Week 13 Top 10 area games: Lipscomb Academy, Ensworth tangle for semifinal berth
0
0
The second round of the postseason sends several home winners on the road this week, while some others who enjoyed first-round byes jump back into action with several Division II semifinal berths at stake.
Here are our choices for the top 10 playoff games with area teams on the docket this week:
Spotlight Game: Lipscomb Academy (6-4) at Ensworth (5-5)
Our spotlight game of the week heads to Ensworth, where the Tigers will get another shot at a Lipscomb Academy team that handed them a 49-14 loss in Week 5. This time around, however, the matchup feels a little different. Ensworth has steadily found its footing in the second half of the season and enters the postseason playing some of its better football.
A major reason for the Tigers’ optimism is Mr. Football semifinalist EJ Gibson. The talented running back has rushed for 1,502 yards and 10 touchdowns this season and will be a major focus for the Mustang defense.
Lipscomb Academy has plenty of reasons to feel confident, too. Don’t let the Mustangs’ four losses fool you. All four came by six points or fewer, showing just how competitive this team has been against its schedule. With a chance to advance to the quarterfinals, Ensworth will need to find a way to finish what it couldn’t in the first meeting.
Cleveland (10-1) at Green Hill (9-2)
Green Hill welcomes a one-loss Cleveland team to Wilson County for a second-round matchup after surviving a tough test against Blackman last week.
The Hawks needed every bit of their playmaking ability to get past the Blaze, with Will Butler once again proving to be a Swiss Army knife capable of making an impact all over the field.
Green Hill has quietly put together an impressive season, picking up wins against established programs such as Beech, Ravenwood and Lebanon. Now, the Hawks face another major test against a Cleveland team that has lost just once all season.
The focal point for Green Hill will be quarterback Kason McGowan, who has thrown for 2,401 yards and 25 touchdowns. If the Hawks want to keep their postseason run alive, finding a way to disrupt McGowan and limit Cleveland’s offensive production will be critical.
Covington (8-3) at Fairview (11-0)
The undefeated Yellow Jackets are back at Fairview Stadium for the second round, welcoming a Covington team that has shown it can put points on the board in a hurry.
Fairview has been one of the most dominant teams in the area this season, and much of that success starts with its defense. The Yellow Jackets have recorded four shutouts and have yet to allow more than 16 points in a game, with Stratford reaching that mark in last week’s opening-round matchup.
Covington brings a different kind of challenge. The Chargers have averaged 44 points per game, making them one of the more dangerous offensive teams in this matchup.
It’s a classic strength-versus-strength battle: an explosive offense against a defense that has consistently made life difficult for opposing teams. Something will have to give Friday night, and the winner earns a spot in the quarterfinals.
Henry County (6-5) at Page (10-1)
When Henry County and Page meet in the postseason, there’s usually plenty of familiarity on both sidelines. These two programs have crossed paths multiple times in the playoffs, and Friday’s second-round matchup adds another chapter to the rivalry.
Page will once again lean heavily on its offensive combination of quarterback Cameron Kruse and running back Isaac Otey. Kruse has thrown for 1,770 yards this season, while Otey has added 1,081 rushing yards, giving the Patriots a balanced attack that can challenge defenses in multiple ways.
However, Henry County is far from an unfamiliar opponent. The two teams met in Week 5, with Page escaping with a narrow 21-16 victory.
With the postseason stakes higher this time around, the Patriots will need another strong performance to get past a team that already knows what it takes to give them trouble.
Houston (5-5) at Antioch (11-0)
The Bears’ historic season continues, and now they have another opportunity to make a statement as Houston travels to Antioch for a second-round showdown.
Antioch has been led by Mr. Football semifinalist Andre Adams, who has put together an outstanding season under center. Adams has thrown for 2,757 yards and 24 touchdowns, making him one of the most dangerous quarterbacks remaining in the postseason.
But the Bears won’t have things all their own way. Houston brings a talented running back of its own in junior Raderius Robertson, who has rushed for 1,212 yards and 16 touchdowns this season.
The Antioch defense will have its hands full trying to contain Robertson and keep Houston from controlling the tempo. With the Bears continuing to chase a historic postseason run, this is another opportunity to prove they belong among the state’s best.
MBA (9-2) at Briarcrest (9-1)
MBA heads west to Shelby County for a second-round matchup against a Briarcrest team that enters the postseason well-rested and carrying just one loss.
The Big Red have a tall task ahead of them, especially after a close opening-round victory over MUS. MBA managed to get through that contest without quarterback Charlie Verner, making its ability to rally together a major storyline heading into Friday night.
If the Big Red want to make the trip back to Nashville with a victory, they’ll need a complete team effort against a talented Saints squad. Briarcrest quarterback Cayden Dixon has thrown for 1,598 yards and 17 touchdowns this season, giving the Saints a reliable offensive leader. With only one loss on the year, Briarcrest has shown it can compete with just about anyone.
MBA will need to bring its best performance of the season if it wants to keep its championship hopes alive.
Oakland (9-2) at Maryville (10-1)
Get your popcorn ready. Oakland heads east for a second-round matchup against a Maryville program it has become quite familiar with over the years. These two powerhouses have traditionally crossed paths in the later stages of the postseason, but this time, one season will end before the quarterfinals.
Oakland’s powerful rushing attack will be a major storyline. Jacob Vaughn and Donte Cameron have combined for 1,922 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns, giving the Patriots a ground game capable of wearing down even the toughest defenses.
Don’t overlook the passing attack, either. Quarterback Kam Morton has thrown for 1,111 yards and 12 touchdowns, giving Oakland another way to put pressure on opposing defenses.
Maryville has a superstar of its own in Mr. Football candidate Will Jones. The talented playmaker has recorded 2,732 all-purpose yards and 40 touchdowns, making him one of the most dangerous players in the state.
Between these two programs, there are 26 combined state championships. That’s a whole lot of championship pedigree sharing the same field Friday night.
Springfield (10-1) at Haywood (9-2)
Springfield heads west for a second-round matchup against a Haywood team that has been just as battle-tested throughout the regular season. With both programs bringing plenty of talent to the field, this one has the potential to turn into a physical postseason showdown.
The Yellow Jackets have been as balanced as they come offensively. Kason Woodson leads the passing attack, Amiron Leavell provides a spark in the ground game, and Jermaine Cobbins has been a difference-maker on both sides of the ball. All three have surpassed 1,000 total yards this season, giving Springfield multiple ways to attack opposing defenses.
Haywood will counter with a rushing attack that has powered its success all season. Jaden Butler and Braden Harvey have combined for 2,258 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns, giving the Tomcats a dangerous one-two punch.
With two teams capable of controlling the game on the ground and creating explosive plays, the battle in the trenches could ultimately determine who advances.
Trinity Christian (9-1) at Nashville Christian (8-2)
Nashville Christian welcomes a one-loss Trinity Christian team for a quarterfinal matchup that should provide plenty of fireworks.
The Lions bring a powerful rushing attack led by Joe Cole, who has rushed for 1,111 yards and 18 touchdowns through nine games. Trinity Christian will look to establish that ground game early and put pressure on the Nashville Christian defense.
The Eagles, meanwhile, bring a more balanced offensive approach behind quarterback Tate Mathis and halfback Hudson Smith. Their ability to attack through the air and on the ground gives Nashville Christian multiple ways to put points on the board.
Nashville Christian has its sights set on something special: a third consecutive state championship. But before the Eagles can take another step toward that goal, they’ll have to get past a talented Lions squad that has proven capable of making a postseason run of its own.
Whitehaven (8-2) at Ravenwood (9-2)
Two 6A powerhouses meet in Brentwood on Friday night as Whitehaven travels north to take on a physical Ravenwood team in a second-round showdown.
Ravenwood’s season didn’t get off to the start it wanted, but the Raptors have continued to improve and have become a difficult team to score against. Their defense has been especially impressive, holding five opponents to seven points or fewer. Players like Caden Pace have helped lead the way as Ravenwood looks to keep its postseason run alive.
Whitehaven brings a similar defensive identity. The Tigers have dropped just two games this season and have held five opponents to eight points or fewer.
With both teams built around physical defenses and the ability to make life difficult for opposing offenses, points could be hard to come by Friday night. In a matchup between two programs with serious postseason aspirations, one big play could be the difference between advancing and heading home.
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.
