Week 5 Top 10 area games: A key Rutherford County clash heads a full region slate
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Week 5 is where the stakes start to rise.
Region play heats up across Middle Tennessee, with another Rutherford County showdown taking center stage as our spotlight game.
We combed through the Week 5 slate and picked out 10 games you need to have on your radar, with playoff implications hanging in the balance.
Spotlight Game: Smyrna (2-2, 2-0 3-6A) at Rockvale (4-0, 2-0), Thursday
A key Region 3-6A matchup headlines our spotlight game going into Week 5.
Both teams have gotten off to strong starts in region play, with Smyrna owning what may be the biggest upset in the state after knocking off Oakland. Rockvale, meanwhile, has been dominant against region opponents, allowing just 13 combined points against Stewarts Creek and LaVergne.
Rockvale has been electric on offense, while Smyrna has established itself as one of the toughest defenses in the state. This should be a clash between two of the region’s best teams.
Cannon County (3-1, 0-0 4-2A) at Gordonsville (3-1, 0-0)
More region play is on tap as these two 3-1 teams square off in a matchup that could give either team an early advantage in the standings.
The tandem of Turner Bucher and Kaiden Mason has proven to be physical and difficult to stop. On the other side, Corbin Garrett has found ways to consistently spread the ball around, already throwing for 739 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Expect both teams to do whatever it takes to come away with a critical region victory.
East Nashville (2-2) at Springfield (4-0)
East Nashville heads to Springfield to give the Yellow Jackets their toughest test of the season so far.
Springfield’s Amiron Leavell has made a name for himself early in the season, already accounting for nine touchdowns. The Yellow Jackets have also found ways to score from just about everywhere on the field.
East Nashville has plenty of firepower of its own, led by Dallas Covington, who has totaled more than 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Eagles.
Points should be plentiful as these two teams meet once again.
Franklin (3-1, 2-0 6-6A) at Ravenwood (2-2, 1-0)
More region play takes center stage in Williamson County as the Franklin Admirals and Ravenwood Raptors square off.
Franklin enters the matchup 2-0 in region play, while Ravenwood is 1-0. It has been a surprising start to the season for the Raptors, who typically enter these matchups undefeated but already have two losses on the year.
Caden Pace leads the charge for Ravenwood, while Franklin’s defense has been disruptive all season, recording 18 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
Green Hill (3-1, 0-0 4-6A) at Gallatin (4-0, 1-0)
These two teams could arguably be playing for the region championship this early in the season.
Gallatin has been hot to start the year behind its trio of Landry Roddy, K’Saun Barksdale and JoJo McMurray. Green Hill has been impressive as well, knocking off strong opponents in Beech and Ravenwood early in the season.
With so much on the line, this is one of the Week 5 matchups you won’t want to miss.
Knoxville Catholic (4-0, 0-0 DII-AAA East) at MBA (4-0, 0-0)
MBA is one of the few undefeated teams remaining in the area and will look to keep that streak alive heading into Week 5.
That will be no easy task, however. Knoxville Catholic has already knocked off some of the state’s best teams and enters the matchup undefeated as well.
There will be no shortage of talent on the field as two of the strongest private-school programs in the state go head-to-head in a highly anticipated matchup.
Lipscomb Academy (2-2) at Ensworth (3-1)
Region play takes center stage in DII-AAA as the Lipscomb Academy Mustangs and Ensworth Tigers go head-to-head.
Both teams are coming off big bounce-back wins and will look to carry that momentum into Week 5. Ensworth will also look to lean on running back EJ Gibson, who has been a major weapon for the Tigers and gives their offense another physical presence out of the backfield.
There will be no shortage of talent on either sideline, and both teams will be looking to steal an early region victory.
Macon County (4-0, 0-0 4-4A) at DeKalb County (3-1, 0-0)
Macon County has been rolling to start the season, while DeKalb County will look to slow them down.
With a region matchup at stake, expect a physical battle between these two teams. Macon County has found success on the ground and has done a good job getting nearly everyone involved.
DeKalb County, led by quarterback Jesse Foutch, will look to hand Macon County its first loss of the season.
Look for a physical game built around plenty of ground-and-pound football.
Station Camp (2-2) at Lebanon (3-1)
Colton Overbey and Nate Dye meet again after sharing a depth chart with one another last season.
Station Camp has been dangerous through the air, with Overbey throwing for 912 yards and 14 touchdowns through four games. Lebanon has found its success on the ground behind running backs Gyan Ezeta and Matthew Davis.
With two talented offenses going head-to-head, this could be an offensive showcase. Station Camp will look to let Overbey attack through the air, while Lebanon hopes its ground game can control the matchup.
Stewart County (3-1, 2-0 6-3A) at Fairview (4-0, 0-0)
Stewart County heads to Fairview up two games in the region standings as the Yellowjackets face their first region test.
Fairview enters undefeated, leaning on a ground game that has featured 13 different ball carriers, led by sophomore Julius Carter. Stewart County counters through the air, with senior QB Anthony Bisogno connecting with wideout Benn Hendricks so far into the season.
Two physical teams. One region race up for grabs.
Follow us on X @615Preps and vote who you think will win each of these matchups this week, then tune in to 615 Preps LIVE on Wednesday at 7 p.m. for our picks. You can watch live on YouTube, X, Facebook, Instagram Live or on TikTok.
