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The long wait is officially over. After eight months of waiting, Week 1 of the 2024 TSSAA high school football season officially kicks off on Thursday.
It’ll be a busy week for our crew as we have games spanning Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.
As it is every year, the first week of the season is full of intriguing matchups. While some feature teams from out of the area, many more feature all-area matchups.
We combed through the list of games and nailed down our top 10 for Week 1. Here’s a little bit about each one that made our list.
STATE TITLE PICKS: Cam / Chris / Ethan / Isaac / Joe / KJ / Scott
WHO BRINGS HOME A REGION TITLE: Predicting this season’s area region champs
Spotlight Series Game: Antioch at Lebanon
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
There are several great games slated for Week 1 but there’s just something about this matchup that screams game of the week.
Arcentae Broome is the head man at Antioch now and takes over a Bears side loaded with talent. Purdue offensive line commitment Ta’Khyian Whitset mans things up front for Antioch and sophomore quarterback Andre Adams steals the show with what he does through the air and on the ground.
Lebanon is not to be outdone though. Former Mt. Juliet running back Harrison Edwards is now with the Blue Devils taking over their lead back role. The Blue Devils won last year’s matchup at Antioch 39-28 and are a team that should be on everyone’s radar heading into the season.
Brentwood Academy at CPA
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
It’s hard to believe but Tennessee commitment George MacIntyre is finally in his final year of high school ball. He’ll be looking to end it on a better note than the 2-10 record the Eagles compiled last season.
To oversee that turnaround, the Eagles turned to a multi-time state champion in former Ensworth and DCA coach Paul Wade.
Things won’t be east though as the Eagles travel to the reigning Division II-AA champions. CPA lost a lot from last year’s squad but Ingle Martin still has a talented group led by juniors Rawls Patterson and Owen Cabell.
Centennial at Franklin
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Welcome to Williamson County Josh Adkins! Your first test: The Battle of Franklin.
The Admirals finished 2023 on a high note winning their final two games including an upset over previously unbeaten Mt. Juliet side. That momentum may be exactly what they need as they look to end a three-year losing streak to their crosstown foes.
Centennial had one of its best seasons ever in Jamaal Stewart’s first year at the helm. However, the Cougars will be replacing several key starters like DJ Curll and Dominic Reed. A win here over a rising Franklin side without those two in particular would be a sign that the Cougars are still ready to contend for the region title.
Davidson Academy at Nashville Christian
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Fireworks are bound to happen anytime these two sides square off. This season should be no exception. Davidson Academy is looking for back-to-back wins over the Eagles.
Georgia quarterback commitment Jared Curtis enters his junior year as the state’s top quarterback prospect regardless of class. He also has plenty of weapons to work.
Davidson Academy will be led by players like Josh Bolden and junior back Caden Stroud but have question marks at quarterback. That may spell trouble against a Nashville Christian side many expect to be in the Division II-A title picture.
Giles County at Page
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
For a game that Page won by a point last season and went to multiple overtimes, this matchup isn’t being talked about nearly enough. That may be because Giles County graduated a lot, it’s at Page and the Patriots’ defense is loaded.
Wisconsin lineback commitment Brenden Anes and Louisville EDGE commitment Eric Hazzard lead a defense that may be the best in the state regardless of class. That’s a unit Page coach Charles Rathbone will lean on as the Patriots look to figure out their offensive identity early in the year.
Don’t expect.to see a scoreline in this one like what happened last season.
Gordonsville at Smith County
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Smith County enters this game with back-to-back wins over their crosstown foes. Last year they won a close one 25-19 en route to what would be a 10-3 season.
The Owls are replacing a lot from that squad but have their starting quarterback back. Riley Martin was dynamic starting as a freshman for the Owls last year and should only get better as time goes on.
Gordonsville also brings back an experienced quarterback in rising junior J Foster. This quarterback battle may not be on everyone’s radar but it should be as long as these two are leading the way,
Pearl-Cohn at MBA
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
The state’s longest win streak is on the line in this one as the Firebirds head back to MBA looking for back-to-back wins over the Big Red.
Pearl-Cohn lost a lot from last year’s championship team like Zeion Simpson-Smith and and Keshawn Tarleton. They still have Josh Sims, Kyler Garcia and Javion Kinnard though and that should be enough to beat most teams in 2024.
MBA ended the 2023 season on a high with wins over Brentwood Academy and Ensworth before finally falling to McCallie in the semifinals. Hugh Price and Brooklen Davis should be in store for huge seasons leading what may be an underrated offensive attack.
Pope John Paul II at East Nashville
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Whoever ends up winning the starting quarterback role for the Knights could be in store for a huge season. However, it may start off rough on the road at East Nashville.
Justin Houston and Kelan Anderson may be gone but there’s still a plethora of talent to be had on the Eagles’ roster. That starts with junior running back KJ Johnson. It’s not a stretch to think that Johnson will be in contention to win Mr. Football following a breakout sophomore season.
This game also kicks off nine straight home games for the Eagles.
Ravenwood at Alcoa
When: Friday, 6 p.m.
If Ravenwood is to be considered a serious Class 6A state championship contender, a road win at Alcoa would send that message.
The Tornadoes came to Williamson County last August and beat up on a young Raptors squad. The players that experienced that loss are older and have only gotten better since a year ago.
One thing that nine-time defending Class 3A champions don’t have is a quarterback situation like Ravenwood. Will Hester has a good problem on his hands with two certifiable starters on the roster in juniors Femi Babalola and Maverick Chance. Expect to see a lot of both in this matchup.
Westmoreland at Macon County
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Is this the best Macon County team ever? Time will tell but the talent is there for the Tigers to contend for their first ever state title.
Gabe Borders is back for what seems like his 20th high school season. He’s one of the best around and should be a favorite to finally raise that Mr. Football trophy at the end of the year. He’s not alone though as the Tigers bring plenty of experience from a side that was only two Upperman losses away from a perfect 2023.
Westmoreland is no slouch though. The Eagles have a defense that can give anyone, including the Tigers, a hard night. Having to make the trip to Lafayette could prove troublesome.
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