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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 last week we’ve broke down who each of the 615 Preps crew thinks will bring home gold in December. Cam, Chris, Ethan and Isaac have given their predictions.
Now it’s time for last season’s ‘Pick-Em champ, Joe Spears. Here’s a look at who he thinks will bring home this year’s gold balls:
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Class 6A
Ravenwood Raptors
Not picking Oakland here may seem crazy and I get that, but there’s just something about Ravenwood that I really like this season. That October 25 game between the two will tell a lot.
The Raptors were extremely young last year and garnered a ton of experience in what many likely viewed as a rebuild year. That experience pays off this year as they head to Chattanooga and Will Hester’s group once again raises some gold.
Honorable Mention: Houston Mustangs, Oakland Patriots
Class 5A
Page Patriots
The heartbreak that’s plagued the Patriots over the last three seasons comes to a screeching halt in 2024.
Offensively the Patriots have questions to answer but they’ll have time to figure out those questions thanks to what will be one of the state’s top defense’s regardless of class. This season’s a revenge tour and I think Class 5A is in for a rude awakening.
Honorable Mention: Beech Buccaneers, Powell Panthers
Class 4A
Pearl-Cohn Firebirds
Look I get it, Pearl lost a ton from last year’s undefeated state title team. However this team doesn’t rebuild anymore. They just reload.
Quarterback is my big question mark going into the year but I think the Firebirds are a clear favorite to repeat in 4A. Javion Kinnard is gunning for Mr. Football and adding Cam Miller to what will already be a deadly backfield is scary.
Honorable Mention: Macon County, Upperman Bees
Class 3A
East Nashville Eagles
Look, am I aware that it’s foolish to pick against an Alcoa team that should be competing for 4A or 5A titles but is instead playing for its 10th straight 3A title? Sure.
Do I care? I refer you to the 1:06.46 mark in Martin Scorsese’s hit movie ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ for my answer to that question.
Alcoa’s run has to end at some point and if any team is going to do it, it will be East Nashville. Trip No. 4 is the magic number for the Eagles as they finally trade in all that silver for some gold in Chattanooga.
Honorable Mention: Alcoa Tornadoes, Covington Chargers
Class 2A
East Robertson Indians
They experienced silver last year and that was an experience I don’t think East Robertson liked much.
It’s hard not to think that the Indians are the favorites to win it all in Class 2A this year with so much experience returning. Isaiah Groves repeats as the Class 2A Mr. Football winner and East wins its first state title in dominant fashion.
Honorable Mention: Huntingdon Mustangs, Smith County
Class 1A
McKenzie Rebels
McKenzie making it to the Class 1A title game is a tradition at this point and I don’t see it changing with Tate Surber still leading the offense.
Wade Comer may no longer be the head coach but I don’t think that will matter much in 2024. The Rebels should avenge last year’s heartbreak winning their second title in the last three years.
Honorable Mention: Gordonsville Tigers, South Pitt
Division II-AAA
Baylor Red Raiders
Until the playing field is level again, it’s hard not to think one of the two schools in Chattanooga continues to bring home gold. This year I think it’ll be Baylor.
Shekai Mills-Knight and Cameron Sparks will lead an offense that should put up a ton of points. It will be hard for the rest of DII-AAA to keep up.
Honorable Mention: MBA Big Red, McCallie Blue Tornado
Division II-AA
CPA Lions
The Lions lose a lot from last year’s state title team but they also bring back a ton of experience. That’s just what Ingle Martin does now.
CPA is once again the favorite in DII-AA thanks to young players like Rawls Patterson and Owen Cabell. I’m expecting CPA to punish teams en route to their second straight state title and seventh overall.
Honorable Mention: Boyd Buchanan Buccaneers, Davidson Academy Bears
Division II-A
Jackson Christian Eagles
My expectation is it for to be an Eagles vs. Eagles matchup in this year’s DII-A title game. In a high-scoring game, I’ll take the Eagles from out west to bring home the gold.
Jay’len Mosley is easily one of the state’s top prospects and had it not been for an injury in the final week of the regular season, Jackson Christian could have made a run to Chattanooga. I could see Nashville Christian getting over the hump but right now, I’m leaning towards Jackson Christian.
Honorable Mention: Columbia Academy Bulldogs, Nashville Christian Eagles
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