Class 4A, 5A, 6A: Game Breakdowns/Predictions

<h2>Massive showdowns take place across the state here in these classifications and PRZTN breaks down every game along with predictions headed into Semifinal Friday. </h2>     Class 4A Semifinals    Anderson Co. (13-0) at Red Bank (11-2)   - Can the undefeated magical season keep going for the Mavericks of Anderson Co.? It's very possible they must maneuver past a good Red Bank team on the road and a Lions team that has been playing some of their best football of late. Anderson Co. has been near dominant this season, led by a potent offense with [player_tooltip player_id='102284' first='Walker' last='Martinez'] at the helm and a stingy defense that has been very consistent all year long. On the other side, Red Bank is a run heavy team with a pair of stalwarts carrying the ball in [player_tooltip player_id='241997' first='A.D.' last='Crutcher'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='219387' first='Daune' last='Morris'] along with a good defense that plays well versus the run. The Lions may have the advantage with their athleticism but the Mavs are senior-laden with guys who know how to compete and win.    Being in the semifinal matchup is big for Red Bank and something they can build on for next season because Anderson Co. is just on a different level right now and they appear destined to make it to Chattanooga.    Game Prediction: Anderson Co. 42  Red Bank 20    Gamebreaker: (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='102284' first='Walker' last='Martinez'] - Anderson Co.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/07/wmartinez-1024x732.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-396050" width="456" height="326"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Oakridger.com</figcaption></figure>   —---   Pearl Cohn (11-2) at Haywood (13-0)   - After an 0-2 start to their season, Pearl Cohn has reeled off eleven wins in a row and they are coming into this semifinal matchup playing their best football and definitely up for the challenge, competing against an undefeated team that has yet to be tested. Haywood has been near flawless this year, scoring tons of points and shutting down opposing offenses with their lights out defense. The Tomcats have been hard to play against all year, so the Firebirds definitely have a big test ahead of them but they have the skill, athleticism and size to not only hang with Haywood but compete for the victory as well.    Pearl Cohn must find a way to slow down the Tomcats offense, led by Colorado St. commit [player_tooltip player_id='201101' first='Jamari' last='Person'] and a pair of talented underclassmen in [player_tooltip player_id='149844' first='Cordero' last='Walker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='466233' first='Camarion' last='Miller'], that can gain confidence quickly and watch everything snowball for the opposition. If the Firebirds can force some turnovers and keep the game close, they will have a shot but if Haywood starts clicking, it could be a long night for the team out of Nashville.    Game Prediction: Haywood 35  Pearl Cohn 24    Gamebreaker: ‘25 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='466233' first='Camarion' last='Miller'] - Haywood    —-------------------   Class 5A Semifinals    Knox. West (13-0) at Powell (11-2)   - This game pits the Class 5A defending state champs in Powell taking on one of the more dominating teams in the state this season in Knox. West. You have two East Tennessee powerhouses squaring off the see who makes it to the title game and I expect this to be a bar burner that may not be settled till the very end. The Rebels have been near unbeatable this year, defeating the likes of Alcoa, Maryville and others, so they will definitely be ready for this showdown. Led by star quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='102302' first='Jordyn' last='Potts'], Powell has been riding a hot streak for several weeks now and come into this game playing some of their best football of the season.    Nobody has been able to stop or slow down the Knox. West offense this year, which has a Mr. Football finalist in running back [player_tooltip player_id='504199' first='Brayden' last='Latham']. Not many teams have been able to slow up Potts, [player_tooltip player_id='102238' first='Ayden' last='Greene'] and the Powell offense as well, so something must give! Both teams have solid defenses too, which makes this a tough game to predict as I could see the game going either way. Tough to go against Powell but I gotta ride with the destined Rebels of Knox. West.    Game Prediction: Knox. West 35  Powell 30    Gamebreaker: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='504199' first='Brayden' last='Latham'] - Knox. West   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/11/braylatham-1024x984.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-524222" width="401" height="386"/></figure>   —---   Page (11-2) at Henry Co. (11-2)   - This could be one of the more exciting semifinal matchups throughout the entire state and it's a rematch from last year's semifinals where Page took down Henry Co. and moved on to the title. Can that happen again this year? We shall see as the home Patriots are better this year and more poised to take down Page and finally place themselves in the Class 5A championship game. If Henry Co. wants to get there, they need a big game from [player_tooltip player_id='102210' first='Ryan' last='Damron'] and the Patriots offense but it will be tough because Page brings in a physical defense, led by their front seven with [player_tooltip player_id='211198' first='Jase' last='Hoath'], [player_tooltip player_id='149171' first='Ronan' last='O'Connell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='219439' first='Eric' last='Hazzard'] leading the way.    While Page has been good on the defensive side of the ball this year, they are susceptible to a strong passing attack and Henry Co. has one. If the Patriots can get up on Page early and maintain success on offense, the home team can come out with the victory but if the pass rush of the road team is able to gain traction, it could be another win over Henry Co. and another placement in the 5A title game.    Game Prediction: Page 28  Henry Co. 24    Gamebreaker: (QB/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='305696' first='Colin' last='Hurd'] - Page    —--------------------   Class 6A Semifinals    Maryville (10-3) at Oakland (12-1)   - The Rebels vs. the Patriots have turned into a yearly playoff matchup for these two teams as one way or another, over the last decade, the 6A title has run through these two squads and it looks like it's the same case for this season as well. Maryville has seen some struggles this year but still find themselves one game away from the title game while it's been another dominating year for the Patriots, who come into this game hot and ready for a challenge. This battle will be won in the trenches where Maryville is strong on the O-line with [player_tooltip player_id='118718' first='Cal' last='Grubbs'] leading the way and the Patriots have an active and fierce front seven with [player_tooltip player_id='278377' first='Korey' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='149386' first='Tre' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='340474' first='Nathan' last='Hepborn'] being stalwarts. Both teams love to run the football but have quarterbacks that can spin it when needed as well, so this will be an interesting matchup watching both defenses try to figure out the opposition.    Oakland comes into the game as the favorite and they should be but Maryville knows how to win playoff games and compete to their ultimate capabilities when it comes to competing in postseason play. The Rebels should be focused and ready for what the Patriots will bring to the table but in the end, I feel Oakland will have too much firepower for their East Tennessee counterpart.    Game Prediction: Oakland 38  Maryville 23    Gamebreaker: ‘25 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='219449' first='Tamari' last='Hill'] - Oakland   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/11/nhepborn.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-524231"/></figure>   —---   Beech (12-1) at Bartlett (11-2)   - Out of all the games listed here, this one might be the most exciting because you have two teams that play different styles of football but do it at a high level. Beech is one of the hottest teams around right now and sport one of the best rushing attacks in the state. Bartlett is ultra talented at several positions but especially in the defensive backfield with [player_tooltip player_id='185583' first='Marco' last='Tyson'], [player_tooltip player_id='228639' first='Rahmaan' last='Rinkin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='149393' first='Devin' last='Rutherford'] leading the way. The biggest factor in this game will be the Panthers ability to stop the Bucs run game because the road team won't be throwing it through the air that much, so Bartlett must slow down the rushing attack if they want to advance to the next round.    What could set this game apart is the play from Panthers senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='102304' first='Braylen' last='Ragland']. The future Georgia St. signal caller has a big arm and places the ball wherever he wants to and that skill set will be needed in this contest. Beech is an efficient, well coached team that will be ready for this challenge. Bartlett has rarely been in this position to play for a title game appearance, so I'm very curious to see their approach. It's very hard to pick against Beech because they are a veteran squad that knows how to win but I'm rolling with the home team and the big arm of Ragland.    Game Prediction: Bartlett 28  Beech 26    Gamebreaker: (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='102304' first='Braylen' last='Ragland'] - Bartlett