Class 2A Championship Preview: Huntingdon vs. Marion Co.

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">If you are a football fan who likes to watch teams run the ball, this could be the game for you! Both these squads like to pound the rock but only one can prevail in the end. Here we breakdown the 2A title game between the Mustangs and the Warriors in what could be a physical matchup that isn't settled till the 4th quarter. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>&nbsp;The 2A title game is an interesting case to follow this week as you have the defending state champs returning in Marion Co. to defend their turf against possibly the hottest team from the 2A level in Huntingdon. These are two high quality programs that put an emphasis on consistency and winning but only one can leave Chattanooga as state champs. Marion Co. will have the home field advantage being that they reside not too far from the Mocs campus but they are a different team compared to last year's championship squad while the Mustangs are highly confident right now with a backfield that is running over their opponents.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Experience in the moment does sit on the side of Marion Co. as a decent amount of guys from this year's squad played for the title last year. The Huntington roster is new to Chattanooga, so seeing how they perform early will show me and others how they might compete against the Warriors throughout the title game. Even if the Mustangs have a slow start, I expect them to figure things out because they are a well coached, disciplined ball club. Marion Co. is built in the same manor with maybe a little more overall athleticism spread into their roster.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking at both teams and how they are built, it's almost an evenly matched game. Both like to run the ball while both lean on their defense. Finding an aerial attack may be an edge either team needs to find their way on top or it's as simple as stopping the run. If a blowout takes place, I think it will be done by Huntingdon but I don't see that happening. I expect a ground and pound, hard fought game here that remains close till the very end. Many people won't have a lot of excitement for this matchup but I could see Huntingdon and Marion Co. being one of the better overall games taking place in Chattanooga this week.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players to Know</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Huntingdon Mustangs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB/Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='2058611' first='Braylin' last='Dearmon']: </strong>A multi talented prospect with great size and a versatile skill set, Dearmon handles several roles within the Mustangs backfield and will be a key player towards his team's success in this game. Sitting at 6 '3 220 plus pounds, Dearmon is a load to handle with the ball in his hands and will present a problem for the Warriors defense due to his power running style.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB/DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1648079' first='Tyreke' last='Hutch']: </strong>This is the Mustangs best overall athlete that has come on strong late in the season on offense, providing his team with speed out of the backfield. Hutch is a dynamic player that can find the open field quickly and his work on offense will be needed but so will his action in the secondary. Marion Co. doesn't throw the ball too often but if they do, Hutch will need to lock things down while also and more importantly, provide excellent work in stopping the run.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='932932' first='Kenton' last='Smith']: </strong>The guy who has stood out the most for Huntingdon over the past month has been this junior athlete that has become near unstoppable. Smith has become the team's main quarterback and due to his athleticism and size, opposing defenses have had a hard time slowing him down, especially in the red zone. I don't know what position Smith is in college yet but I see a playmaker here that Marion Co. must account for.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (OL/DL) Taylin Strayhorn: </strong>Strayhorn has stepped forward in a big way this season as the team's best player in the line of scrimmage and someone that could cause some issues up front versus the Warriors rushing attack. This junior lineman has produced 25 tackles for loss this year along with 11 sacks, so Marion Co. must account for Strayhorn and do their best at driving him off the ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1086160' first='Gavin' last='Gray']: </strong>This 2025 season has been a breakout year for this sophomore linebacker where he leads his Mustangs team in tackles (141) and has become one of the better defenders on the Huntingdon roster. Gray does excellent work stopping the run where he consistently finds himself around the ball or within the opposition's backfield. Knowing that Marion Co. likes to run the ball, you might hear this guy's name a lot come Saturday afternoon.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2063986,"width":"232px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/kensmith.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2063986" style="width:232px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marion Co. Warriors&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (QB/Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='2065483' first='Zaiden' last='Humphrey']: </strong>Humphrey has stepped forward this year as the team's top guy and go-to player. This junior will play a different position when it comes to his future in college but Humphrey has done a great job of handling the quarterback duties and providing a backfield threat with his legs. Huntingdon must find a way to slow down this dynamic athlete because if Humphrey goes off, his Warriors team could be going home with back to back state titles.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1282609' first='Mason' last='Mays']: </strong>This two-way backer has been a key piece on the Warriors squad for two years now and will be important to his team's success this Saturday. Mays is the power back on offense that has generated 944 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns but he is also a top tackler on defense and one of their best sack artists. The Warriors senior is a key leader too that played a big role last year in the team's championship run, so he knows what it takes to bring home the “Gold Ball.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Edge) Ashton Martin: </strong>All this guy has done over the past two years is play in the oppositions backfield and create sacks. Martin has put forth another strong season with 26.5 tackles for loss and 18 sacks on the year and he will need to continue the pressure on Saturday for his Warriors team to come out on top. This is the kind of guy that can wreck Huntingdon's plans and make them search for answers, so keep tabs on Martin as a potential game wrecker and game MVP.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (LB) Caden McCrary: </strong>The Warriors defense remained strong this year after some key departures from last season due to the emergence of this junior linebacker. McCrary has established himself as one of the team's top tacklers (117 total) while also being one of the most disruptive, producing 27 tackles for loss and 9 sacks on the year. Knowing the Mustangs love to run the ball, McCrary will be an important performer in the Warriors hopes at defending their title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1691522' first='Quincy' last='Mills']: </strong>Mills came over to Marion Co. this year and made a big impression, becoming the team's top cover guy and leader in interceptions. His impact won't be made in coverage this game but more so his work at shedding blocks and making tackles in run support. Huntingdon won't throw the ball too much, so for Mills to stand out in this contest, he has to make his presence felt stopping the run. Special teams work is somewhere Mills could shine as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2072369,"width":"238px","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/mmays.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2072369" style="width:238px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How Can Huntingdon Win&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Stick to what got you to the dance appears to be the right statement for Huntingdon and their chances at coming home with the 2A state championship. The Mustangs have a run-heavy offense with multiple backs in Dearmon, Hutch and Smith that can be a problem for the Marion Co. defense. Those three have to show out one way or another in this game for Huntingdon to come out as champs. Those three can't succeed if the Mustangs offensive line doesn't do their job, so the five men up front must play physical at the point of attack and consistently push the Warriors off the ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marion Co. brings one of the better defenses into this game that Huntingdon has seen this season. Finding running lanes may become tough, so finding “superman” like performances from Dearmon, Hutch or Smith is critical towards winning. Somebody has to establish themselves in this matchup as someone the staff can lean on to create positive gains or big plays and keep the Warriors defense on their heels.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs defense must show up as well. Marion Co. has their own athletes that can take over games, so the front seven must perform at a high level and keep the Warriors rushing attack in-check. Players like Strayhorn and Gray are important in this game as they will be tasked with stopping the Warriors run game and making sure it doesn't find consistency. If the offense runs the ball and the defense stops it, the Mustangs can find a way towards winning and bringing home a state title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How Can Marion Co. Win</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Senior leadership could play a big factor in this 2A title game. Marion Co. has several guys on this roster that helped the Warriors win a state championship last year and have been key leaders this season. Their top guys like Mays, Martin and others must show up big in this game and provide the type of game play leadership needed to push the Warriors over the top. It does start on offense with the Marion Co. rushing attack. The front five has to gain a push and drive the Mustangs defensive line off the ball while their backs break tackles and get into the open field on a consistent basis. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2065483' first='Zaiden' last='Humphrey'] </strong>is someone to watch in this game as a potential game changer for the Warriors offense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1298965,"width":"263px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/96-Zaiden-Humphrey.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1298965" style="width:263px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the offense has their role and they must perform at a high level, the Warriors defense is where I think they can win the state title. Huntingdon presents possibly the best rushing attack Marion Co. has seen all season, so the Warriors “A' game must be on full display. <strong>Ashton Martin</strong> is one of the top edge rushers in the state but his best work in this game needs to come stopping the run. He will need help from McCrary and others at plugging up the Mustangs run game and if they are able to do that, I see a path towards earning back to back state championships.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Prediction&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This is a very interesting game to predict as I can see either team winning and taking home the “Gold Ball.” Many will see Marion Co. as the favorite, especially with them being defending champs and returning several players from last year's championship squad but Huntingdon is legit and one of the hottest teams in the state. These two teams are similar in a lot of ways. They both like to run the ball and play physically in the trenches. They are both also well coached and highly disciplined. I don't expect a sloppy game here and I expect the clock to constantly run, due to the high volume of rushing from both squads.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It will be interesting to see how these teams perform out of the gate. Both will try to establish the run to open up the rest of the playbook, so the Mustangs and the Warriors defense is critical towards either team winning and gaining an edge. Physical play up front is needed but so could be creating turnovers. If one or the other coughs up the football, that could be a major mistake that leads to the opposition scoring and keeping themselves ahead. If anyone likes technique sound football along with physical game play, this could be the game for you.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I do foresee both teams finding success on the ground because guys like Humphrey, Hutch, Dearmon, Mays and Smith are too good to keep bottled up the entire game, so we should see some big gains but it's the team that is able to limit the big plays that will find its way to victory. I do like the culture within the Warriors program and their potential on defense but my gut is telling me to go with Huntingdon in this title contest. The Mustangs are a confident football team right now that has been plowing over opponents and I expect that to continue in Chattanooga with their powerful rushing attack being too much to handle for the Warriors defense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Score: </strong>Huntingdon 38 Marion Co. 24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2072376,"width":"266px","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/bdearmon.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-2072376" style="width:266px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->