State’s Best: Top Games for 2021 Season

We are still a few months out from the start of the 2021 Fall football season but it’s closer than you think! 

Everything is expected to go back to normal with full attendance, which means big crowds and hostile home environments will be back in play and an advantage to several teams across the state. 

Here we take a look at the top scheduled games for the upcoming 2021 season. 

(Games are placed in random order)

1. Week 1 (The entire slate)

– Opening weekend is absolutely loaded! Several state title contenders face off against each other in Week 1, so it’s a great way to kick off the 2021 season! 

Games included:  Anderson Co. at Powell, Baylor vs. Rabun Gap (Ga), Beech vs. Farragut, CPA at Independence, Germantown at Christian Brothers, Henry Co. vs. Summit, Lipscomb Acad. vs. Greater ATL Christian (Ga), Milan at Peabody, Ravenwood vs. MBA

2. Brentwood Academy vs. Whitehaven (Week 4)

– Two perennial powerhouses meet in Williamson Co. during Week 4 and it’s a great opportunity for the Tigers from Memphis to pull off a big time road win. 

Players to Know:  (LB) Jalen Jones Jalen Jones 6'1" | 205 lbs | LB Brentwood Academy | 2022 State TN (BA), (DB) Kaleb Lyons Kaleb Lyons 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Brentwood Academy | 2022 State TN (BA), (CB) JaQuez Bradley JaQuez Bradley 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Whitehaven | 2022 State TN (WH), (DB) Cam Robertson Cam Robertson 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Whitehaven | 2022 State TN (WH), (OG) Taylor Williams Taylor Williams 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB FRA | 2023 TN (WH)

3. Lipscomb Academy vs. CPA (Week 10) 

– This is quickly becoming one of the top rivalry games in the Mid-State area. This is also a rematch of last year’s D2-Class 2A state title game where the Lions of CPA came out on top. You can bet the Mustangs will be ready & waiting for this game!

Players to Know:  (QB) Luther Richesson (LA), (RB) Alex Broome Alex Broome 5'8" | 190 lbs | RB Lipscomb Academy | 2022 State TN (LA), (WR) Coleman Baker (LA), (QB) Cade Law Cade Law 6'1" | 210 lbs | QB CPA | 2022 State TN (CPA), (Ath) Reed Williford (CPA), (LB) Langston Patterson Langston Patterson 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Christ Presbyterian | 2022 State TN (CPA)

4. Maryville vs. Powell (Week 2)

– Outstanding early season matchup here between two of the top programs from the East TN Region. Maryville is a perennial state title contender while Powell has been building towards that. 

Players to Know:  (S) D.J. Burks D.J. Burks 6'0" | 190 lbs | DB Maryville | 2022 State TN (MV), ‘23 (C/OG) Cal Grubbs Cal Grubbs 6'4" | 290 lbs | OL Maryville | 2023 State TN (MV), (OG) Camron Gann Camron Gann 6'3" | 290 lbs | OL Powell | 2022 State TN (POW), ‘23 (QB) Jordyn Potts Jordyn Potts 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Powell | 2023 State TN (POW), ‘23 (WR) Adarius Redmond Adarius Redmond 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR/TE Powell | 2023 State TN

5. Baylor vs. MBA (Week 10)

– A division title could be on the line here as the Big Red travels to Chattanooga to face off against a very talented Red Raiders team. This is another game where you will Power Five talent spread out across both teams. 

Players to Know:  (LB) Trey McDonald Trey McDonald 6'4" | 210 lbs | LB Baylor | 2022 State TN (BAY), (QB) Cooper Wick (BAY), ‘23 (OL) Brycen Sanders Brycen Sanders 6'6" | 285 lbs | OL Baylor School | 2023 State TN (BAY), (OT) Grayson Morgan Grayson Morgan 6'6" | 270 lbs | OL MBA | 2022 State TN (MBA), ‘23 (QB) Marcel Reed Marcel Reed 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB MBA | 2023 State TN (MBA) 

6. Summit vs. Independence (Week 9)

– Spartans made the move to Class 6A football for the upcoming season and they have a tough schedule to manage through this year, including this game vs. a young but talented Eagles team. If Summit can repeat as champs this year, it will certainly be earned. 

Players to Know:  (LB) Keaten Wade Keaten Wade 6'4" | 215 lbs | LB Summit | 2022 State TN (SUM), (QB/Ath) Destin Wade Destin Wade 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Summit | 2022 State TN (SUM), (S) Brady Pierce Brady Pierce 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Summit | 2022 State TN (SUM), (QB) Joseph Cummings (INDY), ‘23 (TE) Ty Lockwood Ty Lockwood 6'5" | 225 lbs | TE Independence | 2023 State TN (INDY), ‘23 (RB) Tre Hartwell Tre Hartwell 6'0" | 220 lbs | RB Independence | 2023 State TN (INDY)

7. Knox. West vs. Alcoa (Week 6)

– Big opportunity here for the Rebels of West to upset one of the best teams in the state and propel themselves towards a deep playoff run. The Tornadoes are loaded yet again, so this will be tough for West but they have some playmakers to get the job done. 

Players to Know:  (Ath) Shannon Blair Shannon Blair 6'0" | 175 lbs | ATH Knox. West | 2022 State TN (KW), (DE/LB) Noah Giger Noah Giger 6'3" | 220 lbs | DL Knox. Central | 2022 TN (KW), (QB) Caden Buckles (ALC) (S) Isaiah Bryant (ALC), (LB) Major Newman Major Newman 6'3" | 190 lbs | LB Alcoa | 2022 State TN (ALC) 

8. Oakland vs. CPA (Week 8)

– Great scheduling made here by two strong Mid-State programs looking to build themselves stronger right before playoff season kicks off. This game is full of college talent!!

Players to Know:  (RB) Jordan James (OAK), (RB/S) Antonio Patterson Antonio Patterson 5'11" | 190 lbs | ATH Oakland | 2022 State TN (OAK) (WR) Isaiah Horton Isaiah Horton 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR/TE Oakland | 2022 State TN (OAK), (DL) Colin Stewart Colin Stewart 6'2" | 240 lbs | DL CPA | 2022 State TN (CPA), (OT/G) Evan Carney Evan Carney 6'5" | 275 lbs | OL CPA | 2022 State TN (CPA) 

9. Beech vs. Henry Co. (Week 2)

– Week 2 presents a big opportunity for the Bucs to establish themselves as a state title contender as they host the Patriots in what could be a high scoring shootout. This is another matchup of teams full of Power Five, Division 1 talent. 

Players to Know:  (TE) Jackson Long Jackson Long 6'5" | 220 lbs | TE Beech | 2022 State TN (BCH), (WR) Andrew Paige Andrew Paige 6'4" | 210 lbs | TE Beech | 2022 State TN (BCH), (DE/LB) Austyn Keen Austyn Keen 6'4" | 210 lbs | DL Beech | 2022 TN (BCH), ‘23 (QB) Ryan Damron Ryan Damron 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Henry Co. | 2023 State TN (HC), ‘23 (RB/S) Zamaryion Kendall Zamaryion Kendall 6'0" | 195 lbs | RB Lausanne | 2023 State TN (HC), ‘23 (OT/G) Luke Brown Luke Brown 6'6" | 305 lbs | OL Henry Co. | 2023 State TN (HC) 

10. Milan at Haywood (Week 5)

– These two teams have this game circled as the premier matchup on their schedules for the upcoming season and you can bet just about every publication within distance will be in attendance covering this game. 

Players to Know:  (S) Anthony Brown Anthony Brown 6'2" | 195 lbs | DB Milan | 2022 State TN (MIL), (LB) Antwain Barham Antwain Barham 6'3" | 225 lbs | LB Milan | 2022 State TN , Jr (MIL), (DB) Jaylen Lewis Jaylen Lewis 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB Haywood | 2022 State TN (HAY), (DT) Camron Douglas Camron Douglas 6'3" | 300 lbs | DL Haywood | 2022 State TN (HAY), (LB) Anthony Brewer Anthony Brewer 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Haywood | 2022 State TN (HAY) 

Other Games Considered:  Baylor at McCallie (Week 6), Beech vs. Summit (Week 6), Brentwood Acad. vs. CBHS (Week 7), Collierville vs. Whitehaven (Week 6), CPA at Indy (Week 1), Davidson Acad. vs. Lipscomb Acad. (Week 7), Henry Co. vs.Springfield (Week 7), Knox. Central at Knox. West (Week 11), M.A.H.S. vs. Freedom Prep (Week 7), Marshall Co. at Tullahoma (Week 4), Maryville at Alcoa (Week 4), Pearl Cohn at MBA (Week 2), Powell at Oak Ridge (Week 7), Ravenwood at Summit (Week 7), Father Ryan at McCallie (Week 9)