Region 5-2A Football: How will Adamsville, Riverside, Scotts Hill fare farther east?
Adamsville and Riverside have been playing at a high level in Region 6-2A over the past couple of years. But when the TSSAA reclassified, the Cardinals and the Panthers were moved one region over to Region 5-2A along with Scotts Hill, who dropped down from Class 3A.
Region 5-2A changed some, including the loss of last year’s champion East Hickman. Lewis County, Loretto, Mt. Pleasant and Summertown remained for a new look.
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Riverside
2. Mt. Pleasant
3. Adamsville
4. Lewis County
5. Loretto
6. Summertown
7. Scotts Hill
Top region games
Adamsville at Riverside (Week 4; Sept. 12) – These two teams moved over from Region 6-2A, and 6-2A swept 5-2A in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs. If West Tennessee teams continued to dominate, this early contest could decide the region champion early on.
Riverside at Mt. Pleasant (Week 5; Sept. 19) – Going on the road to Mt. Pleasant will be the Panthers toughest test of the region schedule. If Riverside can win this one along with beating Adamsville the previous week, they will be in good position to win the region.
Lewis County at Adamsville (Week 5; Sept. 19) – The Cardinals will have to bounce back quickly from the previous week against Riverside to try and stay in a good playoff position. Lewis County is always a tough team to beat, but the Panthers have to come to Adamsville.
15 players to watch
Cody Brasher (Riverside, Sr., WR/P)
Colby Brown (Loretto, Sr., OL/DL)
Avery Burks (Adamsville, Sr., RB/LB)
Kade Carroll (Lewis County, Sr., TE/DE)
Jack Cupples (Riverside, Jr., QB/ATH)
Max Dillard (Summertown, Jr., QB/S)
Kaden Henderson (Scotts Hill, Jr., LB/RB)
Ben Hill (Adamsville, Sr., QB)
Jayden McClure (Mt. Pleasant, Sr., LB/RB)
Aiden Morgan (Riverside, Sr., OL/DL)
Payton Niehaus (Mt. Pleasant, Sr., WR/S)
Drew Ray (Lewis County, Sr., RB/LB)
Kale Scott (Mt. Pleasant, Jr., QB)
Asah Story (Adamsville, Jr., LB)
Mason Tidwell (Loretto, Sr., QB/LB)
Team tidbits
Adamsville
Mascot: Cardinals
2024 record: 5-5 (2-5 6-2A)
Coach: Brandon Gray (20th season: 123-82)
What to know: The Cardinals have been outside of the playoff race the past couple of years in Region 6-2A, but that region has been loaded and swept Region 5-2A in the first round of the playoffs. With 5-2A becoming a mesh of West Tennessee and Middle Tennessee teams, the Cardinals have the chance to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Adamsville has two veterans in the backfield in senior quarterback Ben Hill and senior running back Avery Burks. And DeAndre Xavier could also see his number being called often this year at running back.
Lewis County
Mascot: Panthers
2024 record: 6-5 (4-3 5-2A)
Coach: Ronnie Yeisler (3rd season: 15-7)
What to know: The Panthers are used to winning, but last year’s six-win season was the program’s worst since 2015. Lewis County will have to find a new quarterback, but Drew Ray returns at running back after leading the team with 757 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 109 carries last season. With Kade Carroll and Ray back at linebacker, the Panthers will be tough to contain. Ray had 73 total tackles with three tackles for loss and one interception, while Carroll had 45 total tackles with 11 tackles for loss and four sacks. So how quick the offense develops might be the tale of how Lewis County’s season will go.
Loretto
Mascot: Mustangs
2024 record: 6-4 (5-2 5-2A)
Coach: Bryce Glass (1st season)
What to know: The Mustangs are full of questions going into the 2025 season. Quarterback Mason Tidwell has been out with a torn UCL and missed most of the baseball season – which is his top sport. Tidwell is a three-sport athlete for Loretto, but he will want to be healthy for his final baseball season. Leading receiver Corben Reynolds transferred during the offseason, and he is now at Riverdale. So what is for sure? As of now, Loretto is healthy and strong on the offensive line with Colby Brown, Axton Cummins and Brock Litrell.
Mt. Pleasant
Mascot: Tigers
2024 record: 6-4 (4-3 5-2A)
Coach: Kit Hartsfield (5th season: 25-16)
What to know: The Tigers are going to be a team to watch out for this season. Two transfers have potential to put this team over the top. Junior quarterback Kale Scott transferred in from Lawrence County, while wide receiver and safety Payton Niehaus transferred in from Summertown. Mt. Pleasant won a region title in 2022, and this team could be back in the hunt. The defense will be the leaders to allow the transfers time to settle in. Junior Nahzire Carter, junior Jaylen Easterling, senior Jalen Smith and senior Jayden McClure will be tough to try and break through.
Riverside
Mascot: Panthers
2024 record: 7-5 (4-3 6-2A)
Coach: Johnnie Frost (10th season: 86-33)
What to know: The Panthers made it to the second round of the Class 2A playoffs before losing to Huntingdon. Riverside won the Class 2A state title in 2023, so that will be the goal again this year. Pieces are there in skill positions for the Panthers to have success like junior Jack Cupples at quarterback, senior Cody Brasher at receiver and senior Kody Coleman and sophomore Merrel Perez at running back. Riverside also has some key players back on the offensive line. So the pieces are there for the Panthers to win the region title, but it will also depend on the development over the next couple of months.
Scotts Hill
Mascot: Lions
2024 record: 1-9 (1-6 7-3A)
Coach: Lee Hooper (2nd season: 1-9)
What to know: The Lions are coming off a one-win season, and that one win was over a team that is not playing a TSSAA schedule this year. Scotts Hill should benefit from the new region after moving down from the Class 3A to 2A. This team will no longer have to play the region games against Covington, Dyersburg and Westview. But that is not to say Riverside, Adamsville and Mt. Pleasant is any easier. Scotts Hill will need an offensive line that can open holes for the running game.
Summertown
Mascot: Eagles
2024 record: 8-3 (5-2 5-2A)
Coach: Dan Winfree (3rd season: 9-12)
What to know: Graduation and transfers have hit the Eagles hard, so it is hard to guess how good this team can be in 2025. New players are going to step into bigger roles quickly and learn them. Summertown is going to rely on some younger players in key skill positions with junior Max Dillard looking to be the starting quarterback and junior Colton Pugh stepping up in the running game.
Michael Odom is the sports editor for the Mirror-Exchange, Weakley County Press, Brownsville States-Graphic and Fayette Falcon. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @GCSportsWriter. Reach him by email at michaelodom@milanmirrorexchange.com.
