TN HS Football Playoffs: 2nd Round Recap/Notes

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Before we move to the Quarterfinal round of the Playoffs, we must look back at Round Two where we had some stellar games as well as some teams that surprised and advanced! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Title Teams Remain Alive&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- While the 2022 Playoffs have been exciting in multiple regions of the state, the one thing that has been consistent thus far is the play of the upper echelon programs who all remain alive and in play for state titles. All the big names you would think of are squarely in the mix, including the likes of Alcoa, Baylor, Knox. West, Lipscomb Academy, Maryville, MBA, McCallie, Oakland, Powell as well as many others. The best of the best still remain but sooner or later some of these teams and more must taste defeat.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Somebody between MBA and McCallie must lose this Friday as they play each other and this could be a classic game that carries weight in the D2-Class AAA playoffs going forward. Alcoa has a familiar foe in the Quarterfinals with Gatlinburg-Pittman coming to town with the Highlanders sitting at 11-1 on the season, so the Tornadoes can not sleep on them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A battle of undefeated teams takes place in East Tennessee this Friday with Lipscomb Academy traveling to Knox. Webb to take on a talented Spartans offense and team. This will be Knox. Webb's hardest challenge yet this season but I'm interested to see how they battle with possibly the top program in the entire state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":502009,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/11/jrsherrill2-crop-374x246-1667535916.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-502009"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another battle of undefeated teams takes place in the greater Knoxville area this week with Daniel Boone headed down to Knox. West in a game that could go a variety of directions. The Blazers have to make this a gritty, clocked control game or they will get blown out like every other opponent on the Rebels schedule this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Quarterfinal round will easily be the best matchup weekend of the season and an entertaining one that should dictate going forward who will make it to Chattanooga and compete for those much wanted “Gold Balls” and a state championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Don't Sleep on the Firebirds&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Back at the beginning of the season, Pearl Cohn started the year at 0-2 and several might have thought the Firebirds could have a down year but that's far from the case as they have reeled off ten wins in a row, including a dominating performance over Hardin Co. in the 2nd round and now this Middle Tennessee program is squarely in the mix for a Class 4A state championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off the 54-21 beatdown of Hardin Co., Pearl Cohn now has their eyes on another West Tennessee program in the Quarterfinals in Lexington but the Firebirds must now hit the road and win against the Tigers if they want to advance to the Semi's.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Firebirds have a tall task on defense as they have the honor of slowing down All-State candidate, running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102285' first='Isiah' last='McClaine']</strong> and the Lexington offense. While it will be tough to stop the Tigers rushing attack, Pearl Cohn has the horses on defense like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='400655' first='Grace'son' last='Beach']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='237399' first='LaJairus' last='Abernathy'] </strong>and others to get the job done.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's over on the offensive side of the ball for Pearl Cohn that should be the game changer. With junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='258845' first='Keshawn' last='Tarleton'] </strong>at the helm and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239250' first='Malachi' last='Cromwell'] </strong>handling the rock, the Firebirds have an explosive offense that Lexington may have struggles playing against. It's the athleticism and speed that could give the Tigers problems and it will come at them in waves as the Firebirds have plenty of offensive firepower.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You better start paying attention to Pearl Cohn, especially if they get past Lexington on Friday, as a bonafide championship caliber team and a force that many other teams don't want to see in their path going forward.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Massive East Tennessee Matchup Lies Ahead</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming off a hard fought 30-24 victory over Elizabethton, the Anderson Co. Mavs must now face their toughest challenge yet as this Friday they will be taking on fellow undefeated foe Greeneville in what should be one of the best games in the Quarterfinals. The Green Devils ran through their 2nd round opponent with ease while the Mavs had some struggles but still found a way to win. It's been more of a challenge so far for Anderson Co. but maybe the adversity will bode well for them against a Greeneville team that nobody has been able to stop all year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The key to victory for Anderson Co. comes on defense where they must find a way to slow down a Greeneville offense that has been able to score at will all year long. The Green Devils are well balanced with a strong offensive front with a potent rushing attack behind them and a speedy, athletic wideout in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102209' first='Adjatay' last='Dabbs'] </strong>that must be accounted for. It will be a tough challenge but the Mavs may have the best defense that Greeneville has seen all season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":514199,"width":363,"height":242,"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/greeneville2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-514199" width="363" height="242"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mavs must also receive another stellar game from their All-State quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102284' first='Walker' last='Martinez']</strong>. He and the Anderson Co. offense can put up some serious points but this Friday Greeneville will have the best defense they have seen yet, so this will be an interesting game to follow within the game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This East Tennessee matchup will be talked about all week leading up to Friday evening and it should be one of the most watched and followed contests from the Quarterfinal round. Both Anderson Co. and Greeneville are legit 4A title contenders but only one can win and advance to the Semi's while keeping their championship hopes alive!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West TN Schools Repping Strong in Quarterfinals&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Through two rounds of the TN High School Football Playoffs, the West Tennessee region has performed very well with a large portion of programs still remaining and several teams with strong championship aspirations. Now possibly the biggest surprise and team omitted from playoffs currently is Munford but that's for another story, however several top tier teams are in the mix to make it Chattanooga but have big time matchups set up this Friday in the Quarterfinals.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Germantown kept their season going after a 24-14 revenge win over Houston but must take on another regional foe next in Bartlett, who also advanced after defeating Brentwood, 28-7 in the second round. The Panthers will be looking for revenge themselves after they took defeat to the Red Devils earlier in the year but it's a whole new ball game in the postseason, so both teams must be ready.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Led by stud quarterbacks <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102221' first='Sam' last='Driggers'], [player_tooltip player_id='150306' first='Jackson' last='Cassidy'] </strong>and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149844' first='Cordero' last='Walker'], </strong>all three of Peabody, McKenzie and Haywood have looked impressive so far through the playoffs and all three look like prime contenders for state titles in each of their classifications.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three teams who are having magical rides right now include Huntingdon, Lexington and Union City. All three of these teams had some lumps at one point in the season but are playing some good football right now and could all find themselves playing in Chattanooga. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":514205,"width":408,"height":316,"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/imcclaine-1024x793.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-514205" width="408" height="316"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Huntingdon in particular has been on a roll, defeating teams with ease and scoring at will anytime they touch the ball. Lexington themselves look good too, riding behind a strong O-line and the running of senior back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102285' first='Isiah' last='McClaine']</strong>. Union City has beaten two good teams to find themselves in the Quarterfinals with solid play from junior QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='362090' first='Keaten' last='Brown'] </strong>and a salty defense that shut down top seed Westview last Friday.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You also have two run based, athletic teams in Covington and MASE right there in the thick things with big games upcoming this Friday. The Chargers, led by <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>, love to run the ball down hill and use their two senior backs to create speed and havoc for the opposition.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Phoenix of MASE remain undefeated headed into the Quarterfinals, sporting one of the best defenses in the state but also have one of the better overall athletes as well in junior two-way talent <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207328' first='Kumaro' last='Brown']</strong>. MASE meets up with Peabody this Friday in what could be one of the better games from the West Tennessee region this week.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to predict who will make it to their respective championship games but looking through all the teams still alive, I'm willing to bet a few West Tennessee teams will make it to Chattanooga to compete for state titles.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Etc ……</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Watch out for Henry Co. going forward as they are definitely in contention for the Class 5A title and a team others don't wanna see right now. The Patriots have played some of their best football over the past month and have looked very impressive through two rounds of the playoffs. They have a senior laden offense, led by stars <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102210' first='Ryan' last='Damron']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102185' first='Luke' last='Brown']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150529' first='Jayce' last='Kendall'] </strong>and others that have been putting up big points while their defense has kept the opposition from gaining any consistency on offense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pats have a tough road to get to Chattanooga, starting this Friday at home against Springfield but they have the veteran leadership and overall talent to breakthrough and compete for that elusive Class 5A title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Another Class 5A showdown to mention is the rematch of Williamson Co. between the home Nolensville Knights and the road Page Patriots. These two played a classic game earlier this season that had to go to overtime and I see no reason why that couldn't happen again. You have two veteran heavy teams that know each other well and a revenge factor within the mind of the Page players, so this game should be emotional and exciting all the way to the bitter end.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nolensville won the first matchup but had to comeback and beat the Pats in overtime to do so. This will be a close contest that is not settled till the 4th quarter with two senior quarterbacks in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295457' first='Coby' last='Walton'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='305696' first='Colin' last='Hurd'] </strong>at the helm and two defenses that will enjoy hitting each other until they can't no more. This might be the best overall game of the entire Quarterfinal slate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":476587,"width":406,"height":252,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/IMG_4267-1024x636.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-476587" width="406" height="252"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [player_tooltip player_id='295457' first='Coby' last='Walton']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->