Week 12 Top 10 area games: Let the knockouts begin
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Load up whatever cliche you want in regards to the postseason, whether it’s “a one-week season,” or “survive and advance,” or “play who’s in front of you,” or another one of those types of thoughts – they’re all true now.
Here are our choices for the top 10 “one-game seasons” going down this week across the 615:
Spotlight Game: Gallatin (7-3) at Smyrna (7-3)
Our spotlight game of the week heads to Rutherford County for a first-round DI-6A playoff matchup with a little extra meaning.
Smyrna head coach Mark Williams will face his former team, Gallatin, in a postseason meeting between two programs that have shown plenty of potential throughout the regular season.
The Bulldogs will look to quarterback AJ Jackson to lead the way. Jackson has thrown for 1,577 yards and 16 touchdowns this season, helping keep Smyrna’s offense productive.
Gallatin brings a balanced offensive attack of its own, with Landry Roddy, Jameer Alexander, K’Saun Barksdale, Jojo McMurray and Kage Johnson all playing important roles. Both teams have also shown they can bring physicality on the defensive side of the ball.
With familiarity on both sidelines and a playoff spot on the line, this one has all the makings of an entertaining postseason battle. For Williams, it also adds another layer to an already intriguing first-round matchup.
Blackman (6-4) at Green Hill (8-2)
The Blaze head to Wilson County for a first-round matchup against a No. 1-seeded Green Hill team that has finished the regular season in impressive fashion, riding a five-game winning streak into the playoffs.
Blackman is a team that shouldn’t be overlooked. The Blaze essentially played a playoff game last week against Rockvale, battling for the final postseason spot in the region. That experience could prove valuable against a talented Green Hill squad.
The Hawks will have their hands full with Will Butler, a Mr. Football candidate who has shown an ability to impact the game from anywhere on the field. For Blackman, quarterback Chase Bell will be the key to keeping the offense moving. Bell threw for 209 yards and a touchdown in last week’s win over Rockvale to help secure the Blaze’s postseason berth.
Cheatham County (7-3) at White House Heritage (5-5)
If you enjoy high-powered offenses, this is a matchup worth watching. Both teams have shown a willingness to put the ball in their quarterbacks’ hands and let their playmakers take over.
White House Heritage quarterback Xavier Murray has thrown for 2,061 yards and 23 touchdowns this season, giving the Patriots a dangerous passing attack. Cheatham County quarterback Luke Austin brings a different dimension, throwing for 561 yards and six touchdowns while adding 958 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground.
With two quarterbacks capable of creating problems in different ways, the defensive units will play a major role in determining who moves on. Whichever team can slow down the opposing quarterback and force the offense out of its rhythm will have a major advantage.
CPA (1-9) at Christian Brothers (6-4)
CPA’s season took an important turn late in the year when the Lions picked up their first win against Knoxville Catholic in the second-to-last game of the regular season. Considering the talent on the Knoxville Catholic roster, that victory showed what CPA is capable of when everything comes together.
Now, the Lions have an opportunity to carry that momentum into the postseason and make some noise before transitioning to an independent schedule next year. Standing in their way is a Christian Brothers team that brings plenty of offensive firepower.
Sophomore quarterback Nate Brick has been the driving force behind the Purple Wave offense, throwing for 2,311 yards and 24 touchdowns this season. CPA will need to find a way to limit Brick’s production and make Christian Brothers work for every possession.
DCA (6-4) at Providence Christian (6-4) (Thursday)
The first round of the DII-A playoffs brings an intriguing matchup between two teams that appear evenly matched on paper.
DCA will lean on its senior offensive duo of King Gardner and Riley Biddle, who have been major contributors throughout the season. Gardner has recorded 1,163 all-purpose yards, while Biddle has added 1,041. Together, the two have accounted for 24 touchdowns, making them a major part of the Wildcats’ offensive success.
Providence Christian, however, has shown it can slow down talented offenses. The Lions recently limited a powerful MTCS offense to just 14 points, with their defense making plays at every level. If Providence Christian can carry that defensive performance into Friday night, it could create opportunities for its offense to take control.
Father Ryan (3-7) at McCallie (4-6)
Father Ryan heads to Chattanooga for a first-round DII-AAA playoff matchup against a McCallie team it nearly took down earlier this season.
The Irish fell just short in their Week 3 meeting, losing 23-16, giving them reason to believe they can compete with the Blue Tornadoes once again. McCallie has not quite looked like some of its teams from previous seasons, creating an opportunity for Father Ryan to pull off a road playoff win.
For head coach Zach Mettenberger, this matchup presents a chance to secure his first playoff victory at the helm of the Irish program.
There is also some recent postseason history between these two programs. The teams met in the first round last season, with McCallie coming away with a convincing 59-20 victory. Father Ryan will have an opportunity to show just how much it has grown since that meeting.
Independence (4-6) at Clarksville (7-3)
If this matchup isn’t already on your radar, it should be. Independence’s high-powered offense will face one of the more difficult defensive challenges in the area when the Eagles travel to Clarksville.
The Eagles have averaged 23.9 points per game behind the connection between quarterback Matthew Horner and wide receiver Brody Bullock. The duo has combined for 4,063 total yards and 34 touchdowns, making them the engine behind Independence’s offensive production.
Clarksville brings a defense that has allowed just 16.6 points per game and recorded three shutouts this season. The Wildcats have shown they can make life difficult for opposing offenses, but containing the Horner-to-Bullock connection will be a major test.
This matchup could ultimately come down to which group of playmakers makes the biggest impact when it matters most.
Lawson (6-4) at Station Camp (5-5)
One name Lawson will need to keep an eye on Friday night is Station Camp quarterback Colton Overbey.
The senior playmaker has put together an impressive season, recording 2,591 total yards and 36 touchdowns. His ability to create plays and keep the Bison offense moving will make him a major challenge for the Lightning defense.
Lawson will need to find ways to limit Overbey’s production while taking advantage of its own opportunities on the offensive side. In a playoff matchup where every possession matters, the ability to capitalize on mistakes could make all the difference.
There is also a little history on the line for the Lightning. A win would mark the program’s first playoff victory since changing from its former identity as Hillwood High School.
Liberty Creek (7-3) at Spring Hill (8-2)
Both Liberty Creek and Spring Hill enter the postseason after putting together regular seasons that exceeded expectations. Now, each program has an opportunity to turn that success into a playoff run.
The Wolves have found success through a balanced team approach and have challenged themselves against a difficult schedule that included East Robertson, Pearl-Cohn and Springfield. Those matchups have helped prepare Liberty Creek for the challenge that awaits in Spring Hill.
The Raiders have their own reason to be excited about Friday night. Spring Hill is coming off its best season record in more than 22 years, making this playoff appearance a meaningful milestone for the program.
With both teams looking to build on successful regular seasons, this first-round matchup gives one of them a chance to keep an unexpected season alive.
Westmoreland (6-4) at Stewart County (8-2)
Westmoreland hits the road for a first-round matchup against a Stewart County team led by quarterback Anthony Bisogno.
Bisogno has thrown for 1,646 yards and 20 touchdowns this season, giving the Rebels a productive passing attack that the Eagles will need to find a way to contain. Westmoreland will have to bring a physical defensive approach and make life difficult for Bisogno in the pocket.
The Eagles have shown they are capable of doing just that throughout the season, and their recent offensive production gives them another reason for confidence heading into the postseason.
Westmoreland has scored 83 points over its last three games, showing an uptick in production at the right time. If the Eagles can carry that momentum into Friday night while slowing down Stewart County’s passing game, they have an opportunity to make a first-round statement.
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.
