TNHSFB Playoffs: Quarterfinals/D2 Semi’s (Top Games/Matchups)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Tennessee High School football playoffs crank back up tonight in what may be the best Friday of action yet this year! Everybody remaining are legit with most teams capable of competing for a state title. It was hard to find our top ten matchups as we have tons of games to follow tonight but we sorted it out and present breakdowns for ten matchups we think sit at the top of the board. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anderson Co. (9-2) at Greeneville (11-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- These two East Tennessee programs know each other well, so I don't expect either team to surprise each other but what I do expect is a back and forth, high scoring affair that may not be settled till the final minutes. We have two well balanced offenses in this game with the Mavs and Green Devils sporting excellent backfields. Both will look to run the ball with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='806042' first='Jayzon' last='Thompson'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1969867' first='Caden' last='Baugh'] </strong>to establish themselves but both teams have no problem throwing it as well. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1181026' first='Zaydyn' last='Anderson'] </strong>could be a difference maker but the Mavs have a good secondary to combat him. Anderson Co. and Greeneville are proud programs that know how to win football games, so this quarterfinal matchup should be exciting to follow.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maryville (11-1) at Blackman (11-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This is the biggest game taking place on the Blackman campus in some time as they genuinely have a shot at advancing, however it will be a tough challenge. Maryville is one of the hottest teams in the state with both sides of the ball playing at a high level, especially on offense with Mr. Football Semi-finalist <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1723184' first='Will' last='Jones']</strong>. Stopping him should be objective number one for the Blaze defense. Blackman has one of the better defenses in the state, so I'm interested to see how they match up with the Rebels offense. The Blaze need to generate a pass rush up front and cause havoc in the Maryville backfield for them to come out on top. If they allow Jones, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2043391' first='Cameron' last='Porter'] </strong>and others to run the ball with ease, Blackman will see their season come to an end.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2060925,"width":"236px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/camporter.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2060925" style="width:236px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Robertson (12-0) at Huntingdon (11-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- What a battle we have here between potentially the two best teams coming out of the 2A ranks. The Indians have yet to take a loss and the Mustangs have been a role since taking defeat in the first game of the season. Running the ball is what Huntingdon likes to do, so the Indians defense has a task of finding ways to slow that down because if they don't, coming home with a victory will be tough. The road team however may have the best player on the field in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422904' first='Kason' last='Young'] </strong>and he can be a difference maker in this contest that could propel East Robertson into the semifinals. This is a very interesting matchup as I could see either team coming out on top. Ball control offense and creating turnovers may prove key towards either squad advancing.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Beech (10-1) at Page (11-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- For the second straight week, Beech must face a 5A title contender with this one coming on the road versus Page, a Patriots team that has been strong all season long but will be facing their stiffest competition yet. The Bucs come to town with one of the better rushing attacks in the state, spearheaded by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866718' first='Kaden' last='Powell']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800803' first='Chelton' last='Swafford'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1206523' first='D.K.' last='Williams']</strong>. Stopping those three will be absolutely critical for the Patriots and their hopes at advancing. The defensive front, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1178947' first='Cohen' last='Grissom']</strong>, will have to play strong in the trenches and put the Bucs offense on the sidelines while the Pats offense generates points from their own backfield duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1532741' first='James' last='Pierre'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1571091' first='Isaac' last='Otey']</strong>. This game has the makings of a ground and pound contest that will test each other's defenses, so whichever one holds up the best, will move on.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McCallie (10-2) at Baylor (10-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The biggest game this week when it comes to rivalries is this inner Chattanooga battle between two teams that have traded championships over the past few seasons with the Red Raiders being the considered favorite. While Baylor may be the team everybody eyes on advancing, you can't sleep on McCallie as they tend to show up in big games. I see the biggest key in this game will be the Blue Tornado defense finding a way to stop <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1210671' first='David' last='Gabriel-Georges']</strong>. In the first matchup, McCallie played well and hung tough but they had no answers for the state's top junior prospect. For the road team to advance, they have to slow down Gabriel-Georges or at least limit his touches. I do like the Red Raiders to advance but it would not be surprised to see McCallie pull off the upset.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1927056,"width":"284px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/dwdgg.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1927056" style="width:284px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Baylor Football</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BGA (11-1) at Boyd Buchanan (11-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- One of the hottest teams in the state is BGA but they take on a confident and undefeated Boyd Buchanan team Friday night that should challenge the Wildcats front seven. The Bucs have one of the best backs in the state with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402534' first='David' last='Green'] </strong>and you can bet the coaching staff will give him the ball as much as possible. The Wildcats have to stop Green from going off but the Bucs must do the same against <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='914547' first='Kaedyn' last='Marable']</strong>. A Mr. Football Semi-Finalist, Marable has been elite this year and nobody has been able to slow him down. If the home team wants to win this game and advance, they must keep Marable and the BGA offense on the sidelines as much as possible because if they stay on the field most of the night, the Wildcats will be returning to their second straight D2-Class AA title game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gordonsville (12-0) at Marion Co. (11-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The defending Class 2A champs are back on a path to reach Chattanooga but they host an undefeated Gordonsville team in the quarterfinals that are playing confident football right now and excited about this opportunity. The Tigers are a run-heavy team that will eat up the clock and play physically in the trenches, so Marion Co. must be prepared and ready for a long game. The Warriors do have the firepower to run away with things but I don't see that happening against a football smart, technique sound Gordonsville football team. I actually see this contest being a defensive affair where points may be at a premium. Whichever team is able to establish the run game and keep the ball in their hands most of the time should be the squad that has the edge towards winning.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meigs Co. (11-1) at Gatlinburg-Pittman (12-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Could the undefeated Highlanders football team be on upset watch? I think so as Meigs Co. comes to town confident and playing strong football right now, led by a game changing quarterback in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1565598' first='Kaiden' last='Brewster']</strong>, who has been putting up silly numbers over the past month. Gatlinburg has to key on Brewster and make sure he doesn't get loose. The Highlanders themselves must establish the run game with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182191' first='Brayden' last='Maples'] </strong>while receiving steady play at quarterback from <strong>John Keohane</strong>. Both of these offenses can score a bunch of points, so one of these teams must figure out a game plan on defense to keep each other off the scoreboard. This East Tennessee matchup may prove to be one of the more exciting, high scoring games from the quarterfinal round with the outcome not settled till the fourth quarter.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1708044,"width":"245px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/braymaples.jpg?w=927" alt="" class="wp-image-1708044" style="width:245px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Gatlinburg-Pittman RB [player_tooltip player_id='1182191' first='Brayden' last='Maples'].</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Springfield (11-1) at South Gibson (9-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Yellow Jackets hit the road to face one of their best opponents of the year and a South Gibson team that has won eight games in a row leading into this quarterfinal matchup. Throughout the 2025 season, opponents have had a hard time dealing with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1588080' first='Kason' last='Woodson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1193376' first='Jermaine' last='Cobbins'] </strong>and the Yellow Jackets offense but the Hornets have a defense that could give them fits, especially up front with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='889227' first='Yahya' last='Gaad'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854396' first='Jack' last='Smith']</strong>. I think it will be key for the Hornets defensive front to apply pressure on Woodson and make things uncomfortable for him while doing their best to lock down Cobbins on the outside. That matchup out wide against the Hornets secondary may prove to be a difference maker in this contest. Springfield is the favorite here but I can see South Gibson knocking them off, so this looks like a fun one!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clay Co. (11-1) at South Pittsburg (11-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Could this 1A matchup be the best game of the quarterfinal round that pits two state title caliber teams against each other? I think so and I think it will be close till the very end as both Clay Co. and South Pitt are disciplined teams that do all the small things right. The Pirates have the advantage when it comes to athleticism and big play abilities. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1134336' first='JaMychal' last='Buckner'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1577095' first='Dayon' last='Cooper'] </strong>are game changers the Bulldogs defense must find answers for. They have to keep the ball out of their hands, which means eating up the clock with their rushing attack and keeping them on the sidelines. The Bulldogs have to keep this game close early and maintain things into the break for a shot at winning because if they allow Buckner and Cooper to get going in the 1st half, the Pirates may be advancing to the semifinal round.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Quarterfinal/Semifinal Matchups&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 1A: </strong>Coalfield (10-2) at Sale Creek (11-1), McKenzie (11-1) at Richland (10-2), Middle Coll. (10-1) at Fayetteville (6-5)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 2A: </strong>Eagleton (9-3) at Bledsoe Co. (10-2), East Nashville (6-5) at Milan (11-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 3A: </strong>Giles Co. (9-3) at Tyner Acad. (11-1), Dyersburg (8-4) at Covington (11-1), Melrose (10-1) at Westview (11-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 4A: </strong>Alcoa (11-1) at Red Bank (8-4), Pearl Cohn (8-4) at Marshall Co. (9-3)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 5A: </strong>Lincoln Co. (10-2) at Sevier Co. (11-1), Knox. Halls (7-4) at Knox. Central (10-2), Centennial (6-5) at Henry Co. (8-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 6A: </strong>Green Hill (10-2) at Oakland (12-0), Ravenwood (12-0) at Whitehaven (7-4), Southwind (12-0) at Collierville (9-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D2-Class A: </strong>USJ (10-1) at Providence Chrst. (9-2), Trinity Chrst. Acad. (10-2) at Nash. Christian (11-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D2-Class AA: </strong>Lausanne (8-3) at FRA (10-1)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D2-Class AAA: </strong>CPA (4-8) at Brentwood Acad. (10-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1639402,"width":"234px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/kwilson.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1639402" style="width:234px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Page DB [player_tooltip player_id='540028' first='Knight' last='Wilson']. Photo by Page Athletics.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->