The Five: Biggest Quarterfinal Games/Storylines

1. McCallie (10-2) at MBA (11-0) - D2-Class AAA   - The defending D2-Class AAA champions come to Nashville on Friday night to take on possibly the best team in the state this season in MBA in what could be a back and forth affair between the Big Red and McCallie that is not settled till the end of the game. Both of these teams are somewhat similar as they both like to play off the run and lean on their defense to keep them in ball games. The difference maker in this contest very well could be senior MBA quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='102308' first='Marcel' last='Reed']. The future Ole Miss Rebel has been near flawless this season, running his offense with ease and producing yards and points through the air and on the ground.    Reed will be a major focus for junior [player_tooltip player_id='149842' first='Carson' last='Gentle'] and the Blue Tornado defense but they must also keep an eye on senior back [player_tooltip player_id='273455' first='Johnothan' last='Moore'] as well. McCallie needs to force Reed to throw it, so the Big Red can't control the ball and the clock, keeping the Blue Tornado offense on the sidelines. If the McCallie defense can muck it up while also coming up with opportunistic plays, the have a great shot at winning this game.    What I foresee happening in this contest is McCallie battling and possibly taking the lead throughout the game but in the end, I feel Reed will be too much at quarterback with both his arm and his legs and the Big Red will advance to the D2-Class AAA championship game.    Game Prediction: MBA 31  McCallie 24    <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/mreed.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-323264" width="280" height="280" /></figure>     2. Beech (11-1) at Cane Ridge (11-1) - Class 6A    - This is a game that I am very excited about watching and covering on Friday night as you have two physical, run-based teams that like to maintain offensive possession while also sporting defenses that plays strong up front and love to hit people. Beech and Cane Ridge have been two of the best football teams from the greater Mid-Tennessee area this season, so it's no surprise to see them here in the Quarterfinals but unfortunately, only one can move on and advance.    The biggest key in this game will be the Ravens defense slowing down or stopping the potent Beech rushing attack that nobody has been able to control so far this season. Led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='150315' first='Darius' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='410577' first='J.P.' last='Courtney'], the Bucs have been able to run at will against almost everybody they have faced this season but Cane Ridge with stalwarts up front in Juan Moulden and [player_tooltip player_id='410569' first='Jaylon' last='Johnson'], should be the best defense they have faced yet, so a big challenge is ahead for them.    Both of these teams are disciplined and well coached, so if either squad has mistakes or turnovers, the opposition will very much take those opportunities and use it to their advantage. The difference in this contest I feel will be the size up front and the overall athleticism from the Ravens that Beech just won't have an answer for and will have a hard time keeping up with by the end of the game. This will be a physical war that should benefit either team that wins moving forward and one of the best overall games from the Quarterfinal round.    Game Prediction: Cane Ridge 24  Beech 21    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/11/caneridge-1024x1024.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-518209" width="373" height="373" /></figure>     3. Greeneville (12-0) at Anderson Co. (12-0) - Class 4A    - Everybody in the state and especially those from the East Tennessee region has been waiting for this game all season long and here we got it in the Quarterfinal round with the Green Devils hitting the road to take on a senior heavy Anderson Co. team that has been growing their program for this exact moment. You have two heavyweights, two undefeated teams clashing under the lights inside the Mavs stadium with one team making it out alive. You also have two teams with multiple college prospects on their rosters, so you can bet this will be an exciting contest that is not settled till the very end.    The defense for both Greeneville and Anderson Co. will be key to winning this game because both teams have high scoring, potent offenses that have been able to score at will for most of the season. Anderson Co. is led by one of the best passers, leaders in the state with [player_tooltip player_id='102284' first='Walker' last='Martinez'] while the Green Devils are well balanced with [player_tooltip player_id='148875' first='Corbin' last='Cannon'] at the helm throwing it to stud wideouts [player_tooltip player_id='102209' first='Adjatay' last='Dabbs'] and [player_tooltip player_id='102269' first='Mason' last='Laws']. It will be critical for both front seven's to get pressure on the QB while each secondary will need to keep their focus, playing disciplined football because the ball will come their way.    Whoever doesn't make mistakes and whoever has the ball last, very well may win this game. There are a lot of reason's to pick Greeneville in this contest as they have been one of the more dominating teams this year but I think the home Mavericks have magic on their side and a destiny to bring home a “Gold Ball”, so I gotta go with Anderson Co., even though the Green Devils will make it hard    Game Prediction: Anderson Co. 34  Greeneville 30      4. Fayetteville (12-0) at McKenzie (12-0) - Class 1A    - Much like the game above, many around the state have been waiting for these two to matchup with each other all season long because Fayetteville and McKenzie may be the two best teams from the entire Class 1A ranks but they face-off unfortunately here in the Quarterfinal round. The Rebels are the defending 1A champs and a lot of that team returned this year while the Tigers are loaded with talent, ranging from their strong senior class down to multiple college level underclassmen. This is one of the better Class 1A matchups you will ever see but only one of these talented teams can survive and advance.    McKenzie is led by a strong senior backfield with [player_tooltip player_id='150306' first='Jackson' last='Cassidy'] behind center and ultra athletic running back [player_tooltip player_id='102344' first='Marquez' last='Taylor'] toting the rock. Those two are what makes the Rebels engine run, so you bet they will be the focus for a Tiger defense that has been shutting down opponents all year long. Fayetteville has one of the best front seven's in the entire state, regardless of classification. [player_tooltip player_id='102361' first='Braxton' last='Wilson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='211373' first='Isaiah' last='Thomison'] cause havoc up front while Calvin Hughes-Crim and others make plays from anywhere on the field. The battle within the game with the rushing attack of McKenzie going up against a strong and fast Fayetteville front seven, will be very  interesting to follow and an area that may dictate who wins or loses this game.    This game is very hard to predict because both teams are stacked and playing very good football at the right time of year. McKenzie having this game at home will benefit the Rebels but Fayetteville plays well on the road, so this contest is honestly a toss up. The home team knows how to win a championship but my gut tells me the Tigers will become the victor.    Game Prediction: Fayetteville 38  McKenzie 28   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/11/fayetteville-1024x754.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-518210" width="438" height="322" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: elkvalleytimes.com</figcaption></figure>     5. Lipscomb Academy (11-0) at Knox. Webb (10-0) - D2-Class AA    - Throughout the entire 2022 season, everything pointed towards these two teams matching up with one another before the year was over and here we are, ready to see which of these teams are the best from the D2-Class AA ranks. Viewed as possibly the top team in the state, Lipscomb Academy must travel East to face Knox. Webb in what could be a high scoring affair between two big armed passers in [player_tooltip player_id='285338' first='Hank' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='250834' first='Charles' last='Robinson'], Jr and two defenses that like to create big plays and turnovers. This could be a very exciting game to follow, especially if the Spartans can keep in stride with a Mustang team that tends to blow out their opponents.    If the home Spartans come out with a victory here, it will be because of the play of Robinson, Jr but also the play of their defense. Lipscomb presents a lot of problems for the Webb defense as the Mustangs have some serious firepower on offense, especially future Vanderbilt receiver [player_tooltip player_id='185565' first='Jr' last='Sherrill'], who can take over a game at any given time due to his athleticism and speed. The Spartans must keep Sherrill in check as well as put pressure on Brown if they want to remain close and pull out a victory.    It will be a big challenge for Knox. Webb to knock off Lipscomb but it can be done. The Mustangs are the clear cut favorite not only in this game but to win the D2-Class AA title for the second year in a row. This has been a magical season thus far for the Spartans but I feel that ride will come to an end tonight as Lipscomb is just too talented, too big up front and too locked in to lose this game.    Game Prediction: Lipscomb Acad. 42 Knox. Webb 28   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/jrsherrill.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-420658" /></figure>     Other Top Games to Watch    - Baylor (9-2) at Brentwood Academy (9-2)   - USJ (10-1) at Friendship Chrst. (11-0)   - Blackman (10-2) at Oakland (11-1)   - Germantown (10-2) at Bartlett (10-2)   - Daniel Boone (12-0) at Knox. West (12-0)   - Page (10-2) at Nolensville (12-0)   - Gatlinburg-Pittman (11-1) at Alcoa (11-1)   - East Nashville (10-2) at Smith Co. (11-1)   - Tyner Academy (11-1) at East Robertson (11-1)   - Peabody (10-2) at MASE (12-0)