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Now that the regular season is into the second half, it’s report card time for area teams.
This set of grades goes to the teams in Class 3A, 4A and Division II-AA, the medium-size classes in the area.
All records are after Week 6 and include any wins or region losses due to COVID-19 cancellations.
Class 3A
Region 4
Smith County (1-4 overall, 1-1 in Region 4-3A): As tough as the first half as been for the Owls, they have a shot at the playoffs thanks to their region win over York Institute. Midseason grade: D-
Cannon County (0-6 overall, 0-2 in Region 4-3A): Outscored 258-33 in six games and it just doesn’t look good for the Lions. Midseason grade: F
Region 5
With the area teams in this region (Pearl-Cohn, East Nashville, Stratford and Whites Creek) just having played one game to this point, they’re all in the same boat. Midseason grade for all: Incomplete
Region 6
Fairview (3-1 overall, 1-0 in Region 6-3A): A tough loss at Lebanon, but the Yellow Jackets have a win over rival Page and a straight shot to the region title, which could help them make a fairly deep run. Midseason grade: B+
Harpeth (1-3 overall, 1-0 in Region 6-3A): The Indians need at least one more region win to reach the postseason, and they should get it. It hasn’t been a great first half overall, but they can rebound from it. Midseason grade: C-
Sycamore (0-5 overall, 0-1 in Region 6-3A): The War Eagles have taken a lot of lumps in their first five games, and it’s not entirely surprising — the opponents they’ve played are a combined 21-4 so far. They do have an outside shot at the postseason with their second-half schedule, but they’ll need two wins out of their four remaining region games to get it done. Midseason grade: D
Cheatham County (0-5 overall, 0-2 in Region 6-3A): The Cubs’ closest loss was a 12-point setback to West Creek. Nothing else has been close. Maybe they can find one in October. Midseason grade: F
Class 4A
Region 3
Macon County (5-1 overall, 1-0 in Region 3-4A): The Tigers won their first five games for the first time in 47 years, but those five teams (including a Glencliff COVID-19 win) are a combined 4-20. Their toughest competition lies ahead, so they’ll have to prove it in October. Midseason grade: B
DeKalb County (3-3 overall, 1-0 in Region 3-4A): They’ve picked it up in the win column the last two weeks, but the Tigers are 1-3 in games decided by one possession. The Oct. 16 game at Macon County could decide the region champion. Midseason grade: C+
Region 4
Nolensville (3-2 overall, 2-0 in Region 4-4A): Can’t really knock the two losses as the Knights played up in class against Brentwood and Columbia. But they’ve just been shut down due to COVID-19 cases, so we’ll see how this affects them in October. Midseason grade: B
Maplewood (0-1 overall, 0-0 in Region 4-4A): Like the Region 5-3A teams, they’re just getting started. Midseason grade: Incomplete
Spring Hill (0-4 overall, 0-1 in Region 4-4A): The Raiders’ tough start might not get a lot better in the second half. This week’s game against Maplewood will tell a lot. The offensive woes have offset a defense that should keep them in more games. Midseason grade: D-
Region 5
Creek Wood (6-0 overall, 2-0 in Region 5-4A) – The Red Hawks really couldn’t have asked for a better start. It’s all region games from here, so they can’t overlook anyone, but they should be 9-0 when they visit Springfield the night before Halloween. Midseason grade: A+
Springfield (5-1 overall, 2-0 in Region 5-4A) – The Yellow Jackets could have had an A-plus grade, had they not lost at Marshall County. But falling to a quality opponent like that doesn’t kill them. They should be 8-1 when Creek Wood comes calling. Midseason grade: A-
White House Heritage (5-1 overall, 2-1 in Region 5-4A) – With their loss to Springfield behind them, the Patriots can focus on trying to shake up the top of the region standings, and a win over Creek Wood this week would do exactly that. If that happens, they can win the region simply by winning out and staying healthy. Midseason grade: B+
Montgomery Central (3-1 overall, 1-1 in Region 5-4A) – If the Indians learned from last year, they won’t let another slipup derail their playoff hopes. They still have to play Springfield, but they’re in good shape to make the postseason as long as they otherwise take care of business. Midseason grade: B
Greenbrier (2-2 overall, 1-2 in Region 5-4A): The Bobcats can play themselves into the postseason for the first time since 2017, but this week’s Montgomery Central game is critical to those hopes. They’ll probably need to win two of the three region games remaining, and Springfield’s still out there. Their defense has kept them in every game, so that’s a positive entering October. Midseason grade: C+
White House (1-4 overall, 0-1 in Region 5-4A): The good news for the Blue Devils is they have a direct route to the playoffs, because it’s all region games from here. The bad news is they’re going to need three wins in the final five games. This week’s game with Portland is a must-get if they want to have any room for error down the stretch. Midseason grade: C-
Portland (2-4 overall, 0-3 in Region 5-4A): The Panthers have been competitive in all but one game this year, but the Greenbrier loss puts them squarely behind the 8-ball. They’ll have to beat White House and one of Springfield or Creek Wood to make the postseason. Tough sledding. Midseason grade: C-
Division II-Class AA
Middle Region
Lipscomb Academy (3-2 overall, 2-0 in Division II-AA Middle Region): The Mustangs are taking CPA’s 2019 approach — get some good games in early and learn from them. If they can reschedule the CPA game, it will decide their regular season finish. Midseason grade: B+
CPA (4-0 overall, 1-0 in Division II-AA Middle Region): Can’t ask for anything but to win the games you schedule, especially this year. But COVID-19 has wreaked havoc with the Lions’ original schedule and it now has them on the shelf for at least one game. We’ll see if it affects their region title chances, but this grade reflects what they’ve done on the field, which is win. Midseason grade: A+
Goodpasture (5-1 overall, 1-1 in Division II-AA Middle Region): Perhaps the surprise team in the area for this year. It appears the Cougars are playing third wheel in the region, but that’s definitely better than was expected of them this year. Midseason grade: A-
FRA (1-2 overall, 0-1 in Division II-AA Middle Region): The delayed start hurt FRA, and it showed against Davidson Academy and Lipscomb Academy. The Panthers have a lot to play for in the second half, though. Midseason grade: C-
BGA (2-3 overall, 0-2 in Division II-AA Middle Region): After winning their on-field opener, it’s been a tough go for the Wildcats. Their next game at FRA is to avoid the region basement. Midseason grade: C-
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