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A look at some of the most intriguing first-round high school football playoff games from across the state. All times are 7 p.m. local time:
Thursday’s game
Gibbs’ Bailey Sivyer (3) pushes South-Doyles’ Kent’ta Tanner (6) out of bounds during a football game at South-Doyle on Friday, Oct. 7, 2016. (CAITIE MCMEKIN/NEWS SENTINEL)
Class 5A: South-Doyle (6-4) at Morristown East (5-5)
South-Doyle, winless a year ago, returns to the postseason for the first time since its quarterfinal run in 2014. Morristown East, meanwhile, is hosting for the first time since 2013. The game was moved to Thursday because Morristown East and Morristown West share a football stadium and West also hosts a playoff game.
Players to watch: South-Doyle: RB Kent’Ta Tanner (139 attempts, 1,116 yards, 13 TDs); WR Ton’Quez Ball (39 receptions, 556 yards, 5 TDs); Morristown East: RB D.J. Hodges (150 attempts, 1,048 yards, 15 TDs); DB Ruston Rigney (51 tackles, 7 interceptions).
The pick: South-Doyle 35, Morristown East 32
— Chris Thomas, Knoxville News Sentinel
Friday’s games
Class 6A: Ravenwood (5-5) at Houston (4-5)
Four versus five seed match-ups are usually close and this one should be a dandy. The visitors have struggled after last year’s Class 6A championship while the resurgent Mustangs (1-10 in 2015) won four games in a very difficult region. Line play will be key in this one; if Houston gets the better of Ravenwood up front, it can win.
Players to watch: Ravenwood: QB McCain Marrow (over 2,000 yards passing); WR John Rall; Houston: Carson Blackfan (206 carries, 890 yards, 8 TDs); DB Jeramie Tate.
The pick: Houston 28, Ravenwood 20*
— John Varlas, The Commercial Appeal
Class 5A: Daniel Boone (5-5) at Halls (7-3)
Halls has looked capable of making a deep playoff run on occasions this season, including a gritty win over Austin-East in Week 2. Other times, in games without do-it-all quarterback Caden Harbin, the Red Devils have looked like a shoo-in for an early exit. Something will give on Friday against the top rushing offense from Region 1-5A.
Players to watch: Daniel Boone: RB Charlie Cole (136 attempts, 1,041 yards, 10 TDs), RB Noah Shelton (93 attempts, 681 yards, 8 TDs); Halls: QB/LB Caden Harbin (2,516 total yards, 33 TDs; 50 tackles, 6 sacks).
The pick: Halls 31, Daniel Boone 28
— Chris Thomas, Knoxville News Sentinel
Independence’s Troy Henderson (21) and Landon Guidry (7) celebrate Guidry’s touchdown against Smyrna, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, at Smyrna.
Class 5A: Gallatin (6-4) at Independence (10-0)
Independence hasn’t lost a home game since October, 2014, but the defending Class 5A champion Eagles’ opening-round game won’t be a gimme, especially if Gallatin running back Jordan Mason is healthy. Mason, who has eclipsed the 4,500-yard mark for his career, carried the ball just 13 times a week ago before leaving with an ankle injury.
Players to watch: Independence — Landon Guidry (32 catches, 604 yards, 4 TDs); David Demke (86 tackles, 11 sacks, 4 forced fumbles). Gallatin — Jordan Mason (258 carries, 2,048 yards, 23 TDs); Dezmond Chambers (671 all-purpose yards, 7 total TDs).
The pick: Independence 35, Gallatin 21
— Michael Murphy, The Tennessean
Farragut’s Cooper Hardin (1) runs with the ball during a high school football game against Oak Ridge at Oak Ridge on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016.
Class 5A: McMinn County (7-3) at Farragut (9-1)
Farragut enters the postseason with momentum, despite falling just short in its Region 3-5A repeat bid. The Admirals have won seven straight games while blending a physical running attack with an efficient passing game. McMinn County, with size and speed in its wing-T offense, is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
Players to watch: McMinn County: RB Xavier Abernathy (155 attempts, 937 yards, 6 TDs); DL Xzayvier Beckingham (37 tackles, 19 TFL); Farragut: QB Cooper Hardin (66.5 tackles, 11 TFL, 7.5 sacks)
The pick: Farragut 24, McMinn County 21
— Chris Thomas, Knoxville News Sentinel
Rossview High senior Fred Orr (2) runs the ball during their game against Centennial High at Centennial High on Friday. Centennial won the Region 7 match-up 28-24.
Class 5A: Rossview (5-5) vs. Memphis Central (9-1)
The Warriors are one of the hottest teams in Shelby County, with nine straight wins after a season-opening 19-13 loss to undefeated MUS. Memphis Central is deep at the skill positions and the defense has been terrific all year. Staying turnover free is imperative. The game is being played at Crump Stadium.
Players to watch: Rossview: RB Fred Orr (136 carries, 943 yards, 11 TDs); LB Anthony Avros (74 tackles, 4.5 sacks); Memphis Central: DT Trevis Hopper (nationally-ranked sophomore with a host of major offers already); ATH Rashad Haynes
The pick: Memphis Central 28, Rossview 17*
— John Varlas, The Commercial Appeal
Cane Ridge quarterback D.J. Thorpe eludes the rush as Mt. Juliet’s Jacob Shanks (43) pursues during the second quarter of Thursday’s game.
Class 5A: Summit (7-3) at Cane Ridge (10-0)
Unbeaten Region 6-5A champion Cane Ridge will be on upset alert for Friday’s opening-round game against No. 4 Summit. The Ravens, led by second-year coach Eddie Woods, will be looking for their first playoff victory in the school’s eight-year history, while third-year coach Brian Coleman and the visiting Spartans, meanwhile, are making their first-ever postseason appearance.
Players to watch: Cane Ridge — D.J. Thorpe (133 of 215 passing, 1,722 yards, 14 TDs); Jordan Bell (132 carries, 932 yards, 19 TDs). Summit — Tai Carter (146 carries, 1,249 yards, 14 TDs); Tyler Palmer (88 carries, 672 yards 5 TDs).
The pick: Cane Ridge 27, Summit 21
— Michael Murphy, The Tennessean
Oak Ridge’s Tee Higgins with room to run against Campbell County at Campbell County High School on Thursday, October 27, 2016.
Class 5A: Walker Valley (6-4) at Oak Ridge (8-2)
A high-scoring game that could end with a first-round upset. Oak Ridge, the Region 3-5A champion, averages 39.1 points per game out of the flexbone offense. Walker Valley, with its pass-happy attack, is averaging 44.6.
Players to watch: Oak Ridge: WR Tee Higgins (57 receptions, 861 yards, 19 total TDs) and LB Kyndall Clark (97 tackles, 4 interceptions, 6 fumble recoveries, 4 forced fumbles, 3 blocked punts); Walker Valley: QB Kolten Gibson.
The pick: Oak Ridge 49, Walker Valley 42
— Chris Thomas, Knoxville News Sentinel
Harpeth quarterback Walker Weatherly had five touchdown passes and one touchdown run in Friday’s game against Hickman County.
Class 3A: Harpeth (8-2) at Goodpasture (8-2)
Region 5-3A champion Goodpasture, led by do-it-all senior Jermaine Mason, is riding high heading into its first playoff appearance since 2013 having won three in a row. Harpeth, meanwhile, was hammered in its regular-season finale, surrendering a season-high eight touchdowns in a 56-11 loss to unbeaten Fairview.
Players to watch: Goodpasture — Jermaine Mason (1,744 all-purpose yards, 18 total TDs); Cody Crider (549 total yards, 41 tackles, 7 total TDs). Harpeth — Walker Weatherly (1,799 total yards, 19 total TDs); Drake Fullum (1,712 all-purpose yards, 14 total TDs).
The pick: Goodpasture 27, Harpeth 14
Star middle linebacker Jacob Phillips (1) leads a strong Eagles defense.
Class 3A: East Nashville (4-6) at Fairview (10-0)
Fairview is 10-0 for the first time since 1990, but the Region 6-3A champions would be smart not to overlook East Nashville, which reached into the playoffs with a sub-.500 record for the second straight year. Fariview has eclipsed the 40-point mark on five occasions this season, but Oklahoma commitment Jacob Phillips and the visiting Eagles won’t make things easy on the host Yellow Jackets.
Players to watch: Fairview — Jake Beathard (120 carries, 1,074 yards, 17 TDs); Kam Harris-Lusk (94 of 145 passing, 1,312 yards, 9 TDs). East Nashville — Jacob Phillips (104 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 TDs); Jayron Leatherwood (75 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries).
The pick: East Nashville 21, Fairview 20
— Michael Murphy, The Tennessean
Class 3A: Fayette-Ware (8-2) at Liberty (8-2)
The Crusaders are region champions for the third year in a row, while Fayette-Ware is in the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Both teams are loaded with athletes in the backfield and big guys up front.
Players to watch: Liberty – Corey Newble (120-219 1,878 yards, 20 TD, 7 INT); Rodney Castille (74 receptions, 1,070 yards, 13 TD); Alec Long (30 tackles, 12 assistsn, five for loss, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 3 INT, 9 kick returns for 205 yards, 12 punt returns for 225 yards and 1 TD); Fayette-Ware – INSERT STATS HERE
The pick: Liberty 45, Fayette-Ware 17
— Brandon Shields, The Jackson Sun
South Gibson’s defense will have to deal with the run and the pass game with Lamartez Brooks as a threat to catch the ball for Milan during their matchup this week.
Class 3A: Milan (8-2) at Bolivar (8-2)
The Tigers will host their first playoff home game since 1998. Both teams have made their mark with the ground game and a strong defense, but both defenses will be kept honest because of the dangerous weapons they have in the pass game.
Players to watch: Milan – Lamartez Brooks (49 receptions for 1,006 yards and 8 TD; 14 punt returns for 267 yards and 4 TD); Jacquez Norman (114 carries for 1,237 yards and 13 TD). Bolivar – Drek Lewis (150 carries for 1,421 yards and 22 TD) and Jar Lewis (56 solo tackles, 24 assists, 7 for loss).
The pick: Milan 34, Bolivar 27
— Brandon Shields, The Jackson Sun
Class 3A: Pigeon Forge (5-5) at CAK (8-2)
CAK, state quarterfinalist the past six seasons, still is adjusting to life without record-setting quarterback Cole Smith, out for the year after shoulder surgery. His absence puts the Warriors squarely on the upset bubble entering Friday. Pigeon Forge has won four straight after a 1-5 start.
Players to watch: Pigeon Forge: RB Colby Manis (191 att., 1,051 yards, 15 TDs); QB Dawson Day (1,131 total yards, 11 TDs); CAK: WR Stewart Howell (58 rec., 805 yards, 11 TDs); DT Caleb Unkefer (57 tackles, 9 TFL, 5 sacks).
The pick: Pigeon Forge 21, CAK 17
— Chris Thomas, Knoxville News Sentinel
DaShawn Boyland and his Raleigh-Egypt teammates are in exclusive company; the Pharaohs are one of just 19 undefeated teams state-wide headed into Week 10.
Class 3A: South Gibson (7-3) at Raleigh-Egypt (9-1)
The Pharaohs are one of the state’s feel-good stories; their nine wins is already the most in school history. The big question for coach Major Wright; how will his team bounce back after a loss to Fayette-Ware in the regular season finale? South Gibson’s schedule ended with the top three teams in its region.
Players to watch: South Gibson: RB Dre McAllister (69 attempts, 804 yards, 12 TDs), RB C.J. Sharpe (139 carries, 849 yards, 9 TDs); Raleigh-Egypt: RB DaShawn Boyland (1,309 yards, 15 TDs); DE Cedric Henderson.
The pick: Raleigh-Egypt 28, South Gibson 14
— John Varlas, The Commercial Appeal; Brandon Shields, The Jackson Sun
Scotts Hill’s Kobe Rogers runs against Jackson Christian last Friday.
Class 2A: Scotts Hill (7-3) at Adamsville (10-0)
This has been a historic season for both programs as seven wins is the most for the Lions in the regular season, and this was Adamsville’s first undefeated regular season. Both teams are dangerous in the air and on the ground offensively.
Players to watch: Scotts Hill: QB: Cody Carter (1,795 passing yards, 12 TDs); RB Kobe Rogers (181 attempts, 1,435 yards, 29 TDs); Adamsville: QB Dylan Lott (968 passing yards, 12 TDs).
The pick: Adamsville 49, Scotts Hill 21
Kade Pearson plays football and baseball at Huntingdon High School.
Class 1A: Trousdale Co. (8-2) at Huntingdon (7-2)
The two traditional powers meet in Huntingdon for the second time in as many years. The Mustangs enter the playoffs healthy this year with the trio backfield intact. Trousdale makes the trip westward as the No. 10-ranked team in the Associated Press’ Class 1A poll of the season. Huntingdon is No. 9.
Players to watch: Huntingdon: Kade Pearson (583 passing yards); Dylan Johnson (92 carries, 1,016 yards). Trousdale Co.: RB Isiah Harper; QB Keyvont Baines.
The pick: Huntingdon 42, Trousdale Co. 21
— Brandon Shields, The Jackson Sun
DII-AA: Baylor (6-4) at 5 Pope John Paul II (6-4)
Pope John Paul II has far exceeded expectations this season, reaching the six-win mark for the first time in nearly a decade, and, on Friday, the Knights will be looking for the program’s first playoff victory. Baylor, which is coming off a 34-7 regular-season-finale win over Father Ryan, will be looking to avenge its 21-19 Week 9 loss to JPII.
Players to watch: Baylor: ATH Brendon Harris (1,063 all-purpose yards, 4 interceptions, 6 TDs); DE Tyree Toliver (57 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 interception).
The pick: Baylor 28, Pope John Paul II 24
— Michael Murphy, The Tennessean
DII-A: ECS (2-8) at St. George’s (7-2)
St. George’s, the defending state champs, has gelled well over the last few weeks after a slow start. Confidence will be sky-high after a big victory at USJ in Week 11, but star running back Chase Hayden (ejected vs. the Bruins) will miss this week for the Gryphons.
Players to watch: ECS: WR Dawson Williams (34 catches, 550 yards, 6 TDs); DB Reid Halford (100-yard interception return this year); St. George’s WR Corey Jones (23.3 yards per catch, 11 total TDs);
The pick: St. George’s 42, ECS 21*
— John Varlas, The Commercial Appeal
DII-A: FACS (7-3) at Davidson Academy (7-3)
Should be a fun one; the Crusaders can put up points and amass yards with the best of them while Davidson Academy scored 188 in winning its last four of the regular season. At some point, someone on defense will have to make a play.
Players to watch: FACS: QB Jack Grissom (2,004 yards, 24 touchdowns, 3 interceptions); DB Michael McCargo (seven interceptions); Davidson Academy: QB Stone Norton (2,301 yards, 23 TDs); RB Da’joun Hewitt (1,489 yards, 21 TDs).
The pick: Davidson Academy 28, FACS 21*
— John Varlas, The Commercial Appeal
*The Tennessean’s Tom Kreager picked the winner.
Halls’ Caden Harbin (2) looks to pass during a high school football game against Gibbs at Gibbs on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016.
Ravenwood’s McCain Marrow prepares to throw downfield during passing drills on Monday, the first day Tennessee high school football teams were allowed to practice in pads for the 2016 season.
Liberty’s Corey Newble (13) runs the ball against CPA during Liberty Magnet at CPA during the 3A semifinal playoff game on Friday, Nov. 27, 2015 in Nashville, Tenn.