The Five: Round Two Upset Alert
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Round One was fun and entertaining but Round Two looks to be even more explosive!
We have several big time matchups set up all across the state for Round Two but which teams should be on upset alert? Here we breakdown the five games that we feel are the biggest targets for entertaining games and possible upsets
1. Baylor (7-4) at MBA (7-3)
– Can the Red Raiders pull into Nashville for the second week in a row and upset a higher seeded team? It’s very possible, especially if their line of scrimmage plays the way they did in their road win last week versus Ensworth. This could be a tougher task however as the Big Red of MBA presents a different challenge and quarterback in Marcel Reed Marcel Reed 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB MBA | 2023 State TN that can pass and throw his team to victory. If Baylor can get the same rushing performance from Caleb Hampton Caleb Hampton 5'10" | 210 lbs | RB Baylor | 2023 State TN like they got last week, along with strong play up front from Bo Black Bo Black 6'5" | 305 lbs | OL Baylor | 2022 State TN , Brycen Sanders Brycen Sanders 6'6" | 285 lbs | OL Baylor School | 2023 State TN and the rest of the Red Raiders O-line, the road team will have a great shot at pulling the upset. This should be a hard fought, close game that is not settled till the very end with both teams having a great shot at winning.
2. Memp. Central (9-2) at Springfield (9-2)
– West meets Middle here in this clash of 9-2 teams that love to run the ball! Springfield is the home team and favorite in this contest but the road Warriors have a dude in running back Jamarious Brooks Jamarious Brooks 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Memp. Central | 2022 State TN that can score at will and cause the Yellow Jacket defense to play on their heels most of the night. This is a battle of wills in the line of scrimmage and whoever gives way the most, will lose this game. Springfield tends to have postseason magic when we get to this time of year and they have had a strong 2021 season but they better not sleep on the Warriors as they are talented and poised to pull an upset.
3. Ravenwood (9-2) at Collierville (11-0)
– This game could be the most watched and followed game of the weekend as you have two state title contenders facing off in Round Two but somebody has to lose! The home Dragons have rode a perfect season thus far but Friday night, they will be playing their toughest opponent yet in Ravenwood who brings a high powered offense and an opportunistic defense that can shake Collierville’s plans at a state championship. The Dragons must key on junior quarterback Chris Parson Chris Parson 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Ravenwood | 2023 State TN if they plan to win this game. Collierville has a stout defense, so manning up against Parson and the Raptors offense should be quite fun to watch.
4. Trousdale Co. (9-1) at Meigs Co. (10-0)
– The biggest game of the year for Meigs Co. comes this Friday when they play host to a Trousdale Co. team that could have the athletes and fire power to walk into the Tigers stadium and pull off the upset. This has all the makings of a close game that does not settle till the very end as both teams seem to be on equal ground but the one thing that may stand out is the athletes on the Yellow Jackets squad. Seniors Keenan Burnley Keenan Burnley 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Trousdale Co. | 2022 State TN , Kane Burnley and Bryson Claiborne is a three headed monster that can take over this game and lead Trousdale Co. to victory. Meigs Co. must have a big game from Logan Carroll Logan Carroll 5'10" | 190 lbs | QB Meigs Co. | 2022 TN and their defense if they plan to slow down the Yellow Jackets athletes and find a way to march on into Round Three.
5. Waverly (9-1) at East Nashville (7-4)
– The home Eagles come into this matchup as the #1 seed at the top of the bracket but Waverly comes in with the better record and a schedule that has them battle tested for this game. The road Wildcats also have a star senior quarterback in Jacob Dooley Jacob Dooley 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB Waverly Central | 2022 State TN that can take over a game and give the East Nashville defense troubles all night long. Senior D-lineman Chazell Adkins Chazell Adkins 6'2" | 245 lbs | DL East Nashville | 2022 State TN and the rest of the Eagles must put pressure on Dooley early and force him into awkward situations that could cause turnovers. If they allow Dooley to have time in the pocket or break loose for runs, it will be a long night for East Nashville and a possible home upset.
Other Games to Follow: Dresden at Fayetteville (Class 1A), Marion Co. at Watertown (Class 2A), DeKalb Co. at Upperman (Class 4A), Jackson North-Side at South Gibson (Class 4A), Columbia at Green Hill (Class 5A), Farragut at Bradley Central (Class 6A), FCA at DCA (D2-A), Pope Prep at Brentwood Acad. (D2-AAA)