#TNHSFB Week Ten Slate: Top Matchups/Predictions

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Playoffs are on the horizon, which means the final two weeks of the season will be huge for a lot of ball clubs, including these teams below who have big match-ups in Week Ten that will dictate their postseason hopes. </h2>     East Tennessee   Knox. Webb Spartans (8-0) at Boyd Buchanan Buccaneers (8-0)   - One of the top overall games throughout the entire state, the Spatans travel to Chattanooga to win the D2-Class AA East Region title but the Bucs will certainly have something to say about that as they are playing for the same cause as well. This should be a fun, entertaining game to watch with both teams having a balanced attack on offense and both defenses being stingy in allowing points and physical up front. Whoever is able to run the ball on a consistent basis I foresee coming out with the victory, which will be tough to achieve against these outstanding defensive teams.    Key Matchup: Bucs defensive front seven vs. the Spartans O-line & run game   Prediction: Knox. Webb 33  Boyd Buchanan 20    - - - - - - - - - -   Knox. Halls Red Devils (7-1) at Knox. West Rebels (7-1)   - A clash of cross-town, region rivals takes place right here between the road Red Devils and the home Rebels with both teams coming into this game with one loss a piece. This game pits a high scoring Knox. Halls offense, led by underclassmen [player_tooltip player_id='219379' first='Drew' last='Ross'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1102989' first='Amari' last='Lethgo'] going up against a strong Knox. West defense, led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='301377' first='C.J.' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='150279' first='Marshaun' last='Bowers'] & others. If the Red Devils are able to move the ball consistently, I think they have a shot at pulling out the road win but if they allow the Rebels defense to push them around and keep Knox. Halls in check, the home team will come out victorious.    Key Matchup: Knox. Halls O-line vs. the Rebels defensive front seven   Prediction: Knox. West 28  Knox. Halls 20   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/08/cjsmith.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-431811" style="aspect-ratio:1;width:375px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - - - - - - -   McMinn Co. Cherokees (6-2) at Powell Panthers (6-2)   - Jumping out of region for Week Ten, both McMinn Co. and Powell are destined for postseason play but this game could show who is the better team in the 5A ranks as we head into postseason play. The home Panthers have been playing some good football of late, especially on offense with underclassmen Conner Wheeler and [player_tooltip player_id='1111032' first='Deuce' last='Rodgers'] making plays but the Cherokees bring one of the best defenses in the state to town with them. Cherokees linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='372301' first='Landon' last='Feggins'] will be key in this contest as he is tasked with stopping Wheeler and the Panthers run game and if he and his defense are successful, a road win is possible.    Key Matchup: Cherokees defensive front seven vs. the Panthers O-line    Prediction: McMinn Co. 20  Powell 17   - - - - - - - - - - -   Lenoir City Panthers (5-3) at Oak Ridge Wildcats (6-2)   - A region title is on the line in this contest but can the road Panthers bounce back after a shutout loss last week and be ready for a talented Wildcats team? We shall see but I can bet Lenoir City will be more prepared this week after coming off the loss to Heritage. Oak Ridge has been quite good this year, especially on offense where they have some explosive talent in the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='149157' first='Brandon' last='Heyward'], [player_tooltip player_id='741423' first='De'Jauvis' last='Dozier'] and [player_tooltip player_id='207340' first='Almani' last='Rembert'] that Lenoir City has to account for. The Panthers are a solid team that should come ready to play but I just don't know if they will have enough to get past a state title contending Oak Ridge team.    Key Matchup: Panthers secondary vs. the Wildcats receivers    Prediction: Oak Ridge 30  Lenoir City 14   - - - - - - - - - -    Other Top East TN Games   Maryville (5-3) at Alcoa (7-0)   Gibbs (7-1) at Anderson Co. (4-4)   Bradley Cent. (8-0) at Cleveland (5-3)   Oliver Springs (6-2) at Coalfield (7-1)   Red Bank (5-3) at Hixson (6-2)   McCallie (8-0) at Knox. Catholic (5-3)   Brainerd (3-5) at Meigs Co. (8-0)   Greeneville (6-0) at Northview Acad. (6-2)   East Hamilton (6-2) at Sevier Co. (7-1)   Sale Creek (6-2) at South Pittsburg (8-0)   Chuckey-Doak (6-2) at Unicoi Co. (5-3)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/mbarrett.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-953820" style="aspect-ratio:1.501466275659824;width:438px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - -   Middle Tennessee    FRA Panthers (8-0) at CPA Lions (7-1)   - Whether either of these teams admit it, both FRA and CPA players have had their eyes on this contest for many weeks now as this game will dictate who wins the D2-Class AA Middle Region and set themselves up as a top seed headed into postseason play. Both these squads are full of talent, especially at the skill positions but I think it will be the line of scrimmage that dictates the winner in this contest. The Panthers are young but talented up front, led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='488808' first='Luke' last='Masterson'] while the Lions have a strong O-line as well, set strong by Ole Miss commit [player_tooltip player_id='149856' first='John' last='Wayne Oliver']. Whoever can generate a pass rush & get after the quarterback consistently, walks away with the win.    Key Matchup: Lions defensive front seven    Prediction: CPA 27  FRA 24   - - - - - - - - - -    Centennial Cougars (7-1) at Page Patriots (7-1)   - This game has been circled all year as a possible region title clash and here we are with the title on the line in what could be one of the more entertaining games of Week Ten. Centennial has a balanced team with both sides of the ball playing consistently throughout the whole year. Page on the other hand has been getting by with adequate offense but are winning games with their defense, led by stud linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='219439' first='Eric' last='Hazzard'] and [player_tooltip player_id='390716' first='Brenden' last='Anes']. The Pats have been suffocating on defense all season but will face an athletic and explosive Cougars offense that will have some of the best skill Page has seen all year. It's tough to see either team lose this game but somebody must and I feel defense will come out on top.    Key Matchup: Patriots defensive front seven vs. the Cougars offense as a whole   Prediction: Page 28  Centennial 24   - - - - - - - - - -    Oakland Patriots (7-1) at Ravenwood Raptors (7-1)   - Stepping out of region for Week Ten, the Patriots and Raptors are two talented ball clubs that have a chance to go deep in the 6A playoffs this year, so this will be a good test for each school as we inch closer to postseason play. Both Oakland and Ravenwood pride themselves on hard nosed, technique sound football with strong trench play and that's what I expect to see on Friday evening. The Pats move their run game on offense, led by stud backs [player_tooltip player_id='186297' first='Ashton' last='Jones'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='219387' first='Daune' last='Morris'] while the Raptors are a bit balanced with Femi Babaloa at quarterback and senior [player_tooltip player_id='197520' first='Carter' last='Pace'] carrying the rock at running back. Whichever defense is able to slow down the opposing offense's run game I believe will gain the upper edge.    Key Matchup: Raptors defensive front seven vs. the Pats O-line/Run game   Prediction: Oakland 35  Ravenwood 20   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/daunmorris.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1054067" style="aspect-ratio:0.9990243902439024;width:376px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - - - - - - -    Loretto Mustangs (8-0) at Waverly Central Tigers (7-1)   - I am highly intrigued with this Mid-TN matchup as these are two well coached football teams that have their eyes on a region title and the victor in this contest will certainly gain a huge leg-up on achieving that goal. Loretto has been the best team within their region so far this year but Waverly has been right there, quietly sitting behind the Mustangs winning ball games and waiting for this big opportunity that will be on familiar grounds in front of their home crowd. The Mustangs have the edge with overall talent, especially with [player_tooltip player_id='390592' first='Carter' last='Daniel'] at quarterback and many could have the road team winning this game but I'm just feeling the home Tigers too much as I feel they will pull off the upset.    Key Matchup: Mustangs defensive front seven vs. the Tigers rushing attack   Prediction: Waverly 31 Loretto 24   - - - - - - - - - -    Other Top Mid-TN Games    Smyrna (4-4) at Antioch (3-5)   Independence (5-3) at Brentwood (8-0)   Green Hill (6-2) at Cookeville (5-3)   Franklin-Grace (4-3) at DCA (5-3)   Bledsoe Co. (6-2) at Gordonsville (5-3)   Hendersonville (6-2) at Lebanon (5-3)   White House (5-3) at Pearl Cohn (8-0)   MTCS (7-1) at Providence Chrst. (4-4)   Riverdale (6-2) at Siegel (4-4)   Stone Memorial (6-2) at Upperman (8-0)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/10/IMG_2281.jpg?w=926" alt="" class="wp-image-465648" style="aspect-ratio:1.0958579881656805;width:366px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - -   West Tennessee    Northpoint Christian Trojans (6-2) at Lausanne Lynx (6-1)   - Could Northpoint go into hostile territory and defeat a very talented Lynx team that has state title aspirations? I think it's possible and it's because of a strong Trojans senior class, led by studs [player_tooltip player_id='250600' first='Jack' last='Patterson'], Dean Patterson and [player_tooltip player_id='953250' first='Andrew' last='Temko']. This senior class has played a lot of football together, so they will not be phased by a good Lausanne team that will present a lot of challenges on Friday evening. Where the Trojans can win this game is with their offense where they could put up enough points to defeat the Lynx but they can't turn it over and they must receive a solid performance from their defense. It will be tough and yes Lausanne could very well win but my guy has me rolling with the Trojans.    Key Matchup: Trojans secondary vs. the Lynx wideouts/pass game   Prediction: Northpoint Chrst. 28  Lausanne 20   - - - - - - - - - -    Ripley Tigers (6-2) at Covington Chargers (6-2)   - Positioning within their region is on line between these two West TN programs. Both Ripley and Covington are destined for the playoffs but who will get the higher seed. Covington is a steady program that consistently competes in postseason play but Ripley is the story for me. They have had a stellar year thus far and are a team that can make some noise in the playoffs but I also think they can go into Covington and upset the Chargers as well. If the Tigers are able to get the job done, it will come by their defense, which has been excellent all year. They have a tough challenge against [player_tooltip player_id='1110699' first='Skylan' last='Smith'] and the Chargers run game but I think they will be up for it and will do enough to come with the win.    Key Matchup: Tigers defensive front seven vs. the Chargers rushing attack   Prediction: Ripley 35  Covington 32   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/covchargers-crop-700x460-1697787015.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1054069" style="aspect-ratio:1.5250544662309369;width:538px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - - - - - - -    Whitehaven Tigers (5-3) at Collierville Dragons (6-2)   - Postseason play is on the line here between these two Memphis area region foes. Sitting inside a stacked Class 6A region, both the Tigers and Dragons are talented teams that could miss the playoffs, so whoever gains the victory will be sitting in prime position for the playoffs. Whitehaven in particular has playoff hopes in their hands as they face Collierville and Bartlett over the next two weeks and those two teams sit right in front of the Tigers within the region standings. The line of scrimmage in this game against the Dragons will be key and I believe the area that will dictate the winner. Watch out for [player_tooltip player_id='445086' first='Rodney' last='Hunter'] of Whitehaven to be a game changer.    Key Matchup: Tigers defensive front seven vs. the Dragons O-line    Prediction: Collierville 24  Whitehaven 19   - - - - - - - - - -    Ensworth Tigers (6-2) at Briarcrest Christian Saints (5-3)   - Traveling down to Memphis from Nashville, Ensworth heads to town looking to continue their winning ways but the home Saints are wanting to spoil their time in Bluff City and boost their profile as well. The playoffs are on the horizon and both these teams are looking to head into postseason action on a high note and winning this game should help the cause. Ensworth is a balanced team that is led by their defense while much is the same for Briarcrest. Both offensive line's will need to hold up throughout the game and keep their quarterbacks as clean as possible, so whoever slows up the pass rush, I see gaining the edge. I could easily see this game being low scoring and a defensive slugfest that I feel would go to Ensworth.    Key Matchup: Saints offensive line vs. the Tigers defensive front seven   Prediction: Ensworth 16  Briarcrest Chrst. 10   - - - - - - - - - -    Other Top West TN Games    Raleigh-Egypt (3-5) at Bolton (5-3)   Huntington (7-1) at Camden (4-4)   Melrose (5-3) at Craigmont (4-4)   Gleason (5-3) at Dresden (8-0)   Obion Co. (5-3) at Dyer Co. (4-4)   Crockett Co. (5-3) at Haywood (6-2)   Fairley (6-2) at Memp. Overton (4-4)   Tipton-Rosemark (6-2) at Trinity Chrst. (6-2)   Houston (6-2) at White Station (4-4)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/04/elimyers-crop-400x263-1680624316.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-751133" style="aspect-ratio:1.5267175572519085;width:502px;height:auto" /></figure>