TN HS Football: Week Eight Recap/Notes
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Catch up on all of last week’s action right here with our in-depth breakdown from Week 8 Two Best 6A Teams Go Down – As we went into Week Eight knowing we were going to have a lite schedule, many…
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Continue ReadingCatch up on all of last week’s action right here with our in-depth breakdown from Week 8
Two Best 6A Teams Go Down
– As we went into Week Eight knowing we were going to have a lite schedule, many people wasn’t thinking that this week would be upset city but that was this case as it kicked off Thursday night when CPA took down undefeated Oakland, 35-14 while out in West Tennessee, Collierville took their first loss of the season as Houston stomped all over the Dragons, beating them 34-6.
For the Oakland Patriots, it was a smashing that they probably didn’t see coming as CPA came into the game at 3-4 and struggling but the Lions were ready and they started fast, making it known they were ready to pull the upset.
CPA had a well balanced attack on both sides of the ball that saw the offense explode with points, led by junior quarterback Braden Streeter Braden Streeter 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB CPA | 2024 State TN and senior stud wideout London Humphreys London Humphreys 6'3" | 185 lbs | WR CPA | 2023 State TN while the defense had their best game of the year, shutting down Kade Hewitt Kade Hewitt 6'1" | 215 lbs | QB Oakland | 2023 TN and the Patriots potent offense.
This was a much needed win for the Lions as they have been struggling much of the year, so this victory over Oakland should be a confidence booster for them and propel them to hopefully a long winning streak throughout the rest of the season and into the playoffs.
For the Patriots, this is a tough loss but I bet Coach Creasy will use the loss as motivation to re-center his team and get them focused for the rest of the year. This is the kind of loss that can flip the switch for Oakland and get them even more determined, so whoever lines up in their path, they better watch out!
Oakland wasn’t the only top 6A team to go down in Week Eight as previously undefeated Collierville took their 1st loss of the season last Thursday when Houston beat the Dragons, 34-6 in commanding fashion.
Collierville ran into a buzz saw in the Mustangs who came ready to play and was not fearful of the Dragons undefeated record. From the jump, Houston put it on Collierville behind a great rushing night from junior running back Damon Sisa Damon Sisa 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB Houston | 2024 State TN while their defense played their best game of the season keeping the Dragons to their lowest point total of the season thus far.
This is the second time this year that Houston has knocked off a top 6A team as just a few weeks ago the Mustangs gave Germantown their first loss of the season. Collierville became their second victim and their win over the Dragons, shows how good this Houston team is and how scary they may be by the time we get into postseason play.
The Dragons will regroup as they are too talented and sport a strong senior class to let this loss to Houston dwell with them too long. Collierville is still a 6A title contender and someone you don’t want to face but now maybe so is Houston and these two teams could face off again in the playoffs.
Cane Ridge Wins Region Over Rival Overton
– This was one of two Prep Redzone Tennessee Games of the Week and it did not disappoint from a competitive standpoint nor from understanding who both Cane Ridge and Overton are at this time as we head down the stretch towards postseason play. The home Ravens took down the Bobcats 21-12 in a close, defensive battle that saw the game go scoreless in the second half but still close enough for Overton to have hope at victory.
The Bobcats just could not get much going on offense against the Cane Ridge defense. Stud running back Jevon Edmondson Jevon Edmondson 5'11" | 195 lbs | RB Overton | 2023 State TN was kept in check while the Ravens secondary, led by Mose Phillips III Mose Phillips III 6'2" | 185 lbs | DB Cane Ridge | 2023 State TN and Byron Davis Byron Davis 5'10" | 185 lbs | DB Cane Ridge | 2023 State TN did an excellent job, especially in the second half of locking down the Overton wideouts while watching the front seven put pressure on quarterback Ryder Hagan Ryder Hagan 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Overton | 2023 State TN .
What this game mainly showed me is that both these teams have the talent and physical play in the line of scrimmage to go deep in the playoffs with opportunities to play their way to Chattanooga.
Cane Ridge may have the best shot however as they look like a well oiled machine right now that has played a tough schedule and beaten some really good teams. They are also well balanced on both sides of the ball and have a deep senior class that can help lead this Ravens team to the promiseland.
The possibility is there for both these teams to see each other in postseason play and who knows what could happen then but both Cane Ridge and Overton are playing good football right now at the right time that other teams will have problems if they see the Ravens or the Bobcats.
Program Defining Win for Centennial
– Several people around the Mid-State have been asking if the Cougars were for real and I’d say after last Friday’s big 28-24 win over Ravenwood, they are legit and then some!
Centennial fought tooth and nail the entire game, seeing the lead come and go before finding a way to win the game in the 4th quarter. Junior running back Taner Lee Taner Lee 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Centennial | 2024 State TN had another big showing and the Cougars defense did a nice job of putting pressure on Chris Parson Chris Parson 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Ravenwood | 2023 State TN while limiting the Raptors rushing attack.
This was the kind of game and win that defines a program because not only did the Cougars come from behind to win but they beat a proven 6A power in Ravenwood.
Defeating a team like Ravenwood while improving their record to 6-1, shows that Centennial is for real and a bonafide contender come postseason play. Now the path will be tough because the 6A ranks are full of championship caliber teams but these Cougars appear up for the challenge.
These Cougars are pushed by a deep and strong junior class but the guy who leads the way and runs the show is senior quarterback Brendan Jones Brendan Jones 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Centennial | 2023 TN . The 6’1 signal caller has been steady all year long, making the right reads and limiting the turnovers. That kind of game was played yet again by Jones against the Raptors and it’s been a good recipe for him and the Cougars to win ball games this year.
This win was a major step in the right direction for the Centennial football program but they still have a long ways to go and a region title to still compete for but the Cougars have earned the right thus far to be considered a 6A title contender that’s not scared to play anybody.
Baylor Goes Down But Will Bounce Back
– The #PRZTN number one team in the state Baylor saw their undefeated record go away last Friday when they took their first loss of the season, losing 45-38 to Prince Ave. Christian, out of Georgia but the Red Raiders will be ok as their state title hopes are still in range.
This loss to Prince Ave. might have been the moment this team needed as it gives Baylor an opportunity to get back to practice and work on what failed in that game but also improve in areas that will make the Red Raiders an even stronger team. This Chattanooga area program is already stacked with talent and strong coaching, so this loss might make Baylor even scarier come postseason play.
Baylor needs to get over this loss quickly as they have a huge region game looming next week when they travel to Nashville to take on an undefeated MBA team. That game will determined who wins the region but also places either squad in prime condition for a #1 seed in the playoffs.
All will be ok in the land of the “Scenic City” for these Red Raiders as this is still one of the best teams in the entire state with all their championship hopes still in the mix.
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– The Class 4A-Region 4 title was virtually wrapped up last Thursday when Pearl Cohn beat previously undefeated Marshall Co., 35-23 in what was a very good game that could be a prelude to another matchup in November.
The Firebirds put together a strong offensive performance in this win, led by junior back Malachi Cromwell Malachi Cromwell 5'8" | 180 lbs | RB Pearl Cohn | 2024 TN while the Pearl Cohn defense did a nice job of keeping a potent Tigers offense in check.
This win also gives the Firebirds a #1 seed come postseason and a team that others don’t wanna play right now. Pearl Cohn is on a six game winning streak and is sporting an offense and a defense that is well balanced with college talent spread all over the field.
Don’t sleep on Marshall Co. though as they are a well equipped team too that can cause some damage in the playoffs and possibly earn their way to Chattanooga.
– Another statement win took place last Friday for Macon Co. as they closely beat previously undefeated Stone Memorial, 35-34 and took one step closer to becoming region champs. The Tigers have put together a dream season thus far, beating several high quality teams but no one better than Stone Memorial.
This was an impressive win for the Tigers as they had to fight the entire way to come up with the win and by doing so, it tells you how focused, hungry and determined this year’s team is and how prepared they will be for postseason play.
More work is to be done for these Tigers but at this point in the season, Macon Co. is no longer a sleeper team but a legit contender that is willing to take on all comers.