#TNHSFB Week One Slate: Top Games/Matchups

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Football is back as "Week One" is here! The long off-season comes to an end, starting this Thursday with a loaded schedule for the first week of HS football here in Tennessee & #PRZTN has you covered w/ the top games to watch. </h2>     East Tennessee    Anderson Co. Mavericks at Powell Panthers   - The first official game for the Class 4A defending state champs comes on the road against a familiar foe in Powell, who should be geared up to compete with the Mavs, looking to pull out the home victory. Anderson Co. is having to replace some key seniors but they return enough talent on both sides of the ball to remain in the 4A title mix this year as well as possibly produce a Mr. Football winner in [player_tooltip player_id='433125' first='Nick' last='Moog']. Powell is a little bit of unknown right now as they appear to be youthful sprinkled in with some veteran talent like [player_tooltip player_id='207299' first='Steven' last='Soles, Jr'] and Conner Wheeler. The Mavs will be favored to win but they can't sleep on a well coached Panthers team.    Key Matchup: Mavs offensive line (tackles) vs. Soles, Jr & his pass rush   --------   Cleveland Blue Raiders at Clinton Dragons    - The new look Blue Raiders, under the coaching of head coach Chandler Tygard will be different moving forward, meaning they will throw the ball as much as possible and while young talent is in place, Cleveland already has some pieces in place to run that offense. Clinton on the other hand is a veteran team, led by senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='268184' first='Joshuah' last='Keith'] and his cerebral passing attack that could present problems for the Blue Raiders secondary. Dragons running back [player_tooltip player_id='625617' first='Jawan' last='Goins'] and his rushing attack might be the difference maker but if you like passing the football, this should be your game!   Key Matchup: Blue Raiders front seven vs. the Dragons O-line (Chasing down Keith)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/jawgoins.jpg?w=750" alt="" class="wp-image-950906" style="width:383px;height:306px" width="383" height="306" /></figure>   -------   Bradley Central Bears at McMinn Co. Cherokees   - This Chattanooga area matchup pits two teams going against each other that have their eyes on region titles and possibly more as the Bears have a loaded senior class while the home Cherokees have a stout defense, led by one of the top tacklers in the state with [player_tooltip player_id='372301' first='Landon' last='Feggins']. Bradley Central is more built within their skill positions compared to the Cherokees strength in the trenches. The complex difference between these two schools will be interesting to follow in this contest and to see who's style of play will win out in the end.    Key Matchup: The Cherokees secondary vs. the Bears skill at receiver    -------   Bearden Bulldogs at Knox. West Rebels (Saturday)   - The defending Class 5A state champs open the 2023 season against an upstart Bearden football team that sports its best roster in some time, so this could be an outstanding football game that stays close into the 4th quarter. The Knox. West defense is quite strong, led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='301377' first='C.J.' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='465287' first='Anderson' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='864980' first='Ryan' last='Scott'] while the Bearden offense has some juice in the backfield with ball carriers [player_tooltip player_id='222283' first='Jaheim' last='Merriweather'] and [player_tooltip player_id='806042' first='Jayzon' last='Thompson'] running the show. If the road Bulldogs can play sound defense while their offense plays consistent football and scoring points, we could have ourselves an upset on our hands but I would lean on the home team in this contest.    Key Matchup: Bulldogs rushing attack vs. the Knox. West front seven    -------   Other Top Games    Sevier Co. at Carter   Tyner Acad. at Red Bank   Dobyns-Bennett at Farragut   Jefferson Co. at Oak Ridge   Rabun-Gap (Ga) at Baylor   Greeneville at Tenn. High   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/cjsmith2-1.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-937089" style="width:399px;height:299px" width="399" height="299" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Charles Mays Charles Mays Media </figcaption></figure>   --------------------   Middle Tennessee   Alcoa Tornadoes at Ravenwood Raptors   - A fun East TN vs. Mid-TN matchup takes place in Williamson County Friday night to kick off the 2023 season where the home Raptors have a great opportunity to take down a state power and put the rest of their classification on notice. Alcoa comes in poised for another run at the 3A state championship, bringing with them a potent passing attack, led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='148864' first='Cody' last='Pagach'] and [player_tooltip player_id='674370' first='Brandon' last='Winton, Jr'], who will provide a challenge for a young Ravenwood secondary. While this game may stay close early, I just feel the Tornadoes are too strong and talented for the home Raptors with the East prevailing in this contest.    Key Matchup: Ravenwood front seven (pass rush) vs. the Tornadoes O-line (pressuring Pagach)   --------   Pearl Cohn Firebirds at MBA Big Red   - The Mid-State media will be all over this game as it will be the top matchup in Davidson County Friday evening with two in-state powers going toe to toe in what should be a fun offensive game. The Firebirds are loaded with offensive talent, led by senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='258845' first='Keshawn' last='Tarleton'] along with a defense that is well balanced from front to back. MBA is having to replace a lot of key seniors from last year's state title participant team but are still a well coached squad that will be up for the challenge. The outcome of this game will not dictate much for either within their classifications but it's a great opportunity to see where each sits as we start the 2023 season.    Key Matchup: Big Red secondary vs. Tarleton & the Firebirds passing attack    -------   CPA Lions at Brentwood Academy (Saturday)   - This primetime matchup takes place by itself on Saturday afternoon on local television where many around the state can see two private school powers clash in what should be an exciting game that might go down to the wire. Offense is what will make people tune into this game as these two teams are led by talented passing quarterbacks in [player_tooltip player_id='362072' first='Braden' last='Streeter'] (CPA) and [player_tooltip player_id='219419' first='George' last='MacIntyre'] (BA) that have plenty of skill to throw to as well as O-line's that can keep both clean. Whichever defense makes the most plays or stops will come out on top!    Key Matchup: The CPA secondary vs. MacIntyre & the Eagles receivers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/gmacintyre.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-446559" style="width:332px;height:332px" width="332" height="332" /></figure>   -------   Smyrna Bulldogs at Riverdale Warriors    - This is a sneaky strong matchup between two teams that made it to the playoffs last year and return some senior leadership this Fall to make a return appearance with the home team having a shot at making it to Chattanooga. Riverdale has a lot of talent within their skill positions, especially on offense with [player_tooltip player_id='119096' first='Braden' last='Graham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='149160' first='Brock' last='Montgomery'] as well as their secondary but it will be their front seven that makes a difference with their championship aspirations. Watch out for Smyrna senior [player_tooltip player_id='237052' first='Thomas' last='Jones'] in this game as a difference maker that could provide issues for the Warriors on both sides of the ball.    Key Matchup: The Bulldogs secondary vs. the Warriors wide receivers      Other Top Games   Cane Ridge at Mt. Juliet (Thurs.)   Rockvale at Nolensville   Nash. Christian at Davidson Academy   IMG Academy at Lipscomb Academy   East Nashville at Pope Prep   Page at Giles Co.   Marshall Co. at Columbia Central   Fayetteville at Upperman   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/ktarleton.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-452609" style="width:426px;height:284px" width="426" height="284" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: stateoftennesseehsfb.com</figcaption></figure>   --------------------   West Tennessee    Bartlett Panthers at MUS Owls   - Possibly the top matchup out West, the MUS Owls host Bartlett in what should be an exciting contest between two talented teams that have aspirations for state titles. The home team sports a young offense with up and coming talent, like quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='219433' first='Brady' last='Hughes'] that can present problems for a Bartlett defense that should be up for the challenge, sporting one of the best secondaries in the state, led by senior stud [player_tooltip player_id='149393' first='Devin' last='Rutherford']. This game could either be a high scoring or defensive led affair that is close to the very end.    Key Matchup: Owls passing attack vs. the Panthers secondary    --------   Houston Mustangs at Briarcrest Christian Saints   - The senior debut of star running back [player_tooltip player_id='277794' first='Damon' last='Sisa'] has him going up against a Briarcrest defense that is having to replace some key starters and doesn't appear as strong up front in years past, so the Mustangs ball carrier might have a big opening game. Where the home Saints could make headway is with their offense and the passing of underrated quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='311787' first='Cade' last='Carlson']. If he and the Saints passing attack goes off, they will have a chance at winning this game but stopping Sisa and sophomore back [player_tooltip player_id='829107' first='Marcellus' last='Davis'] will be hard to slow down.    Key Matchup: Saints defensive front seven vs. Sisa   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/ccarlson.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-580422" style="width:427px;height:279px" width="427" height="279" /></figure>   --------   M.A.S.E. Phoenix at Lausanne Lynx   - It's a clash of the 1A ranks vs. the D2-Class AA ranks in this Memphis area matchup where the road Phoenix may actually have a shot against a Lynx team that while having veterans, they also have new starters at key positions playing in their first real action. MASE has a very talented roster, mixed with strong vets like [player_tooltip player_id='207328' first='Kumaro' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='268186' first='E.J.' last='Gilliam'] and others along with beef in the trenches that might be able to keep up with a talented Lynx defensive line. Depth will be the key thing that separates Lausanne from the Phoenix in this contest but the road team has a shot and I would not be surprised to watch them pull the upset.    Key Matchup: MASE O-line vs. the Lynx front seven    --------   Ensworth Tigers at Union City Golden Tornadoes   - You don't get to see this matchup too often as you have a D2-Class AAA power in Ensworth traveling out West to face a lower level program in Union City, who does have a senior laden team that can't be slept on. The Golden Tornadoes sport a senior backfield in QB [player_tooltip player_id='362090' first='Keaten' last='Brown'] and running back [player_tooltip player_id='414886' first='Jacob' last='Arnold'] that should both contend for Mr. Football honors in their classification going against a very talented Tigers defense that sports several Power Five, D1 prospects. The home team should be excited and ready but Ensworth will probably be too much to handle for the Golden Tornadoes.    Key Matchup: Union City's O-line vs. the Ensworth D-line    --------   Other Top Games   Milan at South Gibson (Thurs.)   Raleigh-Egypt at Germantown   Peabody at USJ   Covington at Munford   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/04/drutherford.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-803618" style="width:332px;height:497px" width="332" height="497" /></figure>