The Overachievers: Teams Off to Great Starts

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">As we head into Week Five of HS ball here in Tennessee, these teams below have come out of nowhere to put forth great starts, placing themselves on the map as formidable opponents but can they keep it up the rest of the way? We shall see! </h2>     1. Knox. Webb Spartans (4-0)   - Coming off a strong 2022 season while having to replace a Mr. Football finalist along with several other starters, the Spartans were still expected to be good this year but their 4-0 start says they may be better than expected. Through four weeks of action, Knox. Webb sits at the top of their division due to their offense finding new pieces ([player_tooltip player_id='1001204' first='Jack' last='Wagner'] has been key) and scoring with ease along with one of the best defenses on the D2-Class AA ranks. Led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='362093' first='Cooper' last='Cameron'] and [player_tooltip player_id='372281' first='Xavier' last='Hickman'], the Spartans defense has been suffocating as they have allowed only 28 total points thus far while making it difficult for the opposing offenses to gain any traction early.    The competition and schedule gets together for Webb but I think they are well equipped to not only continue their dominating play but possibly end the regular possibly undefeated and region champs. I know that's a big statement to make but the schedule lays out well for the Spartans, however their two toughest games come on the road later in the season against Boyd Buchanan and USJ. This team will be ready, especially their veteran defense that can push the Spartans to a region championship and a deep playoff run, if everyone remains healthy the rest of the season.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/xhickman.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-594049" /></figure>   2. First Assembly Crusaders (4-0)   - Did anyone across the state of Tennessee envision the Crusaders being 4-0 as we head into Week Five? I'll be honest, I did not and I'm sure many others didn't as well but here we are, First Assembly sits as one of the lone undefeated teams coming out of the West TN region and a team playing at a high level right now. What the Crusaders have going for them currently is a potent rushing attack, spearheaded by [player_tooltip player_id='995186' first='Brian' last='Shields'] and Briceton Miller and a defense that has allowed only 28 points thus far in the 2023 season.    It's been a strong collective effort from everybody on the Crusaders team but they must maintain that effort moving forward as several strong competitors await, including district games against Jackson Christian and Trinity Chrst. Academy. Going into Week Five of the HS season, First Assembly sits in a good position to compete for a region title. I don't know if many teams will have the defense to slow down Shields and Miller as those two are hard to stop, so if the Crusaders defense can continue to play with their hair on fire, this West TN program may see postseason success, something FACS hasn't seen in a long time.    3. Siegel Stars (4-0)   - One of the highest scoring offenses from the greater Mid-Tennessee region through four weeks has been this Stars team and I think the only thing that might slow down the remainder of the way would be themselves. Led by a senior quarterback in [player_tooltip player_id='962445' first='Thomas' last='Santel'], who is having a Mr. Football kind of year thus far, the Stars offense has been scoring at will doing so mainly on the ground but providing enough of a passing attack to keep defenses honest. Two-way talent [player_tooltip player_id='149392' first='Tarrion' last='Grant'] has been a stud as well, providing game changing abilities from both sides of the ball. It's been a great start for the Stars with both sides of the ball playing well but can they keep it up as powerful teams remain on their schedule.    Moving forward, the Stars have some season-defining games upcoming against Hendersonville, Oakland, Beech and Riverdale that will dictate whether Siegel can make it to postseason play. They are 1-0 in the region but must place among the top four to make into the playoffs, so regardless of their undefeated start, they must remain focused and keep playing at a high level to maintain their current status. Either way, this has been a great start for Siegel and for a program that has been itching to get back into relevancy.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/targrant.webp?w=796" alt="" class="wp-image-991171" style="width:386px;height:496px" width="386" height="496" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Daily News Journal </figcaption></figure>   4. Kirkwood Cobras (4-0)   - Nobody in this has had a more surprising start to the season then the Cobras as this is the first year of existence of high school football at Kirkwood High School and they are currently undefeated at 4-0 and playing some good football behind that record. Led by new head coach Chad Watson, the Cobras have been firing on all cylinders, especially on offense where they are averaging near 40 points a game, doing so mainly on the ground with junior back [player_tooltip player_id='976602' first='Perry' last='Cross-Snead']. Their defense is still a work in progress but they have definitely gotten better each game since giving up 48 points in Week One.    Everything is still a work in progress with this Kirkwood team but you can't deny this excellent start and the fact that the Cobras have a legitimate shot at making it into postseason play. Through four games, the Cobras have already picked up two region wins, so they are ahead of the curve but big matchups loom over the coming weeks that will dictate their postseason hopes. Either way, this start by Kirkwood is something nobody saw coming but it's a great story that will be interesting to follow over the next month and throughout the rest of the season.    5. William Blount Governors (4-0)   - Raise your hand if you had William Blount sitting at the top of Class 6A-Region 1 after four weeks of action? I'm sure many of you won't and that's ok because I didn't either, however I was aware of senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='268182' first='Brett' last='Cortez'] and the potential of the Governors offense and so far, they have both delivered. Through four games, Cortez has led his offense to four victories while scoring 208 total points, averaging near 40 a game. The balance between passing and running the ball for the Govs has been outstanding with their leader Cortez doing a great job of making the right decisions and remaining poised. The Govs defense has been solid too but does need to continue getting better as they will face some tough offenses over the coming weeks.    The schedule does get tougher, beginning this coming Friday against region foe West Ridge. If William Blount goes to 5-0 with a win over the Wolves, they will put themselves in the driver's seat for the region championship and I definitely think it's achievable. Everyone must stay healthy and continue playing at a high level for this dream season to continue for the Govs but I think they can get it done as they have a veteran team with a veteran quarterback all playing as one and focused on winning.    6. White House Blue Devils (4-0)   - Coming out of the Class 4A ranks, the Blue Devils have begun their 2023 season on a hot streak as they remain undefeated headed into Week Five but is it fools gold? You can not deny the 4-0 start by White House and the level of the play the team has had but their competition hasn't been the best, so have they been truly tested? I believe we will find out in a major way over the next few weeks, beginning Friday on the road against a 3-1 Westmoreland team.    The Blue Devils defense has been the catalyst for this team thus far. Through four games, the White House defenders have allowed only 31 points to opposing teams while shutting out one. Their fight up front stopping the run has been key and I honestly feel their front seven have been the MVP's of this team up to this point. They are giving their offense chances to succeed and while they are scoring enough to win, the Blue Devil offensive playmakers need to step up moving forward as they have tough games remaining against Marshall Co., Upperman and Pearl Cohn. This is a good story that can finish in the playoffs if White House can string together two more region wins. It will be tough but I'm sure the Blue Devils will be up for the challenge.    Other Great Starts ……   - Tipton-Rosemark (4-0)   - Shelbyville (3-1)   - Knox. Halls (4-0)   - Obion Co. (4-0)   - Bolton (4-0)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/whithouse.webp?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-991172" style="width:519px;height:360px" width="519" height="360" /></figure>