MaxPreps 2014 Alabama Preseason Fab 5
Ensworth, the top team in Tennessee, looks to repeat as state champion in 2014.
Photo by Jason Goode
11-1
Head coach: Ricky Bowers
Team previewThe Tigers enter this season coming off a successful state championship run in which they defeated Memphis University to capture the Division II-AA state title. Coach Bowers has the means to get his team in the position to repeat. The offense has the potential to throw a couple different looks on the field with both
P.J. Settles and
Coleman Goodwin being capable field generals. Look for
Rico McGraw and
Jarquis Hendricks to provide firepower on offense. The defense, which could be the glue for Bowers, will feature the likes of
Myles Douglass and
Ryland Wheliss. Look for Ensworth to be a favorite come playoff time.
See the Top 20 most dominant Tennessee football teams in the MaxPreps era2. Maryville2013 finish: 15-0
Head coach: George Quarles
Team previewThe Rebels' rich history of winning continued last season with a state title run and an undefeated season, and by now we know coach Quarles will have his boys ready to get back to the promised land. Dynamic athlete
Tyler Vaught will likely be the commander under center for the Rebels' offensive unit. Running back
Jaylen Burgess will be a load to handle for opposing defenses and
Bryce Miller should give Vaught another weapon to play with. Both sides of the line will offer size, with notables being
Richard Koons,
Brant Sloan, and
Lakin McCall, all of which will star on both sides of the ball. Quarles loses some experience but, as we are well aware, the Rebels are never a team to count out.
See the MaxPreps Tennessee football photo galleries3. Oakland (Murfreesboro)2013 finish: 12-1
Head coach: Thomas McDaniel
Team previewIt'll
be
Christian Haffner taking over under center for the Patriots. Giving
him some comfort on the offensive side of the ball will be
Kyle Oliver
and
Jacoby Stevens. A defensive that will be stout up front will be
anchored by
Josh Smith,
Anthony Akers, and
Jae Washington. A rematch of
the state championship game is scheduled for week 1 and coach McDaniel
will look to avenge the loss that gave him and his team a runner-up finish.
See the MaxPreps Tennessee football playoff brackets4. Blackman (Murfreesboro)2013 finish: 11-3
Head coach: Philip Shadowens
Team previewJauan Jennings is back to lead his team to the playoffs and avenge a loss that left him and his team just short of claiming state championship hardware.
Lorel Morton and
Charlie Davidson will give Jennings some options to play with in the backfield and out wide. Coach Shadowens' best feature may be the defense unit he runs out there. Between
Jaylen Miller,
Anthony Ochoa, and
Justin Brown the defense will be stout and solid across all depths. The Blaze have all the assets to get back to the state title game and this may be the season they get over the hump.
See the MaxPreps Tennessee football computer rankings5. Fulton (Knoxville)2013 finish: 15-0
Head coach: Rob Black
Team previewThe Falcons are coming off a perfect season and a state championship victory. As hard as it is to repeat a feat like that, coach Black looks to have the pieces to make another run deep into the playoffs. It looks like it'll be
Adam Diggs calling the shots under center, and keep an eye on
K.J. Roper and
Joe Kimber, who will give Diggs some dynamic options on the outside. Between
Matthew Gayle and
D.J. Campbell, the defense should offer experience in the front seven. Both Gayle and Campbell may also see some snaps on the offensive side of the ball. The Falcons have size, speed and experience — let's see if they can put it all together.
