#TNHSFB Week Six Slate: Top Games/Matchups
In this article:
Starting a new week of HS football here in Tennessee, we look at the top games across the state and boy do we have some high major games in Week Six that could dictate region titles! East TN Powell Panthers…
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Continue ReadingStarting a new week of HS football here in Tennessee, we look at the top games across the state and boy do we have some high major games in Week Six that could dictate region titles!
East TN
Powell Panthers (3-2) at Knox. Halls Red Devils (5-0)
– The home Red Devils have played exceptional football up to this point as they sit undefeated but Friday night will be their toughest game yet against a talented Powell team that will be ready to compete. Both of these teams are offensive based, so whichever defense steps up and makes a difference in this game will come out as the winner. Look out for Panthers junior back Connor Wheeler Connor Wheeler 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Powell | 2025 TN and Red Devils sophomore quarterback Amari Lethgo Amari Lethgo 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Knox. Halls | 2026 TN as they could be game changers in this contest.
Key Matchup: Knox. Halls defensive front seven vs. Wheeler and the Panthers run game
Prediction: Powell 31 Knox. Halls 24
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Elizabethton Cyclones (4-0) at Sullivan-East Patriots (4-1)
– These two inner region teams matchup Friday night in what could turn out to be a game that dictates the region winner by season’s end, so this is a big one for both the Cyclones and the Patriots. Led by their offensive weapons in Drake Fisher Drake Fisher 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Sullivan East | 2024 State TN , Tyler Cross Tyler Cross 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Sullivan-East | 2024 TN and Corbin Laisure Corbin Laisure 6'5" | 225 lbs | TE Sullivan-East | 2025 State TN , the Pats have been scoring points at will this season but could be facing the toughest defense yet in Elizabethton, spearheaded by senior stalwart Mason Ball Mason Ball 6'5" | 260 lbs | DL Elizabethton | 2024 State TN . If the Cyclones are able to keep the Sullivan-East offense in check, they could walk away with the road victory.
Key Matchup: Cyclones secondary vs. the Patriots passing attack
Prediction: Sullivan-East 33 Elizabethton 29
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Farragut Admirals (2-2) at Bearden Bulldogs (2-2) – Thursday
– The East TN slate cranks up tonight at Bearden with the Bulldogs hosting Farragut in what I think will be the most important game of the season for both teams. A playoff spot could be on the line tonight with these two region foes, who have both faced tough early schedules, so I expect this to be a hard fought, close game till the very end. Stopping offensive threats Jaheim Merriweather Jaheim Merriweather 6'1" | 190 lbs | RB Bearden | 2024 State TN and Landis Davila Landis Davila 6'3" | 195 lbs | WR Farragut | 2024 State TN will be key for both defenses as well as making sure big plays do not happen.
Key Matchup: Admrials defensive front seven vs. Merriweather, Jayzon Thompson Jayzon Thompson 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Bearden | 2026 State TN & the Bulldogs run game
Prediction: Bearden 24 Farragut 20
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Red Bank Lions (3-1) at Cleveland Blue Raiders (4-1)
– Can the home Blue Raiders keep their momentum going and not slip up against a well coached Lions team? We will see but Cleveland must not sleep on Red Bank and look forward to what’s ahead, which is a string of games that will dictate their region title hopes. Key players like Brian Beard Brian Beard 6'2" | 185 lbs | ATH Cleveland | 2024 State TN , Lucas Szymborski Lucas Szymborski 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Crown Point | 2025 IN and others must continue to play at a high level for this Blue Raiders to continue their winning ways. They also must keep edge rusher Kobe Smith Kobe Smith 6'3" | 200 lbs | LB Red Bank | 2024 State TN in-check as well as keep running back Josiah Featherstone Josiah Featherstone 5'9" Red Bank | 2025 TN bottled up if Cleveland wants to walk away with the victory.
Key Matchup: Blue Raiders defensive front seven vs. Featherstone & the Lions run game
Prediction: Cleveland 28 Red Bank 20
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Other Top Games
– Brentwood Acad. (1-4) at Baylor (4-1)
– Chatt. Christian (3-2) at Boyd Buchanan (5-0)
– Johnson Co. (3-2) at Gatlinburg-Pittman (4-1)
– Anderson Co. (2-3) at Carter (3-2)
– MBA (1-4) at McCallie (5-0)
– Coalfield (5-0) at Sequatchie Co. (3-2)
– Rhea Co. (3-2) at Walker Valley (4-1)
– South Greene (4-0) at West Greene (2-3)
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Mid TN
Nolensville Knights (5-0) at Centennial Cougars (5-0)
– This will be the biggest game and toughest competition of the season thus far for both these teams and one of Nolensville or Centennial will gain a win that puts them one step closer towards achieving a region title. The Cougars have been impressive this year on both sides of the ball, led by seniors D.J. Curll D.J. Curll 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Centennial | 2024 State TN , Dominic Reed Dominic Reed 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Centennial | 2024 State TN , Elisha Nieves Elisha Nieves 6'4" | 190 lbs | QB Centennial | 2024 TN and others that provide balance and explosive play all over the field. Nolensville’s defense will have to account for the Cougars wideouts, who can turn a short gain into a touchdown. Ball control on offense with Ty Collins Ty Collins 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Nolensville | 2024 State TN at the helm may be key to keeping the Knights within reach of winning.
Key Matchup: Knights secondary vs. Kani’ Johnson Kani’ Johnson 5'11" | 185 lbs | ATH Centennial | 2025 State TN & the Centennial passing game
Prediction: Centennial 34 Nolensville 23
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Friendship Chrst. Commanders (5-0) at MTCS Cougars (5-0)
– This game has been circled on each team’s calendar all season long as the game to see who possibly the best is coming out of the D2-Class A ranks. Both the Commanders and the Cougars have dominated their opponent up to this point in the season with two game changing backs in Tyson Wolcott and Eli Wilson Eli Wilson 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB MTCS | 2024 State TN leading the way. If you are looking for somebody to throw the ball, this isn’t the game for you! Whichever defense stands strong stopping the run throughout the duration of the game will come out on top with I believe the home Cougars having the edge due to their line of scrimmage.
Key Matchup: Both teams line of scrimmages stopping the run game
Prediction: MTCS 35 Friendship Chrst. 32
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East Nashville Eagles (5-0) at Franklin Road Acad. Panthers (5-0)
– It’s been another strong start for the Eagles of East Nashville but they will be facing their toughest test yet as they travel down the road to face a Panthers team that has their eyes on a D2-Class AA state title. Led by star running back Ty Clark III Ty Clark III 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB FRA | 2024 State TN , the Panthers have a veteran, well balanced offense that can cause issues for an Eagles defense that is talented but still young in a lot of areas. Key seniors up front in Malik Bolling Malik Bolling 6'2" | 255 lbs | DL East Nashville | 2024 State TN and Tion Curry Tion Curry 6'4" | 220 lbs | DL East Nashville | 2024 State TN will need to be difference makers in this game for the road to come back with a victory. If Clark is allowed to go-off, the home Panthers will remain undefeated.
Key Matchup: Eagles defensive front seven vs. Clark III & the Panthers run game
Prediction: FRA 35 East Nashville 34
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Smith Co. Owls (4-1) at East Robertson Indians (5-0)
– East Robertson has been near unstoppable so far this season and it’s easy to see why they are currently the #PRZTN #1 ranked small school in the state. Smith Co. would like to change that ranking Friday night when they come to town and they will bring a physical brand of football with them that could cause problems for the home Indians. Leaning on star running back Isaiah Groves Isaiah Groves 6'0" | 185 lbs | RB East Robertson | 2025 State TN has been a good formula thus far and they should and will continue that moving forward but finding more passing could be key towards the Indians finishing the season as Class 2A state champions. They must get by these Owls first as it will be a challenge East Robertson can not look past.
Key Matchup: Owls defensive front seven vs. Groves & the Indians rushing attack
Prediction: East Robertson 33 Smith Co. 17
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Other Top Games
– Forrest (4-1) at Cascade (3-2)
– Dickson Co. (3-2) at Clarksville (5-0)
– Moore Co. (5-0) at Cornersville (3-2)
– MUS (4-1) at Ensworth (4-1)
– Gallatin (3-2) at Green Hill (5-0)
– Beech (2-3) at Hendersonville (4-1)
– Loretto (5-0) at Hickman Co. (3-2)
– Ravenwood (4-1) at Independence (3-2)
– Rossview (3-2) at Kirkwood (4-1)
– Mt. Pleasant (5-0) at Lewis Co. (4-1)
– DeKalb Co. (3-2) at Stone Memorial (4-1)
– Columbia Cent. (3-2) at Tullahoma (3-2)
– Mt. Juliet (5-0) at Wilson Cent. (3-2)
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West TN
Germantown Red Devils (5-0) at Collierville Dragons (4-1)
– Possibly the biggest game of the entire Week 6 slate, these two region foes should put forth an explosive, high scoring game with tons of college talent all around the field that could go down to the final whistle. Stopping Aidan Glover Aidan Glover 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Collierville | 2024 State TN and the Dragons passing attack will be key for the Red Devils while the home team has to find an answer for Cordero Walker Cordero Walker 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Germantown | 2024 State TN , B.J. Blake B.J. Blake 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Germantown | 2024 State TN , Jamarion Morrow Jamarion Morrow 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Germantown | 2025 State TN and the Germantown run game. If you’re looking for a physical, emotionally filled game, this is the contest for you!
Key Matchup: Collierville’s defensive front seven vs. the Red Devils rushing attack
Prediction: Germantown 32 Collierville 24
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Jackson Christian Eagles (5-0) at Tipton-Rosemark Eagles (5-0)
– This is the biggest game to be played at Tipton-Rosemark in some time as the Rebels currently sit undefeated and welcome in region foe Jackson Christian, who is also undefeated at 5-0. The road Eagles have been very impressive so far this season, especially on offense with juniors Austin Kelley Austin Kelley 6'3" | 170 lbs | QB Jackson Christian | 2025 TN and Jaylen Mosley Jaylen Mosley 6'0" | 190 lbs | ATH Jackson Christian | 2025 State TN having Mr. Football caliber seasons. This will be the toughest competition the Rebels have seen yet, so can they continue their dream season and upset the Eagles? We shall see!
Key Matchup: The Rebels secondary vs. Mosley, Kelley and the Eagles passing attack
Prediction: Jackson Chrst. 42 Tipton-Rosemark 14
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Obion Co. Rebels (4-1) at Dresden Tigers (5-0)
– Riding an undefeated record, the home Tigers will face possibly their stiffest competition yet this season in Obion Co., who has been a surprise team this year that has beaten teams pretty convincingly. This is a contrasting style of play between these two teams as the road Rebels are balanced on offense while Dresden is potent with their run game. Whichever defense is able to contain the other’s offense, will have a lead in towards winning this ball game.
Key Matchup: Rebels defensive front seven vs. the Tigers rushing attack
Prediction: Dresden 28 Obion Co. 23
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Huntingdon Mustangs (3-1) at Milan Bulldogs (5-0)
– Making the move to 2A ball has been seamless this season for Milan but they have a tough challenge ahead of them this Friday with Huntingdon and their run game coming to town. The Mustangs are known for running the ball and playing physical in the trenches, so this game will certainly test Milan, who has their eyes on a Class 2A state title this year. The Bulldogs X-factor could be Carson Pruitt Carson Pruitt 6'2" | 205 lbs | WR Milan | 2024 State TN and his ability to get deep against the Mustangs secondary.
Key Matchup: Bulldogs defensive front seven vs. Huntingdon’s rushing attack
Prediction: Milan 33 Huntingdon 27
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Other Top Games
– Covington (3-2) at Fairley (4-1)
– Union City (3-2) at Greenfield (3-2)
– Huntingdon (3-1) at Milan (5-0)
– M.A.S.E. (3-1) at Peabody (2-3)
– Westview (3-2) at Ripley (4-1)
– TCA (3-1) at Riverside (4-1)
– Melrose (3-2) at Southwind (5-0)