#PRZTN State Championship Preview: Class 3A/4A
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One of these games is a rematch from last year while the other pits two high powered offenses against each other in what could be one of the best games of the weekend. Class 3A Championship Alcoa Tornadoes (13-1) vs.…
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Continue ReadingOne of these games is a rematch from last year while the other pits two high powered offenses against each other in what could be one of the best games of the weekend.
Class 3A Championship
Alcoa Tornadoes (13-1) vs. East Nashville Eagles (12-2)
– Here we are a year later and both Alcoa and East Nashville have made it back to Chattanooga to yet again face-off against each other in what the Eagles hope is a different result compared to last year’s loss to the Tornadoes. Both teams come into this game riding high and playing confident, so I expect both squads to be excited about lining up against each other and seeing who the best is from the Class 3A ranks. Until East Nashville knocks off the Tornadoes, Alcoa is the best of the best and they will be looking to administer their will upon the Eagles as early as they can.
The way the Tornadoes have been winning games this year is by leaning on their experienced O-line, led by seniors Lance Williams Lance Williams 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL Alcoa | 2023 State TN and Tyler Jeffries Tyler Jeffries 6'4" | 290 lbs | OL Alcoa | 2023 State TN , paving the way for Mr. Football finalist Jordan Harris Jordan Harris 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB Alcoa | 2023 State TN to find open holes in the defense. They are balanced by senior quarterback Zach Lunsford Zach Lunsford 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Alcoa | 2023 State TN , who has been a great leader for the Tornadoes offense this season. For the Eagles, they are a balanced offense that likes to mix it up but has the firepower to spin in through the air when needed with Zach Beard at the helm, throwing it to seniors Trey Joyner Trey Joyner 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR East Nashville | 2023 State TN and Frank Gordon. It will be hard to slow down either one of these offense’s, so whichever defense is able to have the most stops or create turnovers, could have the edge towards victory.
When I dive deeper into this game, you see where East Nashville actually has a shot to pull this upset off. They have more athletes and possibly more collective size compared to Alcoa but the Tornadoes have a winning tradition bigger than anyone else in this state, so it’s tough to go against them. The Eagles will keep this game close early and hang in there till the 3rd quarter but the power up front and the winning tradition will win out.
Key Matchup: East Nashville’s front seven vs. the Tornadoes O-line
Game Prediction: Alcoa 33 East Nashville 21
Top Players/Prospects
– (Ath) Jordan Harris Jordan Harris 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB Alcoa | 2023 State TN – Alcoa: This East Tennessee all-around playmaker has been dynamic all season long and will certainly be handed the ball in a variety of ways throughout the Tornadoes title game contest vs. East Nashville.
– (WR) Trey Joyner Trey Joyner 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR East Nashville | 2023 State TN – East Nashville: Joyner is one of the more underrated receiver talents in this state that has been a problem for opposing defensive backs to guard this season. Look for his QB to look for Joyner early & often.
– (OL) Lance Williams Lance Williams 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL Alcoa | 2023 State TN – Alcoa: Paving the way up front for the Tornadoes run game is this future Virginia Tech Hokie who is considered the top guard prospect from the in-state #TN2023 recruiting class.
– (WR) Frank Gordon – East Nashville: Part of a dangerous 1-2 threat at WR for East Nashville, Gordon is a playmaker that can take the top off a defense with his athleticism and speed.
– (DL) Riley Long Riley Long 6'2" | 230 lbs | DL Alcoa | 2023 State TN – Alcoa: A multi year starter up front for Alcoa, Long is the Tornadoes most consistent D-lineman who gives some pass rush on the edge but also works very well versus the run.
– ‘24 (DL) Malik Bolling Malik Bolling 6'2" | 255 lbs | DL East Nashville | 2024 State TN – East Nashville: Alcoa likes to run the ball and have a Mr. Football candidate toting the rock, so Bolling will be critical up front in the Eagles efforts in slowing down the Tornadoes rushing attack.
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Class 4A Championship
Anderson Co. Mavericks (14-0) vs. Pearl Cohn Firebirds (12-2)
– If you are looking for excitement and a possible high scoring contest, this is your game! Anderson Co. comes into Chattanooga undefeated with a potent, well balanced offense led by Mr. Football finalist Walker Martinez Walker Martinez 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Anderson County | 2023 State TN while the Firebirds sport an athletic squad with a strong junior class full of talented prospects. The parts are there for both teams to see this game push 80 points plus but it is a championship bout, so you could also see the defense’s take control and slow everything down to a game won in the trenches. I plan to take the ladder in this one as there is too much firepower for both the Mavs and the Firebirds to remain dormant throughout this 4A clash.
Both these teams have been on a roll this season but especially Pearl Cohn, who has won 12 games in row since dropping their first two games and have been beating some good teams along the way. Anderson Co. hasn’t lost this season and themselves too have beat some top notch programs throughout their schedule. The Mavericks come into this contest as the favorites but they are running into a hot Firebirds team that is playing at a high level currently. Their backfield of Keshawn Tarleton Keshawn Tarleton 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Pearl Cohn | 2024 State TN , Malachi Cromwell Malachi Cromwell 5'8" | 180 lbs | RB Pearl Cohn | 2024 TN and Javion Kinnard have been near unstoppable over the past few games along with D’Arious Reed on the outside being almost unguardable. This will be the biggest challenge the Mavericks defense has faced all season but they will be ready and I expect them to play with their hair on fire.
This game has me going back and forth as to who will come out the victor. You can honestly see a case for both schools but only one can win and while my heart wants to go with the Mavericks, my gut tells me to roll with Pearl Cohn. Anderson Co. is more than capable of beating the Firebirds and that very well could happen but I just feel the athleticism and speed from the Mid-Tennessee program will prove to be too much to handle for the team out East.
Key Matchup: The entire Mavericks defense vs. the athletic and fast Firebirds offense
Game Prediction: Pearl Cohn 42 Anderson Co. 35
Top Players/Prospects
– (QB) Walker Martinez Walker Martinez 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Anderson County | 2023 State TN – Anderson Co.: A Class 4A Mr. Football Finalist, Martinez has been one of the best senior quarterbacks in the state this season and he is the right type of leader behind center you want inside a championship game.
– (RB/LB) Gavin Noe Gavin Noe 6'2" | 220 lbs | RB Anderson County | 2023 State TN – Anderson Co.: If the Mavs don’t have Noe on this team, they may not be in this title game. He handles a lot of roles from running the ball on offense and stopping the run on defense.
– ‘24 (QB) Keshawn Tarleton Keshawn Tarleton 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Pearl Cohn | 2024 State TN – Pearl Cohn: The Firebirds junior signal caller is a strong armed passer who’s leadership skills may be his biggest trait. Tarleton can run an offense while keeping an even keel attitude.
– ‘24 (RB) Malachi Cromwell Malachi Cromwell 5'8" | 180 lbs | RB Pearl Cohn | 2024 TN – Pearl Cohn: Athletic, fast and well built, Cromwell plays much bigger than his size and provides his offense a big play threat from the running back position that can also churn out those tough yards.
– ‘24 (WR) D’Arious Reed D’Arious Reed 6'0" | 170 lbs | WR Pearl Cohn | 2024 State TN – Pearl Cohn: This guy is a star in the making and one of the more athletic, explosive wideouts from our #TN2024 class. Reed is a game changer that the Mavs defense must pay attention to.
– (LB) Eli Davis Eli Davis 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Anderson County | 2023 TN – Anderson Co.: A multi year starter, Davis is the heart of soul of his Mavs defense and one guy they need to play over his head in this contest to help slow down the powerful rushing attack of Pearl Cohn.