Week Five Slate (Top Games/Matchups)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">We ready for more high football action in the Volunteer State! Week Five provides a solid schedule with a few games that might turn out to be region title matchups. Come inside to see our breakdown of the top ten games of the week and our expert predictions. </h2>     Anderson Co. (2-1) at Carter (3-1)   - This matchup is familiar to both opponents as Anderson Co. and Carter know each other very well, which should make this game very interesting and entertaining to follow. Both teams come into this game with one loss and feeling confident about themselves. The home Hornets have been explosive on offense so far this season, putting up a lot of points and offensive yards, led by [player_tooltip player_id='1535791' first='Brody' last='Sparks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1467544' first='Jody' last='Scruggs']. The Mavs haven't been too bad themselves, leaning on [player_tooltip player_id='806042' first='Jayzon' last='Thompson'] and their run game to spearhead their offense. Whichever defense in this game can play well up front, stuffing the run and possibly force some turnovers, should gain the upper hand and maneuver their way towards victory.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Anderson Co. 27 Carter 17   Drew Toennies:  Anderson Co. 21 Carter 7   Shayne Pickering:  Anderson Co. 27 Carter 13   Conner Smith:  Anderson Co. 24 Carter 14   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/jaythompson.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1895819" style="width:261px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    #4 East Robertson (4-0) at Kirkwood (4-0)   - This is an out of conference, out of region game that won't hurt either squad when it comes to playoff positioning but it's a litmus test for East Robertson and Kirkwood to see where each other are so far the season and how much better each needs to be the rest of the way. The Indians bring a veteran squad to town, led by offensive standouts [player_tooltip player_id='1422904' first='Kason' last='Young'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1630972' first='Cade' last='Brooks'] while the Cobras counteract with the best O-lineman in the state with [player_tooltip player_id='944767' first='Kamari' last='Blair'] and a dynamic one-two punch in the backfield with [player_tooltip player_id='1200717' first='Miles' last='Reding'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1432194' first='Josiah' last='Claybrooks']. I can see this game becoming high scoring and close till the very end. Whichever defense is able to gain that needed stop or create turnovers, should be the team that comes out on top.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: East Robertson 21 Kirkwood 14   Drew Toennies:  Kirkwood 28 East Robertson 14   Shayne Pickering:  East Robertson 20 Kirkwood 17   Conner Smith: Kirkwood 28 East Robertson 27   - - - - -    #16 Munford (3-0) at Haywood (3-1)   - The Cougars have been road warriors so far this season, taking two of their three wins away from home and they are looking to do the same this Friday as they go against a talented Haywood team that should be up for the challenge. Munford brings potent rushing attack to town, spearheaded by senior [player_tooltip player_id='1281919' first='Bricen' last='Turnage'] and stud underclassmen [player_tooltip player_id='1585458' first='Tay' last='Starks']. Stopping those two will be absolutely important for the Tomcats defense and the team's chances at winning this game. Haywood has some athletic playmakers to potentially make a difference in this game. The home team has a shot here but they can't allow the Munford rushing attack to get going because if they do, the Cougars will be going home with another road win.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Munford 34 Haywood 20   Drew Toennies:  Haywood 17 Munford 10    Shayne Pickering:  Haywood 26 Munford 24    Conner Smith:  Munford 21 Haywood 10   - - - - -    #17 MBA (3-0) at #14 Knox. Catholic (3-0)   - Possibly one of the biggest games of “Week Five” is this D2-Class AAA inner-region battle between two undefeated teams that bring different approaches to the football field. The Big Red relies on their run game and physicality up front to get the job done while Knox. Catholic uses balance on offense behind one of the better offensive lines in the state. This is also a battle of college level quarterbacks with [player_tooltip player_id='688833' first='Hugh' last='Price'] and [player_tooltip player_id='496084' first='Mack' last='Bartholomew'] that should be fun to watch. Many around the state like the Fighting Irish as the team to beat and I would agree but you can't sleep on MBA and their defense that is salty up front and capable of slowing down Knox. Catholic and stealing the road victory.   Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Knox. Catholic 24 MBA 14   Drew Toennies:  Knox. Catholic 21 MBA 14   Shayne Pickering:  Knox. Catholic 27 MBA 13    Conner Smith:  Knox. Catholic 31 MBA 14   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/knoxcatholic-crop-800x526-1758227127.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1895823" style="width:293px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    #12 FRA (3-0) at Davidson Academy (2-1)   - The Panthers already hold a region victory after beating Pope Prep last week and they are looking for another one this Friday, on the road against the Bears. If the road team wants to get this victory, they need a better performance from their defense, who allowed 35 points to the Knights and their offense to move the ball at will. They face another solid offense in Davidson Academy this week, led by the senior tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='986857' first='Ridge' last='Holman'] and stud receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1528452' first='Joshua' last='Bolden']. Those two are beginning to click at a high level and should be a focus of importance for the Panthers secondary. While I like the Panthers overall, they can't be asleep at the wheel in this matchup as I could see the Bears snatching this victory away and pushing their record to 3-1 overall.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: FRA 28 Davidson Academy 20   Drew Toennies:  Davidson Academy 28 FRA 14    Shayne Pickering:  FRA 37 Davidson Academy 16   Conner Smith:  FRA 34 Davidson Academy 27   - - - - -    Jackson North-Side (2-1) at Dyer Co. (4-0)   - A surprise team coming out of the 4A ranks so far this season has been the Choctaws, who are coming off a big victory last week on the road against Crockett County. They now must face another tough opponent as they welcome in Jackson North-Side, a team with some athletic playmakers like [player_tooltip player_id='1103009' first='Javonte' last='Smith'] that can be game changers. The Choctaws are a well balanced team that plays physical in the trenches and lets their playmakers shine. Dyer Co. has more athletes than some people may believe and that's a big reason why I like the home team in this matchup, however you can't look past the Indians as I can see them coming into Newbern and walking out the victors as well.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Dyer Co. 31 Jackson North-Side 20   Drew Toennies:  Dyer Co. 28 Jackson North-Side 21   Shayne Pickering:  Dyer Co. 24 Jackson North-Side 22   Conner Smith:  Dyer Co. 17 Jackson North-Side 7   - - - - -    Elizabethton (3-1) at Cherokee (4-0)   - I don't know if anybody saw Cherokee being 4-0 at this point in the season but they are and the Chiefs have a big home matchup on their hands this week with inner-region foe Elizabethton coming to town. This is a big one for both teams when it comes to competing for the region title. The Chiefs have been good on both sides of the ball this year with maybe the defense shining brightest. Much of the same can be said about the Cyclones. I can see this matchup becoming a low scoring, defensive affair that goes into the 4th quarter without anything settled. Causing turnovers and maintaining the clock on offense could be the two areas that dictates who wins this big region matchup.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Elizabethton 20 Cherokee 17   Drew Toennies:  Elizabethton 24 Cherokee 21   Shayne Pickering:  Elizabethton 24 Cherokee 20   Conner Smith:  Elizabethton 14 Cherokee 10   - - - - -    Gallatin (3-0) at Green Hill (2-2)   - By the time we reach the end of the regular season, this Mid-Tennessee matchup could turn out to be for the region title. Looking at this region and how it could play out, I like the Green Wave and the Hawks as the two best and whoever comes out with this victory should sit in the driver seat for the title. Gallatin comes to town undefeated with a potent offense, led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='353896' first='Jackson' last='Stroup'] and his deep crop of pass catchers. Green Hill is battle tested after facing strong competition through four weeks, so I expect them to be up for this challenge. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='964976' first='Kannon' last='Burroughs'] is a difference maker for the home team but it's the Hawks defense that could be the key towards winning this game. This looks like a fun one and a game that should be quite entertaining from start to finish.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Gallatin 24 Green Hill 21   Drew Toennies:  Gallatin 21 Green Hill 17   Shayne Pickering:  Green Hill 24 Gallatin 10   Conner Smith:  Green Hill 21 Gallatin 7   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/jstroup.jpg?w=819" alt="" class="wp-image-1524523" style="width:246px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Beech (2-1) at #22 Upperman (3-1)   - After falling in their first game, Beech has bounced back with two good wins and now must pull off another big victory as they travel to the greater Cookeville area to face-off with a talented Upperman squad that has their eyes on a state title. The Buccaneers play a physical brand of football that travels well on the road. They have the rushing attack too with [player_tooltip player_id='866718' first='Kaden' last='Powell'], [player_tooltip player_id='800803' first='Chelton' last='Swafford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1206523' first='D.K.' last='Williams'] that could allow them to keep the ball away from the Upperman offense, which has a strong run game too with [player_tooltip player_id='1254853' first='Bronzden' last='Chaffin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='492559' first='Carmine' last='Phillips']. This is an interesting matchup where I can see either team coming out on top. You have to lean towards the home team but don't be surprised to see Beech pull off the road upset.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Upperman 24 Beech 14   Drew Toennies:  Beech 17 Upperman 14   Shayne Pickering:  Beech 21 Upperman 13    Conner Smith:  Upperman 35 Beech 31    - - - - -    #13 Lewis Co. (4-0) at Adamsville (3-0)   - We could have an early season matchup here that might dictate who wins the region. Both the Panthers and the Cardinals come into this game undefeated and playing good football. Lewis Co. has been dominating their opponents, showing balance on both sides of the ball, led by [player_tooltip player_id='491438' first='Kade' last='Carroll'] and a solid senior class. Adamsville has handled their business and done what they needed but the Panthers will be their toughest competition yet. Their defense will be key in slowing down a Panthers offense that has been clicking at a high level. The fact that the Cardinals have this game at home helps a ton but Lewis Co. comes in as the favorite and I like the road squad to pull out the victory   Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Lewis Co. 30 Adamsville 13   Drew Toennies:  Lewis Co. 14 Adamsville 7   Shayne Pickering:  Lewis Co. 28 Adamsville 14    Conner Smith:  Lewis Co. 21 Adamsville 20    - - - - -    Other Top Week Five Matchups    East TN: South Doyle (2-2) at Gibbs (3-1), Oliver Springs (3-1) at Greenback (2-2), Unicoi Co. (3-1) at Happy Valley (4-0), Powell (3-0) at Karns (2-2), Soddy Daisy (3-1) at McMinn Co. (3-1), Polk Co. (2-2) at Meigs Co. (3-1), Cosby (2-2) at North Greene (2-2), Cascade (3-1) at Sequatchie Co. (2-2), David Crockett (2-2) at Sevier Co. (3-0), CAK (3-1) at Silverdale (2-2), Marshall Co. (2-2) at Tyner Acad. (4-0)   Mid TN: Shelbyville (2-2) at Brentwood (2-2), Gordonsville (4-0) at Cannon Co. (3-1), Lawrence Co. (4-0) at Columbia Cent. (1-2), Cornersville (3-1) at Eagleville (2-2), DCA (2-2) at Franklin Chrst. (3-1), Pope Prep (2-2) at Goodpasture (3-1)    West TN: Collierville (2-2) at Arlington (4-0), Obion Co. (3-1) at Covington (4-0), Bolivar Cent. (3-1) at Dyersburg (3-1), Middle Coll. (2-1) at KIPP Coll. (2-1), Germantown (4-0) at Lausanne (1-1), Chester Co. (2-2) at Lexington (3-1), Mitchell (3-1) at Northpoint Chrst. (2-2)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/kcarroll.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1895827" style="width:269px;height:auto" /></figure>