#PRZTN Game of the Week: Nolensville vs. Rockvale

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">We kick-off the 2023 season in Williamson Co. this Friday with the home Knights taking on the best team to come out of Rockvale to date, so this should be an exciting matchup! Get to know both teams prior to Friday's game, below w/ our game preview. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rockvale at Nolensville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 5A vs. Class 6A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Nolensville, TN (Williamson Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Time: </strong>7:00 pm Central Kickoff</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#Knights vs. #Rockets&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nolensville HC: Paul Derrick</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rockvale HC: Brian Guthrie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>------------------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288620' first='Ty' last='Collins'] - Nolensville: </strong>New quarterback under center for the Knights, Collins is a strong armed passer that can be a difference maker in this contest with his arm strength and ability to make the right plays. This is one of the more underrated QB recruits from our current #TN2024 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["288620"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64dd0ee04ec35"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='540000' first='Brennan' last='Mayhew'] - Rockvale: </strong>Mayhew has vastly improved his body and overall game this past year to place himself squarely on the radar to become a college guy one day. His arm and ability to push the ball down field will be key in the Rockets chances of pulling out the road win.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220386' first='Zion' last='Tamaska'] - Nolensville: </strong>Tamaska finally has his shot at being the Knights starting running back and he is someone the Rockets defense must key on due to his speed and big play abilities from the backfield.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='938106' first='Bo' last='Bryan'] - Rockvale: </strong>This Rockets rising junior has a chance to become the team's top college prospect in the trenches with a strong Fall season. His development this year will be interesting to watch as well as this first game against a solid Knights defense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301389' first='Jackson' last='Rigdon'] - Nolensville: </strong>Collin's go-to target, Higdon has his shot at being the team's top receiver this year and further his stock as a college recruit. This 6'2 pass catcher has excellent hands along with the ability to jump high and catch the ball at its highest point.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defense&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='491443' first='Jackson' last='Bandy'] - Nolensville: </strong>A multi year starter on defense, Bandy is now the vet who will be looked upon to produce and play consistent football, game in and game out. He will also be asked to provide a pass rush as well, playing edge linebacker.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(DE/LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='362089' first='Timi' last='Williams'] - Rockvale: </strong>Williams is an under the radar, raw but talented edge rusher that should be a guy the Nolensville O-line keys on to stop. If this Rockets pass rusher is allowed to break loose and play free, it could be a long night for Collins.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='316783' first='Joseph' last='Carano'] - Nolensville: </strong>Another edge rusher for the Knights, Carano is well built physically and a good athlete that can make a lot of plays around the line of scrimmage. He can also slide back into inside backer as well if needed.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150290' first='Jake' last='Sayles'] - Rockvale: </strong>A key veteran on the Rockets defense, Sayles is a multi talented linebacker that can work the edge or play inside. He is also a team captain and leader that should be keyed up for this Mid-TN matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["150290"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64dd0ee04ec96"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>‘25 (S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='309135' first='Jaylan' last='Morgan'] - Rockvale: </strong>Morgan will be the top college prospect on the field from both team's as an athletic, ball hawking safety that should contribute on offense as well. Nolensville will certainly try to throw away from him and keep an eye on Morgan while he's on offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/prospect-database/">#PRZTN Prospect Database</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-------------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brief Overview</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Football is back and Prep Redzone Tennessee kicks off the season in Nolensville for the Knights opening contest against Rockvale, in what should be one of the better games of the night from the Mid-Tennessee region. Both of these teams have their eyes on postseason play as well as sport multiple prospects that are destined for the collegiate level, so this should be a fun matchup that may not be settled until late in the 4th quarter.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What I'm excited to watch is the senior quarterback showdown between Nolensville gunslinger <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288620' first='Ty' last='Collins'] </strong>going throw for throw with Rockvale passer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='540000' first='Brennan' last='Mayhew']</strong>. Both these quarterbacks have progressed tremendously this off-season, turning themselves into legit college prospects while having the skill set to provide their offense the ability to have a passing attack. Both Collins and Mayhew must get it into their heads that they have to get rid of the ball early in this contest because both defense's have a defensive pass rush that must be kept in check.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The home Knights sport a strong linebacking core led by seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='491443' first='Jackson' last='Bandy']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='316783' first='Joseph' last='Carano'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301379' first='Tyler' last='Rose']</strong> with all three having the ability to work the edge and provide havoc in the backfield. The Rockvale O-line have to do their jobs by keeping Mayhew clean and upright or it could be a long night for the Rockets. On the opposite side, Collins himself has to keep an eye on the pass rush as the Rockets have a talented edge rusher in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='362089' first='Timi' last='Williams'] </strong>that could go off if he is not slowed down. He is complemented by senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150290' first='Jake' last='Sayles']</strong>, who can also work on the edge but is the team's top tackler that must be accounted for throughout the entire game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":707464,"width":360,"height":360,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/jbandy.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-707464" style="width:360px;height:360px" width="360" height="360" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking through both teams, I foresee the running game becoming the difference in who wins or loses this game. The Knights have a senior back in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220386' first='Zion' last='Tamaska'] </strong>that has been biding his time before he takes over the reins but now it's his turn and this 5 '9 ball carrier can run! His play might be the difference between winning and losing this game for Nolensville. Rockvale doesn't have that #1 running back and that might change come Friday evening but as of now, I'm not sure who that guy is for them. Rockets junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='309135' first='Jaylan' last='Morgan'] </strong>could be that guy for them on offense, whether that's running the ball or catching passes, the #PRZTN Top 20 ranked prospect might be looked upon to be their offensive playmaker.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On paper, this looks like an evenly matched game with both teams bringing strengths and weaknesses to the field that will be taken advantage of by both and a contest that I don't see being settled until late in the 4th quarter. What I do know is that whoever win's this game will pick up an outstanding victory that should give confidence to either squad and boost their stocks as a team to watch out for moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Prediction</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- It's always tough to pick winner's but especially tough with it being the first game of the year for both team's. You have an idea on how good or bad every team will be until you see them perform in person, so this game will be very interesting to see exactly who Nolensville or Rockvale truly is. Like it was mentioned above, this is an evenly matched contest that should go back and forth until the very end with any mistakes becoming costly.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neither team has established skill players at receiver or running back, so whoever has someone step forward into lead roles and produce, might take a leg up on their way towards winning this Mid-Tennessee matchup. The pass rush from both Nolensville and Rockvale may dictate a lot of this but opportunities will be there for someone to step up.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights have the advantage being at home but Rockvale won't be scared and they should be up the challenge. I could see this game going in favor of either team and I could see a single mistake or turnover playing a major factor with the outcome but I gotta go with my gut and it's telling me Rockvale will pull out the road victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Score: Rockvale </strong>28  <strong>Nolensville </strong>23 ....#PRZTN </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":848448,"width":398,"height":398,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/05/jaymorgan.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-848448" style="width:398px;height:398px" width="398" height="398" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->