Class 1A Football: #PRZTN Top Position Groups
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Wrapping up our in-depth look into Class 1A football, here we breakdown the top position groups across the classification and which players to know about and follow headed into the 2022 Fall football season. Offensive Backfield McKenzie: (QB) Jackson Cassidy…
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Continue ReadingWrapping up our in-depth look into Class 1A football, here we breakdown the top position groups across the classification and which players to know about and follow headed into the 2022 Fall football season.
Offensive Backfield
McKenzie: (QB) Jackson Cassidy Jackson Cassidy 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB McKenzie | 2023 State TN , (Ath) Marquez Taylor Marquez Taylor 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB McKenzie | 2023 State TN
– The one-two punch of Cassidy and Taylor is a deadly combo for defenses to handle and both guys are prime contenders for Mr. Football this season.
Fayetteville: (QB) Sam Holdmeyer, (RB) Aljarea Johnson, (Ath) Jaterious Derrick
– The defending Class 1A state champs have a great shot to repeat, especially with this backfield of Holdmeyer, Johnson and Derrick. Johnson could have a breakout season as the Tigers primary running back.
Gordonsville: (QB) Matthew Albritton, (RB) Canaan Musgrove
– One of the top returning producers of offensive yards this season is Albritton and he will be the force behind the Tigers team this year and their efforts towards competing for a 1A state title.
Three Others to Know
Huntland: (QB) Trenton Morris, Darren Ford
Dresden: (QB/LB) Tatum Oliver Tatum Oliver 6'0" | 225 lbs | LB Dresden | 2023 TN , (RB) DeAngelo Lambert
Peabody: (QB) Sam Driggers Sam Driggers 6'0" | 200 lbs | QB Peabody | 2023 State TN
Receivers
McKenzie: (WR) Zay Webber Zay Webber 5'11" | 185 lbs | ATH McKenzie | 2023 TN , (WR/S) Zach Chandler Zach Chandler 6'1" | 175 lbs | ATH McKenzie | 2023 TN
– The Rebels aren’t just loaded in the backfield but they have a nice combo of receivers to go to as well in Webber and Chandler. Both are good athletes with big play abilities. Taylor could be used as a slot receiver as well as running back.
Peabody: (WR) Derek Kee, (DB/WR) Kylen Wade, (Ath) Camari Bonds
– One of the top 1A quarterbacks in Sam Driggers Sam Driggers 6'0" | 200 lbs | QB Peabody | 2023 State TN has a bevy of athletes to throw to in Kee, Wade, Bonds and others. The Golden Tide can get back their title winning ways with big season’s from Golden Tide wideouts.
South Pittsburg: (WR/S) Jacob Bivens Jacob Bivens 6'2" | 180 lbs | ATH South Pittsburg | 2024 TN , (Ath) Racash Kelly
– Bivens and Kelly are nice two-way talents that should be expected to contribute in big ways this Fall for the Pirates offense and become the team’s possible top two go-to receivers.
Three Others to Know
Sale Creek: (Ath) Nick Hall, (WR) Andre Moore, (Ath) Jackson Moore
Lake Co. (WR) Malachi Clay Malachi Clay 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Lake Co. | 2023 State TN , (Ath) Jeremiah Williams Jeremiah Williams 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Lake Co. | 2023 State TN
Middle College.: (WR) Brandon Mitchell Brandon Mitchell 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Middle College | 2024 TN
Offensive Line
Peabody: (OG/C) Isaac Dehaan, (OL/DL) David Whitten, (OT/G) Ace Meadows Ace Meadows 6'7" | 300 lbs | OL Peabody | 2024 State TN
– The Golden Tide could have the best collection of offensive linemen from the Class 1A ranks. Veterans in Dehaan and Whitten set the tone but Meadows is most talented and the guy who could make it into Power Five football.
Gordonsville: (OL/DL) Jeremiah Musgrove, (OG/C) Ethan Elkins, (OL/DL) Colton Clemons, (OL) Jake Hill, (OL) Braden Wood
– The deepest offensive line sits in Gordonsville and these trench monsters might be the difference in the Tigers competing for the Class 1A title this season.
Coalfield: (OG/C) Brayden Burgess Brayden Burgess 6'3" | 265 lbs | OL Coalfield | 2023 TN , (OL) Mason Smith Mason Smith 6'3" | 285 lbs | OL Coalfield | 2025 TN
– Coalfield has a pair of top level O-linemen in Burgess and Smith that will help create holes in the running game but both also have the ability to pass block. Burgess is talented and underrated while Smith is a future D1 prospect.
Three Others to Know
Greenback: (OG) Tony Yates Tony Yates 6'2" | 305 lbs | OL William Blount | 2023 TN , (OG/C) Cash Herron
Fayetteville: (OG/C) Andre Allen Andre Allen 6'4" | 265 lbs | OL Fayetteville | 2023 State TN , (OG/C) Isaiah Serrano, (OG/C) Kellan Hockett
Lake Co.: (OT/G) Jay Lebo Jay Lebo 6'6" | 315 lbs | OL Lake Co. | 2023 TN , (OG/C) Jacob Barker Jacob Barker 6'3" | 265 lbs | OL Lake Co. | 2023 TN
Defensive Line
Fayetteville: (DE) Braxton Wilson Braxton Wilson 6'4" | 275 lbs | DL Fayetteville | 2023 State TN , (DL/OL) Cole Cash
– Everything starts up front for the Tigers with Wilson, who is one of the best overall prospects from the Class 1A ranks. His play will be key this season but his teammates across the line will be equally as important.
M.A.S.E.: (DE) Kendravious Sawyer, (DE/LB) Jahari Eskridge
– The best Class 1A D-line out of Memphis comes from the Phoenix as they have two guys in Sawyer and Eskridge who can cause damage on the edge while also providing strong support in stopping the run.
McEwen: (DE) Thomas Wills, (DT/OL) Blaine Gibson
– One of the returning sack leaders for the Fall season is Wills and I expect another big year from the West Tennessee product. Gibson is a solid two-way talent who could have a breakout year in the middle for his McEwen team.
Three Others to Know
Greenback: (DE) Eli Tyson, (DE/TE) Cade Brown
Harriman: (DL) Collin Cagle Collin Cagle 6'0" | 240 lbs | DL Harriman | 2023 TN , (DT/OL) Jaiden Patterson
Gleason: (DT/OL) Hunter Johnson Hunter Johnson 6'4" | 310 lbs | OL Gleason | 2023 TN , (DL) Jacob Johnson, (DL) Austin Clark
Linebackers
Fayetteville: (LB) Isaiah Thomison Isaiah Thomison 6'3" | 230 lbs | LB Fayetteville | 2023 State TN , (LB/RB) Aljarea Johnson, (LB) Calvin Hughes
– The front seven for this year’s Tigers team is scary good. The combination of Wilson up front along with Thomison (who could play DE in college), Johnson and Hughes could give Fayetteville the best defense in Class 1A this season.
Gordonsville: (LB) Bryson Greer, (LB) Will Dudney, (LB) Eli Adams
– This trio of linebackers for Gordonsville this season in Greer, Dudney and Adams could be major factors towards pushing the Tigers into contention for a state title. These are three talented backers with size and smarts that should be on the radar of many college coaches at the moment.
South Pittsburg: (LB) Jamarion Farrior Jamarion Farrior 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB South Pittsburg | 2024 State TN , (LB) Cameron Grider
– Farrior and Grider are a nice two headed monster at linebacker for the Pirates defense that should be major contributors this coming Fall. Farrior is a possible FCS recruit with a big, productive junior season.
Three Others to Know
Humboldt: DJ Sangster, Isaiah Agnew
Peabody: London Burkett, Jacolby Albea
West Carroll: Seth Edwards Seth Edwards 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB West Carroll | 2023 TN
Secondary
McKenzie: (Ath) Marquez Taylor Marquez Taylor 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB McKenzie | 2023 State TN , (S/QB) Jackson Cassidy Jackson Cassidy 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB McKenzie | 2023 State TN , (Ath) Zay Webber Zay Webber 5'11" | 185 lbs | ATH McKenzie | 2023 TN , (S) Zach Chandler Zach Chandler 6'1" | 175 lbs | ATH McKenzie | 2023 TN , (Ath) Etijay Tharpe
– The Rebels not only have the best secondary in the entire Class 1A ranks but also one of the best in the entire state, regardless of classification. Taylor is a Power Five guy at this position while Cassidy and Webber have the talent and upside to get into D1 football as well.
Lake Co.: (DB) Malachi Clay Malachi Clay 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Lake Co. | 2023 State TN , (Ath) Jeremiah Williams Jeremiah Williams 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Lake Co. | 2023 State TN
– Competing with the Rebels for the top secondary in Class 1A are these Falcons, led by stud seniors Clay and Williams. Both of these guys are FCS level talents that will be ultimate factors for the Falcons team this coming Fall.
Peabody: (DB) Kylen Wade, (WR/S) Derek Kee, (Ath) Camari Bonds
– Upside is the key word here when looking into the Golden Tide’s secondary. Wade is the star on the back end but Kee is the guy with big potential. Bonds is a young up and comer that should see an increase of action this season.
Three Others to Know
Coalfield: (WR/S) Rommel Conlon Rommel Conlon 6'2" | 165 lbs | ATH Coalfield | 2023 TN , (S/WR) Tucker West
South Pitt: (RB/S) Jayden Mount, Jacob Bivens Jacob Bivens 6'2" | 180 lbs | ATH South Pittsburg | 2024 TN , Racash Kelly
Dresden: Jaylyn Mitchell, Raymond Johnson, Tristan Jett