#TN HS Football: Week Three Top Matchups
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Game week is here yet again and we have some top notch contests taking place across the state & #PRZTN is here to break down the top matchups. 1. MBA (2-0) at McCallie (2-0) – Friday – Monster clash takes…
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Continue ReadingGame week is here yet again and we have some top notch contests taking place across the state & #PRZTN is here to break down the top matchups.
1. MBA (2-0) at McCallie (2-0) – Friday
– Monster clash takes place in Chattanooga this weekend as two D2-Class AAA powers go toe to toe in what could be a classic. These are two state title contending teams with college prospects all over both rosters, so scouts and college coaches will be paying attention to this showdown.
Key Matchup: Eriq George Eriq George 6'2" | 245 lbs | DL MBA | 2023 State TN & the Big Red front seven vs. Ontario Price Ontario Price 6'0" | 205 lbs | RB McCallie | 2023 State TN & the McCallie rushing attack
2. Germantown (2-0) at Whitehaven (2-0) – Friday
– Everybody from the West Tennessee region should consider attending this game as you have two 6A powers going against each other in what could be a game between two title contenders. The road Red Devils have some dudes but will they have enough to get past “The Haven” and their smothering defense?
Key Matchup: The Tigers secondary vs. Isaiah Tate Isaiah Tate 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Germantown | 2023 State TN and the Red Devils passing attack
3. Briarcrest Chrst. (2-0) at Brentwood Academy (1-1) – Friday
– This game should be a major test for both teams as both are high quality programs with championship aspirations that have college prospects spread throughout their rosters. Junior QB Cade Carlson Cade Carlson 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Briarcrest Chrst. | 2024 State TN has stepped in nicely for an injured J.D. Sherrod thus far but the Eagles present new challenges, especially up front with a pair of college guys in Jabari Simmons Jabari Simmons 6'3" | 260 lbs | DL Brentwood Academy | 2023 State TN and Hank Weber Hank Weber 6'4" | 255 lbs | DL Brentwood Academy | 2024 State TN .
Key Matchup: Saints offensive line vs. the Eagles defensive front
4. McGavock (2-0) at Cane Ridge (2-0) – Friday
– It’s been an impressive start for both these 6A-Region 6 foes but something has to give this Friday as one team will be undefeated no longer. McGavock has a big opportunity to prove themselves against the Ravens and show they are for real. For the home team, Cane Ridge is feeling good about themselves after the 2-0 start and shouldn’t overlook the Raiders, who bring an elite playmaker to the field in Demitrius Bell Demitrius Bell 6'1" | 170 lbs | WR McGavock | 2023 State TN .
Key Matchup: Ravens secondary ( Byron Davis Byron Davis 5'10" | 185 lbs | DB Cane Ridge | 2023 State TN , Mose Phillips III Mose Phillips III 6'2" | 185 lbs | DB Cane Ridge | 2023 State TN ) vs. Bell & the Raiders passing attack
5. Independence (1-1) at Centennial (2-0) – Friday
– The 2-0 start for Centennial has been impressive thus far but this Friday will be their 1st big test of the season against a highly talented Eagles team that brings Alabama commit Ty Lockwood Ty Lockwood 6'5" | 225 lbs | TE Independence | 2023 State TN and his potent offense to town. The home Cougars have the offensive firepower to match Independence but it will be their defense that will be key towards winning this in-region matchup.
Key Matchup: Cougars front seven vs. Cody Pagach Cody Pagach 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Alcoa | 2024 State TN & the Eagles offensive line
6. Knox. Catholic (2-0) at Baylor (2-0) – Friday
– Another big clash down in Chattanooga takes place here with the road Fighting Irish taking on Baylor in what will be their toughest game yet and an opportunity to see exactly how good they are. The Red Raiders are legit and currently ranked #2 in the #PRZTN Top 25, so it will be a challenge for Catholic to win this game but a great shot for them at pulling out one of the best wins of the season thus far.
Key Matchup: Knox. Catholic front seven vs. Brycen Sanders Brycen Sanders 6'6" | 285 lbs | OL Baylor School | 2023 State TN & the Red Raiders offensive line
7. Knox. Central (1-1) at Sevier Co. (2-0) – Friday
– Over the first two weeks of the season, Sevier Co. has picked up two impressive wins but this Friday, Knox. Central might present their biggest challenge yet. The Bobcats bring in a stud RB in Johnson that can take over the game, so the Smoky Bears defense better be on their P’s and Q’s. This should be an entertaining, close contest that isn’t settled till the final whistle.
Key Matchup: Bobcats (RB) Frank Johnson IV Frank Johnson IV 5'10" | 200 lbs | RB Knox. Central | 2024 TN vs. Garrett Hawkins Garrett Hawkins 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Sevier Co. | 2023 State TN & the Smoky Bears front seven
8. Northeast (2-0) at Springfield (2-0) – Friday
– Are the Eagles of Northeast for real? We should know a little more about that statement come Friday as they take on a winning program in Springfield that has dominated their opponents thus far through two weeks. The road Eagles have some serious talent and enough vets to pull off the road upset but it will be tough as the home Yellow Jackets are very hard to beat in Springfield.
Key Matchup: Eagles secondary vs. Devon Crenshaw Devon Crenshaw 6'3" | 225 lbs | QB Springfield | 2023 State TN & his arm & legs
9. DCA (1-1) at Friendship Chrst. (2-0) – Friday
– Big opportunity resides here for both teams as this game could determine who the top squad in their region is and establishes themselves as the clear cut favorite to win the D2-Class A title. DCA is built around their rushing attack with junior Ashton Jones Ashton Jones 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Oakland | 2024 State TN but the home Commanders have a strong front seven to counteract the Wildcats running game, so this will be an interesting contest to follow come Friday night.
Key Matchup: Wildcats rushing attack vs. the Commanders front seven
10. Blackman (1-1) at Riverdale (2-0) – Friday
– Both these teams are talented enough to challenge Oakland for the region title but they first must go through each other in what could be a high scoring affair in Murfreesboro Friday evening. Blackman can score the football and Riverdale is stacked on defense, so something must give. This could be one of the more enter
Key Matchup: Jack Risner Jack Risner 6'5" | 220 lbs | QB Blackman | 2023 State TN & the Blaze passing attack vs. Jaylen Thompson Jaylen Thompson 6'2" | 175 lbs | DB Riverdale | 2024 State TN , Keshawn Williams Keshawn Williams 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Riverdale | 2024 State TN & the Warriors secondary
Other Top Games of Note
– Macon Co. (2-0) at DeKalb Co. (2-0) – Thursday
– Jackson Chrst. (2-0) at Columbia Acad. (2-0) – Friday
– Hendersonville (1-1) at Beech (1-1) – Friday
– Chrst. Brothers (1-1) at Ensworth (1-1) – Friday
– David Crockett (2-0) at Morristown-West (2-0) – Friday
– Cleveland (1-1) at Bradley Central (2-0) – Friday
– Lake Co. (1-1) at Peabody (1-1) – Friday
– Anderson Co. (2-0) at Fulton (1-1) – Friday
– Milan (2-0) at South Gibson (2-0) – Friday
– Crockett Co. (2-0) at Haywood (1-0) – Friday
– White Co. (2-0) at Station Camp (2-0) – Friday
– Clinton (2-0) at Oak Ridge (1-1) – Friday- Marion Co. (1-1) at Tyner Acad. (2-0) – Friday