Here’s a look at The Tennessean’s top 10 high school football matchups for Week 9. Tennessean high school sports coordinator Tom Kreager is picking the winners this season.
Brentwood’s wide receiver Parker Bullion (left) and Centennial running back Zyon Lee (right)
GAME OF THE WEEK
Brentwood (4-3, 3-1 7-5A)
at Centennial (6-1, 4-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
First-year coach Matt Kriesky and Centennial will look to remain unbeaten in Region 7-5A. Brentwood, winner of three straight, owns a 17-4 advantage in the series that dates back to 1997, but the Cougars have claimed four in a row against their Williamson County rival.
The pick: Centennial 27, Brentwood 21
Nashville Christian coach Jeff Brothers (left) and Gordonsville coach Ron Marshall (right)
Nashville Christian (5-2, 5-0 5-1A)
at Gordonsville (5-2, 5-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
The winner will have the inside track toward capturing the Region 5-1A title, although Nashville Christian still has league contests remaining against Middle Tennessee Christian and Trousdale County. Nashville Christian has won its five region games by an average of 50.2 points. Gordonsville is in the midst of a five-game winning streak.
The pick: Nashville Christian 41, Gordonsville 21
Riverdale’s Marqwell Odom (left) and Oakland’s JaCoby Stevens (right)
Oakland (7-0, 4-0 2-6A)
at Riverdale (4-3, 3-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Oakland, led by LSU commitment JaCoby Stevens, has won its first seven games by a combined score of 346-26. The competition level picks up in the Patriots’ final three games, starting with Friday’s trip to rival Riverdale. The Warriors, winners of three in a row, will be looking for their first Battle of the ‘Boro victory since 2012.
The pick: Oakland 35, Riverdale 7
Middle Tennessee Christian quarterback Joseph Peck (left) and Trousdale County running back Tanner Lannom
Middle Tennessee Christian (7-1, 5-1 5-1A)
at Trousdale County (6-1, 4-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Both teams have secured playoff berths despite having lost to Gordonsville, and each still has to face defending region champion Nashville Christian. All six of Trousdale County’s victories have come by 21 points or more, while the seven wins for MTCS have been by an average of more than 34 points.
The pick: Trousdale Co. 28, MTCS 14
Smyrna quarterback John Turner
Smyrna (5-2, 3-1 2-6A) at Cookeville (5-2, 2-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Smyrna, led by MTSU commitment John Turner, needs a win to remain in the hunt for a Region 2-6A title. Cookeville, led by running back Blake Ashburn’s 669 yards rushing and seven touchdowns, aims for its first win over a Rutherford County opponent this season.
The pick: Smyrna 35, Cookeville 14
Macon County quarterback Seth Carlisle and Springfield quarterback Dewayne Buckner.
Macon County (5-2, 1-2 5-4A)
at Springfield (5-3, 2-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Springfield, led by quarterback Dewayne Buckner, could still factor into the region title chase with a game against Pearl-Cohn awaiting in the regular-season finale. Macon County and quarterback Seth Carlisle still have some work to do in order to secure a playoff berth.
The pick: Springfield 35, Macon Co. 21
Overton coach Steve Williams (left) and Ravenwood coach Richie Wessman.
Ravenwood (4-3, 3-1 3-6A)
at Overton (4-3, 2-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Ravenwood’s McCain Marrow threw for three scores in last week’s 49-3 win over Lebanon, giving him 12 touchdown passes on the season. Overton’s Sam Mast has thrown for 587 yards and five touchdowns in four games since becoming the full-time starter, including a 200-yard, two-TD effort in a 35-21 loss to Mt. Juliet two weeks ago.
The pick: Ravenwood 27, Overton 24
Friendship Christian’s Jajuan Foutch scored two touchdowns in last year’s 16-13 win over DCA
Friendship (4-3, 2-1 DII-A E/M D1)
at DCA (5-2, 1-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
DCA holds an 11-10 edge in the all-time series. Friendship Christian will secure a second-place finish in the district with a victory, while DCA will be looking to climb to that spot with a win over FCS and then with another against Mt. Juliet Christian in two weeks.
The pick: DCA 28, Friendship 17
Giles County quarterback John Bachus (left) and Page running back Donald Johnson (right)
Page (4-2, 3-0 4-4A)
at Giles County (5-2, 2-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
A win could send Page into a showdown with Marshall County for the region title in two weeks. Giles County could ultimately earn a home playoff game with a victory.
The pick: Giles Co. 24, Page 20
Stewarts Creeks Ke’shawn Walker (5)
Shelbyville (5-2, 2-2 5-5A)
at Stewarts Creek (4-3, 3-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Both will be looking to get back on track after being dealt lopsided losses by first-place Independence. Stewarts Creek suffered a 41-17 Week 7 loss to Independence, while Shelbyville was beaten by the Eagles 48-20 a week ago.
The pick: Stewarts Creek 21, Shelbyville 14
The rest
Columbia Academy over Cornersville
Summertown over Fayetteville
Baylor over Pope John Paul II
Mt. Juliet Christian over King’s Academy
Sequatchie Co. over Cannon Co.
BGA over Ezell-Harding
Blackman over Siegel
Huntingdon over Clarksville Academy
Community over Zion Christian
CPA over Greenbrier
Jackson Co. over Eagleville
Fairview over East Hickman
Davidson Academy over FRA
Cane Ridge over Glencliff
Harpeth over Stewart Co.
Riverside over Hickman Co.
Hillsboro over Hunters Lane
Independence over Columbia
La Vergne over Franklin Co.
Antioch over Lebanon
Cumberland Co. over Livingston Academy
Lewis Co. over Loretto
Maplewood over Portland
Wayne Co. over McEwen
Franklin over McGavock
Huntland over Moore Co.
Pearl-Cohn over White House
Perry Co. at Houston Co.
Jo Byrns over Pickett Co.
Red Boiling Springs over Clay Co.
Mt. Pleasant over Richland
Upperman over Smith Co.
Marshall Co. over Spring Hill
Summit over Lincoln Co.
Coffee Co. over Warren Co.
Watertown over East Robertson
Walker Valley over White Co.
White House Heritage over Whites Creek
York Institute at Grundy Co.
Camden over Sycamore
Last week: 39-9
Season: 394-119 (.768)
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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