Week Three Slate (Top Games/Matchups)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">It's another strong week of football action ahead here in the Volunteer State and we have your "Week Three" preview ready for your viewing! Here we breakdown our top ten matchups of the week along with our expert predictions (Region play starts, beginning tonight, so this week should be fun!)</h2>     #2 Baylor (1-0) at #8 Brentwood Academy (1-0)   - Possibly the best game with the most talent for “Week Three” will be the Red Raiders traveling to Mid-TN to face a good Brentwood Academy team that is coming off an impressive win over Brentwood. Baylor comes to town as one of the best overall teams in the state with an explosive offense, led by [player_tooltip player_id='222957' first='Briggs' last='Cherry'] and star junior [player_tooltip player_id='1210671' first='David' last='Gabriel-Georges']. The Eagles counteract with a defense that has played well thus far, especially from the back seven with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1585726' first='Kenneth' last='Simon'] and senior safety [player_tooltip player_id='212335' first='Easton' last='Jointer']. The biggest key in this matchup could be the Eagles defense and their hopes of slowing down Gabriel-Georges and the Red Raiders rushing attack. If they do keep him in-check, the home team might have a shot at pulling off the upset.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Baylor 34 Brentwood Academy 21    Drew Toennies: Baylor 21 Brentwood Academy 7   Shayne Pickering: Baylor 37 Brentwood Academy 16   Conner Smith: Baylor 42 Brentwood Academy 13    - - - - -    Alcoa (2-0) at Gibbs (2-0)   - Can the home Eagles pull off the upset and keep their undefeated season going? It's going to be tough knocking off the Tornadoes but Gibbs has this game at home in their own confines, so anything is possible. The Eagles have to find a way to challenge the Alcoa offense and keep them quiet for most of the game. Finding a way to slow down Thomas Manu, [player_tooltip player_id='904844' first='Micah' last='Jones'] and the Tornadoes offense will be hard but the Eagles may have a defense to do so, led by senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1527611' first='Chase' last='Norman']. The biggest problem I see in this matchup is the Gibbs offense and their ability to score points. The Alcoa defense is strong, so it will be hard finding the points to win but I'm sure the Eagles and their staff are up for the challenge.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Alcoa 35 Gibbs 17    Drew Toennies: Alcoa 35 Gibbs 14   Shayne Pickering: Alcoa 38 Gibbs 13   Conner Smith: Alcoa 31 Gibbs 21   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/tmanu.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1869927" style="width:258px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Ensworth (1-1) at Briarcrest Christian (2-0)   - Coming off a heartbreaking road loss to Nash. Christian last week, Ensworth stays on the road for “Week Three” as they take on an undefeated Briarcrest Christian squad that has yet to be tested but has the capabilities of being legit. The Saints have the makings of an explosive offense, spearheaded by quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='492553' first='Hudson' last='Tucker'] and junior athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1857024' first='J.D.' last='Donaldson'] that can present some issues for the Ensworth defense. The Tigers looked vulnerable last week, giving up 42 points, so watching how they bounce back this week will be interesting. This is an intriguing game that I can see going a variety of ways. I do like the home Saints here as the favorite but only by a slim margin. If the road Tigers are re-focused and have forgotten about last week, they can come back home with a victory.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Ensworth 24 Briarcrest Chrst. 21    Drew Toennies: Ensworth 28 Briarcrest Chrst. 21   Shayne Pickering: Ensworth 31 Briarcrest Chrst. 13   Conner Smith: Enworth 27 Briarcrest Chrst. 21   - - - - -    South Pittsburg (0-1) at Sequatchie Co. (2-0)   - This week is a big opportunity for South Pitt to bounce back and get their season on track after going scoreless last week in their 10-0 loss to Silverdale. Our small school 10th ranked team in the state, South Pitt now must face an undefeated Sequatchie Co. squad that is coming into this matchup with confidence and an offense led by [player_tooltip player_id='1136154' first='Hunter' last='Minton'] that has looked good on offense thus far. The Pirates bring a defense to town that can slow up the Indians but will they have enough offensive firepower to win. I think they do and I think they will perform much better this week but this game is still on the road in front of a hostile crowd, so it won't be easy finding that first win of the season.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: South Pittsburg 20 Sequatchie Co. 17    Drew Toennies: South Pittsburg 17 Sequatchie Co. 14   Shayne Pickering: South Pittsburg 14 Sequatchie Co. 13    Conner Smith: South Pittsburg 34 Sequatchie Co. 28   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/daycooper.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1562332" style="width:228px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    MBA (2-0) at FRA (2-0)   - We have an interesting inner Nashville matchup here between two undefeated teams that have aspirations at winning state titles this year. These two schools are close in vicinity to each other, so there should be a great crowd on Friday evening for what could be an exciting game. You have a gritty and tough Big Red defense going against an explosive Panthers offense that is led by [player_tooltip player_id='1106238' first='Michael' last='Hassell'] and their run game. Finding a way to slow down Hassell and force quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='902986' first='Hudson' last='Holman'] to throw it will be key for MBA and their chances at winning this game. The Big Red have one of the better quarterbacks in the state with [player_tooltip player_id='688833' first='Hugh' last='Price'] but they have yet to find that extra gear within their offense. Maybe it begins to shine this Friday and if it does, I like the road team to come out on top but if Price is held down and the Panthers run the ball with ease, the home squad could take the victory.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: FRA 28 MBA 14    Drew Toennies: MBA 17 FRA 7   Shayne Pickering: FRA 24 MBA 17   Conner Smith: FRA 31 MBA 17   - - - - -    Tyner Academy (2-0) at Red Bank (0-1)   - Two of the better programs from the greater Chattanooga area face off with each other this Friday in what should be an entertaining, close ball game that might not be settled till late in the 4th quarter. The Rams come to town 2-0 and feeling good about themselves while the Lions are coming off a bye week where they hopefully improved themselves after a “Week One” loss to Rhea County. Red Bank has talent and should be much better than how they performed in their loss. Tyner Academy has a balanced offense, led by backfield mates Tyler Anderson and [player_tooltip player_id='1038480' first='Dee' last='McNealy'] that present a challenge for the Lions defense. If the home team can keep those two in-check while seeing their athletic playmakers go-off, the Lions could pull out the win and push their record back to five hundred.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Tyner Academy 24 Red Bank 14    Drew Toennies: Tyner Academy 14 Red Bank 7   Shayne Pickering: Tyner Academy 24 Red Bank 17   Conner Smith: Tyner Academy 31 Red Bank 20   - - - - -    Blackman (2-0) at Riverdale (1-1)   - It's been an impressive start thus far for Blackman, especially their defense that has performed well and kept opposing offenses in-check. They have a big challenge this Friday versus their rival Riverdale and an offense that has shown flashes of explosive play. The Blaze will need another strong defensive performance from [player_tooltip player_id='1648682' first='James' last='Stewart'] and their defensive line along with stellar play out of their secondary to come out on top. They will be tasked with harassing [player_tooltip player_id='1287058' first='Gavin' last='Hampton'] and slowing down fast rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1868595' first='Jacob' last='Vaughn'], who has quickly established himself as a threat, a weapon. I can see this game ending with either team on top in the end but whichever defense is able to slow up the other's run game, should be in-line for victory.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Riverdale 28 Blackman 17    Drew Toennies: Riverdale 35 Blackman 7   Shayne Pickering: Riverdale 30 Blackman 16   Conner Smith: Riverdale 34 Blackman 10   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/cwoods-crop-353x232-1757010784.jpg?w=352" alt="" class="wp-image-1869929" style="width:290px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Springfield (2-0) at Portland (2-0)   - These two teams have a lot of history between each other and a lot of battles throughout the years and this game could be another special contest as both Springfield and Portland come into this matchup undefeated and playing with a lot of confidence. The Yellow Jackets are a well balanced ball club that is led by [player_tooltip player_id='1588080' first='Kason' last='Woodson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1134310' first='Jaidon' last='Hurst'] and their offense but the Panthers are a defensive team that is strong up front with current Navy commit [player_tooltip player_id='1512350' first='Avery' last='Hughes']. Stopping the Yellow Jackets run game is key point number one for Portland and their hopes at coming out with a home victory. The next objective would be to score enough points and that's something I'm interested to see from the Panthers offense. I do like Springfield in this matchup but I would not be surprised to see the home Panthers come out on top as well.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Springfield 28 Portland 10    Drew Toennies: Springfield 14 Portland 10   Shayne Pickering: Springfield 28 Portland 13   Conner Smith: Springfield 21 Portland 14   - - - - -    Huntingdon (2-0) at Milan (2-0)   - We have a huge inner-region battle taking place right here between the visiting Mustangs and the home Bulldogs and whoever wins this contest might be in the driver's seat for the title. Both teams come into this game undefeated and playing with confidence. Both like to run the ball and plug up the rushing attack on defense. Something must give in this contest and whoever doesn't turn the ball over while not allowing the others run game to dictate the matchup, should come out on top. The Mustangs will definitely be keyed on slowing down [player_tooltip player_id='1562203' first='Jaydon' last='Peete']. Keeping him in-check is important towards coming home with a road victory. I do like the Bulldogs defense as a whole and their potential for this game and the entire season. I think the home team has the edge but you most certainly can't sleep on Huntingdon.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Milan 24 Huntingdon 21   Drew Toennies: Huntingdon 21 Milan 7   Shayne Pickering - Huntingdon 28 Milan 14   Conner Smith: Huntingdon 20 Milan 7   - - - - -    McMinn Co. (2-0) at Walker Valley (1-1)   - It's been a strong start from the Cherokees thus far but can they keep it going this week, on the road versus a good Walker Valley team? We shall see but I do know McMinn Co. will come ready to play, especially in the trenches with [player_tooltip player_id='402530' first='Camden' last='Goforth'] and the O-line's physical playing style. The Mustangs defense versus the Cherokees offense and run game is the key matchup to watch here and something I think could dictate the outcome. Slowing down running back Jakyran Dyer will be important for Walker Valley. I think the Mustangs will be able to score enough points to win but their defense must perform well and do their job at stopping the run and getting off the field early to finish on top.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: McMinn Co. 24 Walker Valley 20    Drew Toennies: McMinn Co. 28 Walker Valley 21   Shayne Pickering - McMinn Co. 24 Walker Valley 14    Conner Smith: McMinn Co. 31 Walker Valley 27    - - - - -    Other Top Week Three Matchups    East TN: Hardin Valley (2-0) at Bradley Central (1-1), West Ridge (2-0) at Elizabethton (1-1), South Doyle (2-0) at Heritage (1-0), Knox. West (0-1) at Knox. Central (1-1), Father Ryan (1-1) at McCallie (2-0), Soddy Daisy (2-0) at Signal Mnt. (1-1), Knox. Webb (1-1) at Silverdale (1-1), Sweetwater (1-0) at Tellico Plains (2-0), Gatlinburg-Pittman (2-0) at Unicoi Co. (2-0)   Mid TN: Pearl Cohn (0-2) at BGA (2-0), Mt. Pleasant (2-0) at Forrest (2-0), Centennial (1-1) at Gallatin (2-0), Giles Co. (1-1) at Lawrence Co. (2-0), Westview (1-0) at Marshall Co. (1-1), Green Hill (1-1) at Ravenwood (2-0)   West TN: Dyersburg (1-1) at Camden Cent. (1-1), Lausanne (0-1) at Christian Brothers (2-0), Haywood (1-1) at Craigmont (2-0), Whitehaven (1-1) at Fairley (1-1), Memp. Biz. Acad. (1-1) at Hillcrest (2-0), Jackson North-Side (1-0) at Jackson South-Side (1-1), Crockett Co. (2-0) at Lexington (2-0), USJ (2-0) at Trinity Chrst. Acad. (1-1)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/derrecklee-crop-1639x1076-1757010837.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1869930" style="width:343px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Derreck Lee LeeCreative</figcaption></figure>