TN HS Football: Week Ten Recap/Notes

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2>We had some high level action in the tenth week of the football season &amp; PRZTN recaps all the top stories for you right here! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D2-Class AAA Showdown Goes to MBA&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- For the moment, MBA can claim the status as the best from the D2-Class AAA ranks as last Friday, the Big Red took down the Baylor Red Raiders, 42-34 in what was a classic affair between two state title contenders that might be repeated in the coming playoffs. This was a game that was highlighted on the schedule weeks prior as many wanted to see how this contest would play and it definitely didn't disappoint.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baylor held control early, flexing their muscle through the air with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='323145' first='Whit' last='Muschamp'] </strong>at the helm tossing passes to stud junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='148873' first='Amari' last='Jefferson'] </strong>and others. The Red Raiders took it right to the Big Red, non afraid of the moment and moving the ball at will but that would slow down. MBA quickly got themselves back into the contest behind strong play from seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102308' first='Marcel' last='Reed'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='273380' first='Claiborne' last='Richards'] </strong>and a defense that finally woke up and started playing up to their standards.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second half was a back and forth affair that saw Baylor take a lead early in the 3rd quarter just to have MBA re-take it in the fourth. Up by two scores, the Big Red looked like they were about to run away with the victory but Baylor would not die. The Red Raiders put together two scoring drives to bring them back within one but unfortunately, that would be the final breath for Baylor as their 2nd point conversion wasn't successful and MBA would go on to put up another score to finish things out.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was an outstanding game that certainly lived up to the hype and possibly a preview of yet another matchup next month. Baylor came out on the losing end of things but proved how good they are and how formidable they will be come postseason play. MBA just continued to state the case that they are the best team in the entire state, regardless of classification and a well balanced team with championship makeup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":488565,"width":292,"height":292,"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/crichards.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-488565" width="292" height="292"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alcoa Gives Tyner Their 1st Loss&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Rams of Tyner Academy felt defeat for the 1st time this year last Friday when they fell to Alcoa, 42-20 and while this was their first loss, it was a game they can learn from and propel themselves on a possible run to the Class 2A championship game. Early on, the Rams were right there competing with the Tornadoes, going toe to toe with the 3A power but they could not capitalize on opportunities.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tyner Academy was moving the ball very well and putting themselves in position to score but they just could not take advantage of those drives, leaving the door open for Alcoa to take control and that's eventually what they did.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rams quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='474873' first='Josh' last='Jackson'] </strong>did everything he could to help his offense but the Tornadoes defense proved to be too formidable. The front seven for Alcoa proved to be too much to handle for the Rams offensive line, especially <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='302363' first='Riley' last='Long'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='258669' first='Joe' last='McCord'] </strong>who put consistent pressure on Jackson and were big proponents in stopping the run.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The game still felt like it was within grasp for Tyner Academy headed into the second half but the Tornadoes defense was too tough, especially after they made adjustments in the locker room. As the game finished out, Alcoa took full command and pushed their lead out of grasp for the Rams and their opportunity at pulling an upset over one of the best programs in the state.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking forward, Alcoa is viewed as the top contender to win yet another 3A state title and they certainly look like a championship caliber team right now. Tyner Academy has everything on the table still for them to end the year with a title but they must learn from this loss and develop further as money time is quickly approaching. The Rams are a very good team and proved they could hang with the Tornadoes, so the 2A ranks better watch out because Tyner Academy is on a mission after taking their first defeat and striving after that state championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Patriots Stunned, Shut Out by Independence</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- One of the biggest surprises of Week Ten came down in Rudderville where Independence walked into Page and shut out one of the best teams in the Class 5A ranks. The Eagles beat the Patriots 13-0 and while it was a tough loss for the home team, it was an even bigger win for Indy, who has struggled this season but might be clicking at the right time of the season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming into the contest, nobody expected Independence to win, let alone shutout the Patriots but that was the case as the Eagles played one of their best defensive games of the season against a usually potent Page offense. From the jump, the Eagles had a great game plan and it worked to perfection, keeping the Pats rushing attack dormant while also not allowing Page to gain traction through the air. It was a stifling defense that just caused tons of problems for Page and now the Patriots must get back to work to fix what went wrong on Friday evening.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Page should be just fine as this wasn't a region or classification loss, so their Class 5A championship aspirations are still very much in reach but they must get right before we reach postseason play as they will see several high quality teams in their path to Chattanooga.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the Eagles of Independence, this win over Page might just be the moment they need to get this team over the hump and start playing like the team we expected to see going into the season. Indy is talented with several college level prospects spread throughout the roster but they just haven't gelled like they thought they would but maybe something has finally clicked and the Eagles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":488566,"width":467,"height":467,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/bsapone-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-488566" width="467" height="467"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bartlett Earns Key Region Win Over Collierville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- At one point in the season, Collierville was the top team in the Class 6A ranks but now their in-region rival Bartlett could be considered within that conversation as last Friday the Panthers took down the Dragons, 17-7 in what was a classic defensive affair between two high level teams.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Collierville had problems on offense against a Panthers defense that has been salty all season long, especially in the secondary where they have multiple college prospects like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='228639' first='Rahmaan' last='Rinkin']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='185583' first='Marco' last='Tyson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149393' first='Devin' last='Rutherford'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207318' first='Jordan' last='Cooper']</strong>. The Bartlett defensive secondary picked off stud QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='258673' first='Aidan' last='Glover'] </strong>three times, giving the junior fits all night and causing him more problems than any other defense has this year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nothing was settled until the 4th quarter between these two teams as both the Dragons and the Panthers wanted to win but Collierville just could not generate any offense, so Bartlett came away as the victor and one step closer to winning the Class 6A-Region 8 championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers had this game circled on their schedule and saw Collierville as an opportunity to take their program to that next step and I feel they have done that. This Bartlett team has played one of the toughest schedules in the state, so they are certainly battle tested and ready for postseason play but beating the Dragons proves they can compete against a highly talented roster.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You better watch out for Bartlett come playoff time as this team is legit and playing strong football at the right time but it will be a tough path for them to get to Chattanooga as the 6A ranks is loaded with high quality teams, however these Panthers should be up for the challenge.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Etc …..</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Maryville took their 3rd loss of the season last Friday when they went down in defeat to Knox. West, 31-18. The Rebels haven't lost three games in a season in a very long time and now they may be without star running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102349' first='Noah' last='Vaughn'] </strong>for some time as he went down with an injury against the Rebels. While you can't sleep on Maryville during postseason play, this year's team may not have enough juice on offense or the star power on defense to make another long playoff run and compete for the 6A title. We shall see but these Rebels aren't playing like the championship caliber team we are all used to.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Huntingdon stepped out of classification last week to take on 1A power Peabody and it was a successful mission as the Mustangs put it on the Golden Tide, defeating them 41-28 and improving their season record to 7-2 overall. Led by sophomore quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222306' first='Gray' last='Eubanks']</strong>, the Mustangs offense exploded for 41 points against a solid Peabody defense and did so in a variety of ways. This is a well balanced team that may sit under the radar currently when it comes to 2A title contenders but people should start paying attention to this West Tennessee program as they are legit and a team that could sneak their way to Chattanooga.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- After starting the season with two losses, Powell has bounced back to push their record to 7-2 overall and done so after beating a solid Knox. Catholic team last week, 28-26. The Panthers might have been written off by some early in the year but they are back and definitely in contention for the 5A title yet again. <br>This is a stacked football team, led by a strong senior class with quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102302' first='Jordyn' last='Potts'] </strong>running the show on offense and junior pass rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207299' first='Steven' last='Soles, Jr'] </strong>wreaking havoc on defense. The Panthers are also the defending Class 5A champs, so a lot of players on this year's team knows how to win and run the table in the playoffs. As we head into November, Powell is playing strong football and looking the team that went all the way last year, so better not be sleeping on this East Tennessee power.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":306486,"width":350,"height":350,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/agreene.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-306486" width="350" height="350"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->