TN HS Football: Week Six Recap/Notes #PRZTN

Houston Pulls Upset Win Over Germantown   - The biggest upset of the weekend came out of West Tennessee as the Mustangs of Houston went on the road and took down previously unbeaten Germantown, 35-24 to move their record to 5-1 overall and place themselves on the map as a legit 6A contender. While the Mustangs are talented, this was a surprise to many across the state as the home Red Devils are very good and still a favorite to reach Chattanooga but they were stunned by Houston last Friday and didn't have an answer for one of the best backs in the greater Memphis area.    Junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='277794' first='Damon' last='Sisa'] was a one man show against Germantown where he ran 38 times for 236 yards and four touchdown's. He was fast, elusive and hard to handle for the Red Devils defense but he was not only explosive, he put in the carry load too, showing he is capable of being an every down back.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/dsisa-crop-371x244-1664302579.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-459447" /></figure>   While Sisa and the offense were taking care of business on offense, the Mustang defense did a good job as well, keeping Red Devils quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='302318' first='Isaiah' last='Tate'] in check as best as they could while slowing down their rushing attack too. They did give up some points but overall, they did what they needed to help their team pull off one of the biggest upsets of the season.    Looking forward, both Houston and Germantown are legit ball clubs that have the depth and talent to not only make noise in the playoffs but find themselves playing for the 6A title in Chattanooga. This contest was a minor setback for the Red Devils but a great learning opportunity to get better while the Mustangs solidified themselves as a contender. They must follow up on this win and continue the success but the victory over Germantown proves that Houston is ready for the big stage.    Macon Co. Throttles Portland to Remain Undefeated    - Last Friday at their home field, Macon Co. faced their toughest test yet of the 2022 season but the pressure didn't get to the Tigers as they dominated Portland, 42-15, a Class 5A school that came into the contest at 4-1 overall. This was not only a great win for the Tigers but a performance that stamps their status as one of the top teams in the Class 4A ranks and a legit title contender.    Not too many college coaches or scouts pay attention to Macon Co. but they have been a consistent program over the last several years, winning a bunch of ball games and defeating good teams along the way. This win over Portland only keeps that tradition going but the Tigers must refocus as they have a tough stretch of games lying ahead.    Over the next four weeks, Macon Co. has big matchups against Upperman, Stone Memorial and Smith County. All three of those schools are playoff level teams that all could win multiple games in the postseason, so the Tigers have their work cut out for them. They will be up for the challenge however as they have marched through their season thus far with a stone cold mentality and focus towards each team and not looking to the future.    Class 4A has multiple teams that are still undefeated and strong contenders to reach Chattanooga but these Tigers are one of them and a squad that others don't want to face. Macon Co. plays a technique sound, tough brand of football and they will be battle tested, so keep an eye on the Tigers as we reach into postseason play.    The Rebels of Knox. West Are For Real!   - Could the best team out of East Tennessee be these Rebels of Knox. West? That statement could be made now after the Rebels went on the road and took down perennial power Alcoa last Friday, 29-26 and possibly established themselves as one of best teams from the entire state. This was a statement win felt all across the state as many saw this game as the top contest of Week Five and two teams with championship makeup but it was the Rebels that flexed their muscles the biggest and brightest.    From the start of the game till the final whistle, this was a back and forth affair that saw both teams swing with momentum into their direction until the Rebels finally took control late and walked away with the victory. It wasn't easy as Alcoa would not go away nor lay down, so the Rebels had to fight for every inch in this win but it was well earned and a measuring stick victory that shows how legit Knox. West truly is.    Moving forward, both of these teams are viewed as the possible top contenders to win a state title in Class 3A and Class 5A. Knox. West will have a tougher path to the 5A title as you have teams like Nolensville, Page and others in their way but they are well equipped to take on all challengers.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/cjsmith.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-431811" width="368" height="368" /></figure>   Alcoa has an easier road towards winning their eighth state title in a row as the competition isn't as strong in the Class 3A ranks but they can't slip up nor sleep on anybody as this loss to Knox. West shows that the Tornadoes can be beaten. They must sharpen up their defense going forward, especially the secondary but the horses and pieces are there to find themselves in Chattanooga yet again.    This was a great win for Knox. West and program growing win as well. The Rebels have been a consistent winning program for several years now but maybe they finally have the dudes to put a “Gold Ball” inside their trophy case by season's end and this win over Alcoa shows the capabilities of just that.    East Nashville Takes Down 6A Power    - We have a new #1 team overall in the Class 3A ranks and it's these East Nashville Eagles. That top ranking has been well earned so far this year by the Eagles as they sit undefeated at 6-0 after beating a talented 6A team in Independence last Friday and right now, East Nashville is playing some of the best football of anybody from the entire state.    Last week's win over Independence might have been the best win yet this season from the Eagles as the Williamson Co. team they defeated have multiple Power Five, D1 or FCS college football level prospects spread throughout their roster and East Nashville didn't blink an eye at that. The Eagles down right demolished Indy and did so by the same formula that has won them games all season long. A well balanced attack on offense and a sturdy and strong defensive group that plays consistent football game in and game out.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/mboling3-e1664302857239-612x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-459450" width="308" height="516" /></figure>   Senior running back Trequan Waters was a star in the Eagles win over Independence as he rushed for more than 150 yards and three touchdowns while the East Nashville defense shut down Power Five offered quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='148864' first='Cody' last='Pagach'] and the Indy offense. Overall, it was another top level performance from the Eagles and another statement win, proving that East Nashville is for real and a team you don't want to face come playoff time.    As things stand right now, East Nashville looks like a region champion and possible #1 seed come the postseason. They should have the path that leads them back to Chattanooga but they must continue winning football games and playing at the kind of level that resembles championship material. Right now, the Eagles are playing like champions and not afraid to compete against anybody from any classification.    Etc ……   - One team who is slipping under the radar but is having another stellar year is the Springfield Yellow Jackets. Year after year, this Middle Tennessee program just knows how to win football games and right now so far through the 2022 campaign, the Yellow Jackets are undefeated at 6-0 and looking unbeatable.    This team is led by a 5A Mr. Football candidate [player_tooltip player_id='102204' first='Devon' last='Crenshaw'] at quarterback who does just about everything on offense for his Yellow Jackets team. Springfield also has a strong O-line with [player_tooltip player_id='102243' first='Keon' last='Hardin'] leading the way and a defense that is opportunistic and savvy in the secondary. The Yellow Jackets may not have all the big names in recruiting that others do but they know how to win football games and that's all that matters.    Look out for Springfield come postseason play as they have the winning makeup and leadership at quarterback to not only win several games but compete their way to the Class 5A title game.    - After beginning the early season with two losses, the Powell Panthers have righted the ship and now sit at 4-2 and starting to look like the champion they were last year. Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='102302' first='Jordyn' last='Potts'] appears to be back at the helm for the Panthers, which is a great thing going forward as with him, they have an explosive offense that can score with anybody. Sophomore RB [player_tooltip player_id='937072' first='Connor' last='Wheeler'] has been the surprise so far this season and a guy that gives the Panthers balance to go along with their high octane passing attack. Several tough games remain before postseason play for these Panthers but they are looking good right now and a team you may not want to face in November.    - Another team that began their season with two losses but is always a contender is Pearl Cohn. The Firebirds took some lumps early against some quality opponents in Cane Ridge and MBA but they now sit at 4-2 and very much in contention for a region title. Pearl Cohn is coming off a 45-0 beat down over Tullahoma and while they play Glencliff this week, the Firebirds have a big one upcoming against undefeated Marshall County. That game will determine the region champ and these Firebirds look primed and ready for that big home game in Nashville.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/gbeach.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-459452" /></figure>