Six – no, seven – games that largely affected region races from Week 9:
Brentwood 33, Franklin 7: Region 6-6A goes to the Bruins. Brentwood locked up the top seed with a decisive victory at Franklin on Friday, putting the Rebels into a tie with Centennial for the final playoff spot in that region. The good news for Franklin? Their Week 11 opponent is 1-7 Dickson County, who’s only put up 36 points all season, while Centennial draws Brentwood in the regular season finale. The Rebels have the easier path.
McGavock 28, La Vergne 21: Surprise! The Raiders rose up and knocked off La Vergne, possibly kicking open the door to the playoffs for McGavock. With games against Overton and Antioch (a combined 1-15 this season) remaining, if La Vergne doesn’t take down one of Smyrna or Cane Ridge in the next two weeks, the Raiders just might find themselves dancing.
Nolensville 23, Maplewood 10: With the Knights taking care of business against Maplewood, Region 4-4A will have a nice, neat finish to it. No tiebreakers will be needed in two weeks as Nolensville plays Marshall County for the region title and Maplewood faces Tullahoma for third place.
Page 38, Columbia 7: Page took a step closer to the Region 5-5A crown by handling Columbia on Friday. With games against the bottom two teams in the region (Lincoln County and Franklin County) remaining, the Patriots aren’t locked in the top spot, but they have the inside track to it. Columbia should still make the playoffs, but the Lions have to hope Lincoln County doesn’t suddenly get hot in the final two weeks.
Creek Wood 35, White House 28: This region is still clear as mud, but we now know that White House is eliminated from postseason contention with the loss. Creek Wood climbs into a three-way tie for first, but still has Portland and Springfield to play in the final two weeks. The Hawks are, however, safely in the postseason with Friday’s result.
Springfield 27, Portland 12: Four teams have three region victories, but the Panthers are the only one of that quartet with two losses in Region 5-4A. We won’t know anything until next week’s games are over, but it will be Portland’s last chance to control its own destiny. Portland hosts Creek Wood in its regular season finale next week (the Panthers’ open date is Week 11), and they’re in with a win. A loss, and White House Heritage can snatch the final playoff spot with a win over Montgomery Central. The way things have gone in this region, expect some craziness in the final two weeks.
Stratford 14, East Nashville 7: The way James Moore put the Spartans on his back on Thursday and carried them to a home playoff game was something to watch. Sure, folks will say that no back should have 56 carries in a game nowadays, but it was still incredible to see an athlete physically impose his will on both sides of the ball like Moore did against East Nashville. The result will send the Eagles on the road in the first round of the playoffs, likely to either Camden or Sycamore.