#TNHSFB Week Eight Slate: Top Matchups/Predictions
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Fall break is on the horizon, so we have a smaller schedule this week but that doesn’t we still don’t have some big time matchups to talk about for Week Eight! East Tennessee Cleveland Blue Raiders (5-1) at Bearden Bulldogs…
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Continue ReadingFall break is on the horizon, so we have a smaller schedule this week but that doesn’t we still don’t have some big time matchups to talk about for Week Eight!
East Tennessee
Cleveland Blue Raiders (5-1) at Bearden Bulldogs (4-2)
– Monster inner-region game takes place here between the road Blue Raiders and the home Bulldogs, who are coming off a big win over Maryville last week. They now host a Cleveland team that has looked very impressive this season, especially on offense where they can be explosive but I think the Bearden could have the athletes to contend and possibly come out with the win. Key to doing that will be their potent rushing attack, behind studs Jaheim Merriweather Jaheim Merriweather 6'1" | 190 lbs | RB Bearden | 2024 State TN and Jayzon Thompson Jayzon Thompson 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Bearden | 2026 State TN . That rushing attack for Bearden can be a game changer and if they can’t get that going, the road team could steal away the victory.
Key Matchup: Cleveland’s defensive front seven vs. Merriweather, Thompson & the Bulldogs run game
Prediction: Cleveland 31 Bearden 21
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Walker Valley Mustangs (6-1) at East Hamilton Hurricanes (5-2)
– The region title might be on the line here between these two greater Chattanooga area teams that both have their eyes on a deep postseason run. The road Mustangs are having a dream season thus far but they can’t be complacent as they take on a hot Hurricanes team that is starting to come into their own. What they have are some athletes in Kireese Willis Kireese Willis 5'11" | 185 lbs | ATH East Hamilton | 2024 State TN and juniors Vanzale Hinton Vanzale Hinton 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB East Hamilton | 2025 KY and Michael Hinton, Jr leading the way with their speed, skill and playmaking abilities. Walker Valley is a well coached team that will be ready to play but I think they are running into a hot squad right now that will be up for the region challenge.
Key Matchup: The Mustangs secondary vs. East Hamilton’s passing attack
Prediction: East Hamilton 35 Walker Valley 24
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Knox. West Rebels (6-1) at Anderson Co. Mavericks (4-3)
– The Rebels remain on the road this week and are looking to bounce back after taking their 1st loss of the season to Alcoa with a new challenge on the horizon against a hot Anderson County team. The Mavs have won four games in a row while coming off a big victory over Clinton and I don’t expect them to be afraid of the Rebels. They have a QB in Izaiah Hall Izaiah Hall 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Anderson Co. | 2024 State TN that can pass them to victory along with good offensive weapons in Nick Moog Nick Moog 6'0" | 215 lbs | RB Anderson Co. | 2024 State TN and Xavian James Xavian James 5'9" | 180 lbs | WR Anderson Co. | 2024 State TN to give the ball too but can they actually do it against a hungry Knox. West defense? We shall see in this sneaky good East TN matchup!
Key Matchup: Mavs offensive line vs. C.J. Smith C.J. Smith 6'3" | 240 lbs | DL Knox. West | 2024 State TN & the Rebels defensive front seven
Prediction: Knox. West 38 Anderson Co. 20
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Northview Academy Cougars (6-1) at Elizabethton Fighting Cyclones (6-0)
– On paper, this looks like one of the best games in the East TN region for the Week Eight slate but the road Cougars are walking into a hornets nest at Elizabethton where the Cyclones are playing at a championship level. Led by Mason Ball Mason Ball 6'5" | 260 lbs | DL Elizabethton | 2024 State TN and their defense, the Cyclones have been shutting down opposing offenses all season and I don’t expect things to be much different in this matchup. Northview is a solid team with good players like Richard Bell, Jr Richard Bell, Jr 6'4" | 250 lbs | DL Northview Academy | 2024 State TN , Evan Poticher Evan Poticher 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Northview Acad. | 2024 State TN and others but Elizabethton is just too good and I foresee them taking this contest that might lead to eventual region title.
Key Matchup: Cougars offensive line vs. the Cyclones defensive front seven
Prediction: Elizabethton 43 Northview Acad. 17
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Other Top East TN Games
– Polk Co. (3-3) at Bledsoe Co. (5-2)
– Johnson Co. (4-3) at Chuckey-Doak (6-1)
– Jellico (4-2) at Cloudland (3-3)
– Carter (4-3) at Gibbs (5-1)
– West Ridge (4-2) at Jefferson Co. (5-1)
– Whitwell (6-1) at Oliver Springs (5-2)
– Knox. Central (4-3) at Powell (5-2)
– Morristown-West (3-3) at Sevier Co. (5-1)
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Middle Tennessee
Brentwood Bruins (7-0) at Centennial Cougars (7-0)
– The best game of the Week Eight slate takes place right here between two undefeated Williamson Co. teams that have their eyes on state titles by season’s end. Both of these teams sport strong defenses along with offenses that showcase senior QB’s in Baylor Hayes Baylor Hayes 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Brentwood | 2024 State TN and Elisha Nieves Elisha Nieves 6'4" | 190 lbs | QB Centennial | 2024 TN . They both also have some playmakers like Matthew Manning Matthew Manning 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Brentwood | 2024 TN , Dominic Reed Dominic Reed 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Centennial | 2024 State TN & others that can be game changers. This is a tremendous matchup that I could see going multiple ways and I believe a lot will be dictated on the play of Nieves and his offensive line against a very good Bruins defensive front seven that might be one of the best position groups in the state. No matter the final result, this game will make both teams better for the playoffs and help towards their goals of winning a state title.
Key Matchup: Cougars offensive line vs. the Bruins defensive front seven
Prediction: Brentwood 28 Centennial 27
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Moore Co. Raiders (6-0) at Collinwood Trojans (5-1)
– Can anybody slow down or stop Raiders star offensive playmaker Dawson White Dawson White 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Moore Co. | 2024 TN ? Well that’s the challenge on hand for Collinwood, who has a big opportunity in front of them that could lead to a region title with a victory over Moore County. A ground attack from both squads will be on display Friday night but which defense will stand strong and make enough stops to pull out a win. That will be key, especially stopping White, who is in line to contend for Mr. Football by season’s end. I do think Collinwood will hang tough for a while and make a game of it but in the end, the Raiders will be too good for the home team to overcome.
Key Matchup: Trojans defensive front seven vs. White & the Raiders rushing attack
Prediction: Moore Co. 42 Collinwood 20
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Henry Co. Patriots (6-1) at Beech Buccaneers (3-3)
– Sitting at .500 headed into Week Eight, Beech has an opportunity to turn their season around and do so against a very good Henry Co. team that sits in the mix among other teams considered as favorites for the Class 5A state title. Beech has played a tough schedule this year, which has led to the 3-3 start but trust me the Bucs are a good team that will not back down to the Patriots. I see this being a defensive affair until the 4th quarter where the line of scrimmage takes over in favor of Henry County but would not be surprised to see the Buccaneers pull off the upset.
Key Matchup: Bucs defensive front seven vs. the Patriots run game
Prediction: Henry Co. 33 Beech 29
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Ensworth Tigers (5-2) at Father Ryan Fighting Irish (3-3)
– It’s been a tough stretch for the home Fighting Irish and it doesn’t get any easier this week as they host a talented Ensworth team that brings a salty defense with them. Father Ryan senior QB JoJo Crump JoJo Crump 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB Father Ryan | 2024 State TN has a big challenge on his hands, trying to find a way to gain enough yards against Mason Curtis Mason Curtis 6'3" | 195 lbs | LB Ensworth | 2024 State TN , Ethan Utley Ethan Utley 6'4" | 265 lbs | DL Ensworth | 2025 State TN and the Tigers defense. His legs may be the key towards Father Ryan competing for the victory but if Crump is held in check for most of the night, the road team may come out on top. We shall see how things turn out but this could be one of the more entertaining games of the Week Eight slate.
Key Matchup: Crump & the Fighting Irish O-line vs. the Ensworth defensive front seven
Prediction: Ensworth 24 Father Ryan 20
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Other Top Mid-TN Games
– Trousdale Co. (3-3) at East Robertson (6-1)
– Ensworth (5-2) at Father Ryan (3-3)
– Marion Co. (7-0) at Forrest (4-3)
– Page (6-1) at Hillsboro (5-2) – Thursday
– Fairview (5-2) at Independence (4-3)
– Columbia Acad. (4-3) at Nash. Christian (3-3)
– Stone Memorial (6-1) at York Institute (6-0)
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West Tennessee
Bartlett Panthers (5-2) at Germantown Red Devils (7-0)
– Can anyone take down Germantown and put a halt on their dream season? I don’t know if anybody can but Bartlett may be one team that has the juice to do so. Now which Panthers team will show up Friday is the question because this team is talented enough to hang with Germantown but consistency has been their issue this year. Bartlett must find answers for this week as they have a tough challenge ahead against an athletic and talented Red Devils offense, led by seniors Cordero Walker Cordero Walker 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Germantown | 2024 State TN and B.J. Blake B.J. Blake 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Germantown | 2024 State TN that can take over a game quickly. I do think Bartlett hangs tough, giving the Red Devils a scare but in the end, Germantown prevails!
Key Matchup: Panthers defensive front seven vs. the Red Devils offensive backfield
Prediction: Germantown 35 Bartlett 24
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Haywood Tomcats (6-1) at Hardin Co. Tigers (7-0)
– Both these teams jump out of region for Week Eight but both Haywood and Hardin Co. are Class 4A powers that have their eyes on a long postseason run, so this should be a good game to follow. Hardin Co. is legit, led by stud seniors 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 and the Tigers have been impressive so far this season while the Tomcats are an interesting team that has only lost once but that one loss was a blowout and to a good team. Haywood is solid but I’m not sure if they are as good as their 6-1 record says. This game should tell a lot about the Tomcats and how good they actually are as we head closer to postseason play.
Key Matchup: Tomcats secondary vs. Smith, Haymon & the Tigers passing attack
Prediction: Hardin Co. 42 Haywood 23
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Southwind Jaguars (7-0) at Memp. Overton Wolverines (4-3)
– Region play continues this week for the #PRZTN #10 team in the state Southwind with a big road game against Memphis Overton and their sneaky good defense. The Wolverines have been a little inconsistent this year but have still played solid football and I expect them to be excited about competing against the Jaguars at home in Week Eight. Talent level leans in the direction of Southwind with guys like Kavion Benton Kavion Benton 6'3" | 250 lbs | DL Southwind | 2024 State TN , Antione Keefer and others destined for the next level but Overton has some up and coming guys like Romalic Carter Romalic Carter 6'0" | 295 lbs | DL Memp. Overton | 2025 TN that can be difference makers in this contest. The key for the Wolverines pulling off the upset will be finding a way to slow down stud sophomore Kelvin Perkins Kelvin Perkins 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Southwind | 2026 TN and his passing game.
Key Matchup: Overton’s offensive line vs. the Southwind defensive front seven
Prediction: Southwind 42 Memp. Overton 13
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Dresden Tigers (7-0) at South Fulton Red Devils (4-3)
– Week by week, Dresden is starting to look like the best team in the Class 1A ranks as they are dominating everybody that comes in their path. This week’s opponent is South Fulton, on the road in a region game environment that will present a challenge for the Tigers but I honestly see no reason to think they won’t come out of this contest 8-0. The home Red Devils have played well this year at times and have a shot at getting into postseason play but they just don’t have enough horses to keep up with the Tigers. South Fulton may keep the game close early but the run game of Dresden will eventually take over and wear down the Red Devils defense towards their eighth victory of the year.
Key Matchup: Red Devils defensive front seven vs. Dresden’s rushing attack
Prediction: Dresden 56 South Fulton 10
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Other Top West TN Games
– Collierville (5-2) at Cordova (3-4)
– Houston Co. (3-4) at McKenzie (6-1)
– Bolton (5-2) at Millington (6-1)
– Bolivar Central (4-3) at Westview (4-3)