TNHSFB Playoffs: 1st Round (Top Games/Matchups)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The first round of the 2025 Tennessee High School football playoffs begin tonight & our #PRZTN staff has provided in-depth coverage w/ game breakdowns, predictions & more! Brief yourself on the top games to watch here w/ our first round preview. </h2>     Bradley Central (7-3) at #20 Jefferson Co. (8-2)   - One of the more interesting first round matchups we have is this East Tennessee showdown between two teams that could easily advance through several rounds of the 2025 playoffs. The home Patriots are one of the hottest teams over the last month with four wins a row while the Bears have quietly gone 7-3 overall, sporting a top level defense that can present problems for Jefferson County. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='927765' first='A.J.' last='Westfield'] is a game wrecker that can blow up what the Patriots want to do and that's get the ball to senior playmaker [player_tooltip player_id='1276432' first='Shawn' last='Jackson']. I do like the home team in this game but barely and I wouldn't be surprised to see the road Bears pull off the upset.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Jefferson Co. 27 Bradley Central 20    Drew Toennies: Jefferson Co. 28 Bradley Central 17   Shayne Pickering: Jefferson Co. 24 Bradley Central 17   Conner Smith: Jefferson Co. 31 Bradley Central 20    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/shjackson.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1907088" style="width:234px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Riverdale (7-3) at Lebanon (8-2)   - Could the home Blue Devils be on upset alert in their first round matchup against Riverdale? It's very possible as the Warriors bring a talented ball club to town and possibly the best team Lebanon has seen all season. Riverdale has been playing good football over the second half of the season with [player_tooltip player_id='1287058' first='Gavin' last='Hampton'], [player_tooltip player_id='1103005' first='Corben' last='Reynolds'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1868595' first='Jacob' last='Vaughn'] forming a dynamic trio that opposing teams are having a hard time slowing down. One thing that favors the Blue Devils is [player_tooltip player_id='1660956' first='Jajuan' last='Stafford'] and their defense. Lebanon has been strong on the defensive side of the ball this year with good play up front and an opportunistic secondary. This game could go in several directions, which means this could be a fun one with both teams having a chance to win.   Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Riverdale 34 Lebanon 20    Drew Toennies: Riverdale 21 Lebanon 14    Shayne Pickering: Riverdale 35 Lebanon 17   Conner Smith: Riverdale 30 Lebanon 21   - - - - -    Memp. Business Acad. (6-4) at #11 Huntingdon (9-1)   - I am very interested in this West Tennessee matchup as I could see a road upset here! The Execs come to town sporting one of the better rosters Huntingdon has faced all season and an athletic group with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1565670' first='Marcus' last='Person'], [player_tooltip player_id='905235' first='Khamoni' last='Williams'] and others that can present a lot of problems for the Mustangs. The key towards the home team coming out on top is continuing to do what brought them to the dance and that's running the football. Doing that at a high level will keep the Execs offense on the sidelines while wearing down their defense. If Memphis Business is able to plug up the Mustangs rushing attack, the road team could take over in this matchup and propel themselves towards the second round.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Huntingdon 35 Memp. Biz. Acad. 20    Drew Toennies: Huntingdon 35 Memp. Biz. Acad. 24    Shayne Pickering: Huntingdon 28 Memp. Biz. Acad. 13   Conner Smith: Huntingdon 28 Memp. Biz. Acad. 10   - - - - -    McMinn Co. (6-4) at Lincoln Co. (8-2)   - This is a very intriguing matchup in the first round where both teams could win and advance. Seeing one of these programs end their season the round one is tough as both have teams that could win multiple games. Many will have the home Falcons as the favorite with a senior quarterback in [player_tooltip player_id='523936' first='Maddox' last='Franklin'] at the helm but I'm inching towards the Cherokees due to their physicality in the trenches. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='402530' first='Camden' last='Goforth'] is the best run blocker in the state and behind him, McMinn Co. can establish their run game while keeping Franklin and the Falcons offense on the sidelines. Now the Cherokees do have to score points, which is something they have struggled with of late but they produced 50 last week, so they might have found something. I see this game going down till the very end until something is settled.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: McMinn Co. 24 Lincoln Co. 21    Drew Toennies: McMinn Co. 35 Lincoln Co. 28    Shayne Pickering: McMinn Co. 28 Lincoln Co. 20   Conner Smith: McMinn Co. 27 Lincoln Co. 17    - - - - -    Science Hill (7-3) at #17 Oak Ridge (9-1)   - Coming off their first loss of the season, Oak Ridge will be looking to bounce back and start a path towards Chattanooga but they open the playoffs with a good Science Hill team that brings a passing attack to town that could make things difficult for the Wildcats secondary. We have a strong senior quarterback battle in this game with [player_tooltip player_id='1577633' first='Lane' last='Clement'] and [player_tooltip player_id='205650' first='Blaine' last='Stansberry']. Watching those two should be fun but the goal for each team is to put pressure on them with a pass rush and Oak Ridge might be better in that area with [player_tooltip player_id='1281457' first='Tobja' last='Walters']. I think whichever team is able to establish the run game could find an advantage towards winning. Oak Ridge has struggled to score the ball of late, so it will be interesting to see how they perform because if they don't pick things back up, the Hilltoppers could pull off the upset.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Oak Ridge 24 Science Hill 17    Drew Toennies: Oak Ridge 28 Science Hill 14    Shayne Pickering: Oak Ridge 35 Science Hill 17   Conner Smith: Oak Ridge 35 Science Hill 14   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/twalters3.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1883193" style="width:246px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Knox. Catholic (5-4) at Christian Brothers (6-4)   - Traveling all the way from East Tennessee to Memphis for some first round action, Knox. Catholic is looking at the playoffs as a new season as they have a talented roster that could find some magic and go on a run towards Chattanooga but it all starts Friday against Christian Brothers. The Fighting Irish have the talent to win this game but they must perform at a higher level to get the job done because the Purple Wave won't be an easy out. Two dynamic game changers in [player_tooltip player_id='284149' first='Tyreek' last='King'] and [player_tooltip player_id='834594' first='Javon' last='Slaton'] are guys to watch as potential difference makers due to their big play abilities. I honestly see this as a close matchup that isn't settled till the 4th quarter. Whoever can limit the mistakes while playing well up front, should put themselves in position to win.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Chrst. Brothers 24 Knox. Catholic 17    Drew Toennies: Knox. Catholic 24 Chrst. Brothers 14    Shayne Pickering: Knox. Catholic 28 Chrst. Brothers 13    Conner Smith: Knox. Catholic 21 Chrst. Brothers 13   - - - - -    Lexington (7-3) at Haywood (8-2)   - Could the Tomcats be on upset alert in round one against a quality Lexington football team? I think they are and Haywood must be ready for a Tigers team that will be looking to run the ball early and often, forcing the Tomcats offense and their playmakers to remain on the sidelines. Stopping the Lexington rushing attack is priority number one for Haywood and if they are able to slow them down, I like the Tomcats and their chances at advancing. If the Tigers are able to run at will, the home team might be looking at some trouble. Junior athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1162582' first='Jaden' last='Butler'] could be a difference maker in this game for Haywood as I don't know if the Tigers have anybody that can stop him. I'm curious to see how this game plays out and how the home handles the first round adversity.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Haywood 33 Lexington 17    Drew Toennies: Haywood 28 Lexington 21    Shayne Pickering: Haywood 35 Lexington 10    Conner Smith: Haywood 21 Lexington 7    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/haywood-crop-649x426-1754342221.jpg?w=648" alt="" class="wp-image-1752685" style="width:276px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Forrest (7-3) at Chatt. Prep (4-6)   - Looking at the first round matchups, this one stands out to me as you have a 7-3 Forrest team going on the road to take on a sneaky good Chatt. Prep team that is better than their 4-6 record. This is also a matchup of star running backs with [player_tooltip player_id='1589943' first='Quincy' last='Mitchell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1600242' first='Marquis' last='Gardner'], who both should have a future on the collegiate gridiron. Knowing both the Rockets and Sentinels have stud ball carriers, you can bet both teams will be looking to establish the run game. Finding answers stopping the run will be the biggest key for both squads when it comes to winning this game. The one factor I like in favor of Forrest is they are battle tested, having competed against a few good teams this year, so I think they will be prepared for this road contest, which could be a high scoring affair.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Forrest 37 Chatt. Prep 24    Drew Toennies: Forrest 21 Chatt. Prep 10    Shayne Pickering: Forrest 24 Chatt. Prep 21   Conner Smith: Forrest 34 Chatt. Prep 31   - - - - -    Grundy Co. (7-3) at Cannon Co. (7-3)   - Both the Lions and Yellow Jackets have seen success this season as programs that have traditionally been under the radar but only one of them can advance and continue their football year. You have two teams here that have different philosophies on offense as Grundy Co. likes to run the ball while the home Lions will move it through the air with [player_tooltip player_id='819521' first='Eli' last='Garrett'] and his solid receiving corps, led by Jaxsen Miles and [player_tooltip player_id='1803381' first='Miles' last='Alexander']. The Yellow Jackets will look to keep those guys off the field, using [player_tooltip player_id='1668505' first='Vince' last='Bryant'] and the run game to play ball control offense while keeping the clock in their favor. Getting off to a fast start for Cannon Co. may be highly beneficial as they would force the Yellow Jackets to play keep up and I don't know if they have the overall fire power to complete a winning comeback.    Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Cannon Co. 27 Grundy Co. 14    Drew Toennies: Grundy Co. 14 Cannon Co. 7   Shayne Pickering: Cannon Co. 28 Grundy Co. 17    Conner Smith: Cannon Co. 17 Grundy Co. 7   - - - - -    GIbbs (8-2) at Elizabethton (8-2)   - This East Tennessee showdown should be one of the more close knit matchups we have in the 1st round as I could honestly see either team coming out on top. Both these teams rely on their defenses to lead the way, so I'm expecting a low scoring affair here with points being at a premium. Between the Cyclones and the Eagles, I do like the potential of the Gibbs offense as Keith Jones has the skill set to produce through the air. He has a couple of reliable targets to work with as well in [player_tooltip player_id='1937544' first='DaJuan' last='Harris'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1527611' first='Chase' last='Norman']. The Cyclones will need to play good ball up front and put pressure on Jones to keep him and the Eagles off pace. I don't know if this game will be highly entertaining but it should be close, physical and hard fought.   Expert Predictions   Chris Smith: Gibbs 28 Elizabethton 13    Drew Toennies: Elizabethton 28 Gibbs 17    Shayne Pickering: Gibbs 28 Elizabethton 21    Conner Smith: Elizabethton 31 Gibbs 17    - - - - -    Other Top 1st Round Matchups    East TN: Rockwood (6-4) at Hampton (9-1), Oliver Springs (6-4) at North Greene (6-4), Cosby (6-4) at Midway (7-3), Jackson Co. (6-4) at Marion Co. (9-1), Kingston (6-3) at Gatlinburg-Pittman (10-0), Sweetwater (6-4) at Unicoi Co. (8-2), Carter (6-4) at Greeneville (9-1), Volunteer (7-3) at Anderson Co. (7-2), Macon Co. (7-3) at Red Bank (6-4), Cherokee (7-3) at Alcoa (9-1), Tullahoma (5-5) at Walker Valley (7-3), Lawrence Co. (7-3) at Rhea Co. (9-1)   Mid TN: Adamsville (7-3) at East Nashville (4-5), Sycamore (6-4) at WH-Heritage (7-3), East Hamilton (8-2) at Columbia (6-3), Tipton-Rosemark (4-6) at Friendship Chrst. (8-2), CAK (6-4) at Goodpasture (7-3), MUS (6-4) at MBA (5-4)   West TN: Westwood (5-5) at South Fulton (8-2), Huntland (6-4) at McKenzie (9-1), Greenfield (6-4) at Oakhaven (7-3), Eagleville (6-4) at McEwen (5-4), Memp. Biz (6-4) at Huntingdon (9-1), Mitchell (6-4) at Peabody (8-2), Dyersburg (6-4) at Bolton (5-3), Crockett Co. (8-2) at Kirby (6-4), Arlington (7-3) at Southwind (10-0), Concord Chrst. (5-3) at Jackson Chrst. (8-2), Davidson Acad. (6-4) at Lausanne (6-3), Franklin-Grace (7-3) at Northpoint Chrst. (7-3)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/kejones.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-2034200" style="width:245px;height:auto" /></figure>