4A Storylines

 Taking a look today at the questions I have for Class 4A entering the 2023 season......

Who will advance to the semifinals bewteen Anderson County, Elizabethton and Greeneville? Since the expansion to the current 6 class system in 2009, the state champion from Class 4A has been from East Tennessee all but 3 times. Anderson County finally broke through last season after years of wondering what could have been and claimed a state title of their own. Barring a major upset, we should expect to see 2 of these 3 teams in the quarterfinals. Elizabethon is looking to bounce back from a rebuilding season and fully expect them to be right there. AC has enough talent returning where a successful defense of their title is possible.

Can Red Bank still be successful after the transfer of Daune Morris? Red Bank is coming off a successful 2022 campaign that saw them advance all the way to the semifinals before losing to eventual state champion Anderson County. The Lions seemed primed for another deep run, but the news of 4 star tailback Daune Morris' transfer to Oakland is a blow to those chances. Red Bank has never lacked for talent at the skill positions, but replacing the kind of production they might have been expecting from Morris will be hard to replace.

Can Upperman make a deep run? Upperman has established itself as one of the better programs in 4A under Coach Caine, advancing to the semifinals twice in the 5 years of his tenure. That said, getting knocked out in the 2nd round of last years playoffs felt like a bit of a letdown for a program that seemed to have an upward trajectory. Upperman will have to contend wih a region that is tougher than it looks, but their schedule isnt as daunting as it might have been a year ago and Region might be a little easier to handle this year as well come playoff time. IMO, we will see Upperman get back to at least thew quartefinals, maybe deeper

Can Stone Memorial build off its success? Stone Memorial suprised some people last season by winning the Region 4-4A by defeating, the first year in 5 seasons Upperman had not won a region title. It was also once the second time Stone had advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs. Their season opener against Cookeville should give us some insight into whether it was just a year where all the stars are aligned or its the beginning of a successful run.

Can Marshall County go deeper in the playoffs? Marshall County is no stranger to success under Coach Osteen but hasnt advanced beyond the 2nd round since 2017. Marshall had a good 10-2 campaign in 2022 and with the return of their QB, they might be primed for bigger things in 2023.

Can Pearl-Cohn finally break through and win a state championship for the first time since 1997? Under Coach Brunetti, Pearl-Cohn has been the poster child for close, but no cigar. In his 17 seasons at the helm, PC has advanced to the semifinals 9 of those 17 seasons, advancing to the title game in 2015 and last season. Pearl had a pretty young team last season and suprised folks, especially in the championship game that was close for 4 quarters. With a bunch of that team returning, they're right up there with the East TN powers as teams you mention that might be playing in Chattanooga.

Can Haywood continue their success after the departure of Chris Smith? Haywood found themselves having to find a new leader as Chris Smith left Haywood for Bartlett this past offseason. Fortunately for Haywood, they had the perfect coach in mind when they promoted Josh Puckett to Head Coach. Puckett is no stranger to success as HC, winning a state championship at Lake County. Haywood should be the main competition to with Pearl-Cohn to represent the west side of the bracket in the BlueCross Bowl


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