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Well that was fun wasn’t it? Here’s to hoping Week 2 is just as fun if not better.
Week 1 has come and gone. A new week is upon us and the second week of the season is loaded with top-tier games around the 615.
We combed through the list of all our area games and locked in on 10 we’re the most excited about. Here’s a little more on each and why they stood out to us.
WEEK 2 PICKS: Picking the area’s top Week 2 games
WEEK 2 AREA RANKINGS: Jared Curtis shines in season debut
Spotlight Series Game: CPA (1-0) at Pearl-Cohn (0-1)
You may not find a better atmosphere at a game the rest of the season than the one you’ll see at Pearl-Cohn Friday night. These two defending state champions face off as part of the Tennessee State football John Merritt Classic.
Last season the Firebirds came away with the win at CPA by four. This year they enter the matchup looking to get back in the win column.
A 53-yard field goal doomed Pearl in last week’s game against MBA. On the flip side of that, CPA secured its first win of the year thanks to a late defensive stop against Brentwood Academy.
Antioch (1-0) at Nolensville (1-0)
These two sides both walked away with Week 1 wins but in very different fashion. A late field goal propelled Nolensville past Rockvale 24-21 while Antioch needed no last-minute heroics.
Andre Adams threw for four touchdowns as Antioch rallied from a 15-point deficit to a 34-22 win over Lebanon.
This week once again serves an opportunity for the Bears to avenge a 2023 loss. Nolensville cruised in this matchup last to a 50-24 win.
Brentwood (1-0) at Brentwood Academy (0-1)
Will this one end with another last-second field goal?
Brentwood got the best of its private school neighbor in this fashion last year and both sides enter this matchup with the records they had the last time they squared off.
Brentwood Academy had a dissappointing start to its 2024 campaign falling late on the road to CPA. That wasn’t the case for the Bruins who scored a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to beat Blackman 24-14
Ensworth (1-0) at MBA (0-1)
Ensworth rolled to a 41-6 win over Tennessee Heat to open the year. MBA hit a 53-yard field goal to beat Pearl-Cohn 20-18.
If we were to guess how this matchup would, we think it would be more like MBA’s Week 1 matchup.
Ensworth got the best of the Big Red during the regular season in 2023 with a dominant 17-3 win. MBA returned the favor in the postseason though beating the Tigers 17-14 to end their season.
Franklin (1-0) at FRA (1-0)
Did anyone have a more exciting Week 1 win than the Admirals? Their overtime thriller not only gave them a win to start the season, but also puts them at three wins in a row dating back to last season.
FRA also kicked off the season with a win but were much more dominant. The Panthers were in cruise control for most of the night in their 44-13 win over Kenwood.
Last year this game wasn’t close as FRA ran away with a 47-21 win. However, the Panthers no longer have the likes of standouts such as Ty Clark or Bobby Council. This game should be a great test to see where each program sits before the bulk of region play.
Collierville (1-0) at Beech (1-0)
For three quarters it looked like Beech would suffer the year’s first real upset. Then the Buccaneers turned it on in the fourth quarter en route to a 38-17 win over Station Camp.
With a good Collierville team coming to town, the Buccaneers will need to be more like that fourth quarter team than the one who struggled for the first three quarters.
Collierville also got a test in its season-opener that was a bit of a shock. While Riverside is the defending Class 2A champions, the Panthers lost a lot from that team. They still found a way to scare the Dragons who only held on for a 20-10 home win.
DCA (1-0) at Friendship Christian (1-0)
Does Friendship have a player or two who can slow down Tennessee tight end commitment Carson Sneed? He was dominant in the Wildcats’ win over Ezell-Harding catching three passes for three touchdowns and 120 yards.
This matchup features teams with vastly contrasting styles.
Friendship will try to control the clock and run it down the gut of the DCA defense. DCA’s likely going to be slinging it all over the field behind the arm of Mitchell Carey.
Gordonsville (1-0) at Watertown (0-1)
Watertown put up a ton of points against Forrest but struggled to get stops in its 40-34 season-opening loss. Gordonsville on the other hand was dominant defensively in a 20-6 win over Smith County.
More importantly for the Tigers, they found a way to win without J Foster.
Another dominant defensive showing would be a major boost for Gordonsville as they look to get some revenge. Watertown won this matchup 17-7 in 2023.
Henry County (1-0) at Riverdale (1-0)
This game was a classic last season as the Patriots claimed a 21-20 home win.
Both sides lost a lot from those teams but one was a little more dominant in their Week 1 wins. Henry County hosted Bright and crushed the Cardinals 49-13.
Riverdale was in a dogfight all night against Smyrna before finally pulling away for the 24-14 win.
Pope John Paul II (0-1) at Father Ryan (1-0)
Will this be a closer battle for the Bishop’s Cup? Father Ryan made sure last year’s contest wasn’t the case cruising to a 42-7 win.
The Irish lost a lot from that group but were dominant in their 49-7 Week 1 win over Overton. They’ll need to repeat that offensive performance against a Knights team capable of scoring at any time.
Pope may have lost East Nashville to open the year but they scored a lot of points in that loss. Hudson Holman carved up the Eagles defense and nearly pulled the upset road win.
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