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It’s finally here! Week 1 of the 2024 high school football season kicks off in a few short days with the first games coming on Thursday followed by a full slate on Friday and a few on Saturday.
The 615 Preps staff has put together a list of the top five large, medium, and small class teams in our coverage area ahead of the action. Here’s who we think are the top five teams in each category before the game’s kick off.
Large Class teams include 6A and Division II-AAA. Medium Class teams include 5A, 4A, and Division II-AA. Small Class teams include 3A, 2A, 1A, and Division II-A, and each grouping has roughly 30 teams in it.
STATE TITLE PICKS: Cam / Chris / Ethan / Isaac / Joe / KJ / Scott
REGION PREDICTIONS: Who we have winning each region in the 615 Preps coverage area
Large Class
1. Oakland Patriots: The Patriots have been stewing on that championship loss to Houston for eight months. Expect monster games from Daune Morris and TT Hill as Oakland travels to Thompson Station to kick off the year. Up next: at Independence
2. Ravenwood Raptors: Last season the Tornadoes came to Brentwood Week 1 and picked up an impressive win over a young Raptors side. Ravenwood’s grown a lot since that game and should test the reigning nine-time Class 3A champs. Up next: at Alcoa
3. Lipscomb Academy: While they aren’t eligible compete for a state title, there’s no denying that the Mustangs still sport one of the top team’s in the state. Jamie Graham is the head man now and knows how to lead a group like the one he has. Up next: vs. The First Academy (Fla.)
4. Ensworth Tigers: The Tim Hasselback era has arrived and he takes over a team featuring one of the best front-seven’s in the entire state. What the Tigers have offensively remains the biggest question as they look to make that next step forward. Up next: vs. Tennessee Heat
5. Mt. Juliet Golden Bears: There aren’t many teams around as experienced as the Golden Bears. Tyler Travers enters his final year as Mt. Juliet’s signal-caller alongside running back Jon Mikael Crudup while Atticus Fiorita leads what should be a fearsome defense. Up next: at Cane Ridge
Who just missed out: Antioch, Lebanon, MBA, Mt. Juliet
Medium Class
1. Page Patriots: The redemption tour kicks off against a Bobcats side that came up one point short of upsetting the Patriots last season. Expect more of a defensive slugfest this time around. Up next: vs. Giles County
2. Pearl-Cohn Firebirds: There’s a target on the Firebirds’ back and they’re just fine with that. Pearl-Cohn returns another loaded squad that seems ready to repeat as the Class 4A champions. Up next: at MBA
3. Beech Buccaneers: If there’s an area team that could stand in the way of Page returning to the Class 5A title game, it’s the Bucs. Kaden Powell leads an experienced group ready to return to Chattanooga. Up next: at Station Camp
4. CPA Lions: There are a lot of question marks surrounding the Lions after how much they graduated from last season’s squad. CPA still has Rawls Patterson and plenty of other standouts so they won’t be leaving the DII-AA title picture anytime soon. Up next: vs. Brentwood Academy
5. Macon County Tigers: The only thing that kept the Tigers away from Chattanooga last season were a pair of single-digit losses to Upperman. Gabe Borders and crew are back on a mission ready to get over that hump. Up next: vs. Westmoreland (Saturday)
Who just missed out: Centennial, Davidson Academy, Hendersonville, Station Camp
Small Class
1. East Robertson Indians: The revenger tour begins Week 1 in Cross Plains as the Indians host Liberty Creek. Isaiah Groves is on a mission this year to not only repeat as the Class 2A Mr. Football winner, but to finally bring a gold ball back to East Robertson. Up next: vs. Liberty Creek
2. East Nashville Eagles: The Eagles have the luxury of playing all but one regular season game at home this season. Now, can they finally get past Alcoa if they take care of business and make it back to Chattanooga? Up next: vs. Pope Prep
3. Nashville Christian Eagles: Despite a semifinals appearance last season, the Eagles were far from happy with how their season went as a whole. The Division II-A field is wide-open this season giving Nashville Christian a prime opportunity to take that next step forward. Up next: vs. Davidson Academy
4. Gordonsville Tigers: Is this the year the Tigers get past South Pittsburg and compete for the Class 1A title? Junior quarterback J Foster is a sneaky pick for Mr. Football and leads a group that should be on everyone’s radar. Up next: at Smith County
5. DCA Wildcats: Paul Wade may be gone but the Wildcats still have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. Mitchell Carey put up video game-like numbers last season and should be even better in 2024. Up next: vs. Ezell-Harding
Who just missed out: Friendship Christian, MTCS, Smith County, Westmoreland
