Preview: Division II high school football
Memphis-area players to watch, predictions and must-see region games
With the TSSAA high school football season beginning next week, The Commercial Appeal’s preview series continues with Division II. All three levels of Division II — Class A, AA and AAA — are included in this preview.
Three hot takes
Dallan Hayden repeats as DII-AAA Mr. Football
In his first year as a starting running back, Dallan Hayden rushed for 2,010 yards and 24 touchdowns. He established himself as one of the top prospects in the state, committed to Ohio State, and took home the Tennessee Titans Division II-AAA Mr. Football award. All signs point to a repeat performance with even bigger numbers.
Lausanne will reclaim the DII-AA West crown
ECS has finished atop the DII-AA West region for the past two years, but a much improved Lausanne squad is ready to challenge the Eagles. Quarterback Brock Glenn is emerging as a Power-5 prospect. Running back Craig Cunningham had a strong season last year, and Tyler Bell anchors the offensive line.
The key for MUS is defense
MUS has made two of the past three DII-AAA Bluecross Bowl games, including last year’s loss to Mccallie. The Owls return six starters on offense but have an almost entirely new defense. How quickly these new pieces come together will determine if the Owls are ready for another deep run.
Players to watch
Hunter Barnes, MUS, Sr.: Barnes rushed for 567 yards and six touchdowns on 94 carries.
Tyler Bell, Lausanne, Jr.: Bell, who has an offer from Eastern Kentucky, was a first-team all-state selection in DII-AA for offensive line.
Ben Bolton, Lausanne, Sr.: Bolton made 33 tackles and a sack. He has offers from Harvard, Yale and Navy among others.
Hudson Brown, Northpoint, Jr.: Brown went 86-of-166 passing for 1,217 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Derrick Carroll, Briarcrest, Sr.: Carroll made 71 tackles, including a pair of tackles for loss, in nine games.
Max Carroll, Briarcrest, Jr.: Carroll caught 23 passes for 493 yards and scored nine touchdowns.
Bo Culver, Fayette Academy, Sr.: Culver made 35 tackles and rushed for 274 yards with four touchdowns.
Craig Cunningham, Lausanne, Sr.: Cunningham carried the ball 82 times for 497 yards and 12 touchdowns in six games.
Chris Gilliland, Northpoint, Sr.: The 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive lineman was an all-state selection in DII-AA.
Brock Glenn, Lausanne, Jr.: Glenn led Lausanne to the DII-AA quarterfinals, going 46-of-87 passing for 912 yards and 15 touchdowns with one interception in six games. He has offers from Vanderbilt and Kentucky among others.
Jaylen Greenwood, ECS, Sr.: The speedy running back with offers from Memphis, Georgia Tech and UAB
rushed for 1,956 yards and 20 touchdowns, averaging 8.6 yards per carry.
Dallan Hayden, Christian Brothers, Sr.: The Ohio State commitment is the No. 7 prospect in Tennessee and the No. 23 running back in the nation, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Kyler Herring, MUS, Sr.: The Davidson commitment was a DII-AAA allstate selection on the offensive line for state runner-up MUS.
Caiden Hill, ECS, Sr.: Hill, the younger brother of Army linebacker Austin Hill, was a first-team all-region selection in DII-AA West as a wide receiver.
Patrick Kutas, Christian Brothers, Sr.: The Arkansas commitment is the No. 20 prospect in Tennessee and the No. 86 defensive lineman in the nation. He had 31 tackles with three tackles for loss and a sack.
Clarkson Shoaf, MUS, Sr.: Shoaf caught 36 passes for 767 yards and five touchdowns.
Ashton Strother, Christian Brothers, Sr.: The 6-foot-3, 215-pound quarterback was 70-of-124 passing with 933 yards and eight touchdowns as the Purple Wave made the DII-AAA quarterfinals.
Luke Washington, St. George’s, Sr.: Washington made 40.5 tackles, including 12 for loss.
Five must-see region games
Briarcrest at Christian Brothers (Sept. 17)
Last year’s game was initially postponed due to COVID-19, and then canceled when the schools mutually agreed to not play once Christian Brothers clinched its spot in the playoffs. This year, it’s a chance to see Hayden run at home in a rivalry-game atmosphere. ECS at Lausanne (Oct. 1)
These two teams have dominated DII-AA West over the past five years and
won state titles since then. Keep an eye on the run game as two of the area’s best tailbacks will be featured in Greenwood and Cunningham.
MUS at Briarcrest (Oct. 1)
Last year’s regular-season finale ended in a 26-21 victory for eventual DIIAAA state runner-up MUS. Each team has one of last year’s leading receivers in Shoaf and Max Carroll.
Christian Brothers at MUS (Oct. 15) Hayden turned in arguably his most dominant performance of the year, scoring all four touchdowns and rushing for 258 yards, the last time these teams met. This year, MUS has an almost entirely new defense and home field advantage.
ECS at St. George’s (Oct. 29)
This regular season finale matchup could have an impact on playoff seeding. ECS escaped with a close 17-14 win last year.