Several local prep football teams have been ranked among the state’s top 10 in their respective classifications according to the new Murphy Fair preseason magazine. The preseason polls are selected by coaches votes and the magazine, which has been published annually since 1988, can be purchased at any Sweeney’s Bar-B-Q.
South Pittsburg is ranked No. 1 in Class 1A, while Boyd-Buchanan is No. 2 and Signal Mountain No. 4 in the 2A poll. Tyner is No. 8 in Class 3A, Red Bank is tied for third in 4A and Baylor is fifth in Division II-AA.
The magazine also selected preseason all-state teams for each class with Signal Mountain placing four on the 2A team – quarterback Hogan Whitmire, receiver John Patton, linebacker Gervell Morgan and defensive lineman Will Sawyer. Tyner and Boyd-Buchanan each placed three players on their respective classification’s teams. Tyner had defensive back Travis Jones, linebacker Reginald Caffey and defensive lineman Tevin Cowan and Boyd-Buchanan had offensive lineman Vincente Jordan, linebacker Ross Keasler and punter Andrew Tallent.
Among other area players earning preseason all-state recognition are Cleveland defensive lineman Henry McClendon (5A), Red Bank receiver Kelvin Clay and defensive lineman Izaiah Rutledge (4A), Central offensive lineman Kevin Carter (4A), East Ridge defensive back Stefan Nelson (4A), Polk County linebacker Michael Hargrove and punter Jared Allen (3A), South Pittsburg running back Raquis Hale and linebacker Coltin Blevins (1A). In Division II, McCallie offensive lineman Austin Hicks, kicker Arturo Rocha and linebacker Jarrod Coleman, Baylor linebacker David Helton and defensive lineman John Mackey were tabbed as preseason all-state picks.