Game of the Week: Upperman at Lebanon

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hitting the road again this Friday for Week Two, this time we head out to Lebanon to see the Blue Devils take on 4A title contending team in Upperman. We provide your full preview for this Mid-TN, non-region matchup right here! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>When: </strong>Friday, August 31st</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Where: </strong>Lebanon, TN (Wilson Co.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Time: </strong>7:00 pm Kickoff&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coverage: @CSmithScout @BDPFootball @BaxterFootball</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Upperman Bees&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1254853' first='Bronzden' last='Chaffin']</strong> (#TN2026 7th ranked QB/67th overall)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- </strong>The Bees junior quarterback brings tons of college tools and upside to the field that Lebanon must key on stopping. His size, athleticism in and out of the pocket as well as his arm power is tough to deal with. Chaffin's play on Friday night could be the difference between his team winning and losing.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='533747' first='Ethan' last='Palk']</strong> (#TN2025 Watch List Member)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- </strong>Palk is the lead back within a top notch backfield for the Bees where he provides grit, physical running and leadership from the offensive side of the ball. This guy sports deceptive speed too, so the Blue Devils can not overlook this senior ball carrier.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR/S) [player_tooltip player_id='1285442' first='Branson' last='Turnbow'] </strong>(#TN2025 Watch List Member)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Possibly the Bees top two way player, Turnbow is a good athlete at receiver that brings a nice combo of size and speed to the field that could be needed in this matchup. His work at safety is equally as important as he has ball hawk tendencies that tend to show up in big games.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1409152,"width":"321px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/bchaffin.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1409152" style="width:321px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lebanon Blue Devils&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1228699' first='Dameon' last='Calloway']</strong> (10th ranked Ath by #PRZTN/189th overall)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- </strong>This is the Blue Devils senior star this year and go-to guy on offense that will need to play big in this contest. Calloway has game changing speed that can become a problem for Upperman as well as his ability to lock down receivers from his defensive back position.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) Jordan Jewell (</strong>#TN2025 Watch List Member)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- </strong>Jewell is the emotional leader on this team that is finally healthy and ready to push his game to another level. Fierce against the run with deceptive speed, Jewell is a violent finisher, a tackler that plays with his hair on fire, always looking to hit somebody. He will be key in this game as the team's top run stuffer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='344645' first='Harrison' last='Edwards'] </strong>(#TN2025 25th ranked RB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Transferring over to Lebanon for his senior season, Edwards made a nice debut last week where his speed and dynamic running abilities were a problem for Antioch defenders. His skill set will be needed in this contest as Edwards could be the difference maker that pushes the Blue Devils over the top and into the win column.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Matchup</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Upperman Secondary vs. Calloway &amp; the Blue Devil Receivers&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Some could see stopping Chaffin or slowing down Edwards on the Blue Devils offense as the biggest matchups to watch this Friday but I see the Bees secondary versus Calloway and the Lebanon pass catchers as the most important. Upperman has a solid defensive backfield but is it athletic and fast enough to guard Calloway or slow him down enough to where he isn't controlling the game. Ball control offense by Chaffin and the Bees is what I think you will see for most of the contest as they try to keep Calloway and the Blue Devils athletes quiet and out of the mix as much as possible.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1409153,"width":"288px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/lebanon2.jpg?w=678" alt="" class="wp-image-1409153" style="width:288px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Overview</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- As we head into Week Two of high school ball here in Tennessee, both Lebanon and Upperman go into this matchup on different spectrums. The home Blue Devils are coming off an opening season loss to Antioch while Upperman rolls to town off a commanding 48-6 victory over Fayetteville. Lebanon will certainly be looking to bounce back this week as I'm sure they don't want to start the 2024 campaign at 0-2, so this game versus the Bees is important.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be an interesting matchup to watch Friday night as Lebanon has the athleticism and possible depth to overtake Upperman and send them back home with a loss. The Bees however might have the better overall team as well as the best player overall in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254853' first='Bronzden' last='Chaffin']</strong>. The star player to keep an eye on for the Blue Devils will be <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1228699' first='Dameon' last='Calloway']</strong>. Upperman might have some issues with him as well as running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='344645' first='Harrison' last='Edwards'] </strong>due to their game breaking speed as I'm not sure if the Bees have anybody on defense that can keep up with them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1409155,"width":"328px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/hedwards-crop-597x392-1724965186.webp?w=597" alt="" class="wp-image-1409155" style="width:328px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Lebanon Democrat</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The area for both team's that I will be keeping a close eye on is the line of scrimmage. Upperman appears to be retooled on the offensive line after losing several starters from last year while I think the Blue Devils are still figuring things out up front. Getting a push from the D-line will key in this contest. Lebanon's defensive front in particular will need to play at a high level as they are tasked with slowing down Chaffin along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='533747' first='Ethan' last='Palk']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492559' first='Carmine' last='Phillips'] </strong>and the Bees rushing attack.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defense as a whole for the Blue Devils is where improvement is needed as they allowed Antioch to move the ball on a consistent basis almost whenever they wanted to. The Bees present a balanced offensive approach that will rely on the run game but will certainly spin it too as they try to showcase Chaffin, so it's another tough challenge in Week Two for the Lebanon defenders.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both squads have aspirations of competing for a region title this year along with placing themselves into postseason play. This contest has no impact on either's region title race but nobody ever wants to take a loss but somebody has to. I expect the Blue Devils to play hard Friday night as they don't want to start the season 0-2 but more importantly, would like to get a big win over a good Upperman team and continue boosting their confidence. I expect the Bees to be fully prepared and ready to go here, so look for this to be a fun game to follow that might go down to the very end.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Prediction</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- It's hard to see Lebanon start the season at 0-2 but it's very possible as Upperman is no joke. They return several key players from last year's 4A championship runner-up team and look geared to return there again this year. Under coach <strong>Chuck Gentry </strong>and his coaching, the Blue Devils play a consistent, physical brand of football, so I expect them to come ready to compete.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leaning on Calloway, Edwards and the Blue Devils top athletes will be needed in this contest to keep up with a highly efficient Upperman offense. If they can get big plays out of those guys along with receiving stellar play from their defensive front seven,including strong play from <strong>Jordan Jewell</strong>, I think Lebanon has a shot at winning this game. If the defense shows leaks and Chaffin and his Bees offense takes advantage of them, it may be a long night for the Blue Devils.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I foresee this game running into the 3rd quarter before we start seeing someone push out ahead and I think that will be Upperman. The Bees I feel will be too tough on offense for a Blue Devils defense that is still developing. They will fight hard but in the end, the run game for Upperman will tire them out and be the difference maker towards starting their season 2-0.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Score: <strong>Upperman 38&nbsp; Lebanon 20</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1096764,"width":"393px","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/upperman3.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1096764" style="width:393px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->