#TNHSFB Playoffs: Top Quarterfinal Matchups

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The third round of the Tennessee HS Football Playoffs kick off this evening &amp; we have a tremendous slate of games set to take place with some title contending teams seeing their season's come to an end. Here we breakdown the top matchups from the Quarterfinal round. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 1A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McKenzie (11-1) at Moore Co. (12-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This is a state title caliber matchup taking place in the Quarterfinal round with an undefeated Moore Co. team looking to keep their dream season going against possibly the most athletic team they have seen this year in McKenzie. Raiders senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277797' first='Dawson' last='White'] </strong>has to have one of his best games of his career for the home team to win while Rebels junior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1102448' first='Tate' last='Surber'] </strong>has been outstanding this year, taking over the lead role behind center and looking sharp doing his job. Moore Co. must get after Surber while their offense has to keep up their high octane style to advance into the Semi's. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1090666,"width":"440px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/tsurber-crop-1639x1076-1700237581.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1090666" style="width:440px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 2A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Robertson (11-1) at Smith Co. (10-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A rematch takes place here in the Quarterfinals with East Robertson looking for revenge as earlier this year, the Indians took the lone loss while losing out on the region title to Smith County. The Indians offense was held down in their 1st meeting by the Owls defense, keeping stud back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='497421' first='Isaiah' last='Groves'] </strong>in check, spearheaded by stud linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467775' first='Peyton' last='Hix']</strong>. More than seven points will be needed by the Indians to advance and if you go by how they have been playing of late, you can expect East Robertson to show up, ready for the rematch.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 3A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alcoa (10-1) at Gatlinburg-Pittman (11-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- These two teams are very familiar with each other as both have been region foes in the past but this year that changed with Pittman moving to Region 1 but now they must face each other to see who advances to the Semifinals. The home Highlanders have a high scoring offense with college prospects leading the way in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207312' first='Brady' last='Hammonds']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219342' first='Tegan' last='Avera'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149163' first='Carlos' last='Orr'] </strong>while the Tornadoes bring a physical, technique sound defense to town that could cause issues in the Pittman backfield. If the Highlanders can keep <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='258669' first='Joe' last='McCord'] </strong>and others off the back of Hammonds, the home team may have a shot to pull this out.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Giles Co. (9-2) at Meigs Co. (12-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- It's been a banner year thus far for Meigs Co. but they are facing probably their toughest team yet in Giles Co., who brings a winning culture and athleticism to town that the Tigers have not seen this season. The Bobcats have a veteran squad with seniors that have won a lot of ball games along with some serious playmakers in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239447' first='Kamauri' last='Turner']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277770' first='Zori' last='Randolph'] </strong>and others that could cause problems for the Tigers defense. I see the biggest key for Meigs Co. to win is to slow the game down, run the ball and keep the clock in their favor with a shot to win it in the 4th quarter. If that doesn't happen, I could see a Giles Co. blowout. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":803258,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/04/amsmith.jpg?w=320" alt="" class="wp-image-803258" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 4A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marshall Co. (10-2) at Pearl Cohn (12-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- These two teams know each other very well and they both just met a few weeks ago when the Firebirds handled the Tigers and took the region but now it's playoff time and anything can happen. Pearl Cohn is the clear cut favorite and one of the best teams in the state but Marshall Co. has a senior, cerebral QB in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='398083' first='Silas' last='Teat'] </strong>and some athletes out wide to compete with the Firebirds. The Tigers just can't turn the ball over nor allow <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='811032' first='Javion' last='Kinnard'] </strong>and the Firebirds O-line to gain confidence or it will be another loss but if Marshall Co. can play clean, efficient ball, they might be there in the end with a shot at the upset.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 5A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Powell (9-3) at Knox. West (11-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- When the brackets came out a few weeks ago, many had these two teams circled to be meeting up in the Quarterfinals and that's where we are. The road Panthers have been hot of late while the Rebels have remained steady since their only loss to Alcoa. Both these teams go about things in different approaches. Powell is built around <strong>Conner Wheeler</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1111032' first='Deuce' last='Rodgers'] </strong>and their offense while Knox. West relies on their veteran defense, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301377' first='C.J.' last='Smith']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='864980' first='Ryan' last='Scott'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465287' first='Anderson' last='Smith']</strong>. The contrast between these two teams will be interesting to watch Friday evening and see which philosophy comes out on top. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Centennial (10-2) at Page (11-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Another region matchup takes place here in the Quarterfinals with Centennial traveling down to face off against a Page team that is playing some strong football right now, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Led by studs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219439' first='Eric' last='Hazzard'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390716' first='Brenden' last='Anes']</strong>, the Patriots “D” have been shutting down everybody they have faced, including the Cougars, who fell to Page on their home field just a few weeks ago. Centennial has to find some kind of offensive recipe in this contest to come out with a win and while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='316773' first='Dominic' last='Reed'] </strong>has been the key to their offense, the Pats are strong at stopping the run, so some kind of passing game needs to take place from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='148876' first='Elisha' last='Nieves']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1063458,"width":"340px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/banes.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1063458" style="width:340px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 6A&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oakland (10-2) at Riverdale (10-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The classic game from a few weeks ago between these two teams gets a sequel here in the Quarterfinals as Oakland travels down the road to face Riverdale in what could be one of the more entertaining games from Round Three. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='119096' first='Braden' last='Graham'] </strong>has had a Mr. Football year and he has a bevy of wideouts to throw to like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149160' first='Brock' last='Montgomery'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='286599' first='Keshawn' last='Williams'] </strong>but the Pats have a defense that could potentially shut them down. They were able to do so in the 1st matchup but Oakland slowing down the Riverdale passing attack will be key towards coming out with the victory.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Private Schools</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Columbia Academy (8-3) at MTCS (10-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Can the Bulldogs pull off a second win in a row over a state title contender? It's possible as Columbia Academy is playing some of the best ball of anybody in the D2-Class A ranks but so is their opponent in MTCS. The home Cougars have an outstanding defense, led by seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1089076' first='Brooks' last='Jones'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1089073' first='Seth' last='Harris'] </strong>along with a potent rushing attack on offense, supported by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150295' first='Eli' last='Wilson']</strong>, <strong>Yates Geren</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277659' first='Jesse' last='Perry']</strong> that many teams have had a hard time stopping all season long. The Bulldogs have been able to score the ball but it will be their defense that is needed to win this game if they want to advance to the D2-Class A championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Franklin Road Academy (11-1) at Christ Presbyterian Academy (11-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Yet another rematch takes place here in the Quarterfinals with FRA looking for revenge from their only loss of the season up to this point, which came by the hands of CPA. In that first matchup, the Lions defense absolutely shut down <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150281' first='Ty' last='Clark III'] </strong>and the Panthers offense, holding them to seven points total. That must change in this contest if the road plans to advance. FRA has to find open lanes to run or expand the passing game if they want to defeat CPA as I feel the home team and especially their defense will be up for the challenge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":757463,"width":"502px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/04/jwoliver.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-757463" style="width:502px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->