Here's our first Memphis area football poll of 2023 season. Germantown is No. 1 team
The Tennessee high school football season is finally here.
The 2023 season kicks off this week and what better way to set the tone for the season than releasing the first rankings of the year.
1. Germantown: The Red Devils enter the season as the No. 1 team in the Memphis area. They added two weapons on offense in Cordero Walker (quarterback) and Yasir Muhammad (athlete), who transferred from Haywood and Central, respectively.
2. Bartlett: The Panthers were one of two Memphis area teams in the state semifinals last season. They have a good crop of players returning, including Devin Rutherford, David Milburn and Jeremiah Reed and should have another strong season.
3. Munford: The Cougars bring back Isaiah Cobbs, who was ranked No. 10 in the Dandy Dozen, and Jordan Bell to its explosive offense from a year ago. They also added Kollin Collier, who transferred from Briarcrest.
4. Collierville: The Dragons have quite a few Power 5 prospects and look to make a playoff push after losing in the first round last year. Their loaded squad includes Aidan Glover, Eli Sisson and Robert Bourdon on offense, who were Nos. 8, 11 and 3 in the Dandy Dozen, respectively.
5. Southwind: The Jaguars bring back one of the best defensive linemen in the Memphis area in Kavion Benton, No. 12 in the Dandy Dozen. Last year, they snuck up on teams; this year they should be feared.
6. MASE: The Phoenix had a whopping nine shutouts last season. With a tougher non-region schedule, they may not have nearly as many shutouts again in 2023, but they do have No. 2 Dandy Dozen selection, Kumaro Brown, and Freedom Prep transfer E.J. Gilliam.
7. Fairley: The Bulldogs added Malik Mason, a Germantown transfer, and bring back the state’s interception leader, Jacquan Davis. They should be good again this season and make a playoff run.
8. Houston: The Mustangs have a loaded backfield in Damon Sisa and Celley Davis with quarterback Chandler Day returning for his junior year. The offense should be strong again this year.
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9. Whitehaven: The Tigers had a disappointing season a year ago, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Kedarius Jones, who had over 700 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, returns for a final season. Though the region will be tough, the Tigers should contend for a playoff spot this year.
10. Memphis University School: The Owls should once again have a dominant defense, led by No. 4 Dandy Dozen selection Brandon Nicholson. Though the region schedule will be tough, the Owls should have some success.
Reach Wynston Wilcox at wwilcox@gannett.com and on Twitter @wynstonw__.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Who's No. 1? See the first Memphis-area football poll for 2023 season
