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We’ve hit Week 8 of the season and through the first seven weeks of the season, I feel like we have a good idea on who teams are.
The state contenders have stood out and the pretenders have stepped to the side.
With everything we’ve seen so far, I decided to take a look at who I think will be playing in Chattanooga come December.
I reserve the right to change these picks because well, it’s my list, but here are my nine state title matchups:
Class 6A: Oakland vs. Ravenwood
This was my championship prediction before the season and I’m sticking to it. These two play in three weeks so we should get a good idea on what this matchup could look like in Chattanooga.
Oakland may be the most dangerous team in the state now that Daune Morris is back from an ankle injury that sidelined him for five weeks. He joins a loaded backfield alongside Craig Tutt and T.T. Hill.
Ravenwood’s been a model of consistency this season aside from a seven-point win over Blackman. The Raptors have two legit starters at quarterback and are solid at nearly every other position.
I rolled with Ravenwood to start the year and until they give me a reason to pick against them, I’m not doing it. Even if Oakland is the other team on the other side of the field.
Prediction: Ravenwood 28, Oakland 27
Class 5A: Page vs. Powell
As much as Page wants to get revenge against Knox West, I just don’t see that Rebels making it back to Chattanooga this season. I do have the Patriots getting revenge against one of the teams who handed them silver though.
Powell’s rebounded from a season-opening loss to Anderson County with six straight blowout wins. The Panthers appear to be the best 5A team out of the east setting them on a collision course with Page.
Page’s road back to Chattanooga isn’t an easy one. The Patriots could very well have to play both Beech and Southwind during that run. However, no team is better prepared for that than a Page side who boasts one of the best defense’s in the state.
Prediction: Page 31, Powell 14
Class 4A: Haywood vs. Upperman
I know I picked Pearl-Cohn to repeat, but the Firebirds seem to be missing something to me. A run back to Chattanooga could be in the cards but going west to Haywood for a semifinals rematch of the classic from 2022 scares me.
The Tomcats have been on fire this season and have so many potent weapons. They’re a different team at home and I think they’ve waited long enough to get back to a state title game.
Upperman looks to be the favorite for the 4A title right now. The Bees are hungry after what happened last year and brought back a lot from that group. If they can get past the likes of Anderson County, Greeneville or Macon County, I don’t see why they aren’t raising gold in December.
Prediction: Upperman 28, Haywood 20
Class 3A: Alcoa vs. Westview
Sign me up for the Graham Simpson hype train. Westview’s freshman phenom has been unbelievable this season and is easily already one of the state’s best quarterbacks.
I picked East Nashville to get back to Chattanooga this year but injuries have plagued the Eagles this season. It’s hard for me to see them going out west and beating Covington or Westview with so many key guys out.
I’ll roll with the Chargers to come out of the west but I’m not sure they can get past Alcoa. That time may come but the Tornadoes beat a young Westview side for their 10th straight Class 3A title.
Prediction: Alcoa 35, Westview 20
Class 2A: Milan vs. Westmoreland
Milan’s rise in 2A has the Bulldogs looking like a legit contender out of the west side of the bracket. Their lone loss is to JCM and I wouldn’t be shocked to see them get their revenge in a postseason matchup.
Picking the east side of the bracket was a bit harder. I picked East Robertson in the postseason and with a healthy Isaiah Groves, I think they would roll to the title. However, Groves is out and this offense has struggled at times without him.
I’m riding the Westmoreland hype train until they give me a reason to jump off. The Eagles could play East Robertson again in the quarters. If that happens and they beat them again, I just don’t see another loss in their future.
Prediction: Westmoreland 27, Milan 24
Class 1A: Clay County vs. McKenzie
McKenzie was pick to win 1A before the season started and the Rebels haven’t given me a reason to pick against them yet.
They’re 7-0 and have a legit Mr. Football contender in Tate Surber leading a potent offense. Who they play for the gold ball was the bigger question.
The east side of the bracket is a toss up and after choosing between Clay County and Oliver Springs, I sided with the Bulldogs for a repeat of the 2022 title game. Clay County has two losses to a really good Westmoreland team and a solid Portland side.
Prediction: McKenzie 34, Clay County 20
Division II-AAA: Baylor vs. Ensworth
A Chattanooga rematch between Baylor and McCallie is what many expected entering the year including myself. After seeing what happened last week though, I think one of our area teams plays spoiler.
If any team is going to do it, I’m leaning towards Ensworth. The Tigers defense might be the best in the entire state regardless of state and their offense isn’t too shabby either.
Tim Hasselbeck’s first year with the school has been a resounding success so far. While I’m not picking them to beat Baylor, I think they could be the team to upend the Red Raiders and end Chattanooga’s stranglehold on DII-AAA.
Prediction: Baylor 24, Ensworth 21
Division II-AA: CPA vs. FRA
CPA’s the king of Division II-AA until someone knocks them off the mountain. I think that time may be coming with the team I have them beating in this year’s championship game.
FRA’s insanely young but easily one of the best teams around regardless of class. The Panthers’ time is coming and I think they take that first step forward this season.
This could have easily been the state matchup last year if both teams were on opposite sides of the bracket. Now that they are, I think both teams make the type of runs needed to make in a loaded DII-AA field to get to Chattanooga.
Prediction: CPA 24, FRA 21
Division II-A: Columbia Academy vs. Nashville Christian
Like the DII-AA matchup, I think we’ll get a preview of the DII-A title game this weekend.
I’ve got Nashville Christian winning the regular season matchup this weekend cementing the Eagles as the top DII-A Middle Region team. The loss will put Columbia Academy at No. 2 in the region but I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
The run to state for the Bulldogs would likely include a matchups with DCA and Friendship Christian, two teams they’ve already beaten. Nashville Christian will face the top team out of the west in Jackson Christian.
Should both get past those challenges, this is the matchup everyone wants to see. Like the regular season meeting as well, I’ve got Nashville Christian leaving Chattanooga with gold.
Prediction: Nashville Christian 35, Columbia Academy 24
