The Division II championships are set. Now the final week before Chattanooga has arrived.
The 615 Preps staff has put together a list of the top five large, medium, and small class teams in our coverage area following last week’s action.
Large Class teams include 6A and Division II-AAA. Medium Class teams include 5A, 4A, and Division II-AA. Small Class teams include 3A, 2A, 1A, and Division II-A, and each grouping has roughly 30 teams in it.
Large Class
1. Brentwood (13-0, last week’s ranking: 1): Welcome back Matthew Manning! In his return, Manning caught four passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns to help lead the Bruins past Ravenwood 27-20 and into the semifinals. Up next: vs. Houston (11-2)
2. Oakland (11-2, last week’s ranking: 3): There was no late-game dramatics this time around as the Patriots cruised into the semifinals with a 56-0 win over Riverdale. Daune Morris ran for 174 yards and five touchdowns while Ashton Jones added two more touchdowns on the ground. Up next: at Bradley Central (13-0)
3. Riverdale (10-3, last week’s ranking: No. 2): Turnovers plagued the Warriors as they fell behind 49-0 in the first half and could never get it going. Braden Graham was limited to a season-low 111 yards passing.
4. Ravenwood (9-4, last week’s ranking: 4): The Raptors led by four at the half but gave up two quick touchdowns in the third quarter. Femi Babaloa was 17-of-34 passing for 233 yards, one passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown.
5. MBA (5-7, last week’s ranking: 5): The Big Red led McCallie on the road at the half, but couldn’t close things out eventually losing 33-15.
Who just missed out: Ensworth (8-3), Mt. Juliet (9-3)
Medium Class
1. Pearl-Cohn (13-0, last week’s ranking: 1): Down at the half, the Firebirds finally got things going in the second half on the legs of Zeion Simpson-Smith. He ran for 175 yards and two touchdowns in their 41-21 win over Marshall County. Up next: vs. Haywood (11-2)
2. CPA (12-1, last week’s ranking: 2): FRA had no answer for Crews Law and the Lions rushing attack as Law’s four touchdowns propelled CPA to a 37-16 win and their sixth straight state title appearance. Up next: vs. Boyd Buchanan (13-0), Nov. 30
3. Page (12-1, last week’s ranking: 3): Limiting Centennial to under 100 total yards of offense, including only 11 rushing yards, the Patriots advance to the semifinals with a 14-7 win. Eric Hazzard gave the Patriots the lead in the second half on a receiving touchdown. Up next: vs. Southwind (13-0)
4. FRA (11-2, last week’s ranking: 4): The Panthers rallied from an early 16-point deficit to tie the game at the half but gave up 21 straight at the wrong time.
5. Macon County (11-2, last week’s ranking: 5): Just like their first matchup against Upperman, the Tigers lost a defensive slugfest as their season came to an end with a score of 17-14.
Who just missed out: Centennial (10-3), Davidson Academy (10-3)
Small Class
1. MTCS (11-1, last week’s ranking: 1): Once again the opposing defense could not contain Eli Wilson as the Cougars’ senior rushed for 209 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-27 win over Columbia Academy. The win secured MTCS its first-ever state title appearance. Up next: vs. Friendship Christian (11-2), Nov. 29
2. Friendship Christian (11-2, last week’s ranking: 2): Not only did the Commanders beat Nashville Christian 56-14 to punch their ticket back to Chattanooga, but Tyson Wolcott ran for six touchdowns to set a new state record for most rushing touchdowns in a season. Up next: vs. MTCS (11-1), Nov. 29
3. East Nashville (11-2, last week’s ranking: 3): East’s ground game was too much for Liberty Creek as their trio of Elijah Usher, Kelan Anderson, and KJ Johnson ran for 268 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-14 win. Up next: vs. Dyersburg (13-0)
4. East Robertson (12-1, last week’s ranking: 5): The Indians got up early on the legs of Isaiah Groves and never let up securing their first-ever semifinal appearance. Groves ran for 338 yards and four touchdowns in the 49-20 win. Up next: at Smith County (10-2)
5. Smith County (10-3, last week’s ranking: 4): Unlike the first meeting with East Robertson, the Owls had no answer for the Indians’ high-powered offense. They got down early fast and never found a way back in.
Who just missed out: DCA (7-4), Liberty Creek (7-5)