By Donovan Stewart
MaxPreps.com
Can anyone beat Maryville – the four time defending 4A state champions and owners of the nation’s second-longest winning streak at 60 games?
Teams like Hillsboro, Henry County, Memphis Melrose and Maplewood are lining up, but history says their chances of taking down the Rebels are slim. Under head coach George Quarles, Maryville is 124-9 since 1999, winning seven state titles.
Tennessee Class 4A State Football Preview
Preseason Top Five
1. Maryville Rebels (15-0, defending 4A state champions)
Head Coach – George Quarles
State Titles – 11, 1970, 1976, 1978, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Top Players – Justin Smith, DT, Sr., Thomas Shuler, RB, Sr., Chris Jordan, WR, Sr., Marcus Engelhardt, OL, Sr., Dylan Beets, OL, Jr., Brad Coulter, OL, Sr., Jeffrey Booker, LB, Sr., Luke Cox, LB, Sr., Cody McCoy, LB, Sr., Mark Young, QB, Sr.
Strengths – The Rebels just reload and have a chokehold on Class 4A, winning the state title in eight of the last 10 years including the last four seasons while compiling a 60-game win streak. Running back Thomas Shuler and wide receiver Chris Jordan are playmakers while defensive tackle Justin Smith is a disrupter.
Concerns – This could be the year to beat the Rebels as the quarterback situation is unsettled. Young seems to be the favorite among four quarterbacks. Injuries to Jordan or Shuler could potentially hurt the Rebels as depth is a concern this season.
2. Hillsboro Burros (10-2, quarterfinals)
Head Coach – Scott Blade
State Titles – 1, 2003
Top Players – Eric Gordon, DB/WR, Sr., Corey Jordan, RB/WR, Sr., Alex Crutcher, RB/S, Sr., Greg Young, QB, Jr., Hendrix Brakefield, K, Sr., Keith Perry, LB, Sr., Christian Heyne, OL/DL, Sr., Jarett Blihovdi, WR/DB, Sr., Marvin Hughes, OL/DL, Sr., Cody Blihovdi, WR/LB, Jr.
Strengths – Athletes, Athletes, Athletes. Everywhere you look the Burros have guys that can run, pass, catch and tackle. Eric Gordon is arguably the best cornerback in the state. Corey Jordan played receiver last year will take over in the backfield at running back along with Alex Crutcher. The defense will be led by senior linebacker Keith Perry.
Junior quarterback Greg Young is deadly accurate and will be in his second year of running the offense.
Concerns – Playoff disappointment. Although the Burros have been successful in coach Scott Blade’s two years at Hillsboro, they haven’t advanced past the quarterfinals.
3. Henry County Patriots (12-2, semifinals)
Head Coach – Joe Gaddis
State Titles – None
Top Players – Dominique Allen, RB, Sr., Marsalis Teague, QB, Sr., Robbie Gallimore, RB, Sr., Shontae Sims, WR, Jr., Joey Williams, OL, Sr., Josh Clark, OL, Sr., Charles Barnes, DB, Jr., Deonte Nored, WR, Jr., Martez Teague, DE, Jr., Austin Bomar, DL, Jr.
Strengths – The dynamic duo of running back Dominique Allen and Marsalis Teague. They spearheaded the Patriot offense, combining for 3,255 yards on the ground and 47 touchdowns a year ago. The defense should be stout with playmakers Robbie Gallimore (140 tackles) and defensive back Shontae Sims (120 tackles, six interceptions).
Concerns – The Patriots will have to replace three starters on the offensive and defensive lines.
4. Memphis Melrose Golden Wildcats (9-4, quarterfinals)
Head Coach – Hubbard Alexander
State Titles – 2, 1996, 1998
Top Players – TroMarcus Toney, QB, Sr., Gabriel Nash, RB, Sr., Greg King, LB, Jr., Ethan Rogers, DB, Sr., LenQuinton Peppers, DB, Jr. Casey Calvin, RB, Sr.,
Strengths – The exciting duo of quarterback TroMarcus Toney and running back Gabriel Nash. Both players had big years for the Golden Wildcats last season as Toney was hard to deal with at quarterback and Nash was a pleasant surprise at running back. Greg King is the next great Melrose linebacker as he will lead the defense for the Golden Wildcats.
Concerns – Offensive Line. For the offense to be dangerous, the Golden Wildcats will have to replace all five starters up front. Melrose got off to a rough 2-3 start last season but responded by winning seven straight games before losing a 27-26 heartbreaker to Henry County in the playoffs. The Orange Mound community school will look to avoid a repeat performance to start the season.
5. Maplewood Panthers (12-3, 4A runner-up)
Head Coach – Ralph Thompson
State Titles – None
Top Players – Markus Cantrell, RB, Sr., Ledarius Osborne, LB, Sr., Romario Cathey, OL/DL, Sr., Qutavious Parks, WR, Sr., Justin Snelling, QB, Sr., James Stone, OL, Jr., De’Onte’ Newsom, OL, Sr., Sam Hopper, LB, Sr., Andre Campbell, DB, Sr., Anthony Paschall, DE, Sr.
Strengths – The Panther offensive line returns three monsters in Romario Cathey, James Stone and De’Onte’ Newsom, which should provide senior back Markus Cantrell with lanes to run through. The defense should be good behind linebackers Ledaruis Osborne and Sam Hopper.
Concerns – The defensive line lost three starters with Cathey being the only returner. The Panthers pride themselves on the stopping the run, especially with Hillsboro in the same region.
Five More That Could Surprise
Cleveland, Red Bank, Mt. Juliet, Morristown East, Knoxville Halls
Five Big 4A Questions
1. Can anyone dethrone Maryville? Many in the state agree that this could be the year, but we’ve said that before, right? Every year the Rebels throw a wrench in those thoughts by hoisting another gold ball to the dismay of the rest of 4A.
2. Can anyone tackle Gabriel Hunter? The answer was no last year as Hunter broke the Shelby County single season rushing record by putting up 2,679 yards and 27 touchdowns for Kingsbury. The senior running back was unstoppable in his junior campaign busting out for 375 and 436 yards in back-to-back weeks and nine touchdowns.
Hunter was named MaxPreps National Player of the Week after rushing for 436 yards against Munford. The 436 yards in a single game is a Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association record and he was a huge reason that Kingsbury went from 1-9 in 2006 to 7-5 and a second round playoff appearance last season. Hunter averaged an amazing 223.25 yards per contest last season and the Kingsbury season will hinge on his legs.
3. How many 4A running backs will topple 1,000 yards this year? Last season there were about 20 running backs that went over 1,000 mark and 10 of those runners are back to do more damage.
4. Can Will Gilchrist break the 2,500 yard/30 touchdown barrier? Last season, the Hardin County signal carrier threw for 2,072 yards and 25 touchdowns against only nine interceptions. Hardin County made a first round playoff exit but many believe behind Gilchrist, arguably the best quarterback in the state, that the Tigers could be even better this season in which Gilchrist could topple the 2,500-yard, 30-touchdown mark.
5. Can someone win region 4-4A not named Red Bank? The Lions have a stranglehold on region 4-4A as they have won the region title four straight years with a 26-1 record, including three straight undefeated 7-0 marks. The last team to win the region other then Red Bank was Cleveland in 2003 and it may be the primary threat again in 2008. This could be the Blue Raiders best team in over a decade.
Other Class 4A Superlatives
Toughest Shoes To Fill – Brent Burnette, QB, Maryville. All Burnette did was pass for 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns and lead the Rebels to a fourth consecutive state title. He started in three title games and the Middle Tennessee State University signee’s leadership will truly be missed. Maryville coach George Quarles is trying to decide who will succeed Burnette as he is looking at four candidates for the job.
Best Rivalries – Maryville-Knoxville Central, Red Bank-Cleveland, Beech-Portland, Melrose-Memphis East, Morristown East-Morristown West.
Players Worth Price of Admission – Gabriel Hunter, RB, Kingsbury, Justin Smith, DT, Maryville, Marsalis Teague, QB, Henry County, Dominique Allen, RB, Henry County, Eric Gordon, DB, Hillsboro, Corey Jordan, RB, Hillsboro, Will Gilchrist, QB, Hardin County, Miguel Sanchez, DT, Red Bank, Monte Scotton, RB, Cleveland, Markus Cantrell, RB, Maplewood, Cordarious Mann, RB, Jackson North Side, Hunter Beedle, OL, Sullivan South.
Most Competitive Region – Region 6-4A. In the three years that the current region has been formed, three different region champions have been crowned. Last season Clarksviile won over Mt. Juliet, in 2006 Springfield won and in 2005 Beech was victorious.
Toughest Places to Play – Maryville, Red Bank, Hillsboro, Jackson Central-Merry, Memphis Melrose, Cleveland, Portland,
Donovan Stewart can be reached via email at dstew4vu@yahoo.com
