Week Six Slate: #PRZTN Top Matchups

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">It's not the best or deepest slate of games we've had this year but it's quite good with a few inner-region battles taking place that could prove to be a big deal come postseason play. </h2>     Week Six (Follow @CSmithScout/@drew_toennies for coverage)   Knox. Halls (4-1) at Powell (4-1)   - This cross town battle may be the top overall game from our Week Six slate with the winner sitting in the driver seat to become region champs. Both squads come into this matchup playing good football with both offense's clicking at a high level. The Red Devils are led by [player_tooltip player_id='1102989' first='Amari' last='Lethgo'], [player_tooltip player_id='219379' first='Drew' last='Ross'] and their passing game while the Panthers rely on their rushing attack, spearheaded by [player_tooltip player_id='1111032' first='Deuce' last='Rodgers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='937072' first='Connor' last='Wheeler']. It will be up to each defense to get the job done here and whichever one can come up with the most stops or produce turnovers, should come out as the victor. I could honestly see either team coming out on top in this one, so it should be a fun one.    - - - - -    FRA (5-0) at East Nashville (5-0)   - A battle of undefeated teams takes place in Nashville this Friday where a surprising 5-0 FRA team travels to East Nashville to give the Eagles their biggest test of the season thus far. Both of these teams enjoy running the football, so expect the ground game to be the focal point throughout this contest. A pair of juniors should be on full display running the ball in this game with [player_tooltip player_id='1106238' first='Michael' last='Hassell'] (FRA) and [player_tooltip player_id='971296' first='Keith' last='Johnson'] (East Nashville). Whichever defense can find a way to slow down the opposition's rushing attack, should gain an edge towards victory. East Nashville might have the edge with a strong offensive line, led by [player_tooltip player_id='1286224' first='Jaylen' last='Jackson'].    - - - - -    Fairley (4-0) at Covington (5-0)   - Can the Bulldogs keep their dream undefeated season going as they head North to take on a powerful Covington team that has been dominating their opponents? We will find out Friday evening and with the defense that Fairley brings to town, the Bulldogs should have a shot at pulling off the upset. Competing against [player_tooltip player_id='1110699' first='Skylan' last='Smith'] and the Chargers offense will be the biggest test of the season so far for the Fairley defense. They will need to keep the Covington run game in-check if they want to walk out with a road win. This isn't a region game but it's a good test for both teams as we inch closer to postseason play.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/skysmith2.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1507858" style="width:286px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Stewarts Creek (4-1) at Antioch (4-1)   - The region title is in play this week for both the Red Hawks and the Bears with whoever takes the contest being in the driver seat to come out as region champs. Both these teams go about their business in different ways as Antioch likes to throw the ball with [player_tooltip player_id='378901' first='Andre' last='Adams'] while the Red Hawks enjoy running the ball, led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='497427' first='Caleb' last='Floyd'] and [player_tooltip player_id='219413' first='Jeremy' last='Smith']. I foresee the biggest key to this game being the Stewarts Creek secondary and their goal to blanket the back end and present issues for Adams. If they allow the star sophomore time to throw and excel, Stewarts Creek will be going home with a loss.    - - - - -    Cleveland (5-0) at Red Bank (3-1)   - The Blue Raiders have been on a roll this year, stringing together strong performances after another but they must do it again this week on the road as they take on a solid Red Bank team. Cleveland's offense has been well balanced so far this year, receiving strong play from [player_tooltip player_id='219362' first='Isaiah' last='Davis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='820949' first='Brayden' last='Carroll']. The Lions defense has been good  themselves, especially on the back end with [player_tooltip player_id='467266' first='Markee' last='Crutcher'] and others providing blanket coverage. I think the depth of Cleveland will end up being too much for Red Bank but you can't sleep on the Lions as they have enough talent to pull off the upset.    - - - - -    Briarcrest Chrst. (3-2) at Father Ryan (3-1)   - This is a big game for both teams as whoever ends up as the victor, will have a region win in hand and a victory that may pay off big with seeding in the playoffs. Both teams are coming off strong wins in Week Five and both have been playing good football as a whole over the past few weeks. Briarcrest has been playing better of late on offense with [player_tooltip player_id='492553' first='Hudson' last='Tucker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1611645' first='William' last='Jones'] forming a good duo. The Fighting Irish may have a defense to give the Saints and that passing duo problems, especially on the back end with [player_tooltip player_id='898263' first='Caiden' last='Anku'] and [player_tooltip player_id='858846' first='Mason' last='Bryant']. I can see this game going down to the wire with whoever playing with the ball last picking up the win.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/htucker.jpg?w=720" alt="" class="wp-image-1507859" style="width:313px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Collierville (5-0) at Germantown (3-2)   - Headed into the 2024 season, many prognosticators would have had these records swapped but it's the Dragons that head into Germantown this week undefeated and the team that currently sits atop the region. This is a massive game when it comes to the region title and seeding for the playoffs. Collierville has been well balanced, leaning more-so on their defense but have a talented arm in [player_tooltip player_id='1177637' first='Grant' last='Troutman'] that can do some damage. Germantown looks to be a year away but are still legit with a defense of their own that could help push their team to victory. Big plays are what I see being the difference maker and the home Red Devils have the kind of players with those abilities.    - - - - -    Clarksville (5-0) at Dickson Co. (3-2)   - All of a sudden, Dickson Co. is a player now within their region as they are coming off a big win over Kirkwood and have been playing good football over the past several weeks. This week will be their biggest test of the season as they host an undefeated Clarksville team that is the class of the region. The Wildcats bring a strong rushing attack to town with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1240402' first='James' last='Dalrymple'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1240386' first='Ahmoyre' last='Galbreath'] that will certainly test the Wildcats defense. The home team will need [player_tooltip player_id='1315648' first='Damarcus' last='Strickland'] and their offense to play at a high level if they plan to come out on top. Clarksville certainly has the edge here but it will be fun to see how Dickson Co. competes with the best team in their region.    - - - - -    Macon Co. (4-1) at White Co. (3-2)   - If you like games where the quarterbacks run the ball early and often, this is the contest for you! A big inner-region matchup here takes place down in White Co. where the Warriors host a very good Macon Co. squad that will be looking to steal a big road victory. Senior quarterbacks [player_tooltip player_id='1310950' first='Gabe' last='Borders'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1102967' first='Tripp' last='Pinion'] are the headliners here to watch as both are dynamic ball carriers that will throw the ball when needed. Keeping either in-check will be tough but whoever can find the recipe to slow down the other quarterback, should find a way to come out with the win. Whoever gains the victory will have a huge region victory on their side for playoff seeding.    - - - - -    Southwind (4-1) at Melrose (3-2)   - The home Golden Wildcats have a big opportunity this week to push their program forward as they host one of the favorites to win the 5A title this year in Southwind. After starting the season at 1-2, Melrose has bounced back over the past two weeks with two big wins over Kirby and Wooddale. They have been getting the job done with [player_tooltip player_id='616519' first='Rhyan' last='Brown'] and their run game as well as an improving defense. That Wildcats defense has a challenge on their hands as they try to stop [player_tooltip player_id='480742' first='Kelvin' last='Perkins'] and an explosive offense. If Melrose can weather the early jitters, settle in and find a formula to success, maybe an upset could be in cards!    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/kperkins.jpg?w=769" alt="" class="wp-image-1507860" style="width:312px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Other Top Matchups …..   East TN   Carter (3-2) at Anderson Co. (4-0)   Tellico Plains (3-2) at Bledsoe Co. (4-1)   Sequatchie Co. (4-1) at Coalfield (5-0)   West Ridge (3-2) at David Crockett (3-1)   Oakdale (3-2) at Harriman (3-2)   Gatlinburg-Pittman (3-2) at Johnson Co. (5-0)   Chatt. Central (2-3) at Meigs Co. (3-1)   Walker Valley (4-1) at Rhea Co. (2-2)   William Blount (3-2) at Science Hill (3-1)   - - -   Mid TN   Hendersonville (4-1) at Beech (4-1)   Baylor (5-0) at Brentwood Acad. (3-2)   Tullahoma (2-3) at Columbia (3-2)   Stone Memorial (3-2) at DeKalb Co. (5-0)   Davidson Acad. (3-2) at Pope Prep (2-3)   Giles Co. (2-2) at Lincoln Co. (4-1)   Centennial (4-1) at Nolensville (3-2)   Coffee Co. (3-2) at Riverdale (4-1)   Kirkwood (4-1) at Rossview (5-0)   Portland (3-2) at Springfield (2-3)   - - -   West TN   South Gibson (3-2) at Chester Co. (2-3)   Crockett Co. (4-1) at Dyer Co. (4-1)   Jackson North-Side (4-1) at Dyersburg (3-2)   Bolton (4-1) at Hamilton (2-3)   Milan (4-1) at Huntingdon (3-1)   Adamsville (3-2) at J.C. Merry (4-0)   Memp. Business Acad. (4-1) at Lausanne (3-0)   Ensworth (5-0) at MUS (2-3)   Riverside (4-1) at TCA (3-2)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/reddevils.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-502203" style="width:502px;height:auto" /></figure>