Region 7-2A Football: Can Milan make a return trip to the Class 2A state championship game?
In Wade Comer’s first year in charge of the Milan football team, he led the Bulldogs to the Class 2A state championship game.
Milan does have to replace some key lineman that graduated on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
Jackson Central-Merry was the only team to beat the Bulldogs last year, and the Cougars are still in the region.
Adamsville and Riverside moved out of this region, but Halls and Union City were added into the region to keep it at seven teams in the region. Milan is joined by Gibson County, Halls, Huntingdon, JCM, Peabody and Union City.
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Milan
2. JCM
3. Peabody
4. Huntingdon
5. Union City
6. Halls
7. Gibson County
Top region games
JCM at Milan (Week 6; Sept. 26) – The Bulldogs got revenge on JCM in the Class 2A playoffs with a 14-7 overtime victory to advance. Milan knows what the Cougars bring in speed and quickness, so there will be no surprises.
Milan at Union City (Week 8; Oct. 3) – The Golden Tornadoes move up to Class 2A after winning Region 7-1A last year. Union City’s quarterback last year Zak Summers is also now at Milan, so there seems to be a lot on the line in the late-season matchup that should have playoff implications.
Union City at JCM (Week 10; Oct. 24) – There is the potential that a home playoff game could be on the line in this one. JCM slipped up late last year with a loss to Peabody, which put them in the same bracket as Milan.
15 players to watch
Deyton Buckley (Union City, Sr., DL/OL)
Braylin Dearmon (Huntingdon, Sr., QB/S)
Jayland Eckford (JCM, Jr., DL)
Jamarcus Haynes (Peabody, Sr., DB/WR)
Tyreke Hutch (Huntingdon, Sr., DB/WR)
Jayden Jennings (Peabody, Sr., LB/RB)
Michael Massey (JCM, Sr., WR)
Terrence Moses (Milan, Sr., WR/S)
Jaydon Peete (Milan, Sr., RB/LB)
Khadon Phiphus (Halls, Sr., DB/WR)
Aiden Reid (Union City, Sr., RB/S)
Caleb Sims (Gibson County, So., QB)
Andre Small (Union City, Sr., DB/WR)
Zak Summers (Milan, Jr., QB/ATH)
Terrell Williams (JCM, Sr., QB/ATH)
Team tidbits
Gibson County
Mascot: Pioneers
2024 record: 1-9 0-7 7-2A)
Coach: Kyle Pack (2nd season: 1-9)
What to know: The rebuild for coach Kyle Pack is a five to 10 year deal at Gibson County. Only one year has passed, so there is still work to do. The positive is that Pack has his quarterback in sophomore Caleb Sims. He has the size and the arm strength to compete with any quarterback in the area. But who is going to help him? Sophomore Coree Wells, junior Jakayden Ivie and sophomore Tristan Tyson have the potential. Sims will also need time in the pocket, so seniors Daylen Brooks and Ethan Becton are going to be called upon to be leaders in the trenches.
Halls
Mascot: Tigers
2024 record: 8-3 (5-2 7-1A)
Coach: Blake Stigall (3rd season: 10-11)
What to know: The Tigers had success last year, finishing second in Region 7-1A, but moving up to Class 2A will prove to be tough. Halls does have a nucleus of veteran talent back that will try to keep the team competitive. Senior Khadon Phiphus had eight interceptions last season, and senior Jeremiah Harris has the ability to get in anybody’s backfield. So those two will be leaders defensively. Junior Easton Apperson and sophomore Clyce Tetleton will be top players in the linebacking corps. The key will be how the Tigers manage to produce on the offensive side of the football.
Huntingdon
Mascot: Mustangs
2024 record: 10-3 (6-1 7-2A)
Coach: Eric Swenson (18th season: 161-51)
What to know: The Mustangs made a run to the Class 2A quarterfinals before taking a second loss to Milan. Huntingdon lost some key players on offense in Gray Eubanks and Brady Warbritton that coach Eric Swenson must replace. Replacing Gray Eubanks at quarterback is looking to be senior Braylin Dearmon. Sophomore Hayes Eubanks could pick up some of the rushing load along with fellow sophomore Colt Wood. Huntingdon’s defense though will be tough to break. Senior Tyreke Hutch will lead the secondary, senior Broox Bennett will be a leader at linebacker along with Silas Sharp. And Jeramyah Cannon will be a leader on the defensive line.
Jackson Central-Merry
Mascot: Cougars
2024 record: 9-3 (5-2 7-2A)
Coach: Erit Turner (4th season: 14-17)
What to know: The Cougars finished third in Region 7-2A last year as they beat Milan but lost to Peabody. Erit Turner knows how to coach, and he will have this team battling for the top spot in the region again. Senior quarterback Terrell Williams returns after throwing for 1,857 yards with 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The Cougars will have to find a new go-to rusher as Jonas Patterson (1,674 yards) graduated. Senior LaKelvin Cole might be the player to step into that role. Michael Massey led JCM in receiving yards last year with 655 yards, but the other three receivers with over 100 yards receiving all graduated. The Cougars return lots of playmakers on the defensive side of the ball with senior linebacker Zarius Brown, senior defensive lineman Jordyn Williams and junior lineman Jayland Eckford leading the charge.
Milan
Mascot: Bulldogs
2024 record: 13-2 (6-1 7-2A)
Coach: Wade Comer (1st season: 13-2)
What to know: After finishing as the Class 2A state runner-up, the Bulldogs are hungry to get back to that level. That will begin with Tennessee Titans Class 2A Mr. Football winner Jaydon Peete. He recorded 2,348 rushing yards with 32 touchdowns on 218 carries, averaging 10.8 yards per carry, while catching 10 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, he had 94 total tackles with 19 assists, 15 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Quarterback Will Johnson decided to step away from football, so Union City transfer Zak Summers, a junior, or sophomore Ryder Weaver have the chance to step into that starting role. The key will be the development of the line. Senior Mason Allen returns, along with Bryaer Smith and CT Williamson. Milan also has a strong group of athletes that can fill in key roles offensively and defensively. Senior Cordarius Johnson, senior Terrence Moses, junior Carson Kelley, sophomore Ty Hollingsworth, sophomore Tyree Armstrong and sophomore Jay Donaldson will all see plenty of time on the field.
Peabody
Mascot: Golden Tide
2024 record: 4-6 (4-3 7-2A)
Coach: Tab Vowell (1st season)
What to know: Coach Shane Jacobs, who led the Golden Tide to three state championships, has resigned. But Tab Vowell knows how to coach also, as he led North Side to many postseason runs. Peabody played a tough schedule last year, won four games and missed out on the playoffs on a tiebreaker. The Golden Tide will have some playmakers returning to help carry the team. Jayden Jennings was a stud at linebacker, Mikhel Wilkes played defensive back and wide receiver, Jamarcus Haynes had seven interceptions and Chandler Milan was tough on the line. Peabody will lean on the running game, and Edward Agnew will play a key role at that position. The Golden Tide will have to find a solid offensive and defensive line.
Union City
Mascot: Golden Tornadoes
2024 record: 10-3 (7-0 7-1A)
Coach: Nick Markle (6th season; 42-19)
What to know: While the Golden Tornadoes ruled Region 7-1A last season, Class 2A football is a little tougher. Union City will also have to replace some key skill players, including quarterback Zak Summers, as he is now at Milan. Union City should still be stout on defense with seniors Deyton Buckley, Adrian Crawford, Andre Small and Aiden Reid returning for their senior season. Sophomore Jack Theobald has the potential to step into the quarterback spot, and he will improve as the season progresses. But Coach Nick Markle will have to replace some of the other weapons and offensive linemen.
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.
