The Rockets’ red glare

Forrest

Fifth-ranked Forrest entered Friday’s Region 4-2A clash with visiting Watertown unbeaten and as the defending region champion. The third-ranked Purple Tigers had been rolling along, outscoring their first six opponents by a 285-88 margin. However, it was the Rockets that displayed a high-octane offense of their own, with Forrest likely securing the region title by rushing for 331 yards in the 35-28 victory.

Lions still growling

Christ Presbyterian Academy quarterback Ryan Eledge

Many didn’t expect Christ Presbyterian Academy – which is 1-5 for the first time since 2003 – to challenge unbeaten Stratford last Friday, but the two teams went toe to toe. Unfortunately, it was a toe that proved to be the difference, with a missed point-after touchdown kick in the fourth quarter allowing the sixth-ranked Spartans to escape with the victory.

Bulldogs burned by the Blaze

Blackman sophomore Tre Knox

Expectations were high for Blackman entering the season, but a 1-3 start tempered those hopes. Conversely, sixth-ranked Smyrna rolled out to a 5-1 record, with its lone loss coming to unbeaten Independence. However, despite holding a 397-260 edge in total yardage, three turnovers – one of which came on a fumble inside the Blackman 5-yard line – proved costly for Smyrna in the 27-21 loss.

Robertson County revenge

Greenbrier senior quarterback Bailey Young

Greenbrier entered Friday’s contest at White House-Heritage having lost its last two games against its county rival by sizable margins, but the Bobcats piled up 348 total yards in the 27-20 victory. Bobcats senior quarterback Bailey Young both rushed and passed for 106 yards and accounted for three total touchdowns. It was Greenbrier’s first regional victory, while the loss could prove costly for the Patriots’ playoff hopes.

Firebirds ignite

Pearl-Cohn’s Darius Hunter Jr.

In a battle of unbeaten teams in Region 5-4A, it wasn’t the outcome but instead the margin of victory that was unexpected. Third-ranked Pearl-Cohn left no doubt as to which team deserved to be atop the league standings, rolling to a 52-7 victory over visiting Maplewood. The Panthers were outgained in total yardage by a 485-189 margin and had their five-game winning streak snapped. The Firebirds won their fifth consecutive contest.

Unbeaten no longer

Gordonsville sophomore quarterback Adam Goolsby

Middle Tennessee Christian fell from the ranks of the unbeaten on Friday evening, suffering a 35-21 loss at Gordonsville. The two teams were expected to be among the top teams in Region 5-1A, but the Cougars couldn’t slow a Tigers offense that piled up 368 total yards. The first six opponents for MTCS have a combined record of 9-30, while three of the Cougars’ final four foes – Gordonsville, Trousdale County and Nashville Christian – have a combined mark of 15-5. The win could lead to a home playoff game for the Tigers.

Cougars plunge into the win column

Clarksville Academy

Clarksville Academy has played one of the tougher schedules in Class 1A to this point, dropping its first four games to teams with a combined record of 19-6. However, that competition finally paid off in Friday evening’s 21-20 victory over visiting Collinwood. The Trojans entered the game with a 4-1 record.

Reach Craig Harris at 615-259-8238 and on Twitter @CHTennessean. 

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