Region 8-4A Football: Can anyone touch Haywood in region play?
Class 4A was the West Tennessee class that was affected the most by the new classification parameters. Region 7-4A was 6-4A and 7-4A from 2024 squashed together.
Region 8-4A is a few from last year’s 7-4A along with all of the Shelby County schools.
Haywood and Fayette-Ware stay together from Region 7-4A and join Craigmont, Kirby, Lakeland Prep, Millington and Ridgeway.
Haywood is easily the expected winner of this region as the Tomcats beat Millington 50-0 in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs last year, and Millington is expected to be one of the top teams in the new region.
Predicted Order of Finish
- Haywood
- Kirby
- Fayette-Ware
- Millington
- Lakeland Prep
- Ridgeway
- Craigmont
Top region games
Lakeland Prep at Fayette-Ware (Week 5; Sept. 19) – Both of these teams will be hungry for a win early in the region schedule, and this could be the difference in making the playoffs or not making the playoffs. Lakeland Prep will have seniors for the first time, but can they go on the road and win at Fayette-Ware?
Millington at Kirby (Week 6; Sept. 26) – A playoff game could eventually come to the winner of this matchup. Kirby won 16-14 last year to clinch the No. 2 seed behind Melrose and sent Millington to Haywood in the opening round.
Haywood at Millington (Week 7; Oct. 3) – The Tomcats will have to go on the road in this key region game, but since they beat the Trojans 50-0 in the playoffs last year, it should be that tough. This is the Tomcats’ last road game of the regular season, so a win here should set up a strong postseason run.
15 players to watch
Layquan Armour (Fayette-Ware, Jr., DB/WR)
Darrius Brooks (Haywood, Sr., LB)
Jaden Butler (Haywood, Jr., WR/DB)
Danterrio Carodine (Ridgeway, Jr., DB)
Terzaion Cook (Kirby, Sr., OL/DL)
Seth Ervin (Millington, Jr., QB)
BJ Evans (Haywood, Sr., LB)
Keylin Farmer (Craigmont, Sr., WR)
Jarvis Glenn (Kirby, Sr., DE/LB)
Caden Harris (Haywood, Sr., DB/WR)
Brelan Holloway (Haywood, Sr., OL/DL)
Justin Price (Fayette-Ware, Jr., QB)
Conner Sebastian (Lakeland Prep, Sr., LB)
Tarhye Taylor (Fayette-Ware, Jr., LB)
Trea Wampler (Millington, Sr., LB)
Tidbits
Craigmont
Mascot: Chiefs
2024 record: 2-8 (0-4 8-4A)
Coach: Reginald Neloms (1st season)
What to know: The Chiefs had a rough go of things last season and didn’t win a region game all season. This season could have the same results, if they don’t get things going. Scoring points will be a big question mark as this team was shutout four times last season. Craigmont should have two quality backs in Landen Harris and Donnell Phillips. Wide receiver Keylin Farmer is also back. But the quarterback and offensive line still has some unknown surrounding them. The defense has just as many question marks. Marcellous Campbell and Jeshurun Israel should be two of the linebackers that start, while Fred Brooks and Ja’Darius Hayslett should be two names to watch on the defensive line.
Fayette-Ware
Mascot: Wildcats
2024 record: 1-9 (0-4 7-4A)
Coach: Howard Bush (3rd season: 1-18)
What to know: In Bush’s third year in charge of the Wildcats, Fayette-Ware should be ready to make a move and compete for a playoff spot in this region. Junior Tarhye Taylor is a player to watch in the linebacking corps and should lead the defense. Teams will have a hard time passing on Fayette-Ware as juniors Layquan Armour and Kadarius Bond along with sophomore Cadarius Luellen leading the pack. Offensively, the Wildcats will be led by junior quarterback Justin Price as he returns under center. Fayette-Ware also has two capable running backs in junior Braylon Walker and sophomore Reynaldeus Raimey. The Wildcats will have to continue to work on the offensive line as the development has been a focus since the dead period ended. Fayette-Ware will also have one of the top kickers in the area with sophomore Parker Lattimore.
Haywood
Mascot: Tomcats
2024 record: 9-3 (3-1 7-4A)
Coach: Josh Puckett (3rd season: 19-7)
What to know: The Tomcats weren’t happy with how the 2024 season ended as they wanted a much deeper postseason run. Haywood is focused on putting together a better run this season. The talent revolves around the defensive back position as the team boasts two NCAA power 4 players. Senior Caden Harris has committed to play at Georgia, while junior Jaden Butler has lots of offers. The backfield will be a big question as the top two running backs along with both players that played quarterback are gone. The offensive line will be key, giving the new quarterback and running backs time to work in the pocket. Antravion Taylor, Mekhi Sanderlin and Eric Bullock are all players to watch on the line. On the flip side, the defense will be loaded. Senior Brelan Holloway and junior Kemarion Douglas will lead the defensive line to try and win the battle of the trenches. Haywood is strong at linebacker with veteran players like Darrius Brooks and BJ Evans. And Harris and Butler will shut down the opposing team’s passing attack.
Kirby
Mascot: Cougars
2024 record: 6-4 (3-1 8-4A)
Coach: Chester Flowers (11th season: 51-47)
What to know: The Cougars are never an easy team to beat, and this year will be no different. Kirby has a new quarterback as Malcolm Jack transferred over from Bartlett, and he should be the starter. Everette Walker will be the go-to running back with the ability to rush for over 1,000 yards, if he stays healthy. Sophomore Nasir Hammond will lead the receiving corps. Kirby is also big up front with guys that will play on both sides of the ball. Terzaion Cook, Rashard Jones, Willie Price and Kingston Whitley are the players to watch up front. That front will give everything behind them time to develop as they are ready to play with the potential to excel and have Kirby fighting for a home playoff game in November.
Lakeland Prep
Mascot: Lions
2024 record: 4-5 (0-3 8-3A)
Coach: Tyler White (3rd season: 5-14)
What to know: For the first time in program history, the Lions will have seniors in the third year of the school. Lakeland Prep didn’t win a game last year in 3A, and now the team is in 4A and it won’t get much easier. Junior Brett Godwin is back under center, and the team will run the ball through senior athlete Anden Quinn and senior Colten Kirby. But those guys are going to need time in the pocket for things to develop, and the offensive line has lots of unknowns. Lakeland Prep’s defense will also have to find a way to get stops. Teams in this region are going to be more athletic and have more quickness. The Lions’ defense will be led by linebackers in senior Conner Sebastian and sophomore Whitten Wolfe. If guys like juniors Aiden Helton, Darren Hargrow and sophomore Asher Owens developed in the offseason, the defensive line could be in OK shape.
Millington
Mascot: Trojans
2024 record: 6-5 (2-2 8-4A)
Coach: Chris Michael (16th season: 83-87)
What to know: The Trojans made the playoffs last year, but lost to Haywood 50-0 in the opening round. Millington will be younger this season, so while this team will have more unknowns going into the season, the Trojans could still make the 4A playoffs. Junior Seth Ervin looks to be the guy under center, and sophomore Jaxson Washington could rise up and be the go-to back. Millington also lost some key players off the offensive line. Senior Jamall Newsome is the key returner up front. The defense will also look for guys to step up and lead. The front seven should be the strength of the team with junior Jakobian Allen, senior Damion King, senior Jaylen Mack and senior Trae Wampler being the names to watch. Millington does have a veteran in Kendrick Simmons in the secondary, but time will tell who surrounds him back there.
Ridgeway
Mascot: Roadrunners
2024 record: 2-9 (1-3 8-4A)
Coach: Duron Sutton (16th season: 92-76)
What to know: The Roadrunners struggled last season and not much talent returns this season. But Sutton has been here for 15 years with plenty of good teams under his instruction. Ridgeway’s offense is full of question marks, especially at the skill positions, but senior Cameron Redmond and juniors Jamari Goines and Jeremiah Thompson will be leaders on the offensive line. Expect those guys to also play on the defensive line as the Roadrunners need some talented two-way players to step up. On the back side of the defense, junior Danterrio Carodine, senior Michael Kimbrew and junior Carson Lesueur should be players to watch in the secondary.
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.
