0
0
It’s only Week 4 but this week’s meeting between Franklin and Independence features high-stakes playoff implications. That’s why it’s our Spotlight Game of the Week.
Between the potential for rough weather and several exciting matchups, this week’s slate of games features to be a memorable one.
Here’s a look at our top 10 games for the week and a little background on each.
BGA CONTINUES TO RISE: Week 4 area rankings
CATCH A GAME: Ranking the top area stadiums
Spotlight Game: Franklin (1-2) at Independence (0-3)
The winner of this game puts themselves in the driver seat to secure a playoff spot. Unfortunately for the loser they would have quite a bit of work to do get that fourth spot.
This was one of the many one-possession games that the Admirals lost last season. Independence beat Franklin 31-24 in a double-overtime classic.
Franklin looks to be greatly improved and pushed Page last week in a 14-0 loss. Independence has struggled this year with back-to-back blowout losses to open the season before suffering a 20-13 loss to Centennial in Week 3.
Antioch (3-0) at Oakland (3-0)
A few years ago this game would’ve been seen as just a blip on the radar for the Patriots. This is the same old Antioch team though.
Sophomore quarterback Andre Adams leads a prolific Bears offense averaging 36.7 points per game. Their defense has been stout as well and enters this game off of a 40-6 win over Cane RIdge.
Oakland still seems to be the team to beat in Class 6A out of our area this season thanks to their deadly back duo of T.T. Hill and Craig Tutt. The Patriots crushed the Bears 49-0 last year.
Baylor (3-0) at Lipscomb Academy (1-2)
Is Lipscomb Academy’s defense the one to shut down Baylor’s prolific offense?
The Mustangs have had their ups-and-downs on both sides of the ball so far this year but finally got the first win of the Jamie Graham tenure last week. Kris Thompson will need another big week if the Mustangs hope to spring the upset.
Baylor has a plethora of weapons to work with led by Ole Miss running back commit Shekai Mills-Knight. The addition of Tennessee commitment Joakim Dodson makes this offense even better.
Beech (2-1) at Portland (2-1)
This Region 7-5A matchup has garnered a lot of interest because of the way each team has played through the first three weeks. Portland could easily be 3-0 heading into this game while Beech’s offense has struggled to find any sort of rhythm.
Had it not been for several turnovers, the Panthers would likely enter this matchup unbeaten.
Beech struggled in its Week 1 meeting with Station Camp before pulling away in the fourth quarter for the 21-point win. They haven’t been as prolific the last two weeks scoring 17 total points between a two-point loss to Collierville and 7-point win over Riverdale.
Brentwood (2-1) at Henry County (2-1)
Last week the Bruins showed that there’s a big difference between themselves and Class 5A ball. For the second year in a row they blew out Hendersonville and now get the chance to host another Region 7-5A foe.
The Patriots bounced back from their blowout loss to Riverale but it didn’t come easy. Springfield led most of the way but Henry County clawed its way back late to secure the 23-22 win.
This was a defensive slugfest last season as Brentwood won 17-14.
CPA (3-0) at MBA (2-1)
It could be argued that no team has played a harder schedule to start the season than CPA. The Lions had narrow wins over Brentwood Academy and Pearl-Cohn to kick off the year before comfortably beating Pope John Paul II 42-9.
MBA could argue that its schedule is just as hard if not harder though.
The Big Red split meetings with Pearl-Cohn and Ensworth before hitting the road to Memphis in Week 3. That road trip was their most impressive result of the year so far as they shutout MUS 31-0.
Davidson Academy (2-1) at BGA (3-0)
BGA’s 3-0 for the first time since 2019. The Wildcats are also the hottest-scoring team in the area regardless of class.
Through three games BGA is averaging just over 55 points per game. That includes a 68-point game Week 1 and 69 points Week 2.
This will be a massive test for. Bears defense that has had its struggles so far this season.
Davidson Academy’s won back-to-back games but faced up-hill climbs in each of those games before finally securing the wins. Their defense is giving up 26.7 points per game.
Lawson (2-1) at Centennial (2-1)
Centennial crused Lawson 35-0 last year. This isn’t the same ole’ Lightning team though.
Last week Lawson had what may be the most impressive win of the school’s young history against Stratford. The Lightning scored 27 first quarter points en route to a 48-6 win over Stratford.
Centennial came back down to earth last week following its 35-point Week 2 win over Summit. Independence gave the Cougars all they could handle as Centennial held on for the 20-13 win.
Stewarts Creek (2-1) at Rockvale (1-2)
Stewarts Creek bounced back from a heartbreaking seven-point loss to Blackman with a shutout win over Hillsboro last week. That’s momentum they needed as they look to get some revenge against the Rockets.
Rockvale traveled to Stewarts Creek last year and left with an eight-point win. They’ll be looking at this game as a chance to bounce back.
Rockvale’s two losses this season have come by a combined five points. Last week they fell 21-19 on the road to Tullahoma.
White House (2-1) at Whites Creek (2-0)
Are the Cobras legit? They’ve matched their season win-total from last season and are one of the area’s hottest teams.
Led by freshman phenom quarterback Deon Barnes, Whites Creek has rolled through its first two games putting up 50 or more points in each of its first two games. This week they’ll face the best defense they’ve seen so far this season.
A missed extra point is all that’s kept the Blue Devils from having a perfect record so far. They rebounded from that 21-20 loss to Portland beating Liberty Creek by 19 and Montgomery Central by 27.
You must be logged in to post a comment.