Week Eight Slate (Top Games/Matchups)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">It's Fall Break time here in Tennessee, meaning it's a light schedule this week. We still have several high quality games set for "Week Eight" with our experts breaking down and predicting the top ten matchups across the Volunteer State! </h2>     #9 Franklin Road Acad. (6-0) at #15 Antioch (7-0) - Thursday   - Looking at this week's slate, the Panthers vs. the Bears could be the best matchup of “Week Eight” and I have a feeling the game might live up to the billing. You have two undefeated squads going head to head here with a loss having no meaning in their regions. Antioch and FRA have been two of the more impressive Mid-TN teams this Fall with both scoring a lot of points and defenses that have been opportunistic. The road Panthers have to keep junior [player_tooltip player_id='378901' first='Andre' last='Adams'] as he is the key to everything Antioch does on offense. If he goes off, the home team could come out on top. FRA does have some “dudes” in the front seven like [player_tooltip player_id='866750' first='Keilan' last='Neal'] and [player_tooltip player_id='903033' first='Omarii' last='Sanders'] to bring havoc upon Adams. I do see this game somewhat high scoring with each defense flashing strong play, so creating turnovers may play a big role on who wins.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: FRA 28 Antioch 21    Drew Toennies: FRA 31 Antioch 27    Shayne Pickering: FRA 37 Antioch 17    Conner Smith: Antioch 31 FRA 27   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/mhassell.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1614438" style="width:237px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    #6 Tyner Academy (7-0) at #2 Nash. Christian (6-0)   - Fighting the game above for top billing is this East vs. Middle Tennessee showdown between two teams that sit at the top of their classifications when it comes to competing for a state title. The Rams have tested themselves this year but this game will be their biggest yet, going against [player_tooltip player_id='402548' first='Jared' last='Curtis'] and a highly potent Eagles offense. The road team will need to find defensive stops but they may have to keep up offensively with Nash. Christian for a shot at winning. The Rams have some offensive juice with guys like Tyler Anderson and [player_tooltip player_id='1038480' first='Dee' last='McNealy']. I certainly see the home Eagles as the favorite here but they can't sleep on the Rams as they come in confident with a fearless attitude. Tyner may actually have the most athletic team NCS has seen this year, so I'm very curious to see how this game plays out.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Nash. Christian 34 Tyner Acad. 20    Drew Toennies: Nash. Christian 27 Tyner Acad. 24    Shayne Pickering: Nash. Christian 28 Tyner Acad. 20   Conner Smith: Nash. Christian 34 Tyner Acad. 28    - - - - -    #6 Brentwood Academy (6-0) at Briarcrest Christian (5-2)   - This is a major opportunity for the Saints as they welcome in an undefeated Brentwood Academy team that sits in their way when it comes to winning the region title. Whoever takes this matchup will be in the driver seat for a region title and a #1 seed in the coming playoffs. We have two talented quarterbacks going head to head here with [player_tooltip player_id='492553' first='Hudson' last='Tucker'] from Briarcrest and Eagles junior signal caller [player_tooltip player_id='834810' first='Crews' last='Jenkins'], so watching those two guys spin it should be fun. It's about each defense doing their part and making things difficult on the opposing quarterback. The Eagles come in with a loaded receiving corps, spearheaded by [player_tooltip player_id='378855' first='Kesean' last='Bowman']. Do the Saints have enough athleticism and talent, especially on the back end to keep Bowman and his receiving teammates in-check? That will be difficult but if the Saints secondary can hold up, we might end up having a close game here.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Brentwood Acad. 38 Briarcrest Chrst. 17    Drew Toennies: Brentwood Acad. 28 Briarcrest Chrst. 24   Shayne Pickering: Brentwood Acad. 34 Briarcrest Chrst. 13   Conner Smith: Brentwood Acad. 28 Briarcrest Chrst. 20    - - - - -    #19 Grundy Co. (7-0) at #18 Marion Co. (6-1)   - This is another de-facto region title game on our hands with the winner sitting pretty in first place and eyeing a number seed in the coming playoffs. Grundy Co. has been one of the biggest surprises this season as the Yellow Jackets sit undefeated with a balanced team that has scored at a high level while the defense has been stifling. Marion Co. has had one bump in the road this year but overall, the Warriors have done well, led by Ashton Martin and their defense. The Warriors will put the best defense on the field that Grundy Co. has seen this year, so I'm interested to see how the Yellow Jackets move the ball and sustain drives. The home team is the favorite in this matchup but Grundy Co. is playing confident right now and should be prepared for a high caliber, region contest.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Marion Co. 24 Grundy Co. 17    Drew Toennies: Marion Co. 38 Grundy Co. 21   Shayne Pickering: Marion Co. 28 Grundy Co. 17   Conner Smith: Marion Co. 21 Grundy Co. 17   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/mcwarriors-crop-1074x706-1760041771.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1941170" style="width:271px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Chattanooga Times Press</figcaption></figure>   - - - - -    GCA (4-2) at #10 Sevier Co. (6-0)   - Both these East-TN programs jump out of their region this week in a game that should make each better and prepare them for the coming postseason. Nobody has been able to slow down the Smoky Bears so far this season and I don't know if the Rams have the horses to do it either. They do have some skill on offense, like [player_tooltip player_id='1908180' first='Jace' last='Ballard'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1629937' first='Kaden' last='Webber'] to make some waves but it may be tough to find positive yards on offense due to [player_tooltip player_id='1543020' first='Joey' last='Galazin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1103040' first='Jaxson' last='Perry'], [player_tooltip player_id='1577078' first='Parker' last='Newman'] and the Sevier Co. defense. If the road team had the services of [player_tooltip player_id='933067' first='Terrion' last='Thomas'], GCA may have a shot in this matchup but they don't, so others have to step up and produce. If the Rams defense can find a way to slow down the Smoky Bears offense early and hang, they may have a glimmer of hope but I certainly like the home team in this non-region matchup.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Sevier Co. 28 GCA 13   Drew Toennies: Sevier Co. 21 GCA 7   Shayne Pickering: Sevier Co. 31 GCA 14   Conner Smith: Sevier Co. 24 GCA 14    - - - - -    Silverdale (4-3) at #18 Boyd Buchanan (6-0) - Thursday    - Boyd Buchanan is the team you must run through to win a region title and Silverdale has a big opportunity on their hands this Friday to do that but they must bring their “A” game to get it done. The Seahawks have had some up's and down's this year, showing flashes of brilliant play while also missing in action as well. They can't be asleep in this matchup or the Bucs will blow past them and continue their undefeated season. The key for the road team will be finding a way to slow down the power running of [player_tooltip player_id='402534' first='David' last='Green']. The Buccaneers lean on their run game while allowing their defense to play hard and fast. The Seahawks defense needs a big night from their but also a strong game from talented junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1535798' first='Connor' last='Jenne'] to pull off the upset.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Boyd Buchanan 33 Silverdale 20    Drew Toennies: Silverdale 28 Boyd Buchanan 21   Shayne Pickering: Boyd Buchanan 28 Silverdale 20    Conner Smith: Silverdale 27 Boyd Buchanan 24    - - - - -    #4 East Robertson (7-0) at Houston Co. (4-3)   - Could this be the upset special of the week with Houston Co. hosting the undefeated Indians in what might be a game for the region title. I think it's possible but it will be tough as East Robertson knows how to win and do so in big games. The Fighting Irish have had a few struggles this year but when their run game with [player_tooltip player_id='1600253' first='Preston' last='Mitchell'] is clicking on all cylinders, they are tough to play against. The Indians have a defense, led by [player_tooltip player_id='820950' first='Zach' last='Groves'], [player_tooltip player_id='1738236' first='Angel' last='Blair'] that have done good work versus this run and they will be expected to bring everything they got on Friday. The biggest thing to watch for me in this game however will be the Fighting Irish defense finding answers to stop [player_tooltip player_id='1422904' first='Kason' last='Young'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1630972' first='Cade' last='Brooks']. Those two and the Indians offense are performing at a high level right now and might be the difference in this region matchup.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: East Robertson 28 Houston Co. 14    Drew Toennies: East Robertson 31 Houston Co. 14   Shayne Pickering: East Robertson 35 Houston Co. 17   Conner Smith: East Robertson 21 Houston Co. 10   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/zgroves.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1093274" style="width:240px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Whitehaven (3-3) at #7 Southwind (7-0)   - The Jaguars are the clear favorite going into this game but the road Tigers do have some athletes that could make things difficult, especially from the offensive side of the ball. Whitehaven has a stud at running back with [player_tooltip player_id='1431775' first='Christopher' last='Talley'] that can be a one-man show that carves up the Jags defense. It won't be easy for him with [player_tooltip player_id='854363' first='Charles' last='Sullins'] and the Southwind defensive front seven hunting him down. Where I do see the biggest challenge for the road is with their defense and slowing down Mr. Football candidate [player_tooltip player_id='480742' first='Kelvin' last='Perkins']. The Tigers do have an athletic defense but they have given up more yards this year than they would like, so stopping Perkins could become a problem. I do like the home team in this game but you can't sleep on Whitehaven and their upside at pulling off the upset.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Southwind 35 Whitehaven 20    Drew Toennies: Southwind 21 Whitehaven 14   Shayne Pickering: Southwind 37 Whitehaven 24    Conner Smith: Whitehaven 20 Southwind 10   - - - - -    Livingston Academy (5-2) at Stone Memorial (6-1)   - This should be a sneaky good, Class 4A-Region 4 matchup between the Wildcats and the home Panthers, who both need this game in a big way. Livingston Academy probably needs it more as they sit at 0-2 in the region and on the cusp of missing postseason play. Stone Memorial comes into this game playing good football, led by [player_tooltip player_id='491549' first='Noah' last='Potter'], [player_tooltip player_id='1608559' first='Kadyn' last='Page'] and their offense. They have a shot to finish in second place but must continue their winning ways, beginning Friday with the Wildcats. I expect the Panthers to move the ball and score but the key to winning will be stopping the Livingston Academy rushing attack. The Cats like to run the ball and I'm sure will look to keep the ball out of Potter's hands as much as possible. This game could be make or break for Livingston, so I'm curious to see how things play out.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Stone Memorial 30 Livingston Acad. 17    Drew Toennies: Stone Memorial 24 Livingston Acad. 21   Shayne Pickering: Stone Memorial 24 Livingston Acad. 17   Conner Smith: Stone Memorial 34 Livingston Acad. 31   - - - - -    Sycamore (4-3) at #16 Waverly Central (6-0)   - It's been a dream season thus far for Waverly as they head into this big region matchup undefeated and looking to keep the train rolling. The Tigers welcome in a tricky Sycamore team that has played well at times while also showing some struggles. The War Eagles have a stud in [player_tooltip player_id='1199149' first='Hicks' last='Hunter'] that can go-off and give the Tigers defense some problems. Both these teams like to run the ball and control the clock. Playing up front in the line of scrimmage will be key in this game with Waverly having the best big man in this matchup with senior [player_tooltip player_id='1588825' first='Austin' last='Morrow']. Whichever team is able to establish physicality in the trenches and keep the other to minimal gains in the run game, should have an upper edge towards winning. This is also a big one when it comes to region standings and the home chasing down that region title.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Waverly 34 Sycamore 21    Drew Toennies: Waverly 17 Sycamore 14   Shayne Pickering: Waverly 28 Sycamore 14    Conner Smith: Waverly 21 Sycamore 7   - - - - -    Other Top Week Eight Matchups    East TN: Volunteer (5-1) at Chuckey-Doak (4-3), Happy Valley (7-0) at Cumberland Gap (3-4), Knox. Catholic (4-2) at Knox. Halls (3-3), Midway (4-3) at Oliver Springs (5-2)    Mid TN: Shelbyville (3-3) at Clarksville (5-2), DCA (4-3) at Clarksville Acad. (3-4), Ensworth (5-2) at CPA (2-5), Lawrence Co. (4-2) at Dickson Co. (5-2), Cascade (3-3) at Forrest (5-2)    West TN: Lausanne (2-3) at Collierville (5-2), Greenfield (4-3) at Dresden (5-2), McKenzie (6-1) at Hollow Rock-Bruceton (5-2), Lakeland Prep (3-4) at Kirby (4-3), Munford (6-0) at Memp. Overton (3-4), Lake Co. (4-2) at South Fulton (6-0)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/dgreen.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1614442" style="width:250px;height:auto" /></figure>