#TNHSFB: Week 6 Recap/Top Stories
Another week down, another week of great football to recap! Catch up on some of the biggest stories from last week’s action in the great state of Tennessee
Patriots Win Powerhouse Showdown
Everybody across the state was excited and tuned in last Thursday evening for Oakland vs. Lipscomb Academy, which was deemed as the “game of the year” and it did not disappoint. It came down to the final play of the game where the Patriots defense made a goal line stuff to defeat the road Mustangs, 29-21.
It was entertaining, hard fought and well coached. This game brought you everything people were expecting and then some, especially with the close finish.
This was a contest that many wanted to see happen due to how deep and talented both teams are. Both the Patriots and the Mustangs have a multitude of prospects that will be playing Power Five, Division 1 ball one day, including a pair of running backs who stood out in this matchup.
Lipscomb Academy senior Alex Broome Alex Broome 5'8" | 190 lbs | RB Lipscomb Academy | 2022 State TN displayed a variety of skills and was clearly one of the better overall talents on the field. Headed to Boston College next year, Broome is a strong, versatile back that is almost the opposite of Oakland’s star back, Jordan James. The Georgia commit is a rock at running back that has a nice combo of size, speed and power that will translate well into the SEC.
Looking beyond the players, this game was a litmus test for both programs and I think both head coaches saw what they needed to see out of their players. I believe both head coaches already knew this but these are two championship caliber teams that I feel “will be” in Chattanooga at season’s end and their game last Thursday only proved that.
Big Region Matchup Goes To Tullahoma
The biggest regular season game of the season for the Wildcats took place at home last Friday where Tullahoma virtually locked up the region title by knocking off and defeating Pearl Cohn, 24-21. This was a close, hard fought game that had to see the Wildcats come from behind to win but it was definitely a win that was earned.
Pearl Cohn is the standard for Metro Nashville football programs and they have some serious talent, including elite receiver Barion Brown Barion Brown 6'1" | 165 lbs | WR Pearl-Cohn | 2022 State TN but the home Wildcats were ready to play and they were able to withstand an early deficit to fight back and come away with the victory.
Tullahoma now has wins over both region foes Marshall Co. and these Firebirds, so the Wildcats sit in prime position to walk away with a Class 4A-Region 5 title. Barring injuries or something strange, Tullahoma could finish out the 2021 regular season undefeated and with a top seed in the upcoming playoffs.
This was the first loss of the season for Pearl Cohn but they should not fret as they are legit and have the talent to make a deep playoff run and even find their way to Chattanooga. Behind seniors Ryan Scott Ryan Scott 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Knox. West | 2024 State TN , Ian Poe Ian Poe 6'4" | 295 lbs | OL Tullahoma | 2022 State TN and Logan Crouch Logan Crouch 6'6" | 305 lbs | OL Tullahoma | 2022 State TN , the Wildcats are playing at a different level right now and this win might have solidified them as the “top” team to beat on the Class 4A level.
Three Team Race For Class 5A-Region 5
As we have made it to the mid-way point of the 2021 season, many felt that Mt. Juliet would be where they are and that’s undefeated and at the top of Class 5A-Region 5 but many didn’t think that Green Hill and Station Camp would be right there with the Golden Bears but they are!
The Bison of Station Camp are undefeated at 5-0 while the Green Hill Hawks sit at 5-1 and both these teams have played good football up to this point in the season, so the favored Golden Bears better watch out! All three of these teams face off against each other over the final five weeks of the season, starting this coming Thursday with Mt. Juliet taking on Station Camp.
Mt. Juliet is the more talented team compared to the three. Led by senior quarterback Stephen Swoner Stephen Swoner 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Mt.Juliet | 2022 TN , the Golden Bears have the pieces to go all the way to Chattanooga and compete for the Class 5A state title but they have yet to find their groove, even though they are undefeated. If and when they do, teams in the 5A ranks better watch out!
Both Green Hill and Station Camp are building and growing their programs to the level at which Mt. Juliet plays but their plans are working as they have performed well this year and are both well coached.
It will be interesting and fun to watch how this region plays out come season’s end as I still think the Golden Bears are the team to beat but the Bison and Hawks are close on their heels.
Etc …..
– The Farragut Admirals have played a tough schedule through six games, probably one of the toughest in the state but they should be battle tested and ready to fight for the playoffs. They are coming off a huge 28-21 victory over South Doyle to put them at 2-4 on the season with a glimmer of hope of getting back into playoff contention. They must almost win out but they have the talent to go 4-0 down the stretch and work themselves into postseason play.
– A big Memphis area matchup went by way of Germantown as the Red Devils defeated a good Houston team last Friday, 25-21. This was a close game that wasn’t settled till the end and it was tough to see one of these talented teams take a defeat but that’s sports! After an early season defeat, Germantown is playing very good football right now and have some horses to take them deep into the playoffs. This win over the Mustangs is another big victory and a great test for the rest of the season for the Red Devils.
– One of the biggest games in the Memphis area last week was Collierville taking on Whitehaven and the Dragons not only came away with the 28-6 win but they looked very impressive in doing so. The Dragons are a sleeper 6A team that could make some noise by the time we get into the playoffs. They have a quarterback in Houston Wilheim that is playing efficient ball right now along with a stout defense led by linebackers Brayden Hendricks Brayden Hendricks 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB Collierville | 2022 State TN and Donovan Mathena Donovan Mathena 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Collierville | 2022 State TN .
The season is far from finished as Collierville has a few big matchups looming but this is a well coached, talented team that coaches across the state from the 6A ranks better keep an eye on going forward.