0
0
As the 2025 high school football season inches closer and closer, we can’t help but look ahead to schedule’s for the new season.
With each schedule we’re continually circling and highlighting games we think will be in the ‘must-watch’ category in 2025. So what are the 10 best games we’ve found?
Over the next three days we’ll highlight the top-10 games for our large, medium and small class schools.
What will determine the category for each game will be the home team for that matchup. If a small class school is hosting a large class school, that game will be featured in the small class list.
Large Class teams include 6A and Division II-AAA. Medium Class teams include 5A, 4A, and Division II-AA. Small Class teams include 3A, 2A, 1A, and Division II-A, and each grouping has roughly 30 teams in it.
With that in mind, here are the top-10 medium games we’ve found entering the 2025 season:
1. BGA at FRA
Date: September 26
Summary: A state championship preview? It’s hard not to think that with the sheer amount of talent both teams bring back in 2025 and CPA now in Division II-AAA.
There’s not shortage of stars in this game and this game promises to have fireworks as the teams split the matchups last year.
This may also be one of the best quarterback matchups we see this year as BGA’s Kaedyn Marable takes on JPII transfer Hudson Holman.
2. Pearl-Cohn at Springfield
Date: September 26
Summary: Week 6 of the season appears to be the best week of the year when it comes to must-watch games. This matchup is one of them and could decide who finishes No. 1 and No. 2 in the region.
Pearl-Cohn brings back plenty of talent and will be more than battle-tested by the time they travel up to Springfield. As the for the Yellow Jackets, it’s hard not to think of them as a Class 4A favorite after moving down a class and the amount of talent they also bring back.
Fans headed to this one should expect nothing but fireworks.
3. East Nashville at Beech
Date: September 11
Summary: East Nashville’s first five games are easily some of the hardest in the area and that brutal stretch has them heading to Shackle Island for a Week 4 Thursday night matchup.
This may be a 5A vs. 2A matchup but putting the classes aside, there won’t be a better Thursday night matchup that week. It also features some of the area’s best backs as Beech’s Chelton Swafford and DK Williams square off against East’s standout pair of KJ Johnson and Kinnie Fuller.
4. Brentwood at Page
Date: September 12
Summary: Page is on the road for its first four games but the Patriots’ first home game is as big as any they’ll play all year.
Saying that this is a rare matchup would be an understatement. Brentwood and Page have not played since 2002. The Bruins have dominated the series in the few times the two sides have played going 6-0 and winning by an average of 16.5.
However, this isn’t the same Page team and should be a fun coaching matchup between Charles Rathbone and Clint Finch.
5. Beech at Upperman
Date: September 19
Summary: If you want old-school ground and pound football, this is the matchup for you.
Beech and Upperman play the same brand of football which means fans in attendance for this one will be in store for some of the hardest hitting football anyone will witness all year.
Favorites in their respective classes, this is a great early-season non-region matchup we’re upset is in Baxter or else we’d be there.
6. Henry County at Page
Date: September 19
Summary: Henry County and Page have only ever played twice but both of those games were instant-classics that are still talked about today.
The Patriots had a comeback for the ages in their first meeting in 2021 winning that semifinal game 56-52. A year later it was much of the same as Page traveled north for the semifinal game and won that one 27-24.
Could we be in store for another classic between the Patriots?
7. Pearl-Cohn at BGA
Date: September 5
Summary: By the time these teams square off, both will have played vastly different schedules.
For BGA, this could be their first real test as they should cruise against Jackson Prep (Miss.) and Columbia Academy. As for Pearl-Cohn, the Firebirds will be in the middle of their four-game stretch that includes MBA, CPA and Oakland.
Do the Firebirds have the weapons on offense and defense to compete with a team many think will win the DII-AA title? This should be a great quarterback matchup between LJ Funk and Kaedyn Marable.
8. JPII at FRA
Date: September 29
Summary: There will be plenty of reunions when these two square off for their Week 4 matchup. Not only is Justin Geisinger coaching against his former team, but it’ll also be Hudson Holman’s first time playing against his old teammates.
Holman spent two years as JPII’s starting quarterback passing for 2,879 yards and 31 touchdowns.
9. East Robertson at JPII
Date: August 29
Summary: Just how good will Roc Batten’s JPII squad be in 2025? We’ll get an idea early on as they travel to Cross Plains and take on one of the state’s best Class 2A programs.
The Indians have high expectations in 2025 and a win against what should be a resurgent Knights team could be a sign that they’ve taken that step forward into being a state title contender again.
10. White House at Portland
Date: August 22
Summary: Sure these two teams may not be two many consider as state favorites heading into the 2025 season, but this is an old-school rivalry and their last two matchups have been nothing short of spectacular.
In 2023 White House went on the road and picked up 7-6 win. Last season the Panthers returned the favor with a 21-20 road win. If this trend continues, we should have another fun matchup in store this year.
You must be logged in to post a comment.