Underrated Teams with State Title Potential: Class 5A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're in the deep part of the high school football offseason, where the portal has somewhat calmed down, and schools are beginning their prep for spring ball. With a lot of pieces coming in and veterans graduating, I thought it would be fun to talk about some sleeper state championship squads for every classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next in this series, let's discuss five teams in the Class 5A state title picture who aren't getting talked about enough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Page and Sevier County are the clear programs to beat at the moment, but that doesn't mean there aren't teams that can stop them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1589977} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/tstarks.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1589977" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Munford 2028 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1585458' first='Tay' last='Starks'] at media day.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Munford High School – (10-2 in 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Munford is one of the sneaky-good programs in the 5A classification, while currently boasting one of the top players in Tennessee. They're a run-heavy team, but who wouldn't be with their tandem of tailbacks?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1585458' first='Tay' last='Starks'] is the top dog, running for nearly 2,000 yards with 20+ touchdowns this past season. While they lose their second-leading rusher, 2027 Qua Bell totaled over 10 yards a carry on limited snaps. He'll have a larger workload as a senior, where he will be one of the best RB2s in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars return a good amount of production on defense, giving them a lot of continuity heading into 2026. Watch for this team to be a legitimate state title contender in a loaded class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1507856} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/powell-crop-947x622-1727376631.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1507856" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Powell football with its coach before a game.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Powell High School – (9-2 in 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Powell High School is another program that I like heading into the new season. Yes, they do lose quite a bit of production from graduating seniors and transfers, but Matt Lowe is one of the best coaches in Tennessee. He's been in the game for quite some time, so I have complete faith that he'll get the Panthers right for the 2026 campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While they lose their quarterback, Powell's top four receivers are back, along with an intriguing running back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johonauan Moore averaged over six yards per carry in 2025 as the third tailback on the roster. With another offseason to develop, he could turn into one of the more underrated players in 5A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Losing [player_tooltip player_id='1154536' first='Iverson' last='Garcia']-Ponce was a big one, but the Panthers do return a good amount of veteran production for another year. They were upset early in the playoffs last season, but I think they're poised for a big run in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1955786} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Photo-Oct-15-2025-5-48-59-PM-crop-700x460-1760568610.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1955786" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Kirkwood tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1316743' first='Parker' last='Keenan']. Photo from his Hudl.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kirkwood High School – (9-3 in 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kirkwood lost four-star offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='944767' first='Kamari' last='Blair'], a significant hit. However, they do bring back quite a bit of its 2025 team, which was one of the best in the classification. Their quarterback, several top receiving options and a handful of defensive players are back for another season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In their short history, this has been one of the more successful programs in 5A. That won't be any different heading into the 2026 campaign. There are many quality players on this team, along with a strong coaching staff, which should have the Cobras competing for a state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2126713} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/109-Jaxton-Schmitt-e1770852360105-crop-3302x2169-1770917547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2126713" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Rhea County QB [player_tooltip player_id='1732910' first='Jaxton' last='Schmitt'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rhea County High School – (9-2 in 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rhea County High School is always an excellent program that will win 9+ games every season. They lose star running back [player_tooltip player_id='2082752' first='Mason' last='Ford'], but there's still plenty of talent on this team for the Golden Eagles to make a run in the state playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dual-threat quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1732910' first='Jaxton' last='Schmitt'] is back for his senior season, along with underclassmen running backs who should step up for the loss of Ford. They return several good pass catchers and a plethora of their best defenders from a good defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rhea County's unique style and healthy amount of defensive production should have them competing for the gold ball in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2126733} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Photo-Feb-12-2026-11-46-40-AM-crop-1717x1128-1770918497.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2126733" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Former Lincoln County QB [player_tooltip player_id='523936' first='Maddox' last='Franklin']. Photo by Lincoln County athletics.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lincoln County High School – (10-3 in 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln County was a huge surprise last season, posting its best win total since 2015, when it went 7-4. Losing their star quarterback was a tough blow, but there are still several returning starters from last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1,300-yard rusher Carsen Carter is back for his senior year, along with a few quality receivers. The Falcons also bring back some of their top defensive pieces, giving them a large chunk of veterans who can help stack consecutive successful seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I like this team heading into 2026. If they can find a replacement for [player_tooltip player_id='523936' first='Maddox' last='Franklin'], watch out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->