Here’s a look at The Tennessean’s top 10 high school football matchups for Week 4. Tennessean high school sports coordinator Tom Kreager is picking the winners this season.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Smyrna quarterback John Turner and Independence wide receiver T.J. Sheffield.
Independence (3-0) at Smyrna (3-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Independence brings an 18-game winning streak into the contest, having rolled to a 42-point victory at Lincoln County last Friday. Behind the play of senior quarterback John Turner (25 of 30 pass attempts, 607 yards and 8 touchdowns this season), Smyrna has outscored its last two opponents by a combined margin of 121-30.
The pick: Smyrna 28, Independence 21
Beech running back Chaz Williamson (left) and Hendersonville running back Anthony Hughes
Hendersonville (2-1) at Beech (2-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Hendersonville — which is coming off a 47-46 overtime loss at Cane Ridge — has won the last three meetings with its crosstown rival and six of the last seven. Beech has rebounded with back-to-back wins after an opening loss to Wilson Central, rushing for 343 yards in last week’s 36-point rout of Glencliff.
The pick: Hendersonville 42, Beech 28
Brentwood coach Ron Crawford (left) and Franklin coach Donnie Webb (right).
Brentwood (1-2) at Franklin (2-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Franklin, which outgained Overton 274-136 in last week’s 28-6 win, has claimed the last three meetings between these Williamson County rivals and four of the last five. Brentwood quarterback Carson Shacklett has thrown for 532 yards and five touchdowns, but the Bruins came up short last week against Rossview.
The pick: Franklin 24, Brentwood 16
Ravenwood wide receiver D’angelo Rice (4) and Centennial running backs Zyon Lee (24)
Centennial (2-1) at Ravenwood (2-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Led by senior Zyon Lee, the Centennial offense piled up 362 rushing yards in Friday’s rout of Dickson County. Ravenwood leads the series 8-6, and the Raptors are coming off their best defensive showing in Friday’s 12-7 win at Mt. Juliet.
The pick: Centennial 24, Ravenwood 17
Pope John Paul II quarterback Ben Brooks (left) and Father Ryan linebacker Patrick Beacom.
Pope John Paul II (2-1) at Father Ryan (2-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Father Ryan, which is coming off a 30-7 loss at McCallie, has won three straight against rival Pope John Paul II and owns a 9-2 series advantage in the annual game for the Bishop’s Cup. The Knights, led by quarterback Ben Brooks, are looking for their first region win since beating the Irish 10-6 in 2012.
The pick: Father Ryan 28, Pope John Paul II 20
CPA wide receiver Andrew Howard (left) and Pearl-Cohn running back Jimmyrious Parker (2).
CPA (1-2) at Pearl-Cohn (2-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Both of these 2015 state runners-up have taken some early season lumps, but both hope to have gotten back on track with big Week 3 wins. Christ Presbyterian Academy, led by senior Brad Smith, rolled to a 35-13 win at White House Heritage, while the Firebirds racked up more than 400 yards in a 50-14 rout of Macon County.
The pick: CPA 21, Pearl-Cohn 18
Fairview running back Jake Beathard and Waverly Central quarterback Gavin Stanfield.
Waverly (3-0) at Fairview (3-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Led by quarterback Gavin Stanfield, Waverly has outscored its last two opponents by a combined margin of 87-14. Fairview is led by quarterback Kam Harris-Lusk (520 yards) and running backs Jake Beathard and Hunter Caldwell and has won the last six meetings between the two programs.
The pick: Fairview 24, Waverly 21
Hillsboro quarterback Tywan Goodner (left) and Riverdale running back Savion Davis (right).
Riverdale (1-2) at Hillsboro (1-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
After a pair of sluggish early season performances, it appears Hillsboro has ironed things out offensively as senior Tywan Goodner threw for nearly 250 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s 42-7 win at Station Camp. Riverdale managed a season-low point total in its 17-14 “Backyard Brawl” loss to Blackman.
The pick: Riverdale 20, Hillsboro 14
Lipscomb defensive lineman Rutger Reitmaier (left) and Overton athlete Theo Jackson (right).
Lipscomb (1-0) at Overton (1-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
A pair of Dandy Dozen members will be on display in this developing neighborhood rivalry. Lipscomb, led by defensive lineman and Oregon commitment Rutger Reitmaier, limited Northwest to 95 total yards in last week’s season-opening win. Overton, led by Tennessee commitment Theo Jackson, is looking to bounce back from a 28-6 loss to Franklin.
The pick: Overton 21, Lipscomb 14
Creek Wood quarterback Devon Higgins (2) and Cheatham County wide receiver Jorden Hoffman.
Cheatham County (2-1) at Creek Wood (1-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Cheatham County has won three of the last four meetings between the two programs and holds a 7-6 edge in the all-time series. Creek Wood has scored at least 30 points twice, falling 38-33 to Montgomery Central last week.
The pick: Cheatham Co. 35, Creek Wood 28
The rest
Blackman over Shades Valley, Ala.
Brentwood Academy over A+ Academy, Texas
Cane Ridge over McGavock
Cannon Co. over Red Boiling Springs
Springfield over Clarksville
Gordonsville over Clay Co.
Coffee Co. over Walker Valley
Lawrence Co. over Columbia
Columbia Academy over Mt. Pleasant
Westmoreland over Community
Cookeville over White Co.
Moore Co. over Cornersville
DeKalb Co. over Cumberland Co.
Chattanooga Christian over Davidson Academy
DCA over Lancaster Christian
Dickson Co. over Spring Hill
Marshall Co. over East Nashville
Trezevant over Ensworth
Fayetteville over Cascade
FRA over Goodpasture
Mt. Juliet over Franklin Co.
Henry Co. over Gallatin
Hickman Co. over Harpeth
Hillwood over Glencliff
Mt. Juliet Christian over Houston Co.
Macon Co. over Jackson Co.
Trousdale Co. over Jo Byrns
Lewis Co. over East Hickman
Giles Co. over Lincoln Co.
Eagleville over Loretto
MBA over Hamilton
Montgomery Central over Clarksville Academy
MTCS over Monterey
Nashville Christian over Pickett Co.
Kenwood over Northeast
Page over Forrest
Scotts Hill over Perry Co.
Richland over Huntland
Rossview over Station Camp
Livingston Academy over Smith Co.
McEwen over Stewart Co.
LaVergne over Stewarts Creek
Stratford over Ezell-Harding
Summertown over Franklin Grace
Summit over Lebanon
Sycamore over Hunters Lane
Shelbyville over Tullahoma
Stone Memorial over Upperman
Watertown over Grundy Co.
Northwest over West Creek
Greenbrier over White House
White House Heritage over Portland
Maplewood over Whites Creek
Wilson Central over Siegel
Sequatchie Co. over York Institute
Rossville over Zion Christian
Wayne Co. over Riverside
Westview over BGA
Last week: 53-18
Overall: 149-56 (.727)
Related
- High school football scoreboard, Week 3
- Top offensive performers from Week 3
- Tom Kreager: 5 things from Week 3
- Cane Ridge proves it belongs with OT win
- Midstate football Top 10: Large schools
- Midstate football Top 10: Small schools
- Top performers from Week 3
Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports. Reach Craig Harris at 615-259-8238 and on Twitter @CHTennessean.
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