Memphis area Class 1A football preview
The Commercial Appeal previews Class 1A in Memphis-area high school football and makes predictions entering the 2021 TSSAA season:
Three hot takes Middle College is team to beat
None of the Region 8-1A teams, except for Middleton, which moved over from Region 6-1A, played football in 2020. Middle College went 10-2 overall and 8-0 in league play in 2019. The Bulldogs return a few key players, including running back Keveon Ransfer.
MASE is a close second
The Phoenix are 15-9 over the past two seasons, and two of the region's best teams - East and Freedom Prep moved up to higher classifications. There are many unknowns because MASE didn't play last year, but the Phoenix should be in a good spot to compete.
Bluff City will get first win
Bluff City technically has won a forfeit because Freedom Prep was ruled to have played an ineligible player when the teams met in 2019. But Bluff City, which started football in 2019, lost the rest of its games. This could be the year Bluff City gets that first win on the field.
Players to watch
Christian Love, MASE, Sr.: The versatile athlete, who primarily plays running back and defensive back, was an all-region honorable mention selection in 2019.
Antonyous Moore, Middle College, Sr.: Moore had 595 rushing yards, an 11.2-yard average per carry, and 11 rushing touchdowns in 2019.
Keeveon Ransfer, Middle College, Sr.: Ransfer had 644 rushing yards, a 9.1-yard average per carry, and 13 touchdowns in 2019.
Ketrick Ransfer, Middle College, Sr.: The 5-foot-11, 250-pound lineman was an all-region honorable mention selection in 2019.
Jamal Wright, Bluff City, Sr.: Wright was an all-region honorable mention selection at running back in 2019.
Five key region games to watch
MASE at Middle College (Sept. 2) The region's top two teams meet in Week 3. An early test for a pair of teams that made the playoffs in 2019.
Westwood at Middle College (Sept. 16) Middle College hosts Westwood, which has a new coach in Orentheus Taylor, who was an assistant on the 2016 Trezevant state title team.
B.T. Washington at MASE (Sept. 16) BTW, which was a win away from a winning season in 2019, travels to region runner-up MASE.
Bluff City at Middleton (Sept. 17) The region's two newest members meet for the first time. Bluff City started football in 2019. Middleton moved from Region 1-6A.
Westwood at B.T. Washington (Oct. 28) This regular-season finale features the new-look Longhorns and the Warriors, who are chasing their first winning season in a decade.