Week Eleven Slate (Top Games/Matchups)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The regular season ends this week, which means playoff spots and region titles will be on the line! This could be the best action of the season and we have breakdowns and predictions for ten of the top games across the state. </h2>     #8 Oak Ridge (9-0) at #11 Maryville (8-1)   - This could be a fun one! The undefeated Wildcats of Oak Ridge head into Maryville looking to win the region but they must get past a good Rebels team that is hard to beat at home. Both these teams have high scoring offenses that lean on the run game but have no problem spinning the ball either. We have a great showdown of quarterbacks in this matchup between [player_tooltip player_id='205650' first='Blaine' last='Stansberry'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1723184' first='Will' last='Jones'] with some excellent skill players around them. It's all on the defenses in this game though and whichever one gains an edge, should put themselves in position to win. This is honestly a tough game to predict, which tells me it should be quite entertaining.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Maryville 31 Oak Ridge 17    Drew Toennies: Oak Ridge 27 Maryville 24   Shayne Pickering: Maryville 35 Oak Ridge 24    Conner Smith: Oak Ridge 31 Maryville 27    - - - - -    #16 Friendship Chrst. (8-1) at #2 Nash. Christian (9-0)   - Can the Commanders go into hostile territory and pull out an upset victory? We shall see but they have a chance to knock off NCS but only if their run game is top level and their defense finds a way to keep [player_tooltip player_id='402548' first='Jared' last='Curtis'] dormant. Hardly anybody has been able to slow down Curtis and the Eagles offense this year, so Friendship must come up with a game plan that could put themselves in line to win. That recipe could be ball control offense where the Commanders run the ball consistently and keep Curtis on the sidelines. If that game plan doesn't end up working, Nash. Christian will put together another high scoring affair and keep them undefeated.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Nash. Christian 42 Friendship Chrst. 20    Drew Toennies: Nash. Christian 28 Friendship Chrst. 17   Shayne Pickering: Nash. Christian 35 Friendship Chrst. 20   Conner Smith: Nash. Christian 34 Friendship Chrst. 21   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/ncseagles.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1529137" style="width:304px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    #3 Covington (9-0) at #1 Westview (8-0)   - This West Tennessee matchup could be the biggest game across the state as both Covington and Westview are top contenders for the 3A state championship but only one can win the region title. The road Chargers lean on their run game and defense to win ball games and they have a guy in [player_tooltip player_id='1659259' first='Jaheim' last='Smith'] that could cause a lot of fits for Westview. The home team counteracts with their own explosive ball players in [player_tooltip player_id='964719' first='Donteze' last='Joy'], [player_tooltip player_id='1422977' first='Miles' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1103496' first='Asa' last='Barnes'] that many opposing teams have not been able to slow down. This is a very interesting game to me as I could see either team coming out on top. Turnovers could play a big role in this game as could keeping explosive plays to a minimum.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Westview 35 Covington 28    Drew Toennies: Westview 21 Covington 14   Shayne Pickering: Westview 35 Covington 14   Conner Smith: Westview 28 Covington 24   - - - - -    Riverdale (7-2) at #2 Oakland (9-0)   - This annual battle between the Warriors and Patriots has a chance to be a good game but it could also turn into a blow out that goes in the favor of the home team. Nobody has given Oakland a game this year but Riverdale may have the most talented team the Pats have seen this season, so you never know what can happen. The Warriors will need the best game [player_tooltip player_id='1287058' first='Gavin' last='Hampton'] and their O-line has played this year to get the job done. Oakland forces their style of play on their opponents and I don't know if Riverdale has the answer to stop them. I'll be interested to see how the Warriors perform. Oakland is the clear favorite here but Riverdale is talented with a glimmer of hope to potentially pull off the upset.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Oakland 31 Riverdale 17    Drew Toennies: Oakland 38 Riverdale 14   Shayne Pickering: Oakland 35 Riverdale 17   Conner Smith: Oakland 31 Riverdale 20    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/oakland.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1908463" style="width:271px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Elizabethton (8-1) at #16 Greeneville (8-1)   - Everyone will look at Greeneville as the favorite in this game and I would claim the same but we can't sleep on a Cyclones team that sits at 8-1 and has gotten better as the season has gone along. They do have a big challenge on their hands going against [player_tooltip player_id='1969867' first='Caden' last='Baugh'], [player_tooltip player_id='1181026' first='Zaydyn' last='Anderson'] and the Green Devils offense that has been explosive all season. The Cyclones do have a solid defense that has done well versus the run this year but it's their secondary I worry about. Elizabethton has to keep the explosive plays to a minimum, especially locking Anderson somehow and not allowing him to get loose. I do like the Green Devils in this matchup but I'm curious to see how the Cyclones come to play and perform throughout this region title game.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Greeneville 34 Elizabethton 10    Drew Toennies: Greeneville 14 Elizabethton 7   Shayne Pickering: Greeneville 38 Elizabethton 17   Conner Smith: Greeneville 21 Elizabethton 17   - - - - -    #6 Southwind (9-0) at #19 Germantown (7-2)   - Early on this season, this game was circled as a big time matchup of two championship caliber and it's still a big one but the Red Devils are having some struggles right now, especially on offense. Germantown has taken their current losses over the past three weeks where the offensive side of the ball is struggling to maintain consistency. That could be a problem in this game keeping up with a Southwind offense that has been explosive and steady all year long, led by Mr. Football candidate [player_tooltip player_id='480742' first='Kelvin' last='Perkins']. The Red Devils are quite talented on defense, so they have the athletes like [player_tooltip player_id='1285551' first='Djidjou' last='Bah'], [player_tooltip player_id='1667877' first='Jaydon' last='Dockery'] and others that can cause problems for the Jags. This game is at Germantown, so I expect a rowdy crowd in what could be one of the more entertaining games coming out of “Week Eleven.”   Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Southwind 31 Germantown 20    Drew Toennies: Southwind 28 Germantown 24   Shayne Pickering: Southwind 28 Germantown 21   Conner Smith: Germantown 28 Southwind 21   - - - - -    #4 East Robertson (9-0) at East Nashville (4-4)   - Even though the home Eagles come into this region title game 4-4 overall, they will be the most talented team East Robertson has faced this season, which could make this a very interesting contest. The Eagles are battle tested after facing a tough schedule this year, so they won't be phased by the Indians. Having this game at home too is also a major plus in the Eagles favor as well. East Nashville will need to be on their “A” game as [player_tooltip player_id='1422904' first='Kason' last='Young'], [player_tooltip player_id='1630972' first='Cade' last='Brooks'] and the East Robertson offense has been at another level this year and presents a challenge for the Eagles defense. The line of scrimmage could go a long way in who wins this game along with whichever defense is able to create a turnover or two.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: East Robertson 24 East Nashville 17    Drew Toennies: East Robertson 28 East Nashville 21    Shayne Pickering: East Nashville 21 East Robertson 17   Conner Smith: East Robertson 30 East Nashville 27   - - - - -    #11 Jackson Christian (8-1) at #13 USJ (8-1)   - The battle for “Jackson” and the region title is on the line in this D2-Class A, West Tennessee matchup between two programs that know each other very well. Both teams have star backs in [player_tooltip player_id='1474355' first='Maurice' last='Lawrence'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1126012' first='Jackson' last='Pugh'] that operate as the main cogs on offense and who each team wants to lean on to produce points. The key for both will be stopping the run on defense and forcing the opposing offense into 3rd and long situations. Finding explosive plays through the air may prove to be key in winning this game. I do foresee this contest being a close fight till the very end with maybe a play or two dictating on who comes out on top.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: USJ 28 Jackson Chrst. 24    Drew Toennies: USJ 38 Jackson Chrst. 21   Shayne Pickering: USJ 34 Jackson Chrst. 28    Conner Smith: USJ 31 Jackson Chrst. 17   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/usjfb-crop-1603x1053-1726605603.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1456137" style="width:331px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    #3 Alcoa (9-0) at Anderson Co. (6-2)   - When the schedules starting coming out earlier this year, this game was circled as a matchup a lot of people were eager to see and here we are with a #1 seed and a region title on the line. Nobody has been able to slow down the machine that is Alcoa so far this year but the Mavericks have a talented ball club that could present some challenges, if all the parts are clicking at the same time. This could be a fun quarterback matchup between Thomas Manu and J.D. Gillum but the rushing attack from both teams may prove to be a difference maker. The Mavericks defense has to show up big in this game as nobody has been able to find an answer for the Alcoa offense and if they do, the home team has a shot at the upset but it will be a tough challenge.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Alcoa 34 Anderson Co. 21    Drew Toennies: Alcoa 35 Anderson Co. 24    Shayne Pickering: Alcoa 28 Anderson Co. 14   Conner Smith: Alcoa 21 Anderson Co. 14   - - - - -    #14 Waverly Central (9-0) at Fairview (7-2)   - The biggest game of the season for Waverly takes place here in “Week Eleven” as they hit the road to take on a surging Fairview team that has gotten better each week and should be ready for this region title contest. The Tigers have been stellar all season, coming into this game undefeated, playing with a high level of confidence but the Yellow Jackets should definitely test them. Fairview is a run heavy team with Bryson Harrison and others but they will throw it occasionally too with Jax McCoy, so the Waverly defense must account for everything the Jackets throw at them. Turnovers and stopping the run will be critical for both teams in this game. I can see either Fairview or Waverly coming out on top, which means this should be a close, hard fought contest that may not be settled till the very end.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Waverly Central 24 Fairview 20    Drew Toennies: Fairview 28 Waverly Central 21   Shayne Pickering: Fairview 21 Waverly Central 20   Conner Smith: Fairview 37 Waverly Central 31   - - - - -    Other Top Week Ten Matchups    East TN: Knox. Catholic (5-3) at Baylor (8-0), Hampton (8-1) at Cloudland (5-4), Oneida (5-4) at Eagleton (6-3), Carter (6-3) at Gibbs (7-2), West Ridge (6-3) at Jefferson Co. (7-2), Notre Dame (5-4) at GCA (7-2), Powell (7-1) at Knox. West (4-4), Red Bank (5-4) at Loudon (5-4), East Hamilton (8-1) at McMinn Co. (5-4), Kingston (6-2) at Meigs Co. (8-1), Coalfield (7-2) at Oliver Springs (6-3), Greenback (4-5) at Rockwood (5-4), Dobyns-Bennett (8-1) at Science Hill (7-2), Happy Valley (9-0) at South Green (7-2), Rhea Co. (8-1) at Walker Valley (7-2)   Mid TN: Hendersonville (4-4) at Beech (7-1), Franklin-Grace (7-2) at BGA (8-1), Rockvale (4-5) at Blackman (8-1), Jo Byrns (5-4) at Clay Co. (8-1), Ezell-Harding (5-4) at DCA (5-4), MBA (5-3) at Ensworth (6-3), Waverly (9-0) at Fairview (7-2), Sequatchie Co. (7-2) at Giles Co. (6-3), Kirkwood (8-1) at Henry Co. (5-3), Providence Chrst. (7-2) at MTCS (5-3), Nolensville (7-2) at Page (8-0), Brentwood (6-3) at Ravenwood (9-0), White Co. (7-2) at Stone Memorial (8-1), Columbia (5-3) at Tullahoma (5-4), Macon Co. (7-2) at Upperman (7-2), Forrest (6-3) at Watertown (5-4), WH-Heritage (6-3) at Westmoreland (5-4)   West TN: Jackson South-Side (5-4) at Crockett Co. (7-2), Lake Co. (5-4) at Dresden (7-2), Lexington (7-2) at Dyer Co. (7-2), MASE (5-4) at Fairley (7-2), Kirby (6-3) at Haywood (7-2), Northpoint Chrst. (7-2) at Lausanne (5-3), McEwen (5-3) at McKenzie (8-1), Peabody (8-1) at Milan (8-0), Memp. Central (7-2) at Munford (9-0), Briarcrest Chrst. (6-3) at MUS (6-3)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/alcoa-crop-640x420-1756135574.jpg?w=639" alt="" class="wp-image-1852552" style="width:308px;height:auto" /></figure>