Week Eight Slate: #PRZTN Top Matchups

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">It's a lite slate this week with most of the state on Fall break but we still have enough strong matchups to provide you our top ten for Week Eight. Several games below have region title and playoff implications on the line, so it should be another fun week of HS football here in Tennessee!! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FRA (7-0) at BGA (6-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The biggest game on our slate for Week Eight is this D2-Class AA region matchup that should dictate who ends up as region champs. The road Panthers have a leg up right now on that title as they come in undefeated and hardly tested so far in the 2024 season. This game versus BGA will be their biggest test yet where the Wildcats bring a high powered offense, led by juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='914547' first='Kaedyn' last='Marable'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1405419' first='Ethan' last='Kellum'] </strong>and an opportunistic defense into this matchup that could present issues for the Panthers. The road squad I don't think will be intimidated by the atmosphere and should lean on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866750' first='Keilan' last='Neal'] </strong>and their defense to slow up the Cats explosive offense to be right here in the 4th quarter with an opportunity to win.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Father Ryan (5-1) at Ensworth (7-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Can the Fighting Irish go on the road and keep their dream season alive? I think it's possible but if they get the job done, it will be against one of the best defenses in the state in Ensworth. The Tigers present a suffocating defensive squad that has shut down every opponent in their path this year. Father Ryan does present a decent challenge for them. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150055' first='Joseph' last='Derrick'] </strong>can spin it and he has been playing at another level of late. His offensive line will be key in this one as they have a battle in the trenches going up against <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219447' first='Ethan' last='Utley']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1536143' first='Brandon' last='Collins'] </strong>and the Tigers front seven. Ensworth definitely has the edge here but they can't sleep on the Fighting Irish as I'm sure they are geared for this big inner-region matchup.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Hamilton (6-1) at Walker Valley (5-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The region title is one the line here between the Hurricanes and Mustangs. You have 11 combined wins between these two East TN programs, so both know how to succeed but only one can walk away as the victor. It's been a surprising season thus far from East Hamilton but key players have stepped forward, especially <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432197' first='Jaden' last='Haywood'] </strong>in the backfield and their O-line, led by senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333373' first='Andrew' last='Gilbert']</strong>. The Canes will be challenged in this matchup as the Mustangs have a veteran squad that is looking to repeat as a region champion. I could see this game going either way, so it should be a fun contest to watch or follow along with throughout the night.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1448161,"width":"663px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/jhaywood.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1448161" style="width:663px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nash. Christian (5-1) at Columbia Academy (5-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The D2-Class Middle Region championship is up for grabs here as both NCS and Columbia Academy go into his game at 2-0 in the region with two offenses that can put up a lot of points and future college players starring on the field. The Bulldogs took last year's matchup, so you can be sure the Eagles are coming in looking for revenge. They bring a high powered offense, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402548' first='Jared' last='Curtis'] </strong>that has moved the ball more consistently this year. Columbia Academy has a balanced attack with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1192882' first='Stephen' last='Nieves'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='839988' first='Harrison' last='Brownlee'] </strong>in the passing game and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1002753' first='Montae' last='Baldwin'] </strong>taking care of things on the ground. Whoever has the ball last might end up on top and in the driver seat for a region title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Forrest (5-2) at Marion Co. (5-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Some people may not pay too much attention to this game but this is a fun matchup to follow in Week Eight as the region title is on the line. After a great start to the season, Marion Co. has lost two of the last three games and may be ripe for the taking as they host a sneaky good Forrest team that will try to run the ball and slow the game down. The Rockets have been dealt some bad blows with injuries to their backfield but it's next man up. Running the ball against a good defense, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219406' first='Braydon' last='Coffelt'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1282603' first='Myles' last='Mays'] </strong>will be tough but key for the road team to come out with a win. If the run game fails, the home Warriors should move into the top spot for the region title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McKenzie (7-0) at Houston Co. (6-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The biggest challenge of the season awaits the Rebels in Houston Co. as the Fighting Irish brings a veteran squad to the field that has been playing at a high level this year and will be ready to face a talented McKenzie team. Recent UT-Martin commit, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1102448' first='Tate' last='Surber'] </strong>will challenge the Houston Co. defense as he's the best passer their secondary has seen all year. Now the Fighting Irish does have a ball player on the back end in <strong>Malaki Cary </strong>that could make a difference and do so on both sides of the ball. If the Fighting Irish can hang in there early, they might have a shot at pulling the upset but if Surber goes off and their line of scrimmage gets a constant push, it's lights out for the home team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1475562,"width":"426px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/mcrebels.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1475562" style="width:426px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kirkwood (6-1) at Clarksville (7-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Another region title will be on the line here between two teams that are located just a few miles away from each other, so the atmosphere should be ripe for a great high school football game. That can happen if the road Cobras come to play and it's possible they do as they have some senior playmakers in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='976602' first='Perry' last='Cross-Snead']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422923' first='Lee' last='Buggs III'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1269237' first='Gavyn' last='Hunter'] </strong>that can be difference makers. That senior group must play big in this game as Clarksville brings a winning culture to the field along with a strong senior class as well, headlined by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1240402' first='James' last='Dalrymple'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1240386' first='Ahmoyre' last='Galbreath']</strong>. The Wildcats are the favor here but the Cobras should be hungry and ready to pull the upset.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Germantown (4-3) at Bartlett (3-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A playoff spot is on the line here in this Memphis area matchup as both the Red Devils and the Panthers sit tied for fourth place inside their region at the moment, so whoever wins this contest, gains an upper edge on making postseason play. It's been an up and down season for both squads. Both came into the 2024 season with big expectations but one of these teams could be left out of playoffs, especially with a loss in this game. The home Panthers will need excellent play from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='795560' first='Austin' last='Howard'] </strong>and their defense to come out on top because the Red Devils may have the edge in the athletic department. Germantown will need points however to win because Bartlett won't just lay over. This could be a close battle that goes into the 4th quarter before a winner is decided.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>J.C. Merry (5-0) at Huntingdon (4-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Cougars have come out of nowhere to become a Top 15 ranked team by #PRZTN this season but Friday may be their biggest challenge yet as they hit the road to take on a winning program in Huntingdon. The Mustangs play a steady brand of football, headlined by their run game. The combination of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222306' first='Gray' last='Eubanks'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1557044' first='Brady' last='Warbritton'] </strong>running the ball should present some issues for J.C. Merry but they may have the defense to slow them down. That side of the ball has been stellar for the Cougars this year, led by stud D-lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1310949' first='Daveon' last='Johnson']</strong>. This will be a game that shows how legit J.C. Merry is and what they might be able to do once we reach postseason play.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Beech (5-1) at Henry Co. (4-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- One of the toughest games on the slate this year for Beech comes here in Week Eight where they face a solid Henry Co. team that will be looking to pull the upset and potentially win the region. It's a tall task for the home Patriots as the Bucs come to town riding high, playing strong football of late with a high scoring, run based team, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866718' first='Kaden' last='Powell'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800803' first='Chelton' last='Swafford']</strong>. Henry. Co. has leaned more on their defense this year and they will be asked for one of the best performances of the season to accomplish victory this week. Slowing down the rushing attack will be key but the Patriots must find some points as well, which is a tough task against <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='951112' first='Gunnar' last='Clary'] </strong>and the Bucs defense. If you like running the ball and defense, this should be the game for you!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1326222,"width":"252px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/cswafford.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1326222" style="width:252px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Top Matchups …..</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East TN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gatlinburg-Pittman (4-2) at Claiborne (3-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bearden (3-3) at Cleveland (5-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lenoir City (4-2) at Clinton (2-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tenn. High (3-2) at David Crockett (4-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Greene (4-1) at Happy Valley (4-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rockwood (3-4) at Harriman (4-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gibbs (6-0) at Carter (3-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brentwood Acad. (4-3) at Knox. Catholic (3-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elizabethton (4-2) at Northview Acad. (4-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meigs Co. (5-1) at Pigeon Forge (4-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bledsoe Co. (6-1) at Polk Co. (4-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Signal Mountain (6-1) at Silverdale (5-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McMinn Cent. (4-2) at Tyner Acad. (4-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mid TN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Antioch (4-3) at CPA (7-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>York Institute (4-2) at Stone Memorial (5-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West TN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Westview (7-0) at Bolivar Cent. (3-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Munford (6-1) at Brighton (3-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USJ (6-1) at ECS (4-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":489349,"width":"438px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/10/munford2-scaled-crop-2304x1513-1666721054.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-489349" style="width:438px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->