TNHSFB Playoffs: Semifinal Showdown Preview

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The best of the best remains, which means semifinal Friday should exciting! Pretty much all the teams, who looked like championship levels squads going into the playoffs, are still in play. Inside, we breakdown all the semifinals games for tomorrow night and provide some insight as to who may come out on top. </h2>     Southwind (13-0) at Ravenwood (13-0) - Class 6A    - Only one team gets to leave this 6A matchup and continue their season chasing after a state title. Two well run programs, Southwind takes Ravenwood in what is an interesting game to predict as the Jags come to town with a high scoring, explosive offense while the Raptors sport one of the better defensive units in the state. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='480742' first='Kelvin' last='Perkins'] is playing on another level right now and presents a lot of problems for Ravenwood. The Raptors defense must find a way to get pressure on him and to the sidelines if they want a shot at pulling out the win. [player_tooltip player_id='402540' first='Femi' last='Babalola'] must play his best game of the year while Carter Pace and others sustain long drives and keep the time of possession in their hands. Nobody has been able to slow down the Jaguars offense all season and I think Ravenwood will see why. I do think the home Raptors have a shot to win but they must do everything right while forcing some Southwind mistakes to advance.    - - - - -    Alcoa (12-1) at Greeneville (12-1) - Class 4A    - This is a powerhouse matchup between two of the better programs coming out of the East Tennessee region but only one can advance. Both teams are playing confident, high level football right now with the offenses leading the way. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2058759' first='Thomas' last='Manu'], a Mr. Football finalist, has been money this postseason and one of the more efficient quarterbacks in the playoffs. Greeneville has their own Mr. Football finalist behind center in [player_tooltip player_id='1969867' first='Caden' last='Baugh'] that provides dual threat abilities and strong leadership. Stopping either of those quarterbacks is key for each squad to advance but it will be a tall task. The athletic skill will be on full display in this game as well with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1181026' first='Zaydyn' last='Anderson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1630037' first='JaColby' last='Cooper'], [player_tooltip player_id='817933' first='Jamir' last='Dean'] and others potentially being game breakers. I don't see either team blowing the other out, which means a close, physical matchup this should be. Time of possession and turnovers may prove to be the difference here, so whoever wins those categories, should find their way to Chattanooga.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/jdean2-crop-1366x897-1762380566.webp?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2006024" style="width:292px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Alcoa 2027 receiver [player_tooltip player_id='817933' first='Jamir' last='Dean']</figcaption></figure>   - - - - -    Tyner Academy (12-1) at Gatlinburg-Pittman (13-0) - Class 3A   - This is a game I have my eyes on as being one of the morning entertaining and intriguing matchups coming from the semifinal round. I can see multiple scenarios where either team wins, which tells me the Rams versus the Highlanders should be a good one. Tyner Academy will be the best team Pittman has seen all year and definitely the most athletic. The Highlanders have to receive a strong game from Cecilio Rodriguez, [player_tooltip player_id='1182191' first='Brayden' last='Maples'] and their rushing attack if they want to advance. They must control the clock and keep the ball in their hands because the Tyner offense is explosive with guys like Tyler Anderson, [player_tooltip player_id='1038480' first='Dee' last='McNealy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1565851' first='Antonio' last='Edwards'] that can help the Rams run away with things. I'm very interested to see how the Highlanders defense stacks up with the Tyner offense and if they are able to keep their playmakers in-check. If they are able to do so, the home team has a great shot at winning but if they don't, Tyner will be extending their strong season into the 3A championship game.    - - - - -    Blackman (12-1) at Oakland (13-0) - Class 6A    - The battle for Murfreesboro and a placement in the 6A title game is on the line here between the Blaze and Patriots with everybody leaning into the favor of Oakland. I make that statement because the Pats are the class of the 6A classification that sits undefeated and your defending champs, so of course Oakland would be the favorite but you can't sleep on the Blaze and their emergence this season. These two teams played earlier this year where the Pats won but Blackman played hard and showed they could hang. Blackman will need its best game of the year in this matchup and will need another strong performance from their defense. We know what Oakland will do and that's run the ball with efficiency while playing physical up front. The Blaze has to match the physicality in the line while allowing their playmakers to make plays. Jabari Kemp and [player_tooltip player_id='1103038' first='Brylan' last='Oduor'] are difference makers that could present issues for the Pats defense. I do like Oakland to prevail but I would not be surprised to see Blackman win again and keep their magical season alive.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/Photo-Nov-11-2025-8-17-20-PM-crop-776x510-1764275639.webp?w=776" alt="" class="wp-image-2067902" style="width:283px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Cam Reid 615 Preps</figcaption></figure>   - - - - -    Huntingdon (12-1) at Milan (12-0) - Class 2A    - If running the football and watching strong defensive play is something you are into, this is the game for you. Both the Mustangs and the Bulldogs are run heavy football teams that play physically up front and like to dominate the ball. Seeing which rushing philosophy wins in the end will be interesting to watch. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='932932' first='Kenton' last='Smith'] is coming off a four touchdown game in the quarters while Milan sports a current Mr. Football finalist and past winner in [player_tooltip player_id='1562203' first='Jaydon' last='Peete'] that shows up big in big games. Stopping those two will be key for either team to advance. Milan has been consistent throughout the year, finding ways to win games but Huntingdon has been more explosive. I think the key matchup within the game will be the Bulldogs defense against the Mustangs offense. I can see this game starting out slow as both teams get a feel for each other but in the end, it will be the squad that is able to establish their rushing attack and sustain long drives that wins.    - - - - -    South Pittsburg (12-1) at Coalfield (11-2) - Class 1A    - I feel like this clash between the Pirates and Yellow Jackets has been brewing all season long as both appeared to be championship caliber teams throughout the Fall football year and here we are with a title appearance on the line. Two of the more consistent programs from the 1A level, both these squads lean on their run game to kickstart their offenses and both have Mr. Football finalists with [player_tooltip player_id='1222053' first='Jaiden' last='Bunch'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1577095' first='Dayon' last='Cooper'] that can be difference makers. The Pirates have the edge in the athleticism department and in the end, that may prove to be too much for Coalfield to handle but the Yellow Jackets are well coached and should be up for the challenge. The Yellow Jackets defense must have their best performance of the season in this game. They have to keep Cooper and [player_tooltip player_id='1134336' first='JaMychal' last='Buckner'] in-check if they want to advance. Bunch has been stellar throughout the playoffs and he needs another big game. I do like the Pirates in this game but I can see where Coalfield comes out on top as well.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/jbuckner.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1879211" style="width:258px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Knox. Halls (8-4) at Sevier Co. (12-1) - Class 5A    - One of the biggest surprises and playoff runs so far through the postseason has been Knox. Halls but now they face the 5A defending champs in Sevier Co., who is beginning to dominate opponents. What the Red Devils have going for them is a veteran quarterback in [player_tooltip player_id='1102989' first='Amari' last='Lethgo'] that is playing his best football of his career and has won a lot of ball games throughout his career. His leadership and game play will be absolutely critical towards his team's success in this game because you can bet [player_tooltip player_id='1142902' first='Cooper' last='Newman'] and his Smoky Bears offense will be ready to go. Sevier Co. has a lot of parts from last year's championship squad, so they know how to perform in big games. Both sides of the ball are clicking right now for Sevier Co., so the Red Devils must bring their “A” game to advance. Their defense will be the difference with Knox. Halls continuing their season or not. If they can find ways to make things difficult for Newman and keep them out of the end zone, an upset could take place but in the end, I do like the home team to reach the 5A title game in back to back years.    - - - - -    Covington (12-1) at Westview (12-0) - Class 3A    - For several years now, Covington has won a lot of football games and been on the cusp of breaking through into the title game but Westview has been in the way. Well here we are yet again with the Chargers one game away from competing for a state title but they must find a way to get past [player_tooltip player_id='424594' first='Graham' last='Simpson'] and an undefeated Westview team. These two faced each other not too long ago where Westview dominated the game but this is the playoffs and a new opportunity for Covington to find a recipe towards advancement. The road Chargers will have to receive a big game from [player_tooltip player_id='1659259' first='Jaheim' last='Smith'] while maintaining possession as much as possible while their defense somehow finds answers to slow down a quick striking, explosive Westview offense. Covington can not allow Simpson and his offense to move the ball at will and finish drives with scores and if they do, their season will be over and the home Chargers will advance to the 3A title game for the second year in a row.    - - - - -    South Gibson (10-3) at Pearl Cohn (9-4) - Class 4A   - It's been a great run over the past two months for South Gibson as they sit in a position they have never been in before but how will they handle the moment against a highly talented Pearl Cohn ball club that knows how to win in the postseason. We will see how things play out but I do like the Hornets chances at going into Nashville and knocking off the Firebirds. What can help them get the job done is a strong defense that is stout up front with [player_tooltip player_id='889227' first='Yahya' last='Gaad'] and [player_tooltip player_id='854396' first='Jack' last='Smith']. The Hornets will need to plug up the run and chase after [player_tooltip player_id='1286233' first='L.J.' last='Funk'] but will the South Gibson secondary be able to hold up versus some athletic receivers like [player_tooltip player_id='1608413' first='Stephen' last='Saulter']. I think the secondary coverage versus Pearl will be key towards victory but so will generating enough points against a talented Firebirds defense. The home team does have the advantage in the athletic department but South Gibson is gritty and tough, so nothing will be easy in this contest.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/ljfunk1.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2067905" style="width:231px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Centennial (7-5) at Page (12-0) - Class 5A    - After a bumpy 2025 season, Centennial has found magic this postseason and placed themselves into the semifinals against a familiar opponent in Page, who is undefeated and feeling confident after their recent ten point win over Beech. The Cougars have beaten some solid teams along the way themselves but face the best yet in a Patriots team that is well balanced on both sides of the ball. Centennial's biggest challenge comes on offense where they must work past a strong defensive front, led by [player_tooltip player_id='1178947' first='Cohen' last='Grissom'], [player_tooltip player_id='1571450' first='Calvin' last='Johnson'] and others. Where they could find some success is out wide with [player_tooltip player_id='1640649' first='Malachi' last='Steele']. Finding points will be a premium for Centennial because Page will look to run the ball with their dynamic duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1532741' first='James' last='Pierre'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1571091' first='Isaac' last='Otey']. The Cougars could keep things close early but in the end, I think the Patriots overall talent and team cohesion will prevail.    - - - - -    Fayetteville (7-5) at McKenzie (12-1)   - Speaking of surprising postseason runs, nobody, including myself, saw Fayetteville being here in the semifinals but they are and have been impressive every step of the way. The Tigers defense has been active and fast while the offense has been explosive. Their recipe has worked well up to this point but now they must do it against the best team they have seen this year in McKenzie, who sports a Mr. Football finalist in [player_tooltip player_id='1603459' first='Cole' last='Brown']. The Rebels received a challenge in the quarterfinals but prevailed, however they must play better in this matchup because the Tigers are highly confident right now and playing with house money. The key for the road team here is on defense where they must create pressure on [player_tooltip player_id='1662846' first='Ryan' last='Toombs'] and the Rebels offensive line. Watching the secondary with [player_tooltip player_id='1679513' first='Quasean' last='Black'] versus Avery Brown and the McKenzie wideouts will be fun as well. Fayetteville will need to strike early and often and if they do, the Tigers have a shot here but if they don't, look for the Rebels to advance.    - - - - -    Marion Co. (12-1) at Eagleton (10-3) - This is the deepest Eagleton has ever been within the Tennessee High School state playoffs and for them to reach Chattanooga, they must take down the defending 2A state champs. Marion Co. has some new pieces on this year's squad but return several like [player_tooltip player_id='1282609' first='Mason' last='Mays'], Ashton Martin and others that have led the Warriors to a current 12-1 record and a team primed at defending their title. The Eagles are in new territory, so watching how they handle the moment and perform will be interesting to watch. I fully expect the Warriors to be focused and geared up for this semifinal matchup. I also expect Marion Co. to score points, so Eagleton has to find a way to keep up with them. Creating turnovers is something the Eagles must find a way of making happen as that could be an avenue towards staying close in the end with an opportunity to win. It does help having this game at Eagleton but in the end, I do feel the culture at Marion Co. will win out.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/mcwarriors2-crop-841x552-1764275451.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2067899" style="width:335px;height:auto" /></figure>