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Just two weeks separate teams from visiting Chattanooga for the BlueCross Bowl state championship games, and Week 14 means Division II semifinal and Division I quarterfinal games.
Here, we’ll rank the Week 14 matchups that have at least one team from our coverage area. Each game is also getting a grade (out of 100) that factors in the matchup, each team’s recent trends and current form, and our general opinions on the games themselves. Anything over 60 can be considered a good game.
WEEK 14 RANKINGS: Stewarts Creek makes first state quarterfinals appearance
WEEK 14 STATE SCHEDULE: Every Division I quarterfinals, Division II semifinals matchup
1. Boyd Buchanan at CPA – A rematch of last year’s state championship game as both teams enter the contest with identical 12-0 records, and CPA having won 24 straight games. Game grade: 95 – It’s unfortunate this is a semifinal and not a championship game.
2. Riverdale at Oakland – It was a 15-point win for Oakland on Halloween night, but Riverdale can look to Mt. Juliet’s effort on Friday as reason to believe it can take down the Patriots. Game grade: 93 – It feels like it’s up for grabs more so this year than in previous playoff meetings.
3. BGA at FRA – BGA’s defense is the most improved unit in this matchup – the Wildcats have only allowed 28 points in the four games since their 39-14 loss to FRA on Oct. 11. The Panthers, minus a 21-7 loss to CPA on Oct. 25, have scored 39 or more points in all but one of their 11 wins this season. Game grade: 92 – BGA’s really come on defensively which makes this a high-quality affair.
4. Nashville Christian at Jackson Christian – Jackson Christian has a seven-game win streak, while Nashville Christian has won eight straight. Both teams have scored more than 30 points in a combined 19 of 22 games this season. Game grade: 90 – It probably should be the state championship game but the bracket fell wrong for that instance.
5. McCallie at Ensworth – In 11 games, only MBA was able to reach double digits against Ensworth’s defense, and the Tigers kept them off the scoreboard in their rematch on Friday. McCallie has at least 38 points in each of the last four games. Game grade: 88 – A fascinating matchup that could spoil a rematch of the all-Chattanooga final from last year.
6. Brentwood Academy at Baylor – Baylor won 7-6 on Sept. 27 in bad weather. Should be better conditions this time around and an improved Brentwood Academy defense could give the Eagles a way to keep the run going. Game grade: 87 – Much like the other DII-AAA semifinal, could BA play spoiler as well?
7. Springfield at Beech – Springfield was a desperate team entering their Week 11 visit to Beech and nearly left Shackle Island with a win. They’ve since gotten two strong playoff wins and look even better for the rematch with the Buccaneers. Beech systematically dismantled Southwind in the second round. Game grade: 86 – Both teams are running hot right now and this one should be fun.
8. Pearl-Cohn at Marshall County – They went to overtime three weeks ago. Should be another close one. played arguably their best game in Round 2. Game grade: 85 – Could we be in for another barnburner? The Firebirds would like nothing more than to reverse the result from Halloween night.
9. East Nashville at White House Heritage – The Patriots are in their first quarterfinal since 2015, facing an East Nashville team that has ripped off 38 or more points in nine of its 10 victories this season. Game grade: 84 – Another one where both teams come in running hot, but the Eagles hold the experience edge in these depths.
10. Macon County at White County – White County used the poor field conditions to their advantage in their regular season meeting to get another home playoff game, but the Tigers might be playing as well as anyone in 4A right now. Game grade: 83 – Hopefully it’s a dry field for this one. White County’s no slouch, but the Tigers have good reason to be upset that they’re not the home team here.
11. DCA at Columbia Academy – Columbia Academy won the regular-season meeting 28-7 on Sept. 20, and both teams have won every game they’ve played since except for their respective meetings with Nashville Christian. Game grade: 81 – DCA will likely be better in the rematch, but there is quite a bit of ground for the Wildcats to make up.
12. Shelbyville at Page – The former region rivals meet for the first time since 2020. Shelbyville has scored 28 or more points in every game this year, but Page has allowed just 18 points – for the entire season. Game grade: 80 – There’s intrigue since Shelbyville has been consistently good offensively, but Page’s defense gets angry if they even give up a field goal, and you won’t like what they bring when they’re angry.
13. Stewarts Creek at Ravenwood – Ravenwood eliminated the Red Hawks in the first round of last year’s 6A playoffs, but the Red Hawks reached the third round for the first time. Game grade: 78 – Stewarts Creek proved to be quite tough against Brentwood, but they will need to up the intensity even more against the unbeaten Raptors.
14. Westmoreland at Marion County – Westmoreland and Marion County have quite a bit of playoff history, with eight meetings since 2005, but Marion County has won each of the last six matchups. Both teams were dominant in their second-round wins. Game grade: 76 – Unfortunately, a game had to go here and it’s this one because of what Marion County did to East Robertson last week. If there’s one team in 2A that can go to Jasper and get stuff done, though, it’s this Eagles team.
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