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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, Isaac, Joe, and KJ have given their predictions.
Now we wrap things up with Scott Burton. Here’s a look at who he thinks will bring home this year’s gold balls:
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 streak came to an end last year, and that should have lit a fire under the returning Patriots. Kevin Creasy will have his team chomping at the bit. Daune Morris and Aivery Haynesworth will be a tough tandem to tackle.
Honorable Mentions: Germantown, Ravenwood
Class 5A
Page Patriots
The Patriots have been to the ‘ship for three straight years and walked away with silver. By January they were back at it.
Linebacker Brendan Anes and defensive end Eric Hazzard will lead a punishing defense while William Wiebush will get his turn guiding the offense behind a massive O-line.
This should be Coach Rathbone’s year.
Honorable Mentions: Beech, Henry County
Class 4A
Pearl-Cohn Firebirds
The Firebirds finally collected gold last year.
I think this year the pressure is off, which is incredibly dangerous because this team is absolutely loaded on both sides of the ball. Barring injury, Javion Kinnard will have a banner year.
Honorable Mentions: Macon County, Upperman
Class 3A
Alcoa Tornadoes
Sooner or later the streak will end. I just don’t know if it will be in this decade.
Honorable Mentions: East Nashville, Gatlinburg-Pittman
Class 2A
East Robertson Indians
The Indians are another team that made it to the brink but faltered when the weather stunted their offense.
I think this year’s team will be better, especially on the ground with Mr. Football favorite Isaiah Groves leading the way.
Honorable Mentions: Fayetteville, York Institute
Class 1A
McKenzie Rebels
McKenzie almost pulled out a victory over South Pitt last year. They return a large part of their line and didn’t lose a lot of seniors from last year’s cast.
Honorable Mentions: Gordonsville, South Pittsburg
Division II-AAA
Ensworth Tigers
Everything in my bones says the Blue Tornados will repeat as they continue to import talent from the Great White North. But a lot of questions at skill positions give me pause.
I’m going with what I do know.
Ensworth has a tremendous defense and solid lines on both sides of the ball. Ethan Utley is a beast. I expect Taylor Hasselbeck to take the reins for the Tiger offense and not look back.
Why not Ensworth?
Honorable Mentions: Baylor, McCallie
Division II-AA
Boyd Buchanan Buccaneers
Last year Gary Rankin had his team in the title game quicker than expected.
This year his young team arrives seasoned and more improved led by senior quarterback Houston Hicks returns and junior running back David Green. The Bucs are ready to roll.
Honorable Mentions: CPA, Davidson Academy
Division II-A
Columbia Academy Bulldogs
On paper, this appears to be the year this class is wide open. Both defending title teams have faced massive losses to graduation. I am going to go with the team with the best running back in the class, Montae Baldwin.
Honorable Mention: Friendship Christian, MTCS
