A look at the top high school football teams in Middle Tennessee, as ranked by The Tennessean:
CPA takes the field prior to its quarterfinal win over White House Heritage.
Pearl-Cohn’s Jimmyrious Parker (left).
10. Pearl-Cohn (9-4) — Ke’Juan Vaughn and Jay Parker combined to rush for 210 yards and four touchdowns for the Firebirds, who scored three unanswered second-half TDs en route to a 33-3 quarterfinal win over Springfield. Last week: NR. This week: Friday vs. Memphis East (12-1).
Hillsboro head coach Craig Clayton.
9. Hillsboro (9-4) — The Burros gave unbeaten Independence its best game of the season but were unable to overcome an early two-score deficit, ultimately suffering a 28-20 season-ending defeat. Last week: No. 9.
CPA takes the field prior to its quarterfinal win over White House Heritage.
8. CPA (12-1) — The defending Class 3A champion Lions kept rolling along Friday, coasting to a 55-21 quarterfinal triumph over White House Heritage to set up a semifinal matchup with unbeaten Liberty. Last week: No. 8. This week: Friday vs. Liberty (13-0).
Centennial’s Peyton Pisacane (22) and Greg Drewery bring down Independence’s Andrew Bunch during the Cougars’ Week 2 loss.
7. Centennial (12-1) — There was no fourth-quarter letdown against Henry County this time around as the Cougars captured their second shutout win of the season thanks to a pair of pick-6s from senior defensive back Peyton Pisacane. Last week: No. 7. This week: Friday at Independence (13-0).
Blackman quarterback Miller Armstrong (12) comforts teammate Blake Taylor after Friday’s loss at Maryville.
6. Blackman (10-3) — Despite managing 238 yards against unbeaten East Tennessee powerhouse Maryville, a trio of interceptions, coupled with Rebel quarterback Dylan Hokins’ 248-yard, fourth-touchdown performance, doomed the Blaze’s chances, resulting in a 45-7 season-ending defeat. Last week: No. 5.
Ravenwood quarterback Andrew Rappe (16).
5. Ravenwood (12-1) — The Raptors put together arguably their most impressive performance of the season in Friday’s quarterfinal matchup with White Station, rolling to a 55-35 win thanks to quarterback Andrew Rappe’s 328-yard, four-touchdown effort. Last week: No. 6. This week: Friday vs. Whitehaven (12-1).
Independence players take the field prior to their Week 2 matchup with Centennial.
4. Independence (13-0) — Quarterback Andrew Bunch accounted for three of his team’s four touchdowns in Friday’s 28-20 triumph over Hillsboro, which proved to be the unbeaten Eagles’ first single-digit victory this season. Last week: No. 4. This week: Friday vs. Centennial (12-1).
Oakland players celebrate after their overtime win over Smyrna.
3. Oakland (12-1) — The Patriots had a tougher time with Smyrna the second time around, but ultimately escaped with a 21-14 quarterfinal victory thanks to Kendrick Johnson’s 3-yard game-winning touchdown run in overtime. Last week: No. 2. This week: Friday at Maryville (13-0).
MBA running back Ty Chandler
2. MBA (11-1) — Junior Mr. Football finalist Ty Chandler has rushed for 539 yards and eight touchdowns this postseason, including Friday’s 305-yard, four-TD effort in the Big Red’s 35-14 semifinal win at Christian Brothers. Last week: No. 3. This week: Bye.
Brentwood Academy’s Max Mullen dives for the goal line during the Eagles’ regular-season win over Ensworth.
1. Brentwood Academy (11-1) — Jeremiah Oatsvall ran for 205 yards and threw for 113 more in Friday’s DII-AA semifinal win over Baylor, and the dual-threat junior quarterback accounted for all three Eagles touchdowns in the 24-7 triumph. Last week: No. 1. This week: Bye.
Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.