Class 1A, 2A, 3A: Semifinal Game Breakdown/Predictions

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2>We have outstanding games spread all across this state for the semifinal portion of the playoffs and here we go in-depth on each game along with giving our predictions and picks to click! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 1A Semifinals&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coalfield </strong>(12-1) at <strong>Clay Co. </strong>(12-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- These two teams have been two of the more dominating programs from the Class 1A level this season but only one can advance to the title game. The home Bulldogs have been stellar this year on both sides of the ball while Coalfield has pretty much played the same way. Both of these squads like to run the ball and play technique sound defense, so something must give. Coalfield is the program that has the playoff experience but Clay Co. has home field advantage and just might have a little bit more talent.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Turnovers will end up being the key in this contest and whoever loses that battle, should lose the game. I fully expect this game to be a battle that goes till the final minutes of the 4th quarter with the home Bulldogs moving on to Chattanooga.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Prediction: Clay Co. </strong>35&nbsp; <strong>Coalfield </strong>23&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gamebreaker: </strong>(QB/Ath) <strong>Keaton Arms </strong>- Clay Co.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>—------</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McKenzie </strong>(13-0) at <strong>M.A.S.E. </strong>(13-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This should be an exciting West Tennessee matchup with athleticism and speed everywhere on the field and two championship worthy teams. McKenzie is your defending state champs, coming off a big win over Fayetteville, so can they raise their intensity again to play a MASE squad that has dominated their opponents all season long. The Phoenix has one of the best defenses in the state and they have their hands full against a talented Rebels backfield in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150306' first='Jackson' last='Cassidy'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102344' first='Marquez' last='Taylor']</strong>. MASE has an elite prospect themselves in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207328' first='Kumaro' last='Brown'] </strong>that the Rebels have to account for all game long.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This could turn out to be a high scoring game because both offenses are too good to be kept down, so whoever makes the least mistakes and creates more big plays should come out the victor. I feel the experience and senior laden team in McKenzie will win and head back to Chattanooga for the second year in a row.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Prediction: McKenzie </strong>42&nbsp; <strong>M.A.S.E. </strong>34&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gamebreaker: </strong>(RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102344' first='Marquez' last='Taylor']</strong> - McKenzie&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":522675,"width":261,"height":391,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/11/queztaylor-683x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-522675" width="261" height="391"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 2A Semifinals&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>York Institute </strong>(9-4) at <strong>Tyner Academy </strong>(12-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- It's been a great and surprising ride so far for York Institute but this Friday, they match up with their toughest opponent yet in Tyner Academy, who has been one of the best teams from the Class 2A ranks all season long. The road Dragons have a tough task ahead of them but the opportunity is there for them to not only upset the Rams but advance to the 2A title game in Chattanooga. The biggest challenge for York will be finding a way to slow down and stop <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='474873' first='Josh' last='Jackson'] </strong>and his high scoring Rams offense. How you keep them on the sidelines is what the Dragons do best and that's running the ball and keeping the clock in their favor.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If York can keep the game close early and continue running the ball with success throughout the game, they will have a shot in the end to win but I just feel the Rams are too talented, too tough and destined to make it into the championship game next week and the possible favorite to win it all.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Prediction: Tyner Acad. </strong>41&nbsp; <strong>York Institute </strong>20&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gamebreaker: </strong>(RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='185563' first='Markel' last='McKinley'] </strong>- Tyner Acad.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>—------</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Riverside </strong>(11-2) at <strong>Huntingdon </strong>(11-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Throughout the playoffs thus far, both these two squads have had to compete and beat some good football teams to reach the Semifinals, so both are battle tested and should be ready for this big West Tennessee matchup Friday evening. Both Huntingdon and Riverside are run heavy teams that lean on ball control and maintaining the clock along with relying on strong defenses that have been consistent all season long. Riverside in particular has a very good defense with several standouts like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='362063' first='Cole' last='Montgomery']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='362098' first='Desmond' last='Thomas'] </strong>and a few others leading the way. Huntingdon has been a hot team for quite a while now but the Panthers present a big challenge with their defense that maybe the Mustangs have faced this year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I could honestly see either team coming out with the victory due to their styles of play and defenses that should keep each team in the game till the very end. Huntingdon does have the advantage with being at home but I think Riverside is playing with house money right now and enough talent to pull off the upset.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Prediction: Riverside </strong>34&nbsp; <strong>Huntingdon </strong>30&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gamebreaker: </strong>‘24 (RB/LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='362098' first='Desmond' last='Thomas'] </strong>- Riverside&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>----------------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 3A Semifinals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alcoa </strong>(12-1) at <strong>Giles Co. </strong>(10-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The home Bobcats have been wanting this rematch from last year's playoffs for quite some time and they get Alcoa at home, so you can bet the atmosphere will be electric and packed to the rim. This is a big opportunity for Giles Co. to not only solidify their program but knock off one of the best football programs in the state and snap that long 3A championship reign the Tornadoes are currently on. The Bobcats must play mistake free football and create big plays with their running game if they want a shot at beating Alcoa and advancing to the title game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tornadoes and their football program speaks for itself, so them being in this position is nothing new and they will not be intimidated by the big crowd nor the ramifications of the game. They will be ready and they have a high powered offense to lean upon, led by seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102276' first='Zach' last='Lunsford'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='302319' first='Jordan' last='Harris']</strong>. Giles Co. will focus on Harris and slowing him down but that will be hard as he is one of the best hidden gems in this state and someone that can take over a game. The Bobcats will bring excitement, will be up for the challenge but the Tornadoes will be too much and once again they will advance to the 3A championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Prediction: Alcoa </strong>38&nbsp; <strong>Giles Co. </strong>27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gamebreaker: </strong>(Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='302319' first='Jordan' last='Harris'] </strong>- Alcoa </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":462917,"width":364,"height":274,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/jordharris-1024x771.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-462917" width="364" height="274"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>—------</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Nashville </strong>(11-2) at <strong>Covington </strong>(11-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Can the Eagles from East Nashville make it two years in a row where they get to the Class 3A championship game? It's very possible but they must hit the road and take on a talented, senior-laden Covington team that has been hot since the beginning of October. You have a clash of two different styles here as East Nashville plays with good balance on offense while the Chargers love to run the football. They have a two headed attack in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150379' first='A.C.' last='Mason-Young'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102218' first='Jamarion' last='Dowell'] </strong>leading the charge with Dowell being a Mr. Football semifinalist. The Eagles are led by their passing attack with <strong>Zach Beard </strong>at the helm, throwing it to standouts <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='201088' first='Trey' last='Joyner'] </strong>and <strong>Frank Gordon</strong>. Both of these teams have been through a semi gauntlet already, so this game could be exciting from start to finish.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Turnovers are always key in big games like this but I see the biggest key being the Eagles ability to slow up Mason-Young, Dowell and the Chargers run game. If East Nashville can bottle the rushing attack, I think they can find enough points to find a win and move on for another shot at winning the Class 3A title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Prediction: East Nashville </strong>33&nbsp; <strong>Covington </strong>26&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gamebreaker: </strong>(WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='201088' first='Trey' last='Joyner'] </strong>- East Nashville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->