After a fast — and pleasantly-surprising — start to the season, defending state champs are gearing up for postseason push.

Houston’s Zoe Marsh and CBHS’ Joe Edwards continue to top the charts of top times produced by cross country runners in 2023.

Standouts from CBHS, Covington, Craigmont, ECS, Melrose and Southwind are up for consideration this week. 

The Brothers went 1-2 in the boys race with Joe Edwards (15:41.30) outsprinting Kaleb Smith (15:43.20) to win the title.

Henry Hurdle is the hero for CBHS as they score all their points in the fourth quarter to secure an important region victory.

Defense carries the day for the Mustangs, as they hold the area’s top-ranked offense in check for most of the game.

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Jordan Irvin completed 11 of 15 passes for 320 yards and five touchdowns as the Longhorns defeated region rival Middleton, 54-0, at the Longhorns homecoming.

Totals are through games as of Sept. 22 and are for TSSAA schools in The Daily Memphian coverage area.

The top four teams remain unchanged in this week’s rankings: Germantown, Bartlett, MUS and Southwind.

Introduced to the sport watching her brother play, Evangelical Christian School junior Claire Todd has taken on a leadership role and has her sites set on a college career.

The Panthers, ranked second in the Dandy Dozen, have won five in a row while the fifth-ranked Mustangs are coming off a huge victory against Tupelo.

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Led by Campbell McKinnon, last season’s Class AAA state runner-up has navigated a challenging schedule so far in 2023.

Eight area schools are ranked in this week’s state football poll. MUS at No. 3 in D2-AAA is the highest ranked, while Germantown (6A), Southwind (5A) and FACS (D2A) all are ranked No. 4 this week.

Houston’s Zoe Marsh and CBHS’ Joe Edwards top the charts of top times produced by cross country runners in 2023.

Curtis Givens III, a four-star point guard in the 2024 class and Memphis native, took his final official visit this past weekend with the Tigers.

Standouts from Briarcrest, Craigmont, FACS, MUS, Sheffield and Westwood are up for consideration this week.

Defense and special teams shine for MUS in the team’s first victory over Ensworth. Meanwhile, sophomore quarterback Eric Perry leads DeSoto Central over Olive Branch.

The Red Devils force four turnovers, including one crucial interception late, to beat the Dragons 14-7.

Sophomore quarterback Kelvin Perkins accounts for four touchdowns as Jaguars improve to 6-0.

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Memphis-area high school football stat leaders

Lakeland Prep made history on Sept. 15 by defeating Douglass to post the first varsity victory in program history.

Totals are through games as of Sept. 15 and are for TSSAA schools in The Daily Memphian coverage area.

Two days after earning his spot on the Owls’ roster, the junior blitzes Windyke with a 6-under round.

Germantown remains at No. 1 ahead of Friday’s region showdown against fifth-ranked Collierville.

Top-ranked Germantown is looking to end a two-game skid in the series.

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Daily Memphian Dandy Dozen: Top teams hold serve this week while Mitchell debuts

Nathan Cole was synonymous with Tiger football for two decades but now, the program is off to an undefeated start under his young protege.