The Five (Playoff Edition): 1st Rd Upset Alert

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Postseason play has arrived and round one provides some big time games across the state with some teams on alert for a possible upset. Here we breakdown the five games that may see some upsets happen but either way, they should be outstanding games! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. #4 Germantown </strong>(8-2) at <strong>#1 Ravenwood </strong>(6-4) - Class 6A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This is a great 1st round matchup between two 6A powers but unfortunately one of them has to lose. The home Raptors come in as region champs but they haven't played like the team we thought we would see going into the season. Germantown started out on fire, cooled in the middle of the year but has picked it up as of late. This is an intriguing game that pits an explosive Ravenwood offense, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='60841' first='Chris' last='Parson'] </strong>against a Red Devil defense that is quite talented with multiple future college players.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If Germantown can slow down Parson and the Raptors offense and keep the game close, I think they can come out with the upset. I actually think this might be the game that stands in the Red Devils way towards the 6A title game as I think this West Tennessee program has the chops to get there. They will need guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='258668' first='D.J.' last='Allen']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295469' first='J'Addison' last='Brown']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='316766' first='Jabari' last='Jackson'] </strong>and others to step up in this contest and going forward if Germantown wants to run deep in the playoffs but I think they will and then some.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Germantown 24&nbsp; Ravenwood 20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. #3 Memp. Central </strong>(5-5) at <strong>Springfield </strong>(8-2) - Class 5A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The home Yellow Jackets are a perennial playoff participant and they have their eyes on this season's Class 5A title game but they must not sleep on the road Warriors as they bring an offense to town that can put up a lot of points. Led by senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='201075' first='Law' last='Wright']</strong>, the Memp. Central offense has shown flashes of brilliance, scoring points at will and looking smooth in their operation. Last week against Munford was a great example where Wright had one of his best games yet, slinging the ball everywhere against a stout Cougars defense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week against the Springfield defense will be no difference as the Yellow Jackets don't allow many points, so Wright and the Warriors offense better bring it. If they are allowed to sling it everywhere, watch out because Springfield will be on upset alert. The Yellow Jackets definitely need a big game out of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102204' first='Devon' last='Crenshaw'] </strong>if they want to advance past the Warriors as well as a stellar performance from their defense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Springfield 35&nbsp; Memp. Central 27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":502207,"width":342,"height":360,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/11/dcrenshaw.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-502207" width="342" height="360"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. #3 Union City </strong>(8-2) at <strong>#2 Freedom Prep </strong>(8-2) - Class 2A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- One of the best games of the entire Class 2A ranks, even all the way to the region championship is this one between the Golden Tornadoes and the home Eagles. You have a pair of 8-2 teams that are both led by a high scoring offense and a pair of quarterbacks that will be Mr. Football contenders next season as well as two opportunistic defenses that will take advantage of any opportunity thrown their way. This is an outstanding 1st round matchup that has to have somebody lose and one team advance.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the home team, Freedom Prep is led by a talented junior QB in <strong>E.J. Gilliam </strong>but him and their offense will be facing one of their toughest challenges of the season with the Union City defense. If the Eagles don't come ready to play, the road Golden Tornadoes will take advantage and maybe even pull away with the victory. Junior QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='362090' first='Keaten' last='Brown'] </strong>is a tremendous leader and he has a stud back to hand it to in junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='414886' first='Jacob' last='Arnold']</strong>, so the Golden Tornadoes have the firepower to stay toe to toe with Freedom Prep throughout the game and beyond. This should be a close contest that is not settled till the 4th quarter with the road team coming out the victor.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Union City 33&nbsp; Freedom Prep 24&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. #3 Macon Co. </strong>(8-2) at <strong>#2 Red Bank </strong>(8-2) - Class 4A&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- I'm sure neither one of these teams wanted to see each other in the 1st round but here we are and boy should this be an outstanding football game. You have two legit 4A state title contenders going at it in round one but only one team can advance. The home Lions are somewhat limping into the playoffs as they have lost two of their final three games but are talented enough to right the ship and advance throughout these playoffs, however they must get back on track against a competitive Macon Co. team that will not be afraid on the big stage.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The road Tigers are coming down to the Chattanooga area looking to win and they won't back down from the skill and athleticism that the Lions sport on offense. Led by studs backs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='241997' first='A.D.' last='Crutcher'] </strong>and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219387' first='Daune' last='Morris']</strong>, Red Bank has the playmakers to cause problems for the Tigers defense and the Lions will need both those guys in a big way to come away with the victory. This will be a battle and a game that is not finished till the very end and while I like Macon Co. in this matchup, I have to go with the home team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Red Bank 23&nbsp; Macon Co. 20&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":285982,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/adcrutcher.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-285982"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. #3 Riverdale </strong>(6-4) at <strong>Lebanon </strong>(8-2) - Class 6A&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- You have a Williamson County vs. Wilson County matchup taking place in round one with two 6A powers that sport plenty of college talent throughout their rosters, so this should be an exciting game to attend or watch. Riverdale comes to town with a surprising 6-4 record but a talented team that can beat anybody if they play up to their capabilities. Lebanon has been an interesting team to follow as yes they sit at 8-2 but many feel they could be better than their record shows. Something has to give in this contest as only one team can win but who will have enough gumption to battle till the end, finding a way to victory.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The battle within the game to watch will be the line of the scrimmage war between Blue Devils standouts <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102231' first='Eli' last='Freeman'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='225975' first='Aidan' last='Donald'] </strong>vs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102249' first='Caleb' last='Herring']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='157393' first='Isaac' last='Oglesby'] </strong>and the Warriors front seven. Whoever wins the trenches will win this game and move on to round two. A secondary battle to follow will be the one in the backfield between quarterbacks <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='123166' first='Jaylen' last='Abston'] </strong>and Riverdale junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='119096' first='Braden' last='Graham']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is one of the best games of round one and game that could help either team if they win as they advance throughout the 6A playoffs because this will be a battle that is well earned by the victor.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Riverdale 27&nbsp; Lebanon 20&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":418503,"width":361,"height":361,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/ioglesby.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-418503" width="361" height="361"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Games On Upset Alert …..</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 1A: </strong>#3 Greenback at #2 Unaka, #3 McEwen at #2 Moore Co., #3 Middle Coll. at #2 Lake Co.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 2A: </strong>#3 Rockwood at #2 South Greene, #3 Meigs Co. at #2 Westmoreland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 3A: </strong>#3 McMinn Cent. at #2 Sequatchie Co., #3 Millington at #2 Memp. East, #3 Raleigh-Egypt at #2 Dyersburg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 4A: </strong>#3 Carter at #2 Elizabethton, #4 DeKalb Co. at #1 East Hamilton, #3 Chester Co. at #2 Marshall Co.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 5A: </strong>#3 Tenn. High at #2 Knox. Central, #3 Franklin Co. at #2 White Co.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 6A: </strong>#4 Bradley Cent. at #1 Science Hill, #3 Bearden at #2 Dobyns-Bennett, #3 Overton at #2 Clarksville, #4 Centennial at #1 Bartlett</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D2-Class A: </strong>#4 Fayette Acad. at #2 DCA&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D2-Class AA: </strong>#3 ECS at #2 Silverdale Acad.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D2-Class AAA: </strong>#5 Briarcrest Chrst. At #4 Pope Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->