We had a chance last December to catch up with the new kids on the block out of West Tennessee, Freedom Prep Academy. FPA from Memphis competed this last football season for the first time in school history under TSSAA classification Region 8 1A. Founded in 2009 FPA founder Robin J. Webb has put together one of Tennessee’s best charter schools in the state. Her school prepares all students in grades K – 12 to excel in college and in life.
While founded back in 2009 Freedom Prep didn’t have a sports team at the school partly due to funding which was a huge problem at that time. Freedom Prep Academy was fortunate that Head Football Coach Cook played alongside former TSU Tiger and NFL veteran Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Dominique(DRC) has been an avid financial supporter for the FPA football program.
Fast forward to now the schools football program is off and running in largely due to efforts on behalf of Head Coach and Athletic Director Jerald Cook. Cook who is a Birmingham native came up under current Head Coach Eddie Woods at the time at Memphis Melrose as the quarterbacks coach there. Cook & Woods, both Tennessee State University graduates, got their coaching start in Memphis. Cook is very grateful and thankful to Coach Woods for giving him an opportunity to starting his coaching career.
This past season FPA was led by five-eighth graders starting on the varsity level. One of them leading the offense was quarterback Tevin Carter who be will be starting again this upcoming 2018 season as their quarterback. Carter as an 8th grader was second-team all-conference last year. Pretty impressive if you really think about it, this 6’3 soon to be freshman has several years ahead of head of him to work on his craft and continue to become elite in West Tennessee. Fortunate for Carter he has an absolute stud at left tackle in Chris Morris (2020). Morris, who holds offers from the University of
Memphis, University of Tennessee, and Florida State just to name a few, will be relied on again this upcoming season to anchor the offensive line. This 6’4 265lbs baby tank is on course to be one of the top offensive linemen of his class in the state of Tennessee and potentially top 10 in the country. Lastly on the offensive side of the ball another two names to watch out for is rising junior Demarios Brooks at the wide receiver position and rising sophomore Gary Banks at the running back position.
Defensively they will be depending on several underclassmen to lead the way by committee. Temarios Bell and Tyler Woodard both freshman will be two of the defensive backfield to patrol the air. While Jadeveon Perkins and Daylan Hailey will be touted to shore up the running game defensively from the linebacker positions. Rising senior Antwan Tilson is hoping to have another breakout season coming off the edge at the defensive end position.
Going into their second season FPA and Head Coach Jerald Cook are feeling really good about competing in year two. Coming off a 5 – 6 season and a first-round playoff game the Eagles are hoping to make some noise again in 2018.
Stay tuned to #d1highlights for more of the New Kids on the Block in West Tennessee.
