The Five (Playoff Edition): 2nd Rd Upset Alert

<h2>Last week provided some solid games but Round Two is a whole different story as you have several high level matchups across the state and several teams on upset alert, including these five games below. </h2>     1. White Co. (9-2) at Nolensville (11-0) - Class 5A   - This is one of the more exciting, most anticipated games throughout the entire state for Round Two as you have an undefeated home Nolensville team looking to continue their dreams of a state title run while the underdog mentality and strong rushing attack, led by star [player_tooltip player_id='102219' first='Malaki' last='Dowell'], gives White Co. a legitimate shot at pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the week.    So many strong matchups occur in this contest but especially when the Warriors are on offense. Nolensville will have the best defense that Dowell and the White Co. offense has seen all year and if they want to pull the upset, they must find a way to run through a strong Knights front seven. Nolensville has one of the hottest recruits around right now in [player_tooltip player_id='150365' first='Taylor' last='Wein'] and he is backed by some strong linebackers in [player_tooltip player_id='316265' first='Nick' last='Rossomando'] and [player_tooltip player_id='316783' first='Joseph' last='Carano'] that helps make the Knights defense quite formidable. They also have [player_tooltip player_id='323158' first='Derrick' last='Burroughs'] on the back end locking down receivers, so the Nolensville defense will be the biggest challenge yet for the Warriors high scoring offense this season.   The end result could go a variety of ways, especially if the Nolensville offense explodes for points and makes this a shoot out. I don't foresee that happening because I feel the Knights defense will show up and not stop Dowell and the White Co. rushing attack but slow it down enough to squeak out a victory.    Game Prediction: Nolensville 28  White Co. 27      2. Knox. Central (7-4) at Daniel Boone (11-0) - Class 6A   - Several teams come into Round Two undefeated and will be on upset alert as they have some interesting, tough matchups, including this contest for the home Blazers. Knox. Central comes into this game playing some of their best football of the season and they have a horse on offense in junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='277792' first='Frank' last='Johnson IV'] to play behind, so Daniel Boone and their defense have a tough challenge ahead of them.    The rushing attack from the Bobcats isn't the only thing on the Trailblazers scouting sheet to think about Friday night as their defense is led by a solid senior class that have shown the ability to shut down opponents on occasions. [player_tooltip player_id='102170' first='Chase' last='Adams'] is a pass rusher that Daniel Boone should keep contained because he poses a threat as an edge rusher that can cause havoc in the backfield. If the Blazers O-line can keep him slowed down, they should move the ball but if he is allowed to go off, it might be a long night for their offense.   Daniel Boone is the favorite as they should be. They are an undefeated team with a solid offense but strong defense with [player_tooltip player_id='102320' first='Luke' last='Scott'] spearheading that effort but they are on upset alert because the road Bobcats have the kind of run game that can come into the Blazers stadium and walk out with a win.    Game Prediction: Daniel Boone 24  Knox. Central 21    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/dboone-1024x538.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-480528" width="410" height="215"/></figure>     3. Smyrna (9-1) at Beech (10-1) - Class 6A    - One of the biggest games from the Mid-Tennessee region this week will be these Bulldogs traveling up to Hendersonville to take on a hot Beech team that will be backed by a strong home field advantage and a rushing game that is very hard to stop. What makes this game a strong contender for upset alert however is the size and athleticism from the Smyrna defense that might have the players and game plan to defeat the Buccaneers.    The road team is led by one of the best prospects from the Mid-State area in [player_tooltip player_id='102193' first='Arion' last='Carter'] and his play on both sides of the ball will be massive in the Bulldogs efforts in pulling off the upset. His running on offense will be key but it might be his play on defense that will go a long way in winning the game. The teammates around him in [player_tooltip player_id='102281' first='Jayden' last='Marable'], [player_tooltip player_id='237052' first='Thomas' last='Jones'] and others will also be critical as Beech has one of the best rushing attacks in the state with a two headed monster in [player_tooltip player_id='410577' first='J.P.' last='Courtney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='150315' first='Darius' last='Johnson'] leading the way.    This game has all the makings of a close, hard nosed contest that is won in the trenches and is not settled till the final seconds of the 4th quarter. Neither team turns it over much and both know how to control the clock with their running games, so it may easily come down to who has the ball last that wins this game. It's hard to go against the home team but my gut calls for the Bulldogs to win and pull the upset.    Game Prediction: Smyrna 27  Beech 24    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/11/thomjones-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-499601" width="459" height="459"/></figure>     4. Union City (9-2) at Westview (9-2) - Class 2A    - Can the Golden Tornadoes go on the road and pull off another upset? It's very possible as they have a well balanced team that knows how to score points and show up on defense when everything is clicking. It will be a challenge as Westview is the reigning Class 2A champs and quite strong again this year, so they know how to win in the postseason when it's time to show up.    The biggest roadblock in the path for Union City will be the Chargers defense that is very good against the run, led by senior all-state linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='102335' first='Hayden' last='Smith']. Westview is well coached on the defensive side of the ball and they have a senior laden group of defenders that have gone through the championship process before and won. The Golden Tornadoes must receive a strong game from junior back [player_tooltip player_id='414886' first='Jacob' last='Arnold'] and a consistent passing attack from quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='362090' first='Keaten' last='Brown'] and his receivers if they want to walk out of Martin, Tennessee with a victory.    If the Union City offense finds their rhythm early and is able to move the ball at ease, scoring the ball then an upset could happen but for some reason I feel this will be a low scoring affair that plays right into the hands of the home team.    Game Prediction: Westview 20  Union City 17      5. CPA (6-5) at Lausanne (8-1) - D2-Class AA    - Many college coaches will be paying attention to this game as you have two teams full of college talent but only one can advance. Lausanne is the clear favorite and team expected to win but they better not sleep on the Lions as CPA had played better football down the stretch and have some horses that can push them to victory.    The road Lions are well equipped to go on the road and defeat the Lynx, especially if their offensive talent in [player_tooltip player_id='207352' first='London' last='Humphreys'], [player_tooltip player_id='297332' first='Thomas' last='Vaccaro'], [player_tooltip player_id='102187' first='Bo' last='Burklow'] and others show up and show out. While the CPA offense will need to score points and stay ahead of Lausanne, it will be their defense that might be the true key to victory. They are tasked with stopping a potent Lynx offense, led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='102233' first='Brock' last='Glenn'], [player_tooltip player_id='102265' first='Zamaryion' last='Kendall'] and going to war in the trenches with one of the best offensive lines in the state, so it will be a tough challenge but CPA is talented enough to get the job done.    If the Lions can get on top early with a big lead, I feel like they could withstand a charge from Lausanne and find themselves in the 4th quarter with an opportunity to win. All will depend on the start and the Lions play in the 1st half but it should be a battle that might have an interesting outcome.    Game Prediction: Lausanne 34  CPA 26   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/lausanne2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-466245" width="431" height="288"/></figure>     Other Games to Watch    Gordonsville (8-3) at South Pittsburg (9-2), Whitwell (9-2) at Clay Co. (10-1), Huntingdon (9-2) at Fairley (10-0), McMinn Cent. (6-5) at Sweetwater (9-2), Ripley (5-6) at Dyersburg (7-4), Upperman (9-2) at East Hamilton (8-3), Marshall Co. (10-1) at Lexington (8-3), Springfield (9-2) at Munford (11-0, Bearden (7-4) at Maryville (8-3), DCA (7-4) at Friendship Chrst. (10-0), MUS (8-3) at Baylor (8-2)