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Now that the regular season is into the second half, it’s report card time for area teams.
This first set of grades goes to the teams in Class 1A, 2A and Division II-A, the smaller classes in the area.
All records are after Week 6 and include any wins or region losses due to COVID-19 cancellations.
Class 1A
Region 4
Gordonsville (3-2 overall, 2-0 in Region 4-1A): The Tigers played Watertown and Trousdale County tough and took care of business without too much trouble in the other three games. They’re in position to win the region and they wouldn’t have to leave home for the playoffs if that happens. Midseason grade: B+
Jo Byrns (3-3 overall, 1-1 in Region 4-1A): Would have liked to see the Red Devils hang with Clay County better than 48-7. Otherwise, it’s not a bad start, but they have Gordonsville left to play as well. They should make the playoffs, but their ceiling might be pretty low. Midseason grade: C+
Red Boiling Springs (0-6 overall, 0-2 in Region 4-1A): The Bulldogs have been outscored 255-40 in six games and lost to the Middle Tennessee Heat in Week 2. Can’t sugarcoat this grade. Midseason grade: F
Region 5
Mt. Pleasant (0-4 overall, 0-2 in Region 5-1A): A couple of tough losses early put the Tigers in a hole. It got bigger when they had to cancel the Cornersville game due to a COVID pause. They’ll have to beat both Huntland and Moore County to reach the postseason if they can’t get the Cornersville game back. Tough road ahead. Midseason grade: D
Class 2A
Region 4
Watertown (5-1 overall, 2-0 in Region 4-2A): A close loss to Nolensville keeps this from being an A+ grade. The Purple Tigers have gotten better each week and are sitting on back-to-back shutouts. They shouldn’t be tested much down the stretch. However, this grade means nothing if they can’t repeat their win over Trousdale County in what will be a likely quarterfinal matchup. Midseason grade: A
Trousdale County (4-2 overall, 1-1 in Region 4-2A): The Yellow Jackets have certainly played better since that 9-7 loss to Watertown on Sept. 4. They, too, shouldn’t be tested much down the stretch. The absolute floor for them is being a quarterfinal or even a semifinal team, but some improvement must happen in order to get back to Cookeville. We’ve seen this story before, though. Midseason grade: B
Westmoreland (2-4 overall, 1-1 in Region 4-2A): A couple of close losses early to Class 4A teams didn’t do a lot of damage to this grade, but losing at Clay County did. They’ll have to beat Cascade to make the playoffs, and that’s not a sure thing. Midseason grade: C-
East Robertson (2-4 overall, 2-2 in Region 4-2A): The loss to Jackson County severely damaged the Indians’ playoff hopes. Their game at Westmoreland on Oct. 16 is their best chance to snag another win if they want to play in November. They’re not getting blown out by anybody, but the inconsistent offensive output hurts. Midseason grade: C-
Region 5
Eagleville (2-4 overall, 1-1 in Region 5-2A): A rough start, followed by two strong showings, followed by a rough loss to Moore County. The Eagles should get into the postseason, but after that, anything they get is a bonus. Midseason grade: C-
Division II-Class A
East Region
DCA (5-0 overall, 5-0 in East Region): Best story of the year in the area. Picking up from a tornado, then going through COVID uncertainty to start 5-0, including a win over Summertown on less than 24 hours’ notice, and leading the region at the midway point. How deep can this team go? Midseason grade: A
MTCS (2-3 overall, 2-1 in East Region): The Cougars pulled off one of the upsets of the first half by beating Friendship Christian. Not getting to play DCA hurts, but they won’t lack for competition — or road trip mileage — the rest of the way. Midseason grade: B-
Franklin Grace (4-2 overall, 2-1 in East Region): The Lions’ grade feels incomplete to me. The bulk of their schedule is in the second half and that’s when we’ll really find out if they’re a contender in this region or not. Midseason grade: B-
Friendship Christian (3-2 overall, 2-2 in East Region): The Commanders stumbled against MTCS, then knocked off previously-unbeaten TKA. They have yet to win back-to-back games, however, and this grade reflects the roller-coaster ride. They should roll through the second half, though. Midseason grade: B-
Mt. Juliet Christian (0-5 overall, 1-2 in East Region): Yes, you’re reading that record correctly. The Saints have a region win over Chattanooga Grace due to COVID, but they replaced the game with Lookout Valley and lost, so they got a region win and an overall loss. They really needed that win and the one over Franklin Grace. If they don’t get one this week over Webb School, they have Friendship Christian, MTCS and DCA left on the schedule. If not now, when? Midseason grade: F
West Region
Davidson Academy (5-0 overall, 3-0 in West Region): It took until the fourth game for anybody to even score on the Bears’ defense. They’ve outscored opponents 224-35 in five games. Their eyes are locked in on a three-peat, and for good reason. Even better for the Bears is they will get some tests down the stretch from Jackson Christian and USJ. Midseason grade: A+
Nashville Christian (3-3 overall, 2-2 in West Region): The Eagles would love to have those first three games back. They’ve bounced back nicely, however, and are in a position to move up in the second half. They can still get a top-3 finish if they can knock off Jackson Christian on the road in a couple of weeks. Midseason grade: C+
Clarksville Academy (1-4 overall, 1-3 in West Region): The Cougars’ lone win came from a COVID cancellation. It hasn’t been great otherwise. And they still have to play USJ and Davidson Academy in the second half. Midseason grade: D-
Columbia Academy (0-4 overall, 0-3 in West Region): The Bulldogs are right in the middle of a COVID pause, which cost them the USJ and Jackson Christian games. Their schedule when things resume is more favorable, so they have time to pick up a few wins down the stretch. Midseason grade: D
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