The Commercial Appeal: High school football: Week 1 power rankings

[kwc]

The Commercial Appeal: High school football: Week 1 power rankings

https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/high-school/2019/08/20/high-school-football-top-10-memphis-area-teams-week-one/2050128001/

Week 1 of high school football is here, which means it's time to rank the top 10 local high school football teams.

1. MUS (D2-AAA): Last year, MUS finished the regular season 9-0 as its defense held six of its 12 opponents to 7 points or fewer en route to an appearance in the DII-AAA state title game. Four-star offensive lineman Marcus Henderson, Memphis commitment Devonte Nelson and running back Hunter Kendall are back for the Owls.

This week: vs. Ridgeway.

2. Whitehaven (6A): Class 6A runner-up Whitehaven went 7-0 at home last season but was 4-4 in neutral site and away games. Four-star linebackers Bryson Eason and Martavius French, an Arkansas commitment, as well as FBS-level talents in linebacker Tamarion McDonald and running back Cameron Sneed are back.

This week: vs. Hamilton.

3. Horn Lake (0-1) (MS 6A): Horn Lake went 15-0 and won its first football state title last season. The Eagles have a pair of Ole Miss commitments returning in defensive lineman Josaih Hayes and linebacker Jakivuan Brown. The Eagles fell to Corinth last week in their home opener.

This week: vs. West Point.

4. Olive Branch (MS 6A): Olive Branch finished 12-2 and lost to West Point in last year's 5A North Half title game. This year, the Conquistadors have moved up to Class 6A and have two of the area's top linemen in Alabama commitment Xavier Hill and Mississippi State commitment Jevon Banks.

This week: Idle

5. Lausanne (D2-AA): Lausanne reached the DII-AAA semifinals where it lost to eventual state champion CPA last season. The Lynx finished 11-1.

This week: at Mayfield (Kentucky)

6. Germantown (6A): Germantown finished the regular season undefeated for the second year in a row but was shut out by Whitehaven in the Class 6A quarterfinals last season.

This week: vs. KIPP

7. Kirby (5A): Kirby finished 11-2 and made the Class 5A quarterfinals, where it fell to Henry County. Quarterback Draylen Ellis, an Austin Peay commitment, and defensive lineman Corbet Mims, an Arkansas State commitment, return.

This week: vs. Hillcrest

8. Central (6A): Central fell to Germantown in the second round of last year's Class 6A playoffs. Four-star receiver Darin Turner is back for the Warriors.

This week: vs. Cordova

9. Houston (6A): Houston finished 10-2 last year and lost to Whitehaven in the Class 6A second round. First-team all-state running back Lincoln Pare is back.

This week: vs. Southaven

10. Christian Brothers (D2-AAA): Christian Brothers fell to eventual state champ Brentwood Academy in the DII-AAA quarterfinals. The Purple Wave finished 8-3.

This week: vs. Bob Jones (Madison, Alabama)

 

 

Greetings, my name is Khari

 

Memphis is a great place to be a high school sports reporter. The city has a wealth of young talent and rich stories waiting to be told. Please help us keep you informed with breaking news, compelling features, and video highlights by subscribing to The Commercial Appeal today.

 

 

Edited August 20, 2019 by kwc

[BlackHavenSenator]

Daily Memphian preseason Power 15 football rankings: Whitehaven opens at No. 1

By John Varlas Published: August 20, 2019 4:00 AM CT

Whitehaven quarterback Keyshawn Harris goes long during Whitehaven's state semi-final playoff game against Ravenwood on Nov. 23, 2018. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian file)

Here is the inaugural Daily Memphian preseason Power 15 ranking for high school football. All games are at 7 p.m. unless noted.

1. Whitehaven

Coach: Rodney Saulsberry

Region: 8-6A

Last season: 11-4 (lost to Murfreesboro Oakland, 37-0, in Class 6A state championship game)

Program history: 26 playoff appearances; two state championships (2012, 2016); two runners-up (2011, 2018)

Players to watch: LB Bryson Eason (Sr.); LB Martavius French (Sr.); DB Tamarion McDonald (Sr.); RB Cameron Sneed (Sr.); QB Keyshawn Harris (Sr.); DB Andre Gooden (Sr.); DL Zyon Walker (Sr.); DL Richard Ellis (Sr.); DB Antonio Hall (Sr.); LB-RB-DB Taurus Gregory (Sr.); DB Tony Street (Sr.); LB Stephon Brewer (Sr.); WR Terrell Holt (Sr.); WR Jaylon Monger (Sr., transfer from Ridgeway); WR-DB Elijah Conley (Sr., transfer from Ridgeway); OL Mikeal Taylor (Sr.); RB Marcus Taylor (Jr.); OL Jamal Graham (Jr.); LB-FB Alexander Whitmore (Jr.); OL Aliou Bah (Soph.)

Outlook: Despite advancing to the state championship game for the fourth time this decade, 2018 ended sourly for the Tigers. The lopsided loss to Oakland last December left Whitehaven with four losses, its most since 2006, and will provide sufficient motivation for this season. Few teams anywhere can boast a trio of SEC-level linebackers like Eason (numerous SEC offers), French (committed to Arkansas) and McDonald, a Mississippi State commit who operates as a hybrid safety-linebacker. Those three along with Walker and Ellis up front will form a strong front seven. In the secondary, Hall is back after returning two picks for scores in 2018 while Gooden is another capable veteran.

The key could very well be Harris; the son of highly successful Bellevue Middle School coach Byron Harris has football coursing through his DNA and might well have played a more prominent role last season had he not been injured. He'll have a nice target to throw to in Monger, who caught 19 passes for 345 yards and five scores at Ridgeway in 2018. Sneed (1,112 yards, nine touchdowns in nine games) and Taylor will operate behind a typical Whitehaven o-line, big and strong. The schedule is – in a word – brutal and regardless of where the Tigers end up they will certainly have been tested. 

Schedule: Saturday: vs. Hamilton in the Whitehaven Classic, 8 p.m.; Aug. 30: Ridgeway; Sept. 6: at North Little Rock; Sept. 13: at Brentwood Academy; Sept. 20: at Southaven; Sept. 27: at Cordova; Oct. 4: TBD; Oct. 11: vs. White Station at the Fairgrounds*; Oct. 25: Germantown*; Nov. 1: Central*

*--region game

2. Horn Lake 

Coach: Brad Boyette

Region: MHSAA 1-6A

Last season: 15-0 (defeated Oak Grove, 31-27, to win the MHSAA Class 6A state championship)

Players to watch: DL Josaih Hayes (Sr.); DB Deon Biggins (Sr.); DL Jakivuan Brown (Sr.); DL Roderick Daniels (Sr.); QB Nick Frampton (Sr.); RB Jamerio Harris (Jr.); RB-WR Jaylen Sulton (Soph.)

Outlook: All-American linebacker Nakobe Dean, all-state athlete Raydarious Jones and a host of other standouts have graduated from last year’s state title-winner, the first in school history. But don’t shed too many tears for the Eagles; they look potent once again and look to strongly push Starkville in Mississippi's largest classification.

The strength of the team looks like the defensive line where a pair of SEC commits will line up, the 6-3, 275-pound Hayes (Ole Miss) and Mississippi State-bound Brown (6-2, 227). Daniels has star potential as well while Biggins is a force in the secondary. Frampton, Jarnorris Hopson and Rashard Daniels all battled for the quarterback job in the preseason while Sulton had some electrifying moments as a freshman in 2018, He could be the next big thing to come out of Horn Lake if he continues to progress.

Schedule: Friday: vs. West Point (Miss.); Aug. 30: at Cleveland (Miss.) Central; Sept. 6: at Lafayette (Miss.); Sept. 13: at Lake Cormorant; Sept. 20: Lewisburg*; Oct. 4: at DeSoto Central*; Oct. 11: at Olive Branch*; Oct. 18: Oxford*; Oct. 25: at Hernando*; Nov. 1: Tupelo*; Nov. 8: at Southaven*

*--region game

3. MUS

Coach: Bobby Alston

Region: Division 2-AAA

Last season: 11-1 (lost to Brentwood Academy, 28-6, in Division 2-AAA state championship game)

Program history: 35 playoff appearances; five state championships (1985, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009); five runners-up (1983, 1990, 2012, 2013, 2018)

Players to watch: OL-DL Marcus Henderson (Sr.); DB Devonte Nelson (Sr.); RB Hunter Kendall (Sr.); OL-DL Keithran Hobson (Sr.); OL-DL Charlie Gilbert (Sr.); WR-DB Cody Hopkins (Sr.); WR-DB Collins Robinson (Sr.); DL Robert Dickinson (Sr.); OL-DL Devin Malone (Sr.); LB-RB John Paik (Sr.); TE-LB D.J. Brown (Jr.); WR-DE Gavin McKay (Jr.); ATH-DB Roderic Lewis (Jr.); DB Jordan Helton (Jr.); OL-DL Darren Robinson (Jr.); OL-DL Kyler Herring (Soph.); LB-RB Colby Ring (Soph.); WR Clarkson Shoaf (Soph.) 

Outlook: In a banner year for offensive linemen, MUS boasts one of the best in Henderson, a 6-4, 315-pounder who has offers from a host of Power 5 programs. He’ll pave the way for Kendall, who ran for 782 yards and scored 11 touchdowns as a junior. In the secondary, Nelson will have a big year after verbally committing to the University of Memphis over the summer. The graduation of wide receiver-defensive back Maurice Hampton should pave the way for players like McKay, Lewis, Helton and Robinson to shine in increased roles. 

The quarterback race is one of the more interesting ones in town; Sellers Shy has graduated after throwing for a city-best 2,618 yards in 2018 and Alston said last season's No. 2 Vaught Benge (Sr.), Shy’s brother Edwin (Jr.) and sophomore George Hamsley could all play until one emerges as the clear frontrunner. As always, the Owls have special teams covered with the return of kicker George Howard (Jr.) and punter Ben Skahan (Sr.). The first six games will be played in the friendly confines of Stokes Stadium, giving the Owls who are untested a chance to gain some early confidence.

Schedule: Friday: Ridgeway; Aug. 30: Raleigh-Egypt; Sept. 6: CBHS;* Sept. 13: Melrose; Sept. 20: Montgomery Bell Academy*; Sept. 27: Fairley; Oct. 4: at St. Benedict*; Oct. 18: at Pope John Paul II;* Oct. 25: White Station; Nov. 1: at Briarcrest*

*--region game

4. Germantown

Coach: Tommy Ferrill

Region: 8-6A

Last season: 12-1 (lost to Whitehaven, 14-0, in Class 6A quarterfinals)

Program history: 32 playoff appearances; two state championships (1983, 2003); four runners-up (1980, 1986, 1990, 1994)

Players to watch: OL Curt Garrett (Sr.); OL Gabe Fletcher (Sr.); DB Marcus Askew (Sr.); DB Chris Williams (Sr.); RB T.J. Dorsey (Sr.); LB Dannie Towles (Sr.); OL Cole Cocroft (Jr.); DL Gerald Salter (Jr.)

Outlook: Chris Smith, who coached the Red Devils to victories in their last 21 regular-season games, has departed for Brownsville Haywood but the program remains in great hands. Ferrill previously served as Horn Lake’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and was instrumental in building an Eagles’ offense that scored 30 or more points in 12 of 15 games last season. Dorsey should blossom with more playing time this season and will operate behind an experienced line that also has some good beef. Towles will be an all-region-caliber performer at linebacker and Askew and Williams are as good as they come in the secondary.

Elsewhere, there are questions but the Red Devils seem to have some good answers. Duane Akon Jr. and Melik Smith will form a formidable tandem at receiver while replacing Cameron Baker and Jaylon Greer. Will Fisher and Harding transfer Malik Young were in the quarterback mix over the summer and it will be interesting to see which one emerges. The schedule is rugged; two of the three region games are on the road and the non-conference dates (Cordova, Oakland, Olive Branch) will test this Ferrill’s men early and often.

Schedule: Friday: KIPP; Aug. 30: Cordova; Sept. 6: DeSoto Central; Sept. 13: Murfreesboro Oakland; Sept. 20: Olive Branch; Sept. 27: at Nashville Father Ryan; Oct. 4: at Henry County; Oct. 11: at Central*; Oct. 25: at Whitehaven*; Nov. 1: White Station*

5. Briarcrest

Coach: Brian Stewart

Region: Division 2-AAA

Last season: 8-4 (lost to Montgomery Bell Academy, 10-3, in second round of the Division 2-AAA playoffs)

Program history: 25 playoff appearances; two state championships (2002, 2004); four runners-up (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001)

Players to watch: OL-DL Omari Thomas (Sr.); ATH Jabari Small (Sr.); OL-DL Rodney Newsom (Sr.); WR-DB Reggie Neely (Sr.); RB-LB Carrington Kelsey (Sr.); OL-DL Christian Green (Sr.); RB-DL Marlon Hampton (Sr.); LB-TE Will Cummings (Sr.); WR-DB Gunner Campbell (Sr.); QB Michael Dallas (Jr.); WR Peyton Moore (Jr.); DB Jarrod Gentry (Jr.)

Outlook: Thomas, Newsom and Neely all played on the Briarcrest basketball team that won the Division 2-AA state championship in March and they would like nothing better than to combine with their good friend Small and duplicate that feat on the football field. Thomas arguably the top prospect in the state; virtually everyone from Alabama on down has offered the 6-5, 310-pounder. Newsom, the son and namesake of the former University of Memphis 3-point sharpshooter, is basically the same size and has an offer from Southern Miss, among others. Small has committed to Ole Miss after averaging 150 all-purpose yards per game in 2018 and scoring 12 rushing touchdowns while Neely caught 32 passes for 597 yards and scored nine times.

Quarterback will be the biggest question mark; Dallas spent most of his time in the secondary last year but is slated to step in for graduated four-year starter Jackson Walker. But if he – or someone else – can solidify that position, things bode well for the Saints to make a deep run.

Schedule: Friday: at Madison (Ala.) Academy; Aug. 30: Wooddale; Sept. 6: at Pope John Paul II*; Sept. 13: Montgomery Bell Academy*; Sept. 20: at St. Benedict*; Sept. 27: Madison (Miss.) Ridgeland Academy; Oct. 4: at CBHS*; Oct. 18: Cordova; Oct. 25: Manassas; Nov. 1: MUS*

*--region game

6. Houston

Coach: James Thomas

Region: 7-6A

Last season: 10-2 (lost to Whitehaven, 31-27, in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs)

Program history: 16 playoff appearances

Players to watch: RB Lincoln Pare (Sr.); QB-LB Ethan Burns (Sr.); WR-DB Grayson Hitt (Sr.); OL-DL Nathan Havrda (Sr.); OL Morgan Scott (Sr.); OL-DL Jerron Watson (Sr., transfer from Delaware); OL-DL Harrison Wilkes (Jr.); WR-LB R.H. Frankland (Jr.); RB-LB Ben Stegall (Soph.); QB-DB Will Stegall (Soph.); LB Ian Bullock (Fr.)

Outlook: Two things the Mustangs ought to be able to do as well as anyone; move the ball and score points. Pare is a preseason all-state selection after running for 2,153 yards and scoring 27 touchdowns as a junior. Burns threw for 1,622 yards and 18 touchdowns (against just seven interceptions) while Hitt averaged just over 19 yards on 29 receptions and scored nine times. There have been some key losses on the offensive line but the returnees are big and talented. Watson (5-11, 300) has impressed so much since moving to town that he's been voted one of Houston's four captains.

Defensively, six starters will have to be replaced. Havrda, Watson and Wilkes will all see time on this side of the ball as well while Frankland will be one of the keys in the linebacker corps. Thomas is also excited about seeing Bullock on the field; the 6-0, 220-pounder is the brother of last year's standout linebacker and is expected to start from day one. 

Schedule: Friday: Southaven; Aug. 30: at Central; Sept. 6: Bolton; Sept. 13: ECS; Sept. 20: at Arlington;* Oct. 4: Bartlett*; Oct. 11: at Collierville*; Oct. 19: KIPP; Oct. 25: Cordova*; Nov. 1: Southwind

*--region game

 

CBHS running back and linebacker Al Wooten lunges through a Briarcrest defense toward the end zone on Sept. 28, 2018. (Daily Memphian file)

 

7. CBHS

Coach: Thomas McDaniel

Region: Division 2-AAA

Last season: 8-3 (lost to Brentwood Academy, 21-14, in the second round of the Division 2-AAA playoffs)

Program history: 29 playoff appearances; one state championship (1977); two runners-up (1999, 2005)

Players to watch: LB Al Wooten (Sr.); LB Andrew Martin (Sr.); DB Will Fracchia (Sr.); DB Will Wallace (Sr.); WR Ryen Kreitz (Sr.); WR-PR Michael Neuhoff (Sr.); LB Geno Spiotta (Sr.); DE Connor Maness (Sr.); DE Tymechie Anthony (Jr.); OL-DL D.J. Harden (Jr.); OL-DL Christian Dowell (Jr.); LB Branden Barnes (Jr.); QB Trace Heffernan (Jr.); RB-DB Dallan Hayden (Soph.); QB Ashton Strother (Soph.)

Outlook: Six starters return from a unit that led the city in rush defense (allowing 72.7 yards per game in 2018) while finishing 13th overall. The Brothers will build around 6-0, 215-pound Wooten, a state wrestling champ who is also the arguably the best linebacker in the city who doesn't play at Whitehaven. Martin and outside 'backer Spiotta are good complements while the front four has potential as well. Safeties Fracchia and Wallace hold things down in the secondary.

On offense, Hayden – who is the brother of Arkansas running back Chase Hayden and the son of former Tennessee standout and current CBHS assistant Aaron – already has an offer from his dad’s alma mater among others. He should be fun to watch as a sophomore and will help ease the transition for whichever quarterback assumes the starting role. Leading receiver Antonio Lay has graduated but Kreitz and Neuhoff should fill the his shoes nicely.

Schedule: Friday: Bob Jones (Ala.); Aug. 30: Hillcrest; Sept. 6: at MUS*; Sept. 13: White Station; Sept. 20: Pope John Paul II*; Sept. 27: at Central; Oct. 4: Briarcrest*; Oct. 18: St. Benedict*; Oct. 25: Wooddale; Nov. 1: Montgomery Bell Academy*

*--region game

8. Olive Branch

Coach: Tyler Turner

Region: MHSAA 1-6A

Last season: 12-2 (lost to West Point, 35-0, in MHSAA Class 5A state title game)

Players to watch: OL Xavier Hill (Sr.); DL Jevon Banks (Sr.); LB Kado Carr (Sr.); DL Johnny Setchfield (Sr.); RB Gary Banks (Sr.); QB Eli Ashley (Sr.)

Outlook: After a couple of seasons in 5A, the Quistors are back among the big boys and figure to be a contender despite some personnel losses. Banks is a 6-2, 260-pound strong side defensive end who has committed to Mississippi State and who can get to the quarterback with the best of them. Setchfield plays on the nose and is undersized but a terrific high school lineman. Carr should also have a terrific senior campaign.

The big man on offense – literally and figuratively – is Hill, a 6-3, 325-pound road grader who has committed to Alabama. He'll provide plenty of holes for Banks, who began his career at Middle College before transferring to Olive Branch prior to the start of the 2018 season. The schedule is challenging for sure but OB does get Horn Lake at home before traveling to Southaven the following week. Those two games will be vital.

Schedule: Aug. 30: Clinton; Sept. 6: Brownsville Haywood; Sept. 13: at Corinth; Sept. 20: at Germantown; Sept. 27: DeSoto Central*; Oct. 4: at Tupelo*; Oct. 11: Horn Lake*; Oct. 18: at Southaven*; Oct. 25: Oxford*; Nov. 1: at Lewisburg*; Nov. 8: at Hernando*

*--region game

9. Central

Coach: Major Wright

Region: 8-6A

Last season: 8-3 (lost to Germantown, 24-19, in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs)

Program history: 17 playoff appearances; one state championship (1950)

Players to watch: WR Darin Turner (Sr.); LB Micah Boyland (Sr.); LB Tyran Perkins (Sr.); OL Lenon James (Sr.); OL Kobe Perkins (Sr.); OL Anthony Williams (Sr.); OL Trentin Hopper (Sr.); DB Lorenzo Towns (Sr.); DB Rasul Muhammad (Sr.); ATH Yuri Carpton-Jimmerson (Sr.); DB Carlito Tuggle (Jr.); RB Cartier Beverly (Soph.); WR Jalen Dale (Soph.) 

Outlook: Despite losing several key contributors, the Warriors figure to be solid on defense after finishing second against the rush (83.3 yards per game) and fourth overall (159.5) a year ago. Coach Wright really likes Boyland (6-1, 215) and Tyran Perkins has ample big-play ability as well. The secondary should also be a strength despite the graduation of Kevin Shaw (five interceptions). Offensively, the line welcomes back several experienced veterans led by James and Kobe Perkins.

The play of that line will be crucial as Central incorporates some new faces at the skill positions. Beverly looks to be the primary ball-carrier after the graduation of last year's 1-2 punch of Dylan Ingram and Alan Thornton. The quarterback will also be new as Melrose transfer Will Mason (Jr.) competed against Wright's son, freshman Law, throughout the preseason. Whoever gets the job will have one of the best targets in the state in Turner, a 6-3, 195-pounder who has committed to Arkansas. Dale is a promising-looking underclassman and Carpton-Jimmerson should see some touches as well.

Schedule: Friday: Cordova; Aug. 30: Houston; Sept. 6: Collierville; Sept. 13: at Bartlett; Sept. 20: at Holmes County (Miss.) Central; Sept. 27: CBHS; Oct. 4: vs. White Station at the Fairgrounds*; Oct. 11: Germantown*; Oct. 25: at Melrose; Nov. 1: at Whitehaven*

*--region game

10. Lausanne

Coach: Kevin Locastro

Region: Division 2-AA

Last season: 11-1 (lost to Christ Presbyterian Academy, 21-14, in Division 2-AA semifinals)

Program history: four playoff appearances; two championships (2016, 2017)

Players to watch: DL Deris Jackson (Sr.); OL Caleb McCall (Sr.); DB Jonas Hart (Sr.); WR Tavin Davis (Sr.); OL Carson Webb (Sr.); DB Nick Floyd (Sr.); DL Ethan Dabbs (Sr.); DL Logan Honshell (Sr.); DL Jacob Hamer (Jr.); RB Craig Cunningham (Soph.); QB Kyle Lowe (Soph.)

Outlook: No one in town has bigger shoes to fill than Cunningham. After playing a cameo role as a freshman, he'll assume Lausanne's ball-carrying duties in the absence of three-time Mr. Football winner Eric Gray, who has taken his talents to Tennessee. Cunningham won't be another Gray – who would? – but he's tremendously talented and has some veteran linemen to pave the way. The Lynx will also have a new face at quarterback; Lowe is the son of new offensive coordinator Woodrow Lowe and proved equally efficient running and throwing during the preseason. Davis will provide a reliable target for him.

Hart, the younger brother of University of Memphis linebacker Tim Hart, and Floyd anchor the secondary while Jackson is a 320-pound run-plugger in the middle of the defensive line. The linebacker corps took a hit from graduation but Lausanne's program has reached a point that significant personnel losses aren't catastrophic. And for the first time in three years, they'll be flying a little under the radar which an experienced coach like Locastro will use to his advantage.

Schedule: Friday: at Mayfield (Ky.); Sept. 6: FACS*; Sept. 13: at Cordova; Sept. 20: Harding*; Sept. 27: Wooddale; Oct. 4: ECS*; Oct. 18: Westwood; Oct. 25: at Northpoint*; Nov. 1: St. George's*

*--region game

11. ECS

Coach: Trey Adams

Region: Division 2-AA

Last season: 9-3 (lost to Lausanne, 35-14, in second round of the Division 2-AA playoffs)

Program history: 32 playoff appearances; four state championships (1983, 1999, 2000, 2005); four runners-up (1984, 2004, 2006, 2012)

Players to watch: LB-FB Austin Hill (Sr.); OL-DL Josh Hartsuff (Sr.); WR-DB Carson Gagnon (Sr.); OL-DL Josiah Tingley (Sr.); LB-TE Preston Daniel (Sr.); LB Ethan Saunders (Sr.); RB-DB Matthew McMeans (Sr.); OL-DL Dietrick Pennington (Jr.); WR-DB Peter Nearn (Jr.); QB Jacob Hatcher (Jr.); FB-LB Andrew Agapos (Jr.); WR-DB Will Arthur (Jr.); RB-DB Jaylen Greenwood (Soph.)

Outlook: Former assistant Adams assumes the Eagles' head coaching duties after Jonas Rodriguez accepted the Battle Ground Academy job and he couldn't ask for a much better situation. The Eagles boast a legit Mr. Football candidate in Hill, a 6-1, 225-pounder who was the region defensive player of the year last year and who committed to Army over the summer. Gagnon has several FCS offers and was also an all-region standout. The lines are huge; Hartsuff goes 6-1, 260 and Tingley checks in at 6-1, 285. The star though is Pennington, a 6-5, 325-pounder who has offers from several Power 5 programs, including Clemson and Georgia.

Hatcher will slot in at quarterback and has a terrific weapon to work with in Greenwood. The 5-9, 170-pounder was injured much of 2018 but is a nationally regarded AAU track competitor who holds offers from Georgia Tech, Southern Miss and UAB already. His return should open things up even more for McMeans, who made several big plays in 2018. In short, this is a team with several players you don't often see at the D2-AA level. Barring any major disasters, ECS should be playing well into November.

Schedule: Friday: Christ Presbyterian Academy; Aug. 30: St. Benedict; Sept. 6: Harding*; Sept. 13: at Houston; Sept. 20: at Northpoint*; Sept. 27: Collierville; Oct. 4: at Lausanne*; Oct. 18: at St. George's*; Oct. 25: at Munford; Nov. 1: FACS*

*--region game

12. Kirby

Coach: Chester Flowers

Region: 8-5A

Last season: 11-2

Program history: six playoff appearances

Players to watch: DE Corbett Mims (Sr.); LB TaMarious Brown (Sr.); QB Draylen Ellis (Sr.); LB Braden Crawford (Sr.); WR LaCalvin Wilson (Sr.); DB Demario Perkins (Sr.); OL Jacobi Kendrick (Sr.); OL Hassan Soumah (Sr.); DB Quan Shavers (Jr.); WR Kaleb Almo (Jr.); DE Bryson Blocker (Jr.); DL Martavious Pegues (Jr.); LB Jederrious Cross (Soph.); OL Jaylen Jordan (Soph.)

Outlook: Following on the heels of the most successful season in school history, the Cougars are back to prove that 2018 wasn't a fluke. Mims is a 6-5, 250-pound wrecking ball of a defensive end who has committed to Arkansas State and his presence alone makes the Cougars' front seven strong. Add in Blocker (5-11, 210) at the other end, Pegues (5-10, 265) in the middle and UAB commit Brown, Crawford and promising sophomore Cross at linebacker and things really begin to look solid. Perkins will be joined in the secondary by Shavers, a rangy, ball-hawk who transfers in from Mississippi.

On offense, Flowers will turn his high-octane offense over to Ellis, who patiently waited his turn as a back-up behind last year's star, Jaden Johnson. Ellis can make all the throws and all the reads and learned well from Johnson last year, so much so that's he's committed to Austin Peay without starting a varsity game. Running back and receiver will be more by committee than it was last year but Flowers is confident that his new starters will produce. Kendrick and Soumah are back to anchor the line and the Cougars will have a reliable kicker in Angel Paz.

Schedule: Friday: Hillcrest; Aug. 30: at Bolivar Central; Sept. 6: Brighton*; Sept. 20: Southwind*; Sept. 27: at St. George's; Oct. 3: vs. Kingsbury at Melrose*; Oct. 11: Raleigh-Egypt; Oct. 18: at Munford*; Oct. 24: vs. Overton at Halle*; Nov. 1: Ridgeway*

*--region game

13. Covington

Coach: J.R. Kirby

Region: 7-3A

Last season: 14-1 (lost to Alcoa, 21-14, in Class 3A state championship game)

Program history: 22 playoff appearances; six runners-up (1971, 2000, 2003, 2012, 2017, 2018)

Players to watch: LB Caleb Winfrey (Sr.); LB-FB Andrew Scott (Sr.); OL Eli Patrick (Sr.); WR-DB Josh McGarity (Sr.); DB-WR Myles Starks (Sr.); LB Lareko Burton (Jr.); DB Breshun Dyson (Jr.); RB Marcus Hayes (Soph.); RB-DB Jalen Fayne (Soph.); RB Jamarion Dowell (Fr.); LB A.C. Mason (Fr.)

Outlook: Injuries thrust Hayes into the spotlight as a freshman and did he ever respond; rushing for 2,120 yards (9.9 per carry), scoring 23 touchdowns and averaging 40 yards on kickoff returns (two more touchdowns) while being named a Mr. Football semifinalist. With several key offensive lineman graduated as well as four-year starting quarterback Brock Lomax, it may be tough to match that performance but Hayes is for real and returning lineman Patrick was an all-region selection. Talented youngsters Fayne and Dowell are waiting in the wings.

Winfrey and Burton, both of whom were all-state selections, return at linebacker along with Scott, who will block for Hayes in the Chargers' wing-T offense. The secondary should be excellent; Dyson (team leader in interceptions) has started since he was a freshman and McGarity is also a three-year starter. Starks is a lockdown corner who was second on the team in picks.  

Schedule: Friday: at Munford; Aug. 30: at Bauxite (Ark.), 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 6: at Bolivar Central*; Sept. 13: Brighton, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 20: Martin Westview,* 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 27: Ripley,* 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 4: at Milan*; Oct. 18: South Gibson*, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 25: Sheffield, 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 1: at McNairy Central*

*--region game

14. Fairley

Coach: Gene Robinson

 

Fairley running back Terry Wilkins (top) runs through drills with teammate Jalen Harris during preseason practice Wednesday, July 31. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)

 

Region: 8-2A

Last season: 9-3 (lost to Union City, 35-28, in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs)

Program history: 24 playoff appearances

Players to watch: RB Terry Wilkins (Sr.); ATH Jalen Harris (Sr.); OL-DL Anthony Poindexter (Sr.); ATH Cameron Spencer (Soph.); DB-WR Kody Jones (Soph.)

Outlook: Coach Robinson is thankful to have Wilkins on board for one more season; the 5-8, 190-pounder known as "Tank" ran over, around and through defenders to the tune of 1,840 yards (10.8 per carry) and 29 touchdowns last year. Only now-graduated Eric Gary of Lausanne had more scores (40) and Wilkins has a terrific shot to be where Gray was at the end of the last three seasons, at Titans Stadium for the Mr. Football award festivities.

It's far from a one-man show though. Harris was impressive in last week's jamboree and Robinson calls him the best athlete in the region. Tenth-graders Spencer and Jones are both poised for big years and will see plenty of the football as well. Poindexter was an all-region performer as a sophomore but missed his junior season with a torn ACL; having him healthy once again will bolster the Bulldogs up front. Robinson said he was troubled by his team's complacency during the spring and summer; the Bulldogs have gone undefeated in region play in each of the last two seasons and have the ability to do it again if, as the coach says, "we can get out of our own way." 

Schedule: Friday: vs. Manassas at John P. Freeman*; Aug. 30: vs. Douglass at John P. Freeman*; Sept. 5: vs. KIPP at Crump*; Sept. 13: at Hernando; Sept. 20: vs. Mitchell at Whitehaven*; Sept. 27: at MUS; Oct. 4: vs. Hamilton at Crump*; Oct. 17: vs. Trezevant at Fairgrounds*; Oct. 25: vs. Hillcrest at John P. Freeman*; Nov. 1: vs. MAHS at John P. Freeman*

*--region game

15. Southwind

Coach: Rahnmann Slocum

Region: 8-5A

Last season: 7-5 (lost to Kirby, 36-34, in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs)

Program history: six playoff appearances

Players to watch: RB-DB Steve Guy (Sr.); RB Geoffrey Williams (Sr.); LB Damarion Houston (Sr.); RB Romal Webb (Sr.); DB Kameron Collins (Sr.); DB Zachariah Fenceroy (Sr.); LB Michael Neal (Sr.); WR Caleb Spann (Sr.); OL-DL Tashard Wilkins (Sr.)

Outlook: Slocum likes to ground and pound on offense and he’ll have an embarrassment of riches in the backfield. Guy ran for 1,466 yards and scored 11 touchdowns in 2018 while Williams contributed 888 and eight. And they’ve been joined by Webb, who transfers in from Raleigh-Egypt after a banner season that saw him rush for 1,988 yards and score 26 times. The problem may be figuring out how to keep all this talent healthy and the solution will likely be moving guy to quarterback, where he spent some time last season. Spann will likely be the top receiving target after averaging 22.6 yards per catch and scoring seven times.

The linebacker and secondary corps return several key contributors, most notably Houston, but some holes will need to be plugged on both lines. The schedule is strong and the three-game region stretch that begins with Munford on Sept. 13 will go a long way in determining the Jaguars’ fate.

Schedule: Friday: at Collierville; Aug. 30: at Independence (Miss.); Sept. 6: at Center Hill; Sept. 13: Munford*; Sept. 20: at Kirby*; Sept. 27: vs. Ridgeway at Halle*; Oct. 4: Overton*; Oct. 18: at Brighton*; Oct. 25: Kingsbury*; Nov. 1: at Houston

*--region game

Topics

High School Football TSSAA SCIAA Whitehaven Horn Lake High Germantown High Olive Branch High MUS Briarcrest Christian School Houston High CBHS Central High Lausanne Collegiate School Kirby High ECS Fairley High Covington High Southwind High

John Varlas

John Varlas is a lifelong Memphian who has covered high school sports in various capacities for over 20 years.

Edited August 20, 2019 by BlackHavenSenator
Missing info

[kwc]

Well, both news organizations prep sports writers have Whitehaven, MUS, and Horn Lake in the top 3. 

[kwc]

So, John has Fairley at 14. Good for them!

[BARTLETTHSGRAD04]

kwc - Are we doing picks this year? 

[kwc]

3 minutes ago, BARTLETTHSGRAD04 said:

kwc - Are we doing picks this year? 

I'm still thinking about it.

 

[kwc]

3 hours ago, BARTLETTHSGRAD04 said:

kwc - Are we doing picks this year? 

It's up.

[kwc]