Week Eleven Slate: #PRZTN Top Matchups

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The football regular season wraps up this week, beginning tonight on Halloween where we have multiple high profile games taking place, including several that will dictate region titles and seeding for the coming playoffs. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oakland (8-1) at Riverdale (8-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Battle of the Boro as well as the region title is one the line here between two rivals that know each other well but also don't like each other too. This should be a fun, competitive ball game that isn't settled till the very end with lots of physical hits and the potential for big plays. The immediate thing that must happen for the home team to win this game is to slow down the Pats potent rushing attack, spearheaded by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219387' first='Daune' last='Morris'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219449' first='Tamari' last='Hill']</strong>. If the Warriors can do that, they have a great shot at winning. The offense can't turn the ball over and must maintain the clock to have a shot. Oakland is also coming off a loss, so the Pats may be geared up to get back on the field.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Covington (9-0) at Westview (9-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Which West Tennessee program will head into playoff season undefeated? Only one of these can do so but both are at the top of the board when it comes to competing for the Class 3A state title. Covington has been rock solid all year long, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1110699' first='Skylan' last='Smith']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1659259' first='Jaheim' last='Smith'] </strong>and their running game while the Chargers have a high scoring offense, that will put it up in the air due to the emergence of #TN2028 quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='424594' first='Graham' last='Simpson']</strong>. It will all be up to whichever defense is able to win the line of scrimmage and make things difficult for the opposition's backfield. If either team is able to gain comfortability and be themselves, they will come out on top with a region title victory.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mt. Juliet (9-0) at Green Hill (9-0) - Thursday</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Just a few miles from each other, this contest is becoming one of the biggest rivalries in the state and both come into this game undefeated with the region title up for grabs. Both the Golden Bears and the Hawks have quietly gone about their business and won each game, doing so in different ways. Green Hill is young but up and coming with a stout defense and some firepower on offense, led by junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='964976' first='Kannon' last='Burroughs']</strong>. The Golden Bears have a veteran team and could be considered the favorite here. The Hawks have a challenge slowing down <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219402' first='Tyler' last='Travers']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219347' first='Jonmikael' last='Crudup'] </strong>and the Mt. Juliet offense. If they can keep them in-check, the home team could find a way towards beating their rival.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1546722,"width":"291px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/afiorita.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1546722" style="width:291px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ravenwood (9-0) at Brentwood (8-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming off the biggest win of the 2024 season, can the Raptors go on the road and pull out another big victory? I think they can but we shall see as they face off with cross town rival Brentwood in a contest that will be for the region title. It won't be easy for the Raptors as Brentwood presents one of the better defenses in the state with a strong front seven, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='820608' first='Kaiaulu' last='Micatrotto']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='850431' first='Mason' last='Ray'] </strong>and others that can be a difference maker versus a potent Ravenwood offense. They can make life hard for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402540' first='Femi' last='Babalola'] </strong>while shutting down the run game if the Bruins want to pull off the upset. Defeating Oakland last week in overtime, this may be a great time to play the Raptors, so Brentwood certainly has a shot here.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pearl Cohn (7-2) at Marshall Co. (9-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Can the Tigers finally knock off the big bad Firebirds from Nashville and take home the region championship? They have a great opportunity at doing so as they host Pearl Cohn this Friday in a huge game that will provide a region title as well as a #1 seed in the coming playoffs to the victor. The biggest challenge I see here for the home team is finding positive plays versus <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='855556' first='Kyler' last='Garcia'] </strong>and the Firebirds defensive front seven. Running the ball may be tough for the Tigers, so leaning on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422897' first='Tyler' last='Thompson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390641' first='Aja' last='Jones'] </strong>and the passing game may be the key to victory. This should be a fun one and litmus test for both as we inch closer to postseason play.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>GCA (8-1) at Boyd Buchanan (9-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- There is still a lot to play for, including a region title but the Rams must bounce back after taking defeat for the first time last week in a surprising loss to Silverdale. Their next challenge is the biggest yet as they face a cohesive and strong Boyd Buchanan team that is coming off a blowout win over Knox. Webb. The Bucs are a well balanced team with a strong defense that doesn't give up much points, so an A-plus game will be needed from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301391' first='Weston' last='Edmondson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='933067' first='Terrion' last='Thomas'] </strong>and the Rams offense to pick up this win. I could see GCA bouncing back and stealing the road win but the Bucs may be too tough to get past, especially with this game being on their home field and a region title on the line.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1329888,"width":"394px","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/hhicks.jpeg?w=850" alt="" class="wp-image-1329888" style="width:394px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Collierville (9-0) at Houston (7-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- It's been a dream season to this point for Collierville and the regular season can end strong with a road win over Houston that leads to a region title. The only team standing in their way are the Mustangs, who have talent like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816017' first='Chandler' last='Day']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='529774' first='Ladeadrick' last='James']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829107' first='Marcelles' last='Davis'] </strong>and others to up-end the Dragons. It will be interesting to see how the Houston offense generates a plan to contend with Collierville's stellar defense, especially <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1423595' first='Samuel' last='Iroh']</strong>, <strong>Tristian Euell </strong>and the Dragons front seven. Running the ball I feel will be key for both teams in the matchup. Whichever team can maintain the clock in their favor and find some positivity running the ball, should come out on top.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Knox. West (6-3) at Powell (8-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Another region title is one the line here between the Rebels and Panthers. Both teams come into this game playing good football and well aware of what's in front of them and that's a championship and an opportunity to be a #1 seed in the coming playoffs. The Panthers have been money for most of the season where they control the clock with a ball controlled offense and a defense that is strong within the front seven. Knox. West is young but starting to come on, so you can not sleep on the Rebels in this contest. Big plays for the road team will be key while Powell must continue their formula but execute at a high level to walk out the regular season as region champs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Johnson Co. (8-1) at Unicoi Co. (7-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Longhorns have been one of the bigger surprises coming out of the East TN region this year and they can end the regular season with a region title but must get past a talented Unicoi Co. team to do so. The biggest challenge for the road here is finding a way to slow down star quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115203' first='Kolby' last='Jones']</strong>. Johnson Co. has played excellent defensive football this year and will need that unit to play at a high level in this matchup. I believe their offense will travel. Running the ball is their deal and with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422921' first='Juan' last='Mejia'] </strong>toting the rock, the Longhorns have a shot at playing ball control in this matchup and keep Jones on the sideline. If the road team can do that, I can see the Longhorns winning this game and heading into postseason play as a #1 seed.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1546728,"width":"291px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/unicoico.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1546728" style="width:291px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lausanne (6-1) at USJ (8-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- One of the biggest games out West for Week Eleven is the Lynx traveling over to Jackson to face a strong USJ team that has their eyes on the region title. This will be the biggest test of the season for both teams as the Lynx bring some athletic playmakers to town like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='860627' first='Jawell' last='Rodgers']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1348259' first='Marterius' last='Boyd']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853122' first='Colton' last='Nabors'] </strong>that can present challenges while the Bruins offer a veteran squad that does things efficiently, spearheaded by senior two-way talent <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1080185' first='Noah' last='Spencer']</strong>. Winning the line of scrimmage will be critical in this matchup as I see both teams wanting to lean on the run game to establish themselves. Whichever defense can make the most stops or pull away turnovers, will gain the upper hand towards victory.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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>Elizabethton (6-2) at Greeneville (6-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alcoa (7-1) at Kingston (5-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gibbs (8-1) at Fulton (6-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cosby (7-2) at North Greene (6-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>York Inst. (7-2) at Polk Co. (4-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Loudon (9-0) at Red Bank (6-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Hamilton (6-3) at Rhea Co. (5-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dobyns-Bennett (7-2) at Science Hill (7-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Giles Co. (5-4) at Sequatchie Co. (8-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Soddy Daisy (8-1) at Signal Mnt. (6-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meigs Co. (7-2) at Tyner Acad. (5-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Johnson Co. (8-1) at Unicoi Co. (7-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Pitt (7-2) at Whitwell (7-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mid TN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Springfield (5-4) at Beech (8-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gordonsville (6-3) at Clay Co. (7-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Upperman (9-0) at DeKalb Co. (6-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Henry Co. (5-4) at Hendersonville (7-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Creek (4-5) at Kirkwood (7-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gallatin (3-6) at Lebanon (3-6)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mt. Pleasant (6-3) at Loretto (5-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DCA (8-1) at Nash. Christian (8-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Page (9-0) at Nolensville (6-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Macon Co. (7-2) at Stone Memorial (5-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Hickman (8-1) at Summertown (7-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shelbyville (8-1) at Tullahoma (6-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Creek Wood (6-3) at White House (4-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West TN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southwind (8-1) at Brighton (4-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jackson North-Side (6-2) at Chester Co. (6-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ensworth (9-0) at Chrst. Brothers (5-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Haywood (7-2) at Dyer Co. (8-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TCA (6-3) at Jackson Chrst. (8-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Middle Coll. (8-1) at MASE (7-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Munford (8-1) at Memp. Central (7-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Riverside (6-3) at Milan (8-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Melrose (5-3) at Millington (5-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fairley (8-0) at Mitchell (6-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ECS (5-3) at Northpoint Chrst. (5-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Memp. East (7-2) at Raleigh-Egypt (4-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dyersburg (6-3) at Ripley (4-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lake Co. (5-4) at Union City (7-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McKenzie (9-0) at West Carroll (5-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bartlett (5-3) at Whitehaven (6-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1534252,"width":"412px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/20241018_211757.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1534252" style="width:412px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->