Six games that had a significant impact on their respective region races:
Brentwood 25, Ravenwood 14: The Battle of the Woods goes to Brentwood for the second consecutive year. This one was about the Bruins’ defense not letting Ravenwood’s tempo control the game – and about Brentwood cashing in with points where they could. Thomas Day nailed four field goals to keep the Bruins in range before Cade Granzow and the rest of the offense busted through for a couple of second-half touchdowns. Brentwood has the inside track toward the Region 6-6A title, though the Bruins will have to win at Independence in two weeks to take full control of the region.
CPA 28, BGA 0: We talked about CPA badly needing a win on last week’s 615Preps Podcast, and the Lions responded in a big way by holding BGA quarterback Nick Semptimphelter to 84 passing yards and holding the ball for more than 33 minutes. All of a sudden, that 0-4 start doesn’t look as damaging since this was the Lions’ region opener. Their schedule doesn’t get any easier, as they travel to Brentwood next week, but their game against Lipscomb Academy in two weeks now is for the region lead.
Greenbrier 43, White House Heritage 42 (OT): The Patriots have lost their first two Region 5-4A games by two points. But this one is definitely more damaging for White House Heritage after falling to previously-winless Greenbrier in overtime. The Bobcats simply stayed step-for-step in this one and took advantage of their chance in the extra session by going for two and converting to win the game. The worse news for White House Heritage is they now have to face Portland next week, and the momentum from their resurgent start is now gone.
Lebanon 21, Hendersonville 20: A swing game in Region 4-6A goes to Lebanon, and the result is huge for the Blue Devils’ chances of hosting a playoff game. The middle of this region is a mess with four teams at 1-1 in 4-6A action, and Hendersonville is currently at the bottom of the pile. The Commandos will have to beat at least one of Wilson Central or Rossview to make the playoffs, and those become even bigger games now than they were at the beginning of the season.
Mt. Juliet 42, Wilson Central 17: Speaking of Region 4-6A, Mt. Juliet regains control with a big win over county rival Wilson Central. The Wildcats fall from the ranks of the unbeaten with the loss, but with a victory over Rossview already in their pocket and winless Station Camp still to play, it’s not hugely damaging to their postseason visions. Meanwhile, the Golden Bears just need to take care of business the rest of the way.
Springfield 34, White House 24: White House kept things close for a while, but the Yellow Jackets pulled away late for a 10-point win and they remain tied for first in Region 5-4A. Springfield and Portland clash on Oct. 18 and that will go a long way toward deciding the region title. White House will contend for a playoff spot, but a top-two finish at this point may not be likely, because the Blue Devils cannot afford to lose another region game if they hope to be a first-round playoff host.