#TNHSFB Week Three Slate: Top Games/Matchups
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Moving right along with the 2023 HS football season here in Tennessee, we have a tremendous schedule of games this week as teams begin to transition into region games and boy do we have some big ones set for Week…
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Continue ReadingMoving right along with the 2023 HS football season here in Tennessee, we have a tremendous schedule of games this week as teams begin to transition into region games and boy do we have some big ones set for Week Three!!
East TN
Maryville Rebels (2-0) at Bradley Central Bears (2-0)
– Class 6A-Region 2 is on the line this Friday within this contest between two public powers that have state championship aspirations. Both teams come into this game undefeated and looking strong through two weeks of action. Bradley is an athletic squad, led by seniors Boo Carter Boo Carter 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH Bradley Central | 2024 State TN , Marcus Goree, Jr Marcus Goree, Jr 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Bradley Central | 2024 State TN and Kaleb Martin Kaleb Martin 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Rhea Co. | 2024 State TN while the Rebels are a youthful but well coached and feisty. Maryville has a good rushing attack with Price Davis Price Davis 6'0" | 195 lbs | RB Maryville | 2025 State TN at the forefront and a solid defense that has played good ball thus far. The athleticism from Bradley Central could be too much for the Rebels but you can never count them out!
Key Matchup: Maryville’s defensive front seven vs. Bradley’s skill players, run game
Farragut Admirals (2-0) at Knox. West Rebels (2-0)
– It’s been a magical start to the 2023 season for Farragut but they must now face their stiffest competition yet, going on the road to take on defending Class 5A state champs, Knox. West. Admirals receiver Landis Davila Landis Davila 6'3" | 195 lbs | WR Farragut | 2024 State TN has been an absolute stud while the Farragut defender has played salty football. They must find a way to move the ball against a very good Rebels defense, led by seniors C.J. Smith C.J. Smith 6'3" | 240 lbs | DL Knox. West | 2024 State TN , Ryan Scott Ryan Scott 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Knox. West | 2024 State TN and Anderson Smith Anderson Smith 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Knox. West | 2024 State TN have been excellent so far this season. If Farragut scores often, the Admirals could pull off the road upset but it will be a tall task versus a well coached Knox. West team.
Key Matchup: Farragut’s O-line vs. the Rebels defensive front seven
Cleveland Blue Raiders (2-0) at Walker Valley Mustangs (2-0)
– The biggest game in some time for the Mustangs of Walker Valley takes place on their home field Friday evening as they host the undefeated Blue Raiders of Cleveland in a cross town rival contest that many feel the road team is the favorite. Head coach Chandler Tygard has gotten his Blue Raider team off to a hot start, beating two good teams and scoring plenty of points in the process. Walker Valley is undefeated as well with an impressive looking defense that has allowed eight points thus far through two games. This will be an interesting matchup to see who’s game plan will overcome the other and whose style of football will triumph in the end.
Key Matchup: Mustangs front seven vs. Isaiah Davis Isaiah Davis 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH Cleveland | 2025 State TN & the Blue Raiders run game
Powell Panthers (1-1) at Oak Ridge Wildcats (1-0) – Thursday
– Coming off a last second loss to Farragut in Week Two, Powell is looking to bounce back but must do so on the road against a very talented Oak Ridge team that was able to rest. The Wildcats are loaded on offense with skill players like Brandon Heyward Brandon Heyward 5'11" | 180 lbs | WR Oak Ridge | 2024 State TN , Almani Rembert Almani Rembert 5'10" | 180 lbs | WR Oak Ridge | 2024 State TN and running back De’Jauvis Dozier De’Jauvis Dozier 5'10" | 200 lbs | RB Oak Ridge | 2024 State TN that can be game changers and problems for the Panthers defense. While I know Powell is well coached and will be ready to compete, I just don’t know if they have enough fire power this year to keep up with this Oak Ridge team but I’ve been wrong before, so we shall see!
Key Matchup: Panthers secondary vs. the Wildcats receivers
Other Top Games ……
Tottenville (NY) at Alcoa
Arch. Stepinac (NY) at Baylor
Carter at Gatlinburg-Pittman
Meigs Co. at Kingston
Rhea Co. at Knox. Central
St. Xavier (OH) at McCallie
Jefferson Co. at Science Hill
Dobyns-Bennett at West Ridge
– – – – – – – – – –
Mid TN
Brentwood Bruins (2-0) at Hendersonville Commandos (2-0)
– Possibly the top game in the entire state for Week Three, you have two well coached, physical football teams going head to head in Hendersonville for what should be an outstanding football contest. Brentwood comes to town with one of the best defense’s in the state, headlined by Will Adcock Will Adcock 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB Brentwood | 2024 State TN , Maddox McKim Maddox McKim 6'4" | 210 lbs | LB Brentwood | 2024 State TN and others competing against a high powered offense from Hendersonville, led by star quarterback Mason Baker Mason Baker 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Hendersonville | 2024 State TN . The battle between these two units will be fun to watch but it could be the Brentwood offense and the Commandos defense that dictates the winner here. Either way, this is a top level game that should be one of the best of the weekend.
Key Matchup: Baker vs. the Bruins defensive front seven
Beech Buccaneers (1-1) at Riverdale Warriors (1-1)
– Both of these Mid-Tennessee programs are coming off Week Two losses but they were defeats that came by the hands of some strong teams (Collierville, Henry Co.) that were close, so I can bet both the Bucs and the Warriors are itching to get back on field and in the win column. Beech plays a certain standard of ball under HC Anthony Crabtree, so I expect them to go down and compete, especially with a strong defense sporting two college guys in Jordan Lee Jordan Lee 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB Beech | 2024 State TN and Gunnar Clary Gunnar Clary 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Beech | 2025 TN that could cause a talented Riverdale offense problems. If the Bucs are able to slow down Brock Montgomery Brock Montgomery 6'3" | 205 lbs | WR Riverdale | 2024 State TN and Keshawn Williams Keshawn Williams 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Riverdale | 2024 State TN , they have a great shot of coming away with the road win.
Key Matchup: Bucs secondary vs. Montgomery, Williams & the Riverdale receivers
Upperman Bees (2-0) at Macon Co. Tigers (2-0)
– A Mid-Tennessee inner region battle takes place here between the road Bees and the home Tigers that could end up dictating the region title winner by season’s end. Both of these squads are postseason caliber teams that play a ground and pound brand of football with their running backs being the show pieces. Upperman brings senior Jaxson Rollins Jaxson Rollins 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Upperman | 2024 TN to the table, who can break off the big one while Macon Co. has a Mr. Football candidate in Gabe Borders running the show in the backfield. Whichever defense is able to find enough stops against each other’s high powered rushing attack, should find a way to come away with a big victory.
Key Matchup: Tigers O-line vs. the Upperman defensive front seven
Jackson Christian Eagles (2-0) at Goodpasture Cougars (2-0)
– A strong, under the radar matchup between two 2-0 teams takes place in Madison, Tennessee Friday night where the Eagles from Jackson come to town to face-off with D2-Class AA foe Goodpasture. Both of these teams have had some battles through two weeks but this game should test each other and provide an opportunity for both to see where each team is through Week Three. JCS has a high scoring offense, led by senior Daniel Green Daniel Green 6'6" | 235 lbs | TE Jackson Chrst. | 2024 State TN and junior standouts Jaylen Mosley Jaylen Mosley 6'0" | 190 lbs | ATH Jackson Christian | 2025 State TN and Austin Kelley Austin Kelley 6'3" | 170 lbs | QB Jackson Christian | 2025 TN that should provide good competition for Cougars senior defenders Braxton Lawrence Braxton Lawrence 6'4" | 200 lbs | LB Goodpasture | 2024 State TN and Ethan Floyd Ethan Floyd 6'2" | 230 lbs | DL Goodpasture | 2024 TN . JCS will be the favorite but Goodpasture has good enough talent to pull off the home upset.
Key Matchup: Cougars secondary vs. Mosley
Other Top Games ……
Ravenwood at Blackman
Chrst. Brothers at Brentwood Acad.
Columbia Acad. at Friendship Chrst.
Mt. Juliet at Gallatin
Centennial at Independence
East Robertson at Monterey
Eagleville at Moore Co.
Waverly at Mt. Pleasant
Tullahoma at Rockvale
– – – – – – – – – –
West TN
Collierville Dragons (2-0) at Bartlett Panthers (1-1)
– The third week of high school ball here in TN provides a big opportunity for the home Panthers to continue their winning from last week and take a step forward to becoming region champs as they take on the #PRZTN #1 ranked public school in the state, Collierville. Talent galore will be all over the field Friday night but which side of the ball will win out in the end? That’s a tough call as you have Aidan Glover Aidan Glover 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Collierville | 2024 State TN and his passing attack going against Devin Rutherford Devin Rutherford 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Bartlett | 2024 State TN and a talented Panthers secondary along with a battle in the trenches will plenty of beef and talent. This will be a fun game to follow that should dicate a lot for the postseason come November.
Key Matchup: Glover, Joakim Dodson Joakim Dodson 6'1" | 180 lbs | WR Baylor | 2025 State TN & the Dragons passing attack vs. Rutherford & the Panthers secondary
Germantown Red Devils (2-0) at Houston Mustangs (1-1)
– Another Class 6A-Region 8 battle in the greater Memphis area takes place right here between the road Red Devils and the home Mustangs. Both these teams know each other well, so nothing should surprise each other as both coaching staffs understand they must stop stud backs Damon Sisa Damon Sisa 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB Houston | 2024 State TN , B.J. Blake B.J. Blake 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Germantown | 2024 State TN and Jamarion Morrow Jamarion Morrow 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Germantown | 2025 State TN . All three of those guys are electric with the abilities to make game changing plays and it would not be surprising at all to see any of those guys takeover in this contest. The battle in the trenches is where I see this game being won and I feel the Red Devils might have too much beef for Houston to get past for the win.
Key Matchup: Mustangs O-line vs. the Red Devils defensive front seven
Oakland Patriots (1-1) at Haywood Tomcats (2-0)
– One of the best programs in the state heads out West to take on an undefeated Haywood team that should be eager and excited to face-off with 6A defending state champion on their home field. The Patriots are coming off a road loss in Indiana, so you can bet they will be hungry while the Tomcats sit at 2-0 and ready to make a statement, however it will be tough. Oakland sports a strong defense, led by future college guys in Korey Smith Korey Smith 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB Oakland | 2024 State TN , Stephen Ellison Stephen Ellison 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Oakland | 2024 State TN and others that will present an obstacle for a Tomcats offense that is young at quarterback but has a solid back to hand it to in Camarion Miller Camarion Miller 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB Haywood | 2025 State TN . If Haywood can keep the game close till the 4th quarter, they may have a shot but Oakland may just have too much talent for the home team to get past.
Key Matchup: Tomcats rushing attack/O-line vs. the Oakland defensive front seven
South Gibson Hornets (1-1) at Hardin Co. Tigers (2-0)
– South Gibson has a huge opportunity ahead of them in Week Three as they travel to undefeated Hardin Co., who has one of the best offensive tandems in the state with Carter Smith Carter Smith 6'3" | 210 lbs | QB Hardin Co. | 2024 State TN and Kamron Haymon Kamron Haymon 5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH Hardin Co. | 2024 State TN . What the Hornets bring to town is a defense that is talented enough to present problems for Smith and the Tigers offense. Senior edge linebacker and future Ole Miss Rebel Cameron Clark Cameron Clark 6'4" | 230 lbs | ATH South Gibson | 2024 State TN has to get pressure on Smith and at least move him off his spot to force inaccurate throws. If Clark and the Hornets front seven can cause havoc in the backfield, the road has a great shot at pulling off the road upset. Hardin Co. is a battle tested program with a veteran team that I think will be ready for an excited South Gibson team.
Key Matchup: Clark & the Hornets front seven vs. the Hardin Co. O-line/Smith
Other Top Games …….
White Station at Cordova
South Gibson at Hardin Co.
Melrose at Munford
Jackson North-Side at Obion Co.
USJ at TCA
Arlington at Whitehaven