TNHSFB Playoffs: Class 2A Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's postseason football time in Tennessee. After yet another entertaining regular season in the Volunteer State, we're down to the final 32 teams in each public school classification. 2A could be the most competitive of them all, with five top teams and a bevy of sleepers that are fully capable of making noise. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a preview of it all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Title Contenders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marion County Warriors:</strong> Marion County played for the 2025 Class 2A State Championship in Chattanooga, but ultimately fell short against Huntingdon, 20-7. They came into this season with violent intentions, and they have succeeded. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors outscored their regular-season opponents 382-59, dominating several playoff teams along the way. I really like this team, and view them as the No. 1 squad heading into November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='2065483' first='Zaiden' last='Humphrey'] is a game-changer, scoring 22 touchdowns and averaging 131.9 all-purpose yards per game. He's also been excellent on defense, just like 2027 linebacker Caden McCrary, [player_tooltip player_id='1691522' first='Quincy' last='Mills'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2216645' first='Taedyn' last='Bibbs'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense is lockdown and the offense is powerful.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Huntingdon Mustangs:</strong> Huntingdon captured the state championship a season ago and are 10-0 in this new campaign. The Mustangs have won 22 consecutive games, with a good chance to add to that impressive list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They lost some key pieces off the state championship team, but superstar ‘27 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='932932' first='Kenton' last='Smith'] is back and has been phenomenal this season. He's compiled 1,723 total yards with 36 scores on the ground and through the air.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Huntingdon averages 246.1 rushing yards per game, with a strong defense. They will be tough to stop in the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2248067} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/kensmith.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-2248067" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gordonsville Tigers:</strong> In my humble opinion, Gordonsville doesn't get enough respect. Yes, they are 9-1 and the No. 1 seed in Region 4. However, I feel like they get left out of the conversation when talking about state title contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Will the road ahead be tough? Yes. But they are capable of winning it all. Their defense ranks No. 4 in scoring for Class 2A, and they run the football at a high level. 2028 ATH Turner Bucher is their leading rusher with 692 yards on 6.9 yards per carry with eight touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven players have totaled double-digit carries for Gordonsville this season, which makes them a tough offense to game plan around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Happy Valley Warriors:</strong> Happy Valley has been one of the best Class 2A programs over the last three seasons, picking up 27 wins to four losses. They have a good-looking offense for this level of football. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2085665' first='Lane' last='Parker'] is the top tailback, closing in on a 1,000-yard senior season with 17 touchdowns. Do not sleep on [player_tooltip player_id='2179390' first='Nalique' last='Anderson'], who's also having a strong senior year and leading the team with 18 touchdown runs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense has been good enough, which is nice to see. This team will be carried by its ground game. However, there aren't many in 2A that can compare to this powerful, by-committee group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Robertson Indians:</strong> East Robertson lost a lot of production from its 2025 team, but did a good job of acquiring new talent and developing what was already in the program. They sit 9-1, with the lone loss being by a touchdown against East Nashville, another really good team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1422904' first='Kason' last='Young'] has been arguably the best 2A quarterback in Tennessee, throwing for 1,765 yards with another 372 on the ground and 31 total touchdowns. The X-factor of this team has to be the stud freshman tailback, [player_tooltip player_id='2347346' first='Issac' last='Prince Jr.'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's been awesome, carrying the ball 166 times for 1,279 yards with 16 touchdowns. That's a lot of usage for a 2030 running back, but he can handle it. The Indians have a decent defense, giving up 15.6 points per game. It's not bad, but that unit needs to step it up in the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sleeper Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Adamsville Cardinals:</strong> Adamsville is a solid team being carried by JC Gray, a 2027 quarterback having a sensational senior season. He's only compiled 716 passing yards, but he's been efficient with it. The real killer for opposing defenses is his legs. Gray ran for 2,140 yards with 37 scores in the regular season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are a few good defensive pieces, with senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='932830' first='Asah' last='Story'], Gray as a cornerback and sophomore outside linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='2347197' first='Jackson' last='Johnson']. This team needs its quarterback to continue dominating if it wants to make a deep postseason run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Milan Bulldogs:</strong> Milan is a balanced team with a big offense and a defense that's holding teams to 12 points per game. Senior tailback Carson Kelley leads the way on the ground, totaling 752 rushing yards with 11 touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior quarterback Zak Summer has been productive, too. He's thrown for over 1,000 yards with 15 touchdowns. I like the game plan of this program, as it fits well in 2A. They want to grind you down with the run game, throw it 10 times per game and play good defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's a recipe for success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cannon County Lions:</strong> Cannon County is an interesting team that has just about everything you want, except a superstar offensive player. Do they need it, though? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='2347360' first='Andrew' last='Alexander'] has stepped it up this season, closing in on 900 receiving yards. [player_tooltip player_id='1570553' first='Jayden' last='Shannon'] has been consistent on the ground. 2029 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1614250' first='Corbin' last='Garrett'] is an impressive player, throwing for 2,060 yards with 25 total touchdowns. That's three really, really good players to build around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense is good, led by 2027 defensive lineman and Maryland commit, [player_tooltip player_id='1591156' first='Zeke' last='Walkup']. This team isn't getting much love, and I may be crazy for saying this. But I truly believe they can be a state championship team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2250618} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/zwalkup2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2250618" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Nashville Eagles:</strong> East Nashville is the ultimate sleeper team that has a chance to make a deep run in November. 2027 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1668630' first='Dallas' last='Covington'] has been excellent this season as a dual-threat player. He's averaging nearly 300 yards of offense a game with 31 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1974488' first='Cason' last='Reed'] is a tremendous athlete, contributing on both sides of the ball as a running back and defensive back. Micah Graves is the WR1, and he's been productive this season. The defense has one of the best players in Tennessee, safety [player_tooltip player_id='1607226' first='Jaylen' last='Mays'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yes, they've lost three games. All three are against state championship contenders outside of the 2A classification (Antioch, Beech and Springfield). They lost those by a combined five points. I probably should have put this squad in the title contenders bracket, if we're being honest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't be shocked when they make a run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prospects to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1668630' first='Dallas' last='Covington'] - East Nashville:</strong> Covington is one of my favorite quarterbacks in the state of Tennessee because of his dual-threat ability. He's thrown for 2,049 yards, ran for another 760 and totaled 31 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's been efficient, too. Covington has completed 73% of his passes with a 147.9 QB Rate. He's the best quarterback in Class 2A and is the ultimate X-factor for an East Nashville team that sits 4-0 against its own competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1422904' first='Kason' last='Young'] - East Robertson:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1422904' first='Kason' last='Young'] is probably the second-best quarterback in this class, but he isn't that far behind Covington from East Nashville. Young is an excellent ball player who will be in the running for Mr. Football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a dual-threat player of his own, averaging 213.7 yards per game while leading his offense. I like his game, but he must continue to play this way in the postseason. He's a good passer with a good football IQ, solid arm talent and the ability to push the ball downfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DL) [player_tooltip player_id='1591156' first='Zeke' last='Walkup'] - Cannon County:</strong> Walkup is an absolute baller on the defensive line. I hate to compare him to a non-Tennessee player and a college football star. But he gets the [player_tooltip player_id='835542' first='Jeremiah' last='Smith'] treatment. Every team that plays him knows he's flat-out too good for 2A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walkup gets double- and triple-teamed by them, which stops him from producing at a higher level. Still, he is one of the best players in Tennessee, regardless of class. The senior is a big, physical, fast, explosive and violent football player who excels at getting into the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2214432} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/100-Zaiden-Humphrey-crop-611x402-1779492507.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2214432" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Marion County DB [player_tooltip player_id='2065483' first='Zaiden' last='Humphrey'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(ATH) [player_tooltip player_id='2065483' first='Zaiden' last='Humphrey'] - Marion Co:</strong> Humphrey is one of the most unique athletes in all of Tennessee with his production on both sides. In the regular season, he ran for 715 yards, caught 29 passes for 505 yards, scored 22 touchdowns, recorded 53 tackles and punted twice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He can do it all. However, I think he's best at defensive back. Humphrey is long, rangy, athletic and has a good football mind. That said, don't sleep on his offensive abilities. Those will be vital in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1691522' first='Quincy' last='Mills'] - Marion Co:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1691522' first='Quincy' last='Mills'] is one of the top cornerbacks in Class 2A and is having a good junior season. Mills has not yet recorded an interception, but he's been lockdown in 2026. He's a compact guy, but plays good coverage, is physical and has solid footwork.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His impact will go under the radar, but Marion County needs him to play well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(ATH) [player_tooltip player_id='932932' first='Kenton' last='Smith'] - Huntingdon:</strong> Smith is the definition of a football player. He does it all for Huntingdon as a dual-threat quarterback. The defending state champions have several quality skill players, but the senior quarterback must play his best. He's scored 36 touchdowns with over 1,700 total yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Without him, I don't think they can repeat as state champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='2347346' first='Issac' last='Prince Jr.'] - East Robertson:</strong> East Robertson has given Prince Jr. a huge workload in an offense with a couple of high-level playmakers. It's paid off, though. The 2030 prospect is one of the top backs in 2A this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young is a good quarterback and they have a few good receivers. Still, I think Prince Jr. needs to set the tone on the ground for East Robertson to win a state championship this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DL) [player_tooltip player_id='1527497' first='Jamarkus' last='Pittman'] - MASE:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1527497' first='Jamarkus' last='Pittman'] is the best interior defensive line prospect in Tennessee, and there's a drop-off after. His presence is felt at all times due to his size, athletic ability and disruption.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stat watchers may not notice him, but he does his job. The Ole Miss commit is a dude and must play well in order for MASE to have a legitimate shot at making a deep run in the 2A playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2204821} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Photo-May-07-2026-8-40-27-PM-crop-1320x867-1778209658.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2204821" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: MASE DL [player_tooltip player_id='1527497' first='Jamarkus' last='Pittman'] at his Under Armour All-American Game ceremony. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DL) [player_tooltip player_id='2206384' first='Jamaris' last='Pittman'] - MASE:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2206384' first='Jamaris' last='Pittman'] is the younger brother of Jamarkus. He is also a really, really good player at defensive end/edge rusher. His recruitment began to take off during the summer, earning offers from Auburn and Ole Miss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's still very raw, but the 2028 prospect has all the traits to become a blue-chip defensive line prospect. Prep Redzone has him as the No. 36 overall player and No. 6 defensive lineman in the class, but that could change soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) Caden McCrary - Marion Co:</strong> I wrote about Caden McCrary in the offseason and said he was a player to keep tabs on. Well, he has dominated yet another season of high school. Through 10 games, he has 104 tackles, 31 being for a loss and 13 sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's been incredible this season, but he must continue that kind of play. 2A has some good teams that will try to take him out of the equation. He cannot let that happen during postseason play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1st Rd Matchups (The Bracket)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 Polk Co (1-9) at #1 Happy Valley (9-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 Jackson Co (7-3) at #2 Bledsoe Co (8-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 South Greene (3-7) at #1 Tellico Plains (7-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 York Institute (4-6) at #2 Cannon Co (8-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 Trousdale Co (4-6)&nbsp; at #1 Marion Co (10-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 Oneida (4-6) at #2 Cumberland Gap (7-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 Grundy Co (7-3) at #1 Gordonsville (9-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 West Greene (1-8) at #2 Eagleton (6-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 Houston Co (5-5) at #1 Adamsville (9-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 Mitchell (6-4) at #2 Milan (8-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 Mt. Pleasant (6-4) at #1 East Nashville (7-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 Union City (5-5) at #2 Fairley (7-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 Memp. Business (4-6) at #1 Huntingdon (10-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 Hickman Co (6-4) at #2 Riverside (7-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 JCM (6-4) at #1 MASE (7-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 Summertown (7-3) at #2 East Robertson (9-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Expert Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Four:</strong> Marion Co vs. Cannon Co / East Robertson vs. East Nashville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>State Title Game:</strong> Marion Co vs. East Robertson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>State Champion:</strong> Marion Co Warriors (Reg. 3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2214444} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/Photo-Nov-05-2025-7-02-10-PM-crop-1079x709-1779492811-crop-800x525-1779493493.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2214444" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Marion County Athletics</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->