Week 8 Key Matchups/Top Storylines

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2>More than half the state is off this week but that doesn't mean we don't have some high level games to keep our eyes on! Here we breakdown the biggest stories of Week 8 as well as list the top match-ups to watch. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Games (Week 8)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Gibbs </strong>(4-2) at <strong>Anderson Co. </strong>(7-0) - Thursday</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Lebanon </strong>(5-2) at <strong>Mt. Juliet </strong>(5-1) - Thursday</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Oakland </strong>(6-0) at <strong>CPA </strong>(3-4) - Thursday</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Lake Co. </strong>(4-2) at <strong>Haywood </strong>(6-0) - Thursday</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Fairley </strong>(7-0) at <strong>Mitchell </strong>(4-2) - Thursday</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Collierville </strong>(7-0) at <strong>Houston </strong>(5-2) - Thursday</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Raleigh-Egypt </strong>(6-1) at <strong>Sheffield </strong>(5-2) - Thursday&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Overton </strong>(5-1) at <strong>Cane Ridge </strong>(6-1) - Thursday&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Prince Ave. Chrst., Ga </strong>(5-0) at <strong>Baylor </strong>(6-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Freedom Prep </strong>(6-1) at <strong>Middle College </strong>(4-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Page </strong>(7-0) at <strong>Nolensville </strong>(7-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Campbell Co. </strong>(4-3) at <strong>Powell </strong>(5-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Ravenwood </strong>(5-2) at <strong>Centennial </strong>(6-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Hampton </strong>(6-0) at <strong>Gatlinburg-Pittman </strong>(5-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Knox. Webb </strong>(6-0) at <strong>Silverdale Academy </strong>(5-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Springfield </strong>(6-1) at <strong>Beech </strong>(5-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>McEwen </strong>(5-1) at <strong>Dresden </strong>(6-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Westview </strong>(5-2) at <strong>Huntingdon </strong>(6-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Greeneville </strong>(7-0) at <strong>Oak Ridge </strong>(3-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Macon Co. </strong>(6-1) at <strong>Stone Memorial </strong>(7-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>MBA </strong>(7-0) at <strong>Ensworth </strong>(6-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Knox. Catholic </strong>(3-2) at <strong>Lipscomb Acad. </strong>(6-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Marshall Co. </strong>(6-0) at <strong>Pearl Cohn </strong>(5-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Munford </strong>(7-0) at <strong>Southwind </strong>(5-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Science Hill </strong>(4-3) at <strong>Daniel Boone </strong>(6-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":452611,"width":317,"height":317,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/adonald.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-452611" width="317" height="317"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Storylines …..</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Thursday night kicks off with some serious matchups with the headlining game being either undefeated Collierville at Houston or a big in-region contest between Overton and Cane Ridge. Both of these games could have region championship implications involved, so expect everyone involved to be amped up. Key matchups to watch will be <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277794' first='Damon' last='Sisa'] </strong>vs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='225961' first='Jaden' last='McKinney'] </strong>and the Dragons front seven and Overton's ground game with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='234963' first='Jevon' last='Edmondson'] </strong>and their O-line vs. the Ravens trench monsters.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lebanon at Mt. Juliet will be a very good game as well with both teams sporting enough talent to make a run at Chattanooga. Sneaky game to keep an eye on is Gibbs at Anderson Co. where the road Eagles have been a challenging team to face so far this season. The Mavs are undefeated and a top candidate to win the 4A title but they must not sleep on these Eagles as they could sneak up and beat them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The game of the week has to be Page at Nolensville. You have two undefeated in-region foes squaring off against each other in what will be for the region title. Both of these teams are placed at 1st and 2nd in our current #PRZTN 5A rankings and two teams that are strong contenders to win a state championship this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be an exciting game that pits several college prospects against each other with the key matchup being <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219439' first='Eric' last='Hazzard']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149171' first='Ronan' last='O'Connell'] </strong>and the Pats defensive front seven against new Georgia Southern commit, quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295457' first='Coby' last='Walton'] </strong>and the Knights offensive backfield. If the Patriots can slow down Walton and keep the Knights in check, they might walk away with the win but if the Nolensville offense gets comfortable, the home team could come out with the victory.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Another game with region title implications this week is the road Raptors of Ravenwood traveling just a few miles down the road to take on one of the best surprises of the season thus far in the Centennial Cougars. This is a very intriguing game as some could see and say that Ravenwood might blow out the Cougars but I feel this game will be closer than some think with the home team staying right there with an opportunity to win.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Centennial must lean on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149149' first='Taner' last='Lee'] </strong>and their rushing attack as they try to keep the ball away from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='60841' first='Chris' last='Parson']</strong>, bleed out the clock and keep the Raptors offense on the sidelines. If the Cougars can keep the Ravenwood offensive possessions low, Centennial may have a shot at pulling out this win and inch closer to a region title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":267418,"width":433,"height":286,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/cparson-1024x678.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-267418" width="433" height="286"/><figcaption>Photo: Twitter </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Munford has one of their toughest tests of the season in Week Eight as they travel to a hungry Southwind team that is playing good football right now and excited about this home matchup. The Jags have been playing some sensational defense with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149317' first='Kavion' last='Benton'] </strong>and <strong>Joshua White </strong>leading the way while their offense has been consistent and explosive.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The road Cougars will have a challenge on their hands Friday night but I feel they are well equipped to handle anything thrown their way right now. Munford is clicking on all cylinders currently with explosive play on offense from juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='148838' first='Jordan' last='Bell'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150280' first='Isaiah' last='Cobbs'] </strong>with their defense being physical and suffocating, lead by key seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150368' first='Tristan' last='Bohannon'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150336' first='Colton' last='Perry']</strong>.&nbsp; Southwind will be ready to play but the Cougars will be focused, calm and cool on their way to their eight win of the season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- So far this week, I haven't heard many people talk about this game but it's a big one as undefeated Marshall Co. travels to Nashville Friday night to take on Pearl Cohn, who have strung together multiple wins recently to put their record at 5-2 overall. This game will be for the Class 4A-Region 4 title and whoever picks up this victory will be a #1 seed come playoff time.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I foresee this game being a high scoring affair as you have two explosive offenses that are well balanced and playmakers at multiple positions. The road Tigers have an up and coming star in sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390641' first='Aja' last='Jones'] </strong>as well as an efficient junior QB in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='398083' first='Silas' last='Teat'] </strong>throwing him the ball while the Firebirds have a talented offensive junior class with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='258845' first='Keshawn' last='Tarleton']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239250' first='Malachi' last='Cromwell'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='193750' first='D'Arious' last='Reed'] </strong>running the show.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This should be an entertaining game that is not settled till the 4th quarter and it's hard to pick a winner as this will be the road Tigers have played strong football so far this year but this is the toughest game of the season for them while Pearl Cohn is more battle tested but prone to make mistakes. Whichever defense shows up the most and whoever can create turnovers I feel will walk away as the victor.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Five Game Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Nolensville 28&nbsp; Page 24&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Lebanon 31&nbsp; Mt. Juliet 20</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Munford 35&nbsp; Southwind 20</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Pearl Cohn 42&nbsp; Marshall Co. 35&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>Ravenwood 34&nbsp; Centennial 24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":469262,"width":496,"height":326,"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/cwalton-crop-1795x1179-1665075824.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-469262" width="496" height="326"/><figcaption>Photo: stateoftennesseehsfb.com</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->