At this time of the year, teams should never look ahead as they’re in a win-or-go-home position. However, that doesn’t mean that fans and reporters can’t look ahead especially if great matchups could potentially be on the horizon.
The third week of the postseason is one of those weeks where looking ahead may be warranted. Depending on how certain teams do, rematches from fun regular season matchups could be going down next week.
Here are our top 10 potential rematches we feel could happen next week:
Cam Reid
1. Oakland at Riverdale: The Warriors pulled off the unthinkable just two weeks ago by knocking off the Patriots and handing Kevin Creasy his first region loss since taking over at OHS. Oakland has responded well and if I know that program at all, they are preparing for another battle in the Boro’.
2. FRA at CPA: The Lions pulled away in the first matchup, winning 24-7. FRA must get past a tough Knox Webb team to get another shot at the favorite to win it all in DII-AA.
3. East Robertson at Smith County: A 14-7 win in the first meeting means this rematch would be in the “hole.” Both teams have tough second-round matchups but both would like to play better than they did in the first meeting.
4. Ravenwood at Brentwood: Brentwood won the first meeting 17-0 behind a stellar defensive performance. The Raptors have to knock off a blistering hot Smyrna on the road to set up the rematch.
5. Centennial at Page: Page’s defense used the first matchup as a statement game, limiting the Cougars to 12 points in a 24-12 win. Centennial has to let Dominic Reed loose to give them their best shot against this Patriot defense, and I personally really want to see that matchup happen.
6. Liberty Creek at East Nashville: The Eagles won the first matchup 27-13, limiting the Liberty Creek offense to their lowest scoring output of the season. Liberty Creek has shown since then that they are a legitimate threat in 3A by scoring 42 or more points in 6 straight games.
7. Beech at Henry County: Henry County won a thriller 46-45 in overtime to knock off the Bucs on Shackle Island which is tough to do. Beech has to knock off a juggernaut Southwind team to force the rematch, but if it happens, the boys in orange and blue will have revenge heavy on their mind.
8. Macon County at Upperman: Upperman won the first matchup 14-7 on the ridge. Both teams have statement wins since their early season matchup and both would love the chance to punish the other in this longtime regional affair.
9. Marshall County at Pearl-Cohn: Marshall County put more points on the Firebirds than anyone else this season, 17. But it was not enough as Pearl-Cohn’s offense exploded for 42 points. The Tigers are 1 of 3 teams to stay within 25 points of the Firebirds.
10. Nashville Christian at DCA: DCA won the first matchup 35-17 behind a great performance from Mitchell Carey. Both teams must pull off upsets on the road to force this rematch, but the QB matchup if it happens will be worth the price of admission.
Chris Brooks
1. Oakland at Riverdale: Saw it in person, and as wild as this finish was in Week 11, the runback figures to be a much tighter game throughout. And an angry Oakland team would be the hardest out.
2. Beech at Henry County: These two couldn’t play a closer game than they did at Shackle Island in the regular season, but if they do meet up in Paris in round three, buckle up.
3. Liberty Creek at East Nashville: Liberty Creek has been white-hot the past six games since losing to East Nashville on Sept. 15. A rematch could be quite the show, and it’s easily the most dangerous opponent for the Eagles.
4. East Robertson at Smith County: Penalties destroyed the Indians’ flow in the first meeting with Smith County. They’ve cleaned that up a bit. They wouldn’t have home field though, and winning in The Hole is a tough proposition in November.
5. FRA at CPA: They’d need to return to the Lions’ den in the semifinals, but remember that it was a three-point game in the fourth before turnovers did the Panthers in the first time around. A cleaner game from Logan Kinnard puts FRA squarely back in play.
6. Centennial at Page: Taner Lee’s return could certainly help a Centennial offense that was stifled by Page in the first meeting. The Patriots have upped their game on offense, though, since that first clash.
7. Ravenwood at Brentwood: Ravenwood was shut out in Week 11, but similar playoff rematches between these two have occurred recently – and the Raptors flipped the script in both 2019 and 2020. The Bruins will need more of that defense in a potential sequel.
8. Brentwood Academy at MBA: If this were to happen, one of these teams would be winning their way to Chattanooga – and neither of them was on my radar for that six weeks ago.
9. Macon County at Upperman: The Tigers gave Upperman their toughest game of the season in Lafayette in a 14-7 loss. This time, however, the rematch would be in Baxter, and that’s not an easy place to steal one.
10. Marshall County at Pearl-Cohn: Could the Firebirds get tested in the quarterfinals if the Tigers are the opponent? Sure. Will they? It’s been nearly three months since anyone’s done it.
Joe Spears
1. Oakland at Riverdale: Was there any question that this would be my No. 1? Riverdale won a 25-24 classic to close out the regular season ending an 11-year losing streak to the Patriots. This has classic written all over it.
2. FRA at CPA: This is the type of matchup that should be happening a few weeks down the road in Chattanooga. Instead, it would happen in the semifinals. FRA had five turnovers the first time around but my guess is they clean up those issues making this a much closer game.
3. Centennial at Page: Page’s defense was a nightmare all night for Centennial in the regular season matchup. I think both teams have gotten better since that game but Centennial has to find a way to crack the Patriot defense.
4. Ravenwood at Brentwood: I don’t think anyone expected the first matchup between these two to end in a shutout. With those memories still fresh in Ravenwood’s mind, expect a much closer game if these two get the chance to play again.
5. East Robertson at Smith County: There haven’t been many teams who have slowed down the Indians’ offense this year. Smith County did just that though so it would be interesting to see how the Indians adjust after that first meeting.
6. Beech at Henry County: Overtime, Philly Special, wow. That’s the only way I can describe the first meeting, a 46-45 win for Henry County and I think a second matchup could be just as special.
7. Macon County at Upperman: Only two teams have come within seven points of beating Upperman and Macon was the closest. I’ve got a feeling Macon County still has a bad taste in its mouth from that 14-7 loss to the Bees resulting in this rematch being another low-scoring slugfest.
8. Liberty Creek at East Nashville: Liberty Creek hasn’t lost since suffering a 27-13 loss to East Nashville in mid-September. With the way these two teams are playing, a rematch will likely offer plenty of fireworks.
9. Brentwood Academy at MBA: MBA shocked Brentwood Academy the final week of the year limiting George MacIntyre and the Eagles offense in a 24-21 win. If both teams can pull off an upset this week, the rematch for a berth in the DII-AAA championship would be very intriguing.
10. Marshall County at Pearl-Cohn: If there’s a game where Pearl would be tested before Chattanooga, it would be a rematch with Marshall County. The Tigers put up more points than anyone else in their Week 11 matchup but stopping Pearl’s high-powered offense is a different beast.
Scott Burton
1. Oakland at Riverdale: Revenge is a dish best served cold and you can bet the Patriots are feeling frosty, so Riverdale will have to stay cool in what will be an even more physical game.
2. FRA at CPA: With Ty Clark III leading the way, the FRA offense has all the power of a speeding military Humvee. But CPA is a runaway locomotive and the Panthers are on the track.
3. Beech at Henry County: On Oct. 6, the Patriots rolled the dice and came out a big winner, outlasting the Bucs in overtime. This time they could meet in Paris, and Patriots know how to defend their own turf.
4. East Robertson at Smith County: The Indians have gone through quite a bit in the six weeks since they lost 14-7 to the Owls , while Smith County has just gone through other teams. But the Indians have added an air element that might bring the Owls back to earth.
5. Ravenwood at Brentwood: The Bruins managed to keep the Raptors out of the red zone as well as the end zone in the first Battle of the Woods two weeks ago. And though the weather has turned cooler, the Bruins aren’t quite ready to hibernate.
Photo by Scott Burton
6. Centennial at Page: The Patriots mastered trench warfare when these teams last met, racking up 8 sacks and numerous QB pressures. Despite the return of Taner Lee, the Patriots defense are the Masters of Mayhem.
7. Macon County at Upperman: The Tigers held the Bees to their lowest offensive output of the year way back in Week 3 but still lost by seven. Look for Gabe Borders and company to smoke the Bees out in the rematch.
8. Liberty Creek at East Nashville: East Nashville invites the Wolves to visit their brand new nest and Eagles are not known to be hospitable to visitors.
9. Cookeville at Mt. Juliet: The Golden Bears scored at will on the Cavaliers on Mt. Juliet’s homecoming. Since then, the Bears have misfired like a farmer’s favorite truck while Cookeville has been purring like a sports car. Is there enough in the tank for the Bears to finish the job?
10. Marshall County at Pearl-Cohn: This may be the last chance for anyone to make the Firebird starters play a full 48 minutes before they leave home.
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