Week 10 Top 10 area games: Antioch, Andre Adams have a date with history
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With fall break in the rear view mirror, attention now turns to the playoff races around the area with two weeks remaining in the TSSAA football regular season.
We combed through the Week 10 slate and picked out 10 games to have on your radar, with playoff implications hanging in the balance, led by a region game that could produce a new name in the record books.
Spotlight Game: Clarksville (6-2 overall, 4-0 Region 5-6A) at Antioch (8-0, 4-0)
Our spotlight game heads to Antioch as the Bears could have a memorable night for multiple reasons.
The Bears host Clarksville in the penultimate game of the regular season and the Region 5-6A title hangs in the balance. Antioch hasn’t won a region title since 2011 and would be at the doorstep of breaking that drought with a win (though they would also need to defeat Rossview next week to ensure they take the top seed).
Clarksville would win the region title with a victory, since the Wildcats have already defeated Rossview and would hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over both teams regardless of who wins next week.
Antioch senior quarterback Andre Adams currently sits at 12,353 yards of total offense (combined passing and rushing yards), in sight of the state record of 12,713 set by Trinity Christian’s Kyle Akin in 2014. Adams needs 361 total yards on Friday to eclipse that mark. Adams is 135 yards away from 3,000 rushing yards for his career and 517 passing yards away from 10,000, and if he achieved both milestones this season, he’d become the first player in Tennessee high school football history to do so.
Baylor (8-0, 3-0 DII-AAA East) at Ensworth (4-4, 2-1)
Baylor and David Gabriel Georges head to Nashville to take on a feisty Ensworth team led by its own powerful back, EJ Gibson.
Georges has recorded 85 carries for 852 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns as Baylor maintains its perfect record against some of the nation’s best competition. Limiting the nation’s No. 2 back will be a tall task for the Tigers’ defense.
Ensworth will need to find a way to slow down Baylor’s rushing attack while leaning on Gibson to keep pace offensively in what could be a physical matchup.
Fairview (8-0, 4-0 6-3A) at Cheatham County (6-2, 3-1)
Fairview continues to roll unbeaten after a convincing 44-0 win over Camden last week.
More tests await as the Yellow Jackets travel to Cheatham County, which is riding a five-game winning streak.
Fairview has outscored its opponents 270-15 over the last six weeks. Cheatham County could provide one of the tougher offensive tests Fairview has faced, as senior quarterback Luke Austin has accounted for more than 1,100 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns this season.
Franklin (4-4, 2-3 6-6A) at Summit (3-5, 2-2)
More Williamson County schools headline our top 10 as Franklin travels to Summit for a pivotal region matchup. A win would give Franklin a chance to break into the top four and potentially secure a playoff spot.
Franklin quarterback Ryder Gregg has put together an impressive junior season, throwing for 1,057 yards and eight touchdowns.
Summit’s defense has been a strength throughout the season, holding every opponent under 30 points.
Gallatin (6-2, 2-1 4-6A) at Lebanon (6-2, 2-1)
Gallatin is coming off back-to-back losses after opening the season 6-0. The Green Wave will look to get back on track against region opponent Lebanon.
This is a crucial region battle, as the top four teams in 6A Region 4 — Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, Green Hill and Gallatin — are all sitting at 2-1 in region play.
The stakes are just as high for Lebanon, which is coming off a loss to rival Green Hill. With two young, talented quarterbacks in Nate Dye and Landry Roddy on opposite sides, expect big plays to play a major role in deciding this matchup.
Goodpasture (7-1, 4-1 DII-AA Middle) at BGA (7-1, 4-0)
First and second place in D-II AA Middle meet as Goodpasture travels to BGA, with both teams boasting high-powered offenses and just one loss.
BGA faces a new challenge after talented quarterback Bo Bryan suffered a collarbone injury last week. The Wildcats will look to playmakers Maximus Curry and Maddox Porter to step up in his absence.
Goodpasture has a chance to move into first place in the region with a win and the right tiebreaker scenario. The Cougars will rely on Tennessee commit Slim Leavell to help get them there.
Independence (3-5, 3-1 6-6A) at Brentwood (7-1, 4-0)
More Williamson County battles enter the top 10 as Independence heads to Brentwood to take on the Bruins.
Brentwood hasn’t lost since August and looks to keep it that way as it sits atop the region standings. Independence isn’t far behind, and a win for the Eagles could shake up the standings.
Quarterback Matthew Horner, who has thrown for 1,986 yards and 18 touchdowns, will need to navigate a savvy Brentwood defense that has allowed just three points over the last three weeks.
McCallie (3-5, 0-3 DII-AAA East) at MBA (7-1, 2-1)
What do you know? Both of Chattanooga’s premier private schools head to Nashville this Friday as MBA hosts McCallie in a region showdown.
MBA sits at 7-1 and has played impressive football throughout the season, while McCallie is still searching for its first region win.
Charlie Verner and the Big Red hope to keep their strong season going against a McCallie team that will be difficult to put away.
Siegel (2-6, 2-3 3-6A) at Blackman (4-4, 2-3)
We head to Rutherford County as Blackman hosts Siegel in a 6A Region 3 matchup.
Blackman still has its sights set on the playoffs and needs a win this week to keep those hopes alive. Siegel, meanwhile, would love nothing more than to spoil the Blaze’s plans.
Both teams are coming off losses to region opponents, making this an important opportunity for one team to bounce back.
Whites Creek (6-1, 3-0 5-3A) at Stratford (4-4, 1-1)
Whites Creek sits atop the region standings at 3-0 as it prepares to face third-place Stratford. The Cobras will look to maintain their lead and move closer to locking up first place.
Stratford still has the playoffs in its sights, but after a loss to Westmoreland last week, a win is much needed.
Keep an eye on a Whites Creek defense that has gradually improved as the season has progressed. On the other side, Stratford will look to establish the ground game behind JD Stafford, who has recorded 1,488 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.
Follow us on Instagram @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.
