Gallatin junior quarterback Collin Minor prepares to hand off to senior running back Jordan Mason during a game earlier this season. The Green Wave have won four straight games since losing their opener at Mt. Juliet in Week 1.
After three weeks of the western half of Region 6-5A sorting itself out, Gallatin and Station Camp take their turn in the spotlight this week as the two cross-town rivals square off on Friday evening on the Bison’s home field.
Both teams breezed to region victories last week, as Gallatin piled up 40 first-quarter points in a 56-6 victory at Glencliff, while Station Camp called off the dogs early in a 35-0 victory at Hunters Lane.
The Green Wave (4-1 overall, 2-0 in Region 6-5A) held Glencliff to five yards of total offense and one first down. Jordan Mason didn’t reach his fifth-consecutive 200-yard rushing game, as he left the game due to dehydration in the first quarter. Prior to his departure, Mason rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns on six carries. Head coach Mark Williams said Wednesday that Mason (99 carries, 1,0is not suffering any ill effects from the ailment and will start on Friday.
Station Camp (3-2, 1-1) had two rushing touchdowns from Kaemon Dunlap, two touchdown passes from Tyler Thompson and an interception return for a touchdown by Malachi Rogan in its victory at Hunters Lane.
The Bison won last year’s contest at Gallatin by a 27-19 margin, which started the Green Wave on a five-game losing streak to end the season.
Gallatin can keep pace with first-place Cane Ridge with a victory, while Station Camp can continue to control its own destiny by defeating the Green Wave.
Springfield (3-2) at Beech (3-2)
Last week: Springfield collected a 44-7 victory at White House; Beech suffered a 17-16 loss to visiting Cane Ridge.
Last meeting between the two teams: Beech collected a 36-20 victory at Springfield last year.
Beech scored with no time remaining, only to see a two-point conversion be stopped in last week’s loss to Cane Ridge.
The Buccaneers’ final non-region game pits Beech against Springfield, who kept things close last season until special teams breakdowns allowed the Buccaneers to pull away.
Ke’Lein Jones had nine carries for 98 yards and two touchdowns last week for the Yellow Jackets, while teammate Daniel Lawson rushed eight times for 97 yards and a touchdown.
Beech senior Chris Peach cuts outside during a game earlier this season. The Buccaneers host Springfield in their final non-region game on Friday.
Pope John Paul II (3-2) at Nashville Christian (4-1)
Last week: Pope John Paul II suffered a 24-13 loss at Ensworth; Nashville Christian defeated visiting Jo Byrns 51-7.
Last meeting between the two teams: Pope John Paul II defeated visiting Nashville Christian 30-13 last season.
Nashville Christian is averaging 48.6 points per game through five games, with 50 or more points in each of its last three contests.
Four of quarterback Bryce Pemberton’s five completions (on 14 attempts) went for touchdowns last week, while Lelan Wilhoite rushed five times for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
The Knights enter the contest off arguably their most competitive effort against Ensworth, falling by nine points in the closest game the two schools have played against each other since the series began in 2007.
East Nashville (2-3) at Hendersonville (3-2)
Last week: East Nashville collected a 35-0 victory at Greenbrier; Hendersonville defeated visiting Hillsboro 28-14.
Last meeting between the two teams: Hendersonville defeated East Nashville 28-13 last season at Memorial Stadium after the game was moved due to overcrowding concerns at East Nashville.
Hendersonville’s defense caused havoc against Hillsboro, forcing seven turnovers in its victory over the Burros. Weston Schwerdt intercepted three passes last week, while Luke Carver recovered a fumble and also collected an interception.
East Nashville broke last week’s game open with three touchdowns in the third quarter, including two defensive scores by four-star prospect Jacob Phillips.
Hendersonville’s Gabe Dalton lays out for a reception during last week’s 28-14 victory over Hillsboro. The Commandos host East Nashville on Friday.
Portland (1-4) at Lebanon (0-4)
Last week: Portland suffered a 49-6 loss to visiting Pearl-Cohn; Lebanon suffered a 54-19 loss at Mt. Juliet.
Last meeting between the two teams: Portland defeated visiting Lebanon 34-21 last season.
Lebanon has lost its last seven contests by an average of 30.4 points per game. The Blue Devils have struggled mightily on offense, scoring just 32 points in four games this season.
Portland has won the last two meetings and looks to rebound from last week’s loss to Region 5-4A power Pearl-Cohn, in which the Panthers fell behind 42-0 in the first half. Austin Hardy had the lone Portland score on a 2-yard touchdown run late in the contest.
Westmoreland (2-3, 2-1 in Region 4-2A) at Jackson County (3-2, 1-1)
Last week: Westmoreland defeated visiting East Robertson 30-13; Jackson County suffered a 44-14 loss to visiting Watertown.
Last meeting between the two teams: Westmoreland defeated visiting Jackson County 35-7 last season.
Jackson County outscored its first three opponents (Clay County, Cannon County and Community) 105-18, but the Blue Devils have been outscored 106-56 in home losses to Macon County and Watertown, and last week’s 14-point output was a season-low.
Westmoreland’s offense has begun to make strides in the past two weeks with region victories over Community and East Robertson. The Eagles have fared much better since region play began, and a victory at Jackson County would keep them squarely in the playoff picture.
Sycamore (3-2) at White House (0-5), 7:30
Last week: Sycamore collected a 32-0 victory at East Hickman; White House suffered a 44-7 loss to visiting Springfield.
Last meeting between the two teams: White House collected a 19-6 victory at Sycamore last year.
Sycamore’s defense has handled the job in the past two weeks, as the War Eagles have shut out Hunters Lane and East Hickman in that time frame.
White House’s losing streak increased to eight games with last week’s loss to Springfield, the most since 1978. White House hasn’t lost nine in a row since the 1954-56 seasons, when the Blue Devils dropped 12 consecutive games between those three years.