.3 ypc while hauling in 11 touchdown receptions on 761 yards receiving. He was a key piece towards the Firebirds leaving the 2023 season as 4A champs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OL: [player_tooltip player_id='149184' first='Jason' last='Overton'] </strong>- Pearl Cohn&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A road grader up front with O-line versatility, Overton was one key piece along the Firebirds O-line that helped keep Tarleton clean and open holes for their running backs throughout the 2023 season. Signing with MTSU, Overton is an athletic guy with explosive flashes with his blocking that definitely earned this honor after helping pave the way to an undefeated season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL: [player_tooltip player_id='334385' first='Antoine' last='Rogers'] </strong>- Haywood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Rogers put together his best year yet with the Tomcats as he was an absolute force throughout the entire season where the 6'1 defensive end produced 83 tackles along with 18.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. The Tomcats had one of the better defenses in the state last Fall with Rogers being a major force behind it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1133752,"width":"332px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/antrogers.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1133752" style="width:332px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB: [player_tooltip player_id='308778' first='Jonathan' last='Temple-Dowdy'] </strong>- Millington Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Trojans had a banner 2023 season with their defense being a major reason why. Temple-Dowdy was the playmaker on the Millington defense that set the tone each and every game. To wrap up his HS career, Temple-Dowdy finished the season with 20 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB (Co-MVP's): [player_tooltip player_id='372306' first='Ja'Quis' last='Williams'] </strong>- Pearl Cohn - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1224005' first='Anthony' last='Holland'] </strong>- Montgomery Cent. ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- It was tough to give this honor to just one guy as both Williams and Holland had a major impact on their respective teams this year. Holland was a ball hawk this year where he produced six interceptions on the season while being a consistent menace on the defensive side of the ball for his Indians team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams was a major piece on a Firebirds defense that proved to be one of the best in the state this year. He hauled in three interceptions, three sacks and 60 plus tackles on the year while being one of the more consistent performers for Pearl Cohn throughout the 2023 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":514189,"width":"453px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/firebirds2.jpeg?w=669" alt="" class="wp-image-514189" style="width:453px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->