Haywood
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Top 10 after Week 9
Here's a look at the latest top 10 in rural West Tennessee
Week 9 takeaways
What to take away from each result in rural West Tennessee in Week 9
Week 9 Blitz
Your guide to this week's games across rural West Tennessee.
Early look at playoff races in each region
Who's in the playoffs, who's not, who's in contention for region championships
Top 10 teams after Week 8
Here's a look at the latest top 10 in rural West Tennessee
Week 8 Blitz
Your guide to this week's games across rural West Tennessee.
West TN Blitz top 10 after Week 7
Here's a look at the latest top 10 in rural West Tennessee
Week 7 Takeaways
What to take away from each result in rural West Tennessee in Week 7
Week 7 Blitz
Your guide to this week's games across rural West Tennessee.
West TN Blitz top 10 after Week 6
Here's a look at the latest top 10 in rural West Tennessee
Week 6 Takeaways
What to take away from each result in rural West Tennessee in Week 6
Week 6 Blitz
Your guide to this week's games across rural West Tennessee.
Quick hits
Haywood is one of the oldest football programs in the state and has had a number of different historical impacts across the region. One of the most unique is the Tomcats are a big reason Milan, another historical program in the region, is purple. According to historian Dr. Robert Rooks, a preacher who lived in Brownsville moved to Milan to a new church. He had a couple sons who played football and they wanted to keep playing but Milan didn’t have a football team at the time. So they started the program in Milan and adopted purple as their main color because the jerseys the preacher’s sons brought them were Haywood purple.
The pass defense at Haywood might have a different look this year now that Caden Harris has graduated and is playing cornerback at Georgia.
The program has won 22 region championships in its history including a championship every year this decade except one.
This team doesn’t have a large senior class. With a total of 10 in the group set to graduate next spring, that’s a low number for Haywood.
The official name of Haywood’s mascot is “Stacmot,” which is “Tomcats” spelled backwards.
Position groups
Offensive line — Jonathan Norman is the center who anchors everything and is the biggest lineman Puckett has ever coached at 370 pounds with athleticism. Mekhy Sanderson is 6-feet-3-inches and 320 pounds and will be next to Norman. Kyland Prophet is a sophomore with potential to be the next notable Haywood lineman at 6-feet-6-inches and 270 pounds with two more years to grow. Eric Bullock is another senior at tackle who’s done well at both ends of the line. Josh Curry is a sophomore with good size at 6-feet-4-inches and 270 pounds. Marlon Lloyd will probably be the starting tight end.
Backfield — Braden Harvey was the team’s most talented running back last year as a sophomore, and Chris Talley will be a sophomore coming up behind him that will also push for playing time. Jameson Hines will probably be the starting quarterback since he started some last year including most of the games late in the year. He’s grown into someone the coaches can trust.
Receivers — This is the group that has to step up and get some more production if the Tomcats want to continue to succeed. Jaden Butler is a Tennessee commit that is rated as a three-star recruit, but Nehemiah Taylor has played a good bit in the slot and is shifty when he gets down the field. T.J. Hemby is a senior the Tomcats need to depend on for explosive plays.
Defensive line — Junior A.J. Green could be one of the best interior linemen Haywood has had in a while who’s the son of the head coach at Trezevant in Memphis. Puckett said he’s probably the strongest athlete he’s ever coached. Dee Hardin will also be in the rotation.
Linebackers — Vincent Sturdivant is a leader that makes calls for the coaches on the field before the snap. He’s probably the smallest linebacker on the team, but he’s got a motor and a high football IQ. Currell Kinnon is a junior who will be starting for the first time this year. Marlon Lloyd will be the outside linebacker that started last year as sophomore Chris Talley lot of snaps at the other linebacker spot.
Secondary — Butler will be safety as he’s played that position since his freshman season. Hemby and Jayden Holloway will also play some at safety. Lakendrick Sellers started all last season at cornerback. Taylor will also play some at corner.
Special teams — Junior Banios is a one-man show when it comes to moving the ball down the field with his foot - whether it’s kickoffs, field goals, PATs or punts. Puckett said he liked his options for all the other main special teams positions.
2026 stats
No stats yet this season. They appear here once a game's book has been read and checked.