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Six games (or situations) that were shaped by Week 10 results:
Beech 14, Gallatin 10: An incredible atmosphere with more than 6,700 fans piled into and all around Shackle Island Stadium, and the game lived up to its billing. Two run-heavy teams went toe-to-toe, and a special teams turnover helped shape the finish. Beech collected a Gallatin fumble on a punt return in the final seconds of the third quarter, and the ensuing drive ended with Ja’Sean Parks’ plunge into the end zone for the eventual game-winning score. Beech wins Region 6-5A, and stays unbeaten at the same time, while knocking the Green Wave from those unbeaten ranks. Mark down Nov. 22 – that’s the date of a potential rematch in the Class 5A quarterfinals – when the two teams could collide again at Beech. The crowd potential for that one would be even bigger.
Wilson Central 23, Lebanon 22: The Blue Devils would have clinched a playoff spot had they hung on for a win over rival Wilson Central – but it’s the Wildcats instead who punched their postseason ticket. Now, Lebanon faces an elimination game against Rossview, where the winner gets the fourth seed in Region 4-6A – and a date with top-ranked Oakland in the first round.
Brentwood Academy 30, Ensworth 20/Knoxville Catholic 31, Brentwood 13: Likewise, Ensworth would have clinched had the Tigers taken down Brentwood Academy. However, Brentwood Academy needed the win to avoid needing help from last-place Father Ryan next week. Both teams control their destiny, though they’ll both have to take down the top two teams in the region in order to clinch their own playoff spots. Brentwood Academy hosts Baylor, while Ensworth travels to McCallie. It’s simple for both teams – win and you’re in. Lose, and you need help.
Even though it wasn’t a region game, we list the Knoxville Catholic-Brentwood result here, too, because it actually has bearing on the race for those two playoff spots. With the win, Knoxville Catholic improved to 6-3 overall – the same as Ensworth and BA. If the Tigers and Eagles both lose and Knoxville Catholic wins, it creates a three-way tie for third, and each team has beaten one of the other two. The next tiebreaker would be overall wins, and Knoxville Catholic would win that to be the No. 3 seed. Then, BA would have the No. 4 seed over Ensworth due to Friday’s result.
McGavock 42, Antioch 8/Smyrna 33, La Vergne 14: McGavock went from winless to in control of its own destiny in just two weeks. The Raiders took care of business at Antioch, while La Vergne fell to Smyrna. Now, McGavock has two ways to get in the Class 6A playoffs – a win over Overton, or a loss by La Vergne against Cane Ridge. The Raiders’ seven-year streak of making playoff appearances might just survive after all.
Middle Tennessee Christian 45, Mt. Juliet Christian 34: A key result for playoff position in Division II-Class A’s East Region, Middle Tennessee Christian gained a leg up on Mt. Juliet Christian in the tiebreaking order with the victory. However, MJCA does still have a path to the No. 3 seed by beating Donelson Christian Academy – but they’d need MTCS to lose to Webb School for that to happen. DCA can finish third or fourth, MTCS can finish fourth or fifth, and MJCA can finish third or fifth.
Nearly all of Region 5-4A: Easier to include the whole region, because it shook up again. White House’s upset of Montgomery Central knocked the Indians from any region title contention. Now, Creek Wood hosts Springfield for the region title on Friday. White House Heritage can jump from out of the playoffs to third if the Patriots can knock off Montgomery Central. Meanwhile, Portland must sit and watch Week 11 from the sidelines, as the Panthers lost their regular season finale to Creek Wood and have an open date this week.
