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We’re two months away from the high school football season officially kicking off. That means it’s not too early to make some state championship predictions right?
Over the next week, our crew will put out who they think will bring home gold balls in December. Up first is our resident Trousdale County grad Cam Reid.
RANKING THE BEST OF THE BEST: Picking the area’s top coaches
TOP RETURNERS PER POSITION: QB / RB / WR / OL / DL / LB / DB / Specialists
Class 6A
Oakland Patriots
The Pats are none too happy with how 2023 finished for them. Look for USC commit Duane Morris to breeze to a Mr. Football award while the Patriots punish teams on their revenge tour.
Honorable Mentions: Houston, Maryville
Class 5A
Page Patriots
Finally! Three years of pent up frustration for the Patriots gone. 5A in our area will be very good this season with Page and Beech leading the way.
These are way early predictions so here’s a bold one, Eric Hazzard wins 5A Mr. Football with 30+TFL.
Honorable Mentions: Beech, Southwind
Class 4A
Pearl-Cohn Firebirds
Have the flood gates opened for Metro Nashville?
While replacing Jason Overton and Zeion Simpson-Smith will be difficult, the Firebirds return possibly the most electric player in the 615, Javion Kinnard. They also picked up big time transfer Cam Miller.
Honorable Mentions: Macon County, Greeneville, Upperman
Class 3A
Alcoa Tornadoes
They’re just too good.
East Nashville has battled them the last couple seasons but the Tornadoes have been too much. I expect more of the same in 2024.
Honorable Mention: East Nashville
Class 2A
East Robertson Indians
The Indians got a taste of championship action last season and return by far the most dynamic player in all of 2A in Isaiah Groves. Expect East Robertson to run roughshod in their region, setting them up for a favorable playoff picture.Â
Honorable Mention: Marion County, Riverside
Class 1A
McKenzie Rebels
Maybe the most wide-open classification. McKenzie returned to the championship game last season when most considered it a down year for the Rebels. They will have a new head coach in 2024, but expect them to make a strong push.
Honorable Mentions: Gordonsville, South Pitt
Division II-AAA
Baylor Red Raiders
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
While several DII-AAA teams should be better in 2024 (notably BA and MBA), the Red Raiders with Cameron Sparks and Shekai Mills-Knight will be an explosive duo in 2024.
Honorable Mentions: Brentwood Academy, MBA
Division II-AA
CPA Lions
While losing several key seniors from last season, I feel as if the gap between the Lions and the rest of DII-AA was substantial enough for them to repeat again in 2024.
Keep yours eyes on Hutson Chance and Rawls Patterson.
Honorable Mention: Boyd Buchanan
Division II-A
Nashville Christian Eagles
The Eagles are coming off a somewhat disappointing 2023. However, returning the likes of Jared Curtis and Bryson Holt while also adding TJ Ward, the Eagles could be a juggernaut in 2024.
Honorable Mentions: Jackson Christian, DCA, Columbia Academy
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