Memphis area high school football Class 1A and 2A preview

The Commercial Appeal continues its high school football preview series with a look at Class 2A and Class 1A. There will also be previews of Class 6A and 5A, Class 4A and 3A, DeSoto County and Division II. 

Top players

Quincy Briggs, Freedom Prep, So.: Briggs had over 1,000 all-purpose yards, scored 10 touchdowns and picked off seven passes last season. His offers include LSU and Tennessee. 

Courtney Tate, Freedom Prep, Sr.: Tate rushed for 2,256 yards and 27 touchdowns last season. 

Demeries Brooks, Freedom Prep, Sr.: Brooks recorded 113 tackles, four sacks and three forced fumbles at safety last season. He is being recruited as a wide receiver and holds offers from Southern Miss, Illinois State and UAB among others. 

Terry Wilkins, Fairley, Sr.: The Class 2A Mr. Football semifinalist rushed for 1,981 touchdowns and 29 touchdowns last season. 

Isaiah Conner, Fairley, Sr.: Conner was Region 8-2A's defensive MVP last season. 

Jerick Gaston, MASE, Sr.: Gaston was a second-team all-region selection at quarterback last year. 

Tyler Woodard, Freedom Prep, So.: Woodard made five interceptions and caught five touchdowns last season. 

SJ Harris, Oakhaven, So.: Harris had seven interceptions last season, including three in one game against B.T. Washington.

Eric Davis, Douglass, Sr.: Davis rushed for over 1,000 yards last season. 

Top games

Freedom Prep at Bluff City, Aug. 30, 7 p.m. at Kirby

This will be the first region game in the inaugural football season for Bluff City, a charter school that opened in 2017. The Grey Wolves take on defending region champ Freedom Prep. 

Freedom Prep at MASE,  Sept. 6, 7 p.m. at Melrose

When these teams met last year, MASE had suspended nearly half of its roster due to academic issues and Freedom Prep won 46-12. With Freedom Prep losing five Division I prospects due to transfers, this year's game might be closer. 

Fairley at Trezevant, Oct. 18, 7 p.m.

Fairley was 9-3 and posted a 5-0 region record last season. Trezevant was 5-6 in a solid Region 8-3A that featured Woddale and Raleigh Egypt. Can the Bears give the Bulldogs a challenge in their first season competing in 2A? 

Storylines to watch

Freedom Prep without Chris Morris

Chris Morris, the No. 2 offensive guard in the country according to the 247Sports Composite, and four other players with Division I offers, have transferred to West Memphis in Arkansas after being ruled ineligible by the TSSAA when they transferred from Freedom Prep to Memphis Central. Morris helped lead Freedom Prep to its first state quarterfinal appearance last season. But the Eagles return Tate, who rushed for over 2,000 yards last season as well as Brooks, who was a first team All-Metro selection.

Can Fairley's Terry Wilkins win Mr. Football?

Wilkins is the two-time defending Region 8-2A MVP. He rushed for 1,981 yards and 29 touchdowns last season. He was also a Mr. Football semifinalist in 2A and led the Bulldogs offense, which scored twice as many points as any other team in its region. 

East's realignment

East won the Class 4A state championship in 2016. Now it will compete as a Class 1A school due to declining enrollment. The Mustangs will remain in their current classifications for basketball, baseball and softball for the next two seasons.

Region predictions

Region 8-1A

1. Freedom Prep

2. MASE

3. Westwood

4. Middle College

5. East

6. BTW

7. Bluff City

8. MBA

9. Oakhaven

Region 8-2A

1. Fairley

2. Mitchell

3. Trezevant

4. Douglass

5. Hillcrest

6. Manassas

7. MAHS

8. KIPP

9. Hamilton