Week Nine Slate (Top Games/Matchups)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A lot of teams across the state are on Fall break this week but we still have several quality matchups to breakdown. We have a variety of games in "Week Nine" from some interesting non-region contests to a few ranked teams that need to be on upset alert. Check below to see our top ten games of the week as well as our expert predictions. </h2>     #20 Greeneville (6-1) at Volunteer (6-1)   - The home Falcons have a shot at competing for the region title but they must win this matchup against the Green Devils to make that happen. When you look at this game and how it may play out, both teams run a balanced offense with defenses that have been opportunistic this year. The X-Factor may turn out to be [player_tooltip player_id='1181026' first='Zaydyn' last='Anderson'], who has the ability to take the top off versus a vulnerable Volunteer secondary. The Falcons do get after it up front with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1258053' first='Christian' last='Wilson'] but keeping Anderson in-check is very important towards the home team winning. Greeneville has the edge with culture and knowing how to win big games, so I'm interested to see how Volunteer comes to play and competes throughout.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Greeneville 35 Volunteer 17   Drew Toennies: Greenville 28 Volunteer 14   Shayne Pickering: Greeneville 31 Volunteer 16   Conner Smith: Greenville 34 Volunteer 20   - - - - -    Lebanon (7-0) at Green Hill (5-2)   - The region title is on the line here in this matchup between the road Blue Devils and the Hawks. Lebanon has been one of the biggest surprises from the 2025 season but do they have what it takes to go on the road and defeat a more talented Green Hill squad? We will find out but I do know they will be amped up for the competition and the opportunity to prove their worth. The Blue Devils defense with JaJuan Stafford against [player_tooltip player_id='964976' first='Kannon' last='Burroughs'] and the Hawks offense will be the matchup to watch in this game. If Lebanon is able to slow up the Green Hill rushing attack, including Burroughs while also not allowing  him to throw all over the secondary, the Blue Devils could have a shot at pulling out this win. I do like the Hawks but you certainly can't sleep on Lebanon in this game.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Green Hill 30 Lebanon 20   Drew Toennies: Lebanon 35 Green Hill 21   Shayne Pickering: Green Hill 27 Lebanon 17   Conner Smith: Lebanon 24 Green Hill 20   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/ghill-crop-1366x897-1730127507.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1543976" style="width:298px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Pam Mattingly Green Hill</figcaption></figure>   - - - - -    Dyersburg (5-2) at #3 Covington (7-0)   - Nobody has been able to stop the Chargers this year as they have nearly dominated every team they have faced this season. Dyersburg has a big challenge on their hands but they know who Covington is and they bring a defense to town that could cause some issues, if they play up to their capabilities. You can bet that both teams will run the ball early and often with [player_tooltip player_id='1659259' first='Jaheim' last='Smith'] being the key guy to stop. The Trojans are solid within their front seven but Smith is a talented runner with elite speed that may be too tough to handle. Dyersburg must play ball control on offense, stringing together long drives and not turning the ball over to pull out the road win.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Covington 42 Dyersburg 17   Drew Toennies: Dyersburg 21 Covington 7   Shayne Pickering: Covington 35 Dyersburg 21   Conner Smith: Dyersburg 21 Covington 13   - - - - -    Science Hill (6-1) at #12 Maryville (6-1)   - This is an out of region matchup between two high caliber East Tennessee programs that could use a win in this game to boost their overall stocks going into postseason action. The home Rebels are the odds on favorite in this game and I do like Maryville to come out on top but they can't be asleep at the wheel, thinking they will just ease by the Hilltoppers. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1723184' first='Will' last='Jones'] has been at another level this year but Science Hill has a talented quarterback as well in [player_tooltip player_id='1577633' first='Lane' last='Clement'] that can make all the throws. Everything hinges on the Toppers plugging up the Maryville run game while putting pressure on Jones to pull out the road win. The Rebels may prove to be too good but I'm interested to see how Science Hill performs.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Maryville 34 Science Hill 10   Drew Toennies: Maryville 17 Science Hill 14   Shayne Pickering: Maryville 30 Science Hill 16   Conner Smith: Maryville 35 Science Hill 24   - - - - -    #7 South Pittsburg (6-1) at Sale Creek (7-0)   - The biggest game in Sale Creek football history takes place this Friday night as the Panthers have a shot to win a region title but they must get past the powerhouse that is South Pittsburg. The Pirates come to town with a roster that will have more talent but Sale Creek is playing confident ball right now and should be ready for the challenge. The Panthers will need to be top level on Friday as they have the task of finding a way to slow down or stop the backfield duo of Caden Jones and [player_tooltip player_id='1134336' first='JaMychal' last='Buckner']. Bottle capping the Pirates run game is important for Sale Creek and their efforts at winning this game. I could see this contest going in multiple directions but the Panthers are in position to do something special this year, especially if they can knock off South Pitt.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: South Pitt 35 Sale Creek 10   Drew Toennies: South Pitt 24 Sale Creek 21   Shayne Pickering: South Pitt 35 Sale Creek 15   Conner Smith: South Pitt 42 Sale Creek 34   - - - - -    Crockett Co. (6-1) at South Gibson (4-3)   - Possibly one of the biggest games in “Week Nine” is this West Tennessee matchup between two teams chasing after a region title. Crockett Co. has been consistent and steady all season long while the Hornets are starting to come on, playing their best football of the season. What has helped turn the Hornets season around is the play from [player_tooltip player_id='889227' first='Yahya' last='Gaad'], [player_tooltip player_id='854396' first='Jack' last='Smith'] and their defense. They have been performing very well of late but have a tough task on Friday night as they face an athletic, run based Cavalier offense that has scored a lot of points this year. The South Gibson front seven must slow down the Crockett Co. rushing attack to pull out the win and I think they have the abilities to do so and move to 4-1 within the region.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: South Gibson 24 Crockett Co. 21   Drew Toennies: South Gibson 28 Crockett Co. 21   Shayne Pickering: South Gibson 28 Crockett Co. 17   Conner Smith: South Gibson 27 Crockett Co. 14   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/jacksmith.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1957016" style="width:280px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Grace Chrst. Academy (5-2) at CAK (5-2)   - Second place inside the D2-Class AA East region is on the line in this matchup between two run based teams that play well up front with defenses that have been sturdy throughout the season. GCA has faced good competition this year, so I expect them to hit the road and come ready to play. They are leaning on a freshman running back in J.V. Stinson right now and he has been getting the job done. CAK has a stellar back of their own in [player_tooltip player_id='1216777' first='Ryan' last='Gibson'] that has been a great addition to the Warriors offense this year. Stopping those two backs are key for both teams in this game when it comes to being on top at the end. Turnovers may turn out to be a key role in this game and whichever team keeps those to a minimum should gain an edge towards victory.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: GCA 28 CAK 24   Drew Toennies: GCA 21 CAK 14   Shayne Pickering: GCA 31 CAK 16   Conner Smith: GCA 34 CAK 31   - - - - -    Goodpasture (5-2) at #23 Franklin-Grace (7-0)   - A big opportunity sits in front of Goodpasture this Friday as they hit the road to face off with an undefeated Franklin-Grace that is playing good football and confident about who they are. The Cougars travel to Franklin with a team that has vastly improved this year with [player_tooltip player_id='492601' first='Caden' last='Stroud'] being a major reason why from the running back position. His power running along with the Cougars passing attack has provided nice balance this year. They will need Stroud and others to pull off the road as the Lions won't make things easy for them. Franklin-Grace is stout on defense, led by senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1629250' first='Jacob' last='Gilles']. The Cougars have a shot here at knocking off Franklin-Grace but they have to have a big game from Stroud or others to accomplish winning a region game on the road.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Franklin-Grace 27 Goodpasture 20   Drew Toennies: Goodpasture 28 Franklin-Grace 21   Shayne Pickering: Goodpasture 30 Franklin-Grace 16   Conner Smith: Goodpasture 32 Franklin-Grace 31   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/gcalions.jpg?w=641" alt="" class="wp-image-1957017" style="width:224px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    #5 USJ (7-0) at Dyer Co. (5-2)   - The Bruins step out of region play here in “Week Nine” to take on a good Dyer Co. team that presents some challenges for the road team. The Choctaws have an athletic team with several guys on offense that can create big plays, so the Bruins defense has a tough task on their hands. Where they can counteract the Choctaws explosive play is leaning on [player_tooltip player_id='1126012' first='Jackson' last='Pugh'] and their rushing attack. The Bruins have the capability of playing ball control offense, keeping the Choctaws offense on the sidelines. This game has a chance to be high scoring but only if USJ is not able to slow down the road team. Dyer Co. might actually be the best team USJ has faced this season, so I'm curious to see how this game plays out.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: USJ 35 Dyer Co. 17    Drew Toennies: USJ 21 Dyer Co. 14   Shayne Pickering: USJ 24 Dyer Co. 14   Conner Smith: USJ 28 Dyer Co. 14   - - - - -    #11 Lewis Co. (7-0) at Lexington (5-2)   - Can the Panthers step out of their region and keep their undefeated season alive? It will be a tough task as they face a solid Lexington football team that has gotten better as the year has gone on and some may consider them a favorite with this game being on their home turf. Lewis Co. does come to town playing confident ball with both sides performing at a high level. Their offense has been stellar this year, led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1103499' first='Drew' last='Ray'] and [player_tooltip player_id='491438' first='Kade' last='Carroll']. Lexington has a solid offense as well that is spearheaded by their rushing attack. For the Panthers to remain undefeated, they must focus on stopping the Tigers run game and forcing them to pass. If they can do that, Lewis Co. can win and keep their dream season going.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Lewis Co. 28 Lexington 20    Drew Toennies: Lewis Co. 14 Lexington 7   Shayne Pickering: Lewis Co. 28 Lexington 21    Conner Smith: Lewis Co. 21 Lexington 20   - - - - -    Other Top Week Eight Matchups    East TN: South Greene (6-1) at Concord Chrst. (3-2), Bledsoe Co. (5-2) at Grundy Co. (7-1), Alcoa (7-0) at Heritage (3-3), McCallie (5-2) at Knox. Catholic (4-2), Knox. Central (5-2) at Knox. Halls (3-3), Eagleton (6-1) at Polk Co. (3-4), Jefferson Co. (5-2) at Powell (6-0), Meigs Co. (6-1) at Scott (5-2), Tenn. High (5-3) at Sevier Co. (6-1)   Mid TN: Gallatin (5-1) at Beech (5-1), Smyrna (3-4) at Blackman (6-1), Lincoln Co. (6-1) at Columbia Cent. (3-3), Independence (3-3) at Page (6-0), Ravenwood (7-0) at Shelbyville (3-4), Fairview (5-2) at Camden Cent. (3-4)   West TN: Memp. Biz Acad. (4-3) at Haywood (5-2), Giles Co. (4-3) at Jackson North-Side (5-2), Memp. Central (6-1) at MUS (5-2), Obion Co. (4-3) at South Fulton (6-1)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/jbuckner-crop-1366x897-1760650113.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1957020" style="width:319px;height:auto" /></figure>