A look at the top high school football teams in Middle Tennessee, as ranked by The Tennessean:
Independence players celebrate their 49-7 opening-round win over Cane Ridge.
Hendersonville sophomore quarterback Brett Coker.
10. Hendersonville (10-2) — The Commandos surrendered a season-high 450 yards in Friday’s 38-7 season-ending defeat at unbeaten Independence, while also struggling to a season-low 148 yards rushing on 39 carries in the lopsided loss. Last week: No. 9.
Hillsboro linebacker Javonte Wiggins (2) brings down Pearl-Cohn running back Ke’Juan Vaughn for negative yardage.
9. Hillsboro (9-3) — After wrapping up the regular season with four straight wins, the Burros have carried that momentum into the postseason, beating their first two playoff opponents — La Vergne and Beech — by a combined score of 68-14. Last week: NR. This week: Friday at Independence (11-0).
CPA senior Wallace Barrett (25)
8. CPA (11-1) — Senior running back Chip Omer racked up 193 yards and a pair of touchdown runs in Friday’s 31-12 triumph over Stratford, and the 6-foot, 200-pounder also returned a second-quarter kickoff 93 yards for a score. Last week: No. 8. This week: Friday vs. White House Heritage (9-3).
Centennial coach Brian Rector
7. Centennial (11-1) — The Cougars defense forced five turnovers in a 25-7 second-round victory over rival Brentwood, and senior Mondu Sawyers ran for 147 yards and a touchdown in the decisive win — the team’s 10th in a row. Last week: No. 7. This week: Friday vs. Henry County (10-2).
Ravenwood running back Connor Jeffries (44)
6. Ravenwood (11-1) — Senior Connor Jeffries came through with 104 yards and pair of first-quarter touchdown runs as the 3-6A champion Raptors rolled to another lopsided win over region foe Overton, this time by a score of 35-0. Last week: No. 6. This week: Friday vs. White Station (9-3).
Blackman running back Taeler Dowdy (3)
5. Blackman (10-2) — Senior running back Taeler Dowdy eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark for the season as the Blaze buried crosstown rival Siegel with three fourth-quarter touchdowns to secure a 56-28 second-round win. Last week: No. 5. This week: Friday at Maryville (12-0).
Independence players celebrate their 49-7 opening-round win over Cane Ridge.
4. Independence (12-0) — One of just seven undefeated squads in the state, the Eagles, who’ve won their 12 games by a combined score of 459-115, captured another dominating victory last week — a 38-7 triumph over a solid Hendersonville squad. Last week: No. 4. This week: Friday vs. Hillsboro (9-3).
Montgomery Bell coach Marty Euverard celebrates after last year’s BlueCross Bowl win over Ensworth.
3. MBA (10-1) — Senior running back Ty Chandler notched his second four-touchdown performance against McCallie this season, and the Big Red didn’t need overtime this time around, blowing out the Blue Tornado 38-10 in Friday’s DII-AA quarterfinal. Last week: No. 3. This week: Friday at Christian Brothers (9-2).
Oakland running back Lazarius Patterson (4).
2. Oakland (11-1) — The Region 2-6A champion Patriots captured their most lopsided victory of the season in Friday’s second-round matchup, limiting Riverdale to less than 200 yards in a 54-7 rout of the rival Warriors. Last week: No. 2. This week: Friday vs. Smyrna (9-3).
Brentwood Academy quarterback Jeremiah Oatsvall
1. Brentwood Academy (10-1) — Quarterback Jeremiah Oatsvall completed 17 of 25 pass attempts for 292 yards and four touchdowns on Friday, leading the top-ranked Eagles to a 50-3 quarterfinal victory over visiting Briarcrest Christian. Last week: No. 1. This week: Friday vs. Baylor (9-2).
Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.