Our fourth annual All-615 Preps teams have been determined by our staff. This year’s Medium Class Team is made up of players from teams in Class 5A, 4A and Division II-Class AA.

This is the second group of postseason honors, and will be followed by the Small Class teams. The Large Class teams were released on Wednesday.

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WAY-TOO-EARLY PICKS: 615 Preps picks its 2024 state champions

WAY-TOO-EARLY RANKINGS: 615 Preps large, medium, and small class rankings entering 2024

Team of the Year: Pearl-Cohn Firebirds

This was about as easy as a choice that could be made.

The Firebirds capped off their first 15-0 season with a 36-27 win over Upperman in the Class 4A state championship. That win gave Pearl-Cohn its first state championship since 1997 and gave Metro Nashville its first title since Hillsboro in 2008.

In that run to the title, Pearl-Cohn outscored its opponents 638-156, won by an average of 32.1 points, and only had three games decided by less than 10 points.

Player of the Year: Zeion Simpson-Smith, Pearl-Cohn, Sr.

On a team full of stars, Simpson-Smith shined even brighter. The linebacker/running back hybrid for the Firebirds was arguably their most dangerous weapon on both sides of the ball.

As a running back he finished the season with 1,178 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. He was also Pearl’s leading tackler recording 129 total tackles, 34 tackles for loss, and six sacks.

The Class 4A Mr. Football finalist saved his best for last rushing for 181 yards and two touchdowns against Upperman en route to being named the Class 4A championship game MVP.

Athlete of the Year: Dominic Reed, Centennial, Sr.

Is there anything Reed didn’t do for the Cougars this season?

The Mr. Football finalist was one of their top defensive threats recording 97 total tackles, 26 tackles for loss, nine quarterback pressures, eight pass breakups, seven sacks and three forced fumbles. On offense he recorded 1,201 all-purpose yards and 26 total touchdowns.

Offensive Player of the Year: Ty Clark III, FRA, Sr.

Clark established himself as one of the best running backs in the state as a junior and only built upon that as a senior.

Leading FRA to an 11-2 record, the Wake Forrest commitment ran the ball 209 times for 1805 yards and 31 rushing touchdowns in 2023. He averaged 138.8 yards per game and was named a Mr. Football finalist.

Defensive Player of the Year: Eric Hazzard, Page, Jr.

Hazzard led one of the best defenses in the state and the Patriots back to the Class 5A title game. He did that in dominant fashion.

The Patriots’ Mr. Football finalist finished his junior season racking up 78 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, 10 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Lineman of the Year: John Wayne Oliver, CPA, Sr.

Oliver may be a nice kid off the field but on it, nasty is the only way to describe the Ole Miss commitment. He anchored a CPA offensive line that averaged over 186 yards per game.

Individually, Oliver could have started his own IHOP after racking up 78 pancake blocks.

Special Teams Player of the Year: Roman Mathis, Davidson Academy, Jr.

Mathis was named the DII-AA Middle Region Specialist of the Year and had the resume to be considered for Kicker of the Year. His junior included going 10-of-13 on field goal attempts with a long 47 yards. He was also 54-of-56 on PATs.

On 64 kickoff attempts, Mathis turned 40 into touchbacks. He also averaged 38.5 yards on 11 punts pinning four inside the 20.

Coach of the Year: Tony Brunetti, Pearl-Cohn

Metro Nashville’s all-time winningest coach led the Firebirds to a 15-0 record and their first state championship since 1997. Pearl averaged 42.5 points and only gave up an average of 10.4 points in those 15 games.

First Team

Offense

Quarterback: Keshawn Tarleton, Pearl-Cohn

Running Back: Javion Kinnard, Pearl-Cohn; Elijah Robb, Pope John Paul II

Wide Receiver: Calvin Kotarba, Page; D’Arious Reed, Pearl-Cohn; Will Breece, Davidson Academy

Offensive Line: Brady Smith, CPA; Caden Parizek, Hendersonville; Jacob Rathbone, Page; Jason Overton, Pearl-Cohn; Luke Masterson, FRA

Athlete: Gabe Borders, Macon County; Jackson Mathews, CPA

Kicker: Nick Krall, Beech

Defense

Defensive Line: Bobby Council, FRA; Emanuel Russell, Pearl-Cohn; Glenn Seabrooks, Davidson Academy; Keegan Scruggs, Centennial

Linebacker: Brenden Anes, Page; Dale Payne, Hendersonville; DJ Curll, Centennial; Gunnar Clary, Beech

Defensive Back: Ja’Quis Williams, Pearl-Cohn; Ondre Evans, CPA; Rubin Stanberry, Beech; William Wiebush, Page

Athlete: Crews Law, CPA; Kaiki Baker, Hillsboro

Punter: Jack VanOrman, CPA

Second Team

Offense

Quarterback: Knox Roberts, Davidson Academy

Running Back: Ethan Cunningham, Page; Caden Stroud, Davidson Academy

Wide Receiver:  Arnett Hayes, BGA; Kani’ Johnson, Centennial; Owen Cabell, CPA

Offensive Line: Alex Katawala, Centennial; Austin Barton, Macon County; Jaylen Anderson, Pearl-Cohn; Ronan O’Connell, Page

Athlete: Clarence Cobbins, Springfield; Mason Baker, Hendersonville

Kicker: Camden Holiday, CPA

Defense

Defensive Line: Aidan Wright, Centennial; Hunter Griggs, Macon County; Kyler Garcia, Pearl-Cohn; Ocoee Ellis, Station Camp

Linebacker: Grace’Son Beach, Pearl-Cohn; Luke Layhew, Beech; Sanders Ellis, Station Camp; Weston Parker, CPA

Defensive Back: Brice Howden, Hendersonville; Hudson Amason, Page; Jayden George, Centennial; Josh Sims, Pearl-Cohn;

Athlete: Leroy Harris, CPA; Logan Whisenant, Hendersonville

Punter: Kaedyn Marable, BGA