Voting Deadline Looms
With the 2026 Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association season on the horizon, the Guardian Foundation Repair has opened the floor for fans and coaches to vote for the top preseason running back.
The cutoff for submissions is noon on June 18, giving the community a narrow window to weigh in on a group that promises to be as competitive as ever.
A deep pool of talent is emerging, featuring standout returners who dominated the previous campaign.
Kruise Buntyn Jr. of Catholic posted 572 yards and five touchdowns on 104 carries in his debut season, while Ramilleeyon Crenshaw from South‑Doyle surged to 785 yards and ten scores last year.
Jude Dyer of Greeneville added 458 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 6.7 yards per carry, and Ty Fitch from Sweewater earned the Region 2‑3A Running Back of the Year honor with 1,339 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Donovan Jackson from Jefferson County crossed the 1,000‑yard milestone with 1,007 rushing yards and five touchdowns, and Caden Jay of Lenoir City contributed 766 yards and six scores.
Micah Jones of Alcoa was a powerhouse with 628 yards and 17 touchdowns on 100 carries, while Ryheem Lee transferred to Catholic after a 12‑touchdown, 925‑yard campaign at West.
Elliott Lindsey from Greenback broke out with 1,242 yards and 15 touchdowns in his junior season, and Brayden Maples of Sevier County, a Class 3A Mr. Football semifinalist, logged 1,272 rushing yards and 29 total touchdowns.
Nathan Patterson also led Sevier County with 1,265 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Damillyan Porter of Oak Ridge amassed 816 yards and eight scores before a season‑ending injury.
Matthew Rogers of Webb added 367 yards and two touchdowns, and JV Stinson of Grace Christian shocked with nearly 1,500 rushing yards and 16 scores as a freshman.
Terrion Thomas of Grace Christian, a 2024 Mr. Football semifinalist, compiled 1,265 yards and 19 touchdowns on 245 carries. As the voting deadline approaches, the collective decision will shape the preseason narrative for the upcoming season.