The Five: Week Nine Top Games/Matchups

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Lite schedule this week but we still have some great games across the state including these five that we spotlight below. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Meigs Co. </strong>(6-2) at <strong>Tyner Academy </strong>(7-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Nobody has been able to push the Rams of Tyner Academy to their limit yet this season but maybe the road Tigers can do that tonight. A big region matchup that will determine the championship, the home Rams have been on a roll this season, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='474873' first='Josh' last='Jackson'] </strong>and his high scoring offense while the road Tigers have been steady and consistent on both sides of the ball with their defense standing out the most.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest challenge I see in this game will be the Meigs Co. offense that is young and still developing against a senior laden Rams defense that has multiple college prospects shining on that side of the ball this season, led by the stout defensive front seven. Standouts like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='372199' first='Jamarion' last='Varnell'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='196989' first='Journe' last='Norwood'] </strong>will have to be blocked or kept out of the offensive backfield by the Tigers O-line if they plan to move the ball and score points or it will be a long night for the road team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If the Rams can come out with the victory, they will solidify a region championship but if Meigs Co. can pull the upset, they sit in great position to take that region title. I foresee this game staying close early but the Rams will have too much firepower on offense and a stingy defense that will eventually shut down the Tigers offense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Matchup: </strong>Meigs. Co. rushing attack vs. the Rams front seven&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Prediction: </strong>Tyner Academy 42  Meigs Co. 10 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":477559,"width":369,"height":261,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/jjackson2.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-477559" width="369" height="261" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Friendship Chrst. </strong>(7-0) at <strong>East Hamilton </strong>(5-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The biggest game of the season for the Commanders takes place tonight down in Chattanooga as they put their undefeated record on the line against a talented East Hamilton team that is starting to come into its own as we head down the final stretch of the regular season. Friendship Christian has put together a dream season thus far, led by a high powered offense with senior QB <strong>Garrett Weekly </strong>at the helm and junior stud wideout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149160' first='Brock' last='Montgomery'] </strong>catching balls on the outside. For the home Hurricanes, its been a challenge after their starting quarterback went out for the season but they have re-grouped and begun to lean on star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='259585' first='Juan' last='Bullard'] </strong>to run the show.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friendship will need to score early and often because East Hamilton will try to control the game with their rushing attack and shorten the contest, trying to keep the ball out of Weekly's hands. It will also be a challenge in the line of scrimmage for the Commanders as their offensive and defensive lines will see their best competition yet in this area on the season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Win or lose, this will be a good opportunity for the Commanders to learn more about themselves as they get ready for postseason play and it should make them better regardless of the outcome. East Hamilton on the other hand could propel themselves even further towards becoming a legit Class 4A title contender.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Matchup: </strong>Commanders defensive front seven vs. Bullard &amp; the Hurricanes rushing attack&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Prediction: </strong>East Hamilton 34&nbsp; Friendship Chrst. 20&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Red Bank </strong>(7-0) at <strong>Fayetteville </strong>(7-0)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The town of Fayetteville should be rockin tonight as the home undefeated Tigers welcome in a Class 4A power in Red Bank, who is also undefeated and a prime state championship contender. This is a highly intriguing game in multiple ways as you don't see a 4A team travel on the road to a 1A school often, so the Tigers crowd and team should be more than excited about this contest as it's a big opportunity to put up a program defining win.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While there will be plenty of interesting aspects about this game to follow, the one area that has my attention the most is watching the Lions run game with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='241997' first='A.D.' last='Crutcher'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219387' first='Daune' last='Morris'] </strong>go up against <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102361' first='Braxton' last='Wilson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='211373' first='Isaiah' last='Thomison'] </strong>and the Tigers defensive front seven. Crutcher and Morris are fast and explosive backs that can take over a game, so Wilson, Thomison and the Fayetteville defense will have their hands full but should be up for the challenge.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The key to this game and to the home Tigers winning the contest will be their offense and their ability to put up enough points but also control the clock, keeping the Red Bank offense on the sidelines. If Fayetteville can achieve that goal, they should win the game but if they let Lions loose, scoring at will, it might be a tough night in “The City”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Matchup: </strong>Fayetteville's offense vs. the Red Bank defense&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Prediction: </strong>Red Bank 27  Fayetteville 20 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":477562,"width":409,"height":268,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/dmorris-crop-551x362-1665771823.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-477562" width="409" height="268" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. DeKalb Co. </strong>(6-1) at <strong>Upperman </strong>(5-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This game has region championship ramifications involved as both the Tigers and Bees are in play for that region title and whoever wins this contest, has the leg up. DeKalb Co. has been a surprise team this season, playing consistent football and putting a high scoring offense on the field each week, led by junior quarterback <strong>Briz Tripp</strong>. The Bees have been a tad up and down but still formidable and well stacked enough to make a deep run in the playoffs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What could be the defining factor in this game tonight could be the defense's as the road Tigers will look to spin it through the air while Upperman is a run heavy team that will try to shorten the game and run the clock. Whoever can dictate this game into their favor will win this game and it very well might not be settled until the 4th quarter.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers better keep the Bees run game in check as they have two studs in senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102214' first='Terrance' last='Dedmon'] </strong>and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277791' first='Jaxson' last='Rollins']</strong> that can take over and put this game out of reach for DeKalb. If the Tigers can slow down the Upperman run game, they might walk out of Baxter with a victory and one step closer to a region championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Matchup: </strong>DeKalb County's front seven vs. Dedmon, Rollins and the Bees run game&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Prediction: </strong>Upperman 28&nbsp; DeKalb Co. 24&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Farragut </strong>(5-2) at <strong>Bradley Central </strong>(6-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A big region matchup takes place in the greater Cleveland, Tennessee area tonight with the Admirals looking to pull an upset over the home Bears, who took their first loss of the season a few weeks ago. These are two talented teams that will make the playoffs and be considered dark horse sleepers to play their way to Chattanooga. Farragut is a well balanced team on both sides of the ball while the Bears sport a tenacious defense and a developing offense that shows explosive traits.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is really a pick em game due to how even both of these teams really are. Farragut may have the edge with their offense tonight as senior quarterback <strong>Luke Johnson </strong>has stepped forward and provided consistent play behind center. The Bears will be looking towards their secondary to stop Johnson and their passing attack, led by junior studs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='270395' first='Marcus' last='Goree, Jr'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149391' first='Tito' last='Williams, Jr']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game could go in two different directions. Farragut could explode early with their offense and control the game throughout or this will be a four quarter game that is not settled till the final whistle. I choose the ladder and expect this to be a highly contested game that will end up being a huge win for either ball club.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Matchup: </strong>Bradley's front seven vs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='273371' first='Elijah' last='Gibbs'] </strong>&amp; the Admirals rushing attack</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Prediction: </strong> Farragut 34  Bradley Cent. 27 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Games to Watch</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Science Hill </strong>(4-4) at <strong>Jefferson Co. </strong>(5-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Daniel Boone </strong>(7-0) at <strong>Tenn. High </strong>(4-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Unicoi Co. </strong>(7-1) at <strong>West Greene </strong>(7-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Bearden </strong>(5-2) at <strong>Cleveland </strong>(4-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Rockvale </strong>(4-3) at <strong>Blackman </strong>(5-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Oakland </strong>(6-1) at <strong>Riverdale </strong>(4-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>East Robertson </strong>(6-1) at <strong>Westmoreland </strong>(5-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Beech </strong>(6-1) at <strong>Gallatin </strong>(4-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>South Gibson </strong>(5-2) at <strong>Haywood </strong>(7-0) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>MUS </strong>(5-2) at <strong>Chrst. Brothers </strong>(4-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":477568,"width":358,"height":358,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/egibbs.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-477568" width="358" height="358" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->