Region 3‑4A Preview
Red Bank, guided by MVP Jacolbi Salley and quarterback Austin Jones, captured its seventh region championship in the past ten seasons, overcoming a 1‑4 start to secure a spot in the Class 4A quarterfinals.
Salley, who amassed 1,313 rushing yards in his final prep year, heads a Lions offense that also boasts senior Marcus Jones, the region’s 2025 wide‑receiver of the year, and a dual‑threat quarterback capable of both rushing and throwing for triple‑digit yards.
East Ridge counters with a potent rushing attack anchored by King Knox, Mark Sessions and Jerl Young, the latter emerging as a key backfield piece; Sessions also contributed 14 sacks last season, ranking second in the league.
Hixson, despite a single region loss in the past three years, returns seniors Ryan Burney, Jemarion Moss, Jake Pollock and Alfonso Rivezzo, who have helped the team maintain a strong defensive core.
The most anticipated clash, Signal Mountain versus Hixson on Oct. 30, traditionally hinges on defensive battles that have defined the rivalry in recent seasons.
Region 3‑4A’s projected order places Red Bank first, followed by East Ridge, Loudon, Hixson, Signal Mountain and Sequoyah, while nonregion matchups present a mixed slate of opponents, some with winning records and others still building.