Region 7-4A Football: Is South Gibson still the team to beat in Region 7-4A?
Last season, South Gibson reached the Class 4A state semifinals for the first time in program history after winning the region title.
But this region wasn’t decided until the final week of the season. There was a chance going into the final week that with a loss to Hardin County, the Hornets could have fallen to the No. 3 or No. 4 seed.
So this was one of the top regions to keep an eye on last year. Will it be again this year? My guess is yes.
Crockett County, Lexington, North Side and South Gibson look to have quality sides. Chester County and Dyer County look to be improved from last year.
So who will take the No. 1 spot?
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Lexington
2. Crockett County
3. South Gibson
4. North Side
5. Chester County
6. Dyer County
7. Hardin County
8. South Side
Top region games
Lexington at Crockett County (Week 3; Sept. 4) – It’s hard to say that a game in Week 3 could decide the region championship, and there are lots of games still to be played after this one. But both of these teams have offensive weapons and the ability to play deep into the postseason.
Lexington at South Gibson (Week 7; Oct. 2) – This was an instant classic last season and probably the game that propelled the Hornets into position to win the region championship. Expect another tough game with two quality sides.
South Gibson at Crockett County (Week 9; Oct. 16) – This is a week full of teams on a bye, so this might be the marquee matchup of the week. Crockett County’s DK Woods and South Gibson’s Tyshaun Jeter are two of the top running backs in West Tennessee.
North Side at South Gibson (Week 10; Oct. 23) – The Indians have the players and coach to upset some teams and earn a home playoff game. This could be a big game deciding where both teams will be in the playoffs. And North Side is hungry after not making the playoffs last year.
Read the other region breakdowns
Region 6-1A Football: Can McKenzie make another run at the Class 1A state championship game?
Region 7-2A Football: Will Huntingdon make a run at a second straight state championship?
Region 7-3A Football: Can Westview repeat as region champion, state champion?
Region 8-4A Football: Will Haywood win the region championship again?
15 players to watch
Ben Burgess (Crockett County, Sr., QB)
Jordan Cathey (North Side, Jr., WR/S)
Jaidden Green (Hardin County, Sr., OL/DL)
Aviance Huddleston (Lexington, Jr., DE/LB)
Jordan Hunt (Chester County, Sr., WR/DB)
Tyshaun Jeter (South Gibson, Sr., RB/LB)
Max Paschall (South Gibson, Sr., OL/DL)
Elye Pearson (Lexington, Sr., WR/S)
Jaiden Sebourn (Dyer County, Sr., WR/DB)
Braydon Weldon (North Side, Sr., ATH)
Grant West (Dyer County, Sr., WR/DB)
Levi Wilkinson (Lexington, Jr., RB/LB)
Luke Wilson (Chester County, Sr., OL)
D.K. Woods (Crockett County, Sr., RB)
Jaxon Young (South Gibson, Jr., WR/DB)
Tidbits
Chester County
Mascot: Eagles
2025 record: 2-8 (1-6)
Coach: Dewond Johnson (5th season: 19-24)
What to know: One year after winning the region championship, the Eagles had their worst record since 2020 last season. Part of that stemmed from losing starting quarterback Ethan Burks early in the season. The Eagles put three other players under center the rest of the season. Senior Jordan Hunt is one of the top two-way players in the region, and he will play a big role if Chester County is going to be back in the Class 4A playoffs. Senior Louke Wilson is one of the top linemen in West Tennessee, and he will be a leader on the offensive line. Chester County’s two wins came in the first four weeks of the season, and they ended the season on a six-game losing streak. And they didn’t score more than 10 points in any of those six games, and only scored 37 points in those six games.
Crockett County
Mascot: Cavaliers
2025 record: 9-3 (5-2)
Coach: Kevin Ward (16th season: 97-73)
What to know: The Cavaliers finished third in Region 7-4A last season and reached the second round of the Class 4A playoffs. Crockett County has a chance to win the program’s first region title under Kevin Ward this season. Ben Burgess returns for his senior season after throwing for 1,505 yards and 10 touchdowns on 75-of-127 passing. He also rushed for 327 yards and eight touchdowns. The Cavaliers could also have the top running back in the region in DK Woods, who rushed for 1,690 yards and 30 touchdowns. The Cavaliers also return the leading receiver from last year in senior Kris Phillips, who had 14 catches for 358 yards with two touchdowns. But the key could be the defense, who held five of the 10 regular season opponents to seven or less points.
Dyer County
Mascot: Choctaws
2025 record: 9-3 (5-2)
Coach: Justin Dubriel (2nd season; 9-3)
What to know: The Choctaws went through a two-game rough patch, which included a 57-27 loss to North Side and 35-0 loss to South Gibson, but they still managed to finish runner-up in the region behind South Gibson. Dyer County graduated quarterback Landon Daniels, who threw for 2,039 yards and 21 touchdowns with seven interceptions. But they return senior running back Keanthony Barbee, who rushed for 1,269 yards last year with 19 touchdowns, and senior wide receiver Grant West, who caught 33 passes for 513 yards and seven touchdowns. If the Choctaws can find the same rhythm of last year, they could be right in the mix to win the region title.
Hardin County
Mascot: Tigers
2025 record: 2-8 (0-7)
Coach: Alex Seaton (3rd season: 5-15)
What to know: The Tigers didn’t win a region game last year and only won two games total. Hardin County knocked off KIPP-Memphis 42-6 and Evangelical Christian School 34-28. The Tigers scored 76 points in those two games, but they only scored 120 points in the eight losses. Will senior Aidan Coleman earn the right to start for the Tigers this season or will is be junior Parker Savage? Jaidden Green returns for his senior year to lead the offensive line.
Lexington
Mascot: Tigers
2025 record: 8-4 (4-3)
Coach: Derek Carr (3rd season: 11-11)
What to know: The Tigers went from three wins in Derek Carr’s first season in charge to eight wins last year, including an upset win over Haywood in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs. Lexington was young last season, so this team has players back in multiple positions. Lexington played four players at quarterback last year, and all four were underclassmen. Junior Ross Wilson led the passing attack with 1,086 yards, including 10 touchdowns. Junior Levi Wilkinson led the Tigers in rushing with 589 yards and eight touchdowns on 118 carries. Junior Elye Pearson led Lexington in receiving last season with 31 catches for 443 yards and three touchdowns. Senior linebacker Aiden Seaton will be the leader on the defense and make sure that everyone is lined up correctly.
North Side
Mascot: Indians
2025 record: 6-5 (4-3)
Coach: Woodrow Lowe Jr. (4th season: 16-17)
What to know: The Indians won six games, but they did not get to play in the Class 4A playoffs. North Side won three of its first four games, but a 49-31 loss to South Gibson in Week 10 put them out of the playoffs. The Indians have gotten the benefit of multiple transfers – including quite a few from South Side. What impact those transfers will have for North Side this season is unknown. The Indians had five players throw a pass last season. Four of those were seniors. Junior Wade Lowe is the lone returner after completing 33-of-46 passes for 441 yards and four touchdowns. North Side’s top three rushers last season were seniors, but Braydon Weldon transferred in from South Side. North Side’s biggest loss from last year was Javonte Smith, who is now at Tennessee.
South Gibson
Mascot: Hornets
2025 record: 10-4 (6-1)
Coach: Derek Morales (1st season)
What to know: For the first time since 2018, the Hornets won a region championship. South Gibson backed that up with the trip to the state semifinals. Sophomore Cannon Caraway has stepped in as starting quarterback as new coach Derek Morales has gone away from the single-wing that made this team tough to stop between the rushing of Jaydon Reed and Tyshaun Jeter. Jeter is back for his senior season after he rushed for 1,189 yards and 18 touchdowns on 110 carries. He also had 69 tackles with 13 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception at linebacker. Junior Jaxon Young is one of the top receiver/defensive backs in the area as he had 18 catches for 427 yards and seven touchdowns. He also had 30 tackles and six interceptions at defensive back. Senior Max Pascall is also back to lead an experienced offensive line. The Hornets did graduate some key players like lineman Jack Smith, Wisconsin signee Yahya Gaad, Reed at running back and defensive leader Cade Beaver. Junior Drey Scott is a ball hawk and able to get all over the field on defense.
South Side
Mascot: Hawks
2025 record: 5-5 (3-4)
Coach: Richard Evans (1st season)
What to know: For the second straight season, the Hawks beat South Gibson, and last season, they were the only region team to beat the Hornets. But this year’s South Side team will have a completely different look. The Hawks were hit hard by some transfers, and now they have a new head coach in Richard Evans, but he isn’t new to the school. South Side opens the season with four tough games that could break this team – Milan, Jackson Central-Merry, North Side and South Gibson – but if this team can learn from mistakes in those games, South Side can win games on the back half of the schedule.
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.
