Week Seven Slate: #PRZTN Top Matchups

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">We got some region titles and playoff ramifications on the line this week! We also have some major showdowns between top tier teams, so here we provide our top games to watch for during Week Seven! </h2>     McCallie (5-1) at Baylor (6-0)   - There is no question on what the top game of Week Seven will be and that's the Blue Tornadoes traveling over to Baylor for what will be a defacto region title game. Talent galore will be spread out all over the field but what could be the defining factor that pushes either team towards a victory. That's tough to find but the one area where I believe the Red Raiders should have the advantage and that's in the trenches with [player_tooltip player_id='219445' first='Jimmy' last='Bryson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1270425' first='Gabriel' last='Osenda'] and their offensive line. Baylor has “the” best O-line unit in the state that has been manhandling opponents all year long. This should be a fun contest to follow as this game usually goes down to the wire and I expect that to be the same this season.    - - - - -    Maryville (6-0) at Bearden (3-2) - Thursday   - Week Seven kicks off Thursday with this big inner-region matchup that see's the undefeated Rebels hit the road for what could be a trap game against the home Bulldogs. For the first part of the season, Maryville has been impressive with a balanced offense, led by [player_tooltip player_id='361227' first='Price' last='Davis'] and a defense that has been one of the best in the state this year. The Rebels defense could be tested vs. Bearden as they present some players and talent they haven't seen this year. Keeping guys like [player_tooltip player_id='806042' first='Jayzon' last='Thompson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='800786' first='Tory' last='Beaufort'] in-check will be key towards Maryville coming out with the win and keeping their undefeated season going.    - - - - -    Franklin (4-2) at Brentwood (5-1)   - Could Franklin pull off one of the bigger upsets from our Week Seven Slate? It's possible as the Admirals head into Brentwood with confidence and an offense that has been clicking well over the past several weeks. That offense will need to show up against a Bruins defense that has been salty all year, led by [player_tooltip player_id='820608' first='Kaiaulu' last='Micatrotto'], [player_tooltip player_id='850431' first='Mason' last='Ray'] and their defensive front seven. If the Admirals want to make a move after the region title, winning this game against Brentwood is critical towards the cause. The Bruins are the leader in the clubhouse right now but Franklin has a chance to dethrone them and put themselves in position as the top team in the region with a victory on Friday.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/mray.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1261042" style="width:298px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Memp. Central (5-1) at Southwind (5-1)   - Competing for a region title is on the line in this matchup between two talented teams that have their eyes on deep playoff runs. The Warriors bring a veteran squad to town that the home Jags can not sleep on. Senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='834585' first='Hays' last='Wright'] and the Warriors offense has been playing at a high level lately while [player_tooltip player_id='480742' first='Kelvin' last='Perkins'] and his Southwind offense have been struggling of late. The Jags can't be dormant in this matchup as Memp. Central has a solid defense that could cause havoc for Perkins and if they do so, the road team might walk away with the upset. We shall see how this game plays out but it looks to be one of the more entertaining matchups of Week Seven.    - - - - -    Antioch (4-2) at Mt. Juliet (6-0) - Thursday   - Coming off a tough loss at home last week to region foe Stewarts Creek, can the Bears bounce back and do so against an undefeated Mt. Juliet team that is playing at a high level on both sides of the ball right now? It's a tall task for Antioch but they have the talent to go on the road and pull off the upset. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='378901' first='Andre' last='Adams'] and his receiving corps of Jayden Fowler, [player_tooltip player_id='966033' first='Brandon' last='Goliday'] and others are athletic and skilled enough to cause a lot of damage in this game. If they do, it will be against one of the better secondaries in the state. Mt. Juliet will be the favorite and could have the edge but the Golden Bears can not sleep on these guys and think they will come out with an easy win.    - - - - -    Jackson Chrst. Eagles (5-1) at First Assembly (3-1)   - Whichever team walks out as the winner in this contest should have the leg up on winning the region. The Eagles and the Crusaders are the two most talented teams within their region, so I knew this game would mean a lot before we started the 2024 campaign. Jackson Christian has been stellar most of the season, especially on offense with senior leaders [player_tooltip player_id='390711' first='Austin' last='Kelley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='219345' first='Jaylen' last='Mosley'] while First Assembly has a nice mix of vets and youthful talent, led by [player_tooltip player_id='1186125' first='Charlie' last='Goss'], [player_tooltip player_id='941118' first='Vidale' last='Cothran'] and the Crusaders junior class, which is starting to come on of late. Slowing down the Eagles offense will be at the top board for FACS and if they are able to keep them in-check, the home team has a great shot at winning.    - - - - -    Memp. East (5-1) at Bolton (5-1)   - The top spot inside the region is in play Friday night between the road Mustangs and the home Tigers. Whoever wins this game should take the region and place themselves as a top seed once we reach postseason play. Both these teams have been a bit of a surprise this season but Bolton more so. The Tigers were not on my radar headed into the year as a formidable team but here we are with a defense that has been keeping offense down all season long. They might have their biggest task yet this Friday, taking on a hot Mustangs offense, led by junior back [player_tooltip player_id='1597256' first='Lorenz' last='Wright']. I could see either team winning this game, meaning it might come down to the 4th quarter before anyone takes command.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/mempeast2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1517146" style="width:462px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Johnson Co. (5-0) at Pigeon Forge (4-1)   - Region title and playoff ramifications are on the line here between the Longhorns and the Tigers. Through six weeks of the season, nobody has been able to find answers to slow down a high powered Johnson Co. offense, led by junior back [player_tooltip player_id='1422921' first='Juan' last='Mejia']. Maybe the Tigers have the answer? It's been an up and down season for the Pigeon Forge defense but when they've been good, they've been title worthy. They will need a high level performance this Friday against the Longhorns because the road team is playing with ultimate confidence right now with eyes on the end season prize of a region title and potentially more in the playoffs. If the Tigers can pull off the win, it could erase an earlier loss to Unicoi Co. while placing back in the mix for a region title.    - - - - -    McMinn Central (4-1) at Meigs Co. (4-1)   - The Class 3A, region 3 title is up for grabs in this contest where you have the traditional power in Meigs Co. hosting an surprising McMinn Central team that brings a well balanced squad to town. Through six weeks of the 2024 season, the Chargers have scored the most offensive points of anybody in the region but guess who's second, Meigs County. These two teams like to run the ball, so expect a running clock with the possibility of a high or low scoring game, depending on the line of scrimmage. Turnovers will also be critical in this contest. Whichever team can create those will certainly gain an edge and maneuver themselves towards victory.    - - - - -    Westmoreland (5-1) at East Robertson (6-0)   - The biggest game of the year for Westmoreland takes place Friday, on the road at the #PRZTN Small School #1 team in the state, East Robertson. The road Eagles have a big challenge on their hands as they take on a talented Indians team with a pair of underclassmen shining right now in [player_tooltip player_id='1422904' first='Kason' last='Young'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1630972' first='Cade' last='Brooks']. Westmoreland has been tested with their lone loss coming to Macon Co., who hails from the 4A ranks. They also have a big win over White-Houst Heritage, which sports college talent. I don't think the Eagles will be intimidated with the Indians on Friday. I think they will be ready to play and East Robertson must not look past them if they want to stay on top as I believe this contest will be for the region title.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/erfootball2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1517152" style="width:368px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Other Top Matchups …..   East TN   Knox. West (4-2) at Alcoa (3-1)   Dobyns-Bennett (4-2) at Elizabethton (3-1)   Unicoi Co. (4-0) at Gatlinburg- Pittman (3-2)   Northview Acad. (3-3) at Carter (3-3)   Kingston (4-2) at Loudon (6-0)   Oliver Springs (5-1) at Midway (4-2)   Red Bank (3-1) at Soddy Daisy (5-1)   Science Hill (4-1) at West Ridge (3-2)   Bledsoe Co. (5-1) at Whitwell (5-0)   Oneida (3-2) at York Institute (3-2)   - - -   Mid TN   Marshall Co. (6-0) at Creek Wood (5-1)   FRA (6-0) at Davidson Acad. (3-3)   Mt. Pleasant (5-1) at DCA (5-1)   Rossview (5-1) at Dickson Co. (3-3)   Loretto (4-2) at East Hickman (5-1)   Gordonsville (4-2) at Forrest (5-1)   BGA (5-1) at Pope Prep (3-3)   DeKalb Co. (5-1) at Macon Co. (4-2)   Portland (3-3) at Henry Co. (4-2)   - - -   West TN   Milan (5-1) at Adamsville (3-3)   Houston (4-2) at Bartlett (3-2)   Chrst. Brothers (3-2) at Briarcrest Chrst. (3-3)   South Gibson (3-3) at Dyer Co. (5-1)   Westview (6-0) at Dyersburg (4-2)   Whitehaven (5-1) at Germantown (3-3)   Mitchell (5-0) at Middle College (5-1)   Huntingdon (3-2) at Riverside (5-1)   Raleigh-Egypt (3-2) at Sheffield (3-2)   Northpoint Chrst. (3-3) at USJ (6-0)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/IMG_3790.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1472679" style="width:487px;height:auto" /></figure>