Start of Season Top 10 Classes 1A-6A & Championship Picks

Class 6A
1.) Oakland
2.) Maryville
3.) Germantown 
4.) Riverdale 
5.) Bradley Central 
6.) Bartlett 
7.) Brentwood 
8.) Mt. Juliet 
9.) Collierville
10.) Bearden

Overview: Oakland and Maryville get the top spots by default, while both will have to go through competition to make another deep run, they've both earned the benefit of the doubt. 

I think the difference bewteen 3-6 is paper thin, Riverdale @ Germantown has the makings of a potential title game preview. Bradley probably has the deepest group of skill players among these 4 teams, but their achilles heel has always been line play, I need to see more from them upfront.

7-10 are all teams that will be led by good qb's and have the potential to make a deep run. I really like Collierville as a darkhorse, alot of FBS talent on the roster. Bottom line, this is the deepest 6A has been, coming up with just 10 was really hard.

Predictions: Semis- Oakland over Maryville, Germantown over Brentwood.

Championship- Oakland over Germantown 

Class 5A
1.) Knoxville West 
2.) Beech
3.) Powell
4.) Oak Ridge 
5.) Henry County
6.) Page
7.) Centennial
8.) Munford
9.) McMinn Co.
10.) Nolensville

Overview: Like most years in 5A, there's not alot of separation bewteen 1 through 10 to start the season. West will be the popular pick to start the season, but they need to answer major questions on offense. Beech got a major shot in the arm with the transfer of QB Kaden Powell.

Oak Ridge looked impressive in the pre-season holding their own against Maryville and Greeneville, Henry Co. also had their moments against MBA. Quite frankly have no clue how Region 6-5A will shake out bewteen Page, Centennial and Nolensville but all three a top 10 material. Munford and McMinn Co. are not your typical teams you hear, but they should be in the thick of it.

More than any other class, the ranking in 5A could vary significantly from week to week

Predictions: Semis- Oak Ridge over Knox. West, Beech over Munford

Championship- Oak Ridge over Beech

Class 4A
1.) Anderson County
2.) Pearl-Cohn 
3.) Greeneville 
4.) Elizabethton
5.) Red Bank
6.) Haywood
7.) Marshall County
8.) South Gibson 
9.) Upperman
10.) Hardin County

Overview: There have been so many close calls over the years for Pearl-Cohn,  but this season is their best chance for their first title since 1997. Just like every other year, AC, Greeneville and Elizabethton will be teams at the top of the list.

Despite losing Daune Morris, Red Bank has been very consistent over the last 6 years. I try not to place alot of stock in a scrimmage, but Haywood’s performance against Jackson North Side gives me a little pause. Marshall Co. and Upperman will both feature high powered offenses.

Predictions: Semis- Anderson Co. over Red Bank, Pearl-Cohn over Haywood

Championship- Pearl- Cohn over Anderson Co.

Class 3A
1.) Alcoa
2.) East Nashville 
3.) Giles County
4.) Gatlinburg-Pittman 
5.) Dyersburg 
6.) Covington 
7.) Fairview 
8.) Westview
9.) Tyner 
10.) Sweetwater 

Overview: Like every other year, the conversation starts with Alcoa. It's hard to see anyone keeping it close but that's why they play the game. East Nashville and Giles Co are both teams that are accustomed to making deep runs in the 3A playoffs.  Gatlinburg-Pittman poses the biggest threat to Alcoa before the semifinals.  Dyersburg and Covington pose the biggest threats to East Nashville's goal of a 3rd consecutive trip to the state title game. 

Predictions: Semis- Alcoa over Giles Co., Dyersburg over East Nashville

Championship- Alcoa over Dyersburg

Class 2A
1.) Riverside 
2.) East Robertson 
3.) Huntingdon 
4.) Fayetteville 
5.) Mt. Pleasant
6.) Smith County
7.) Milan
8.) Fairley
9.) Hampton
10.) Marion County

Overview: Riverside won't have to worry about Tyner standing in their way as the Rams have moved on to 3A... Not alot of separation bewteen East Robertson, Huntingdon and Fayetteville but having 3 guys with FBS offers gives ER a slight edge... Mt. Pleasant has the unenviable task of being in the region next to 6-2A (Riverside,  Huntingdon, Milan), but they have a tough team in their own right, led by plenty of young talent... Smith County could be a dark horse. The loss of Kaden Powell really hurt,  but they still have a great running game.

Predictions: Semis- East Robertson over Hampton, Riverside over Fairley

Championship- Riverside over East Robertson 

Class 1A
1.) South Pittsburg
2.) Union City
3.) Moore County
4.) MASE
5.) McKenzie
6.) Dresden
7.) Gordonsville 
8.) Coalfield 
9.) Clay County
10.) Lake County

Overview: Normally I give the defending champion the benefit of the doubt, but McKenzie loses alot from that championship team along with alot of top-level teams... South Pittsburg seems to be the leader of those teams, boosted by the Transfer of AUBURN Commit Martavious Collins... Union City & Moore Co. are both teams that return alot and play tough old school football... MASE is the big wildcard in all this, no doubt the team with the most college talent, if they're hitting on all cylinders they could be the hoisting ball... Dresden,  Gordonsville and Coalfield all have teams that could spring an upset en route to the Blue Cross Bowl

Predictions: Semis- South Pittsburg over Coalfield,  Moore Co. over Union City

Championship- South Pittsburg over Moore Co.

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