Franklin Rebels (6A) at Ravenwood Raptors (6A)
Friday at 7:00 pm, Region 3-6A, MyTV30 – WUXP’s Friday Night Rivals Game of the Week
Franklin (3-1, 1-0) thumped the Bruins and notched its fourth straight win over rival Brentwood 41-7 last Friday night. Wideout Alex Gaca led the Rebels with five receptions for 164 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Running back Mitch Rossi added 95 yards rushing on 9 carries and a touchdown. The Rebels run a multiple 4-3 defense with two high safeties and a physical Spread option offense.
3 Keys for Franklin
1. Clean up early turnovers from last week & win the turnover battle
2. Establish the running game, control time of possession, & hit timely play-action passes
3. Take the Raptors run game away & force them to be one-dimensional through the air
Ravenwood (2-2, 1-0) fought back from a 14-0 deficit but lost a tough contest to Centennial 21-14. McCain Marrow completed 21-39 passes for 156 yards with an interception and a touchdown, and Ontario Rice added 46 yards rushing and a touchdown to lead the Raptors. The Raptors will use various three and four man fronts on defense and try to stay balanced out of multiple Spread formations on offense.
3 Keys for Ravenwood
1. Convert on 3rd & 4th down to extend drives
2. Stay disciplined on defense against the option; do not get caught looking in the backfield on play-action passes
3. Win on 1st & 2nd down on defense; force Franklin to beat you converting 3rd & long situations
“Coach Speak” Forecast:
This is back to back weeks of rivalry games for the Rebels and the Raptors. However, this rivalry has a lot more on the line with playoff positioning at stake. Franklin sports the best offensive tackle tandem in the Mid-State with Caden Williams and Max Wray paving the way for bruising running back Mitch Rossi. The Raptors counter with a dynamic tandem of their own at linebacker with Tahj Williams and Carter Nelson. The Raptors will have to play disciplined defense against the Rebels Spread option attack and find a way to limit the big play-action passes. The Rebels need to play turnover free, dominate the trenches, and force the Raptors to become one-dimensional on offense. Franklin is looking for its first victory in the series in four years. My sleeper in 6A, Franklin, puts on a show and gets in done Friday night in convincing fashion!
Prediction: Franklin 30, Ravenwood 13
Players Worth the Price of Admission
1. Mitch Rossi – #42 –RB/LB – Franklin
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3912487/57bc464a11fa802f108c240a
2. Max Wray – #75 – OT – Franklin – (4 star, 2018 #3 prospect TN, 247Sports) – Georgia Commit
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/5214511/57c2097ada50b060c065e745
3. Caden Williams – #50 – OT – Franklin – (2 star, 2017 #80 prospect TN, 247Sports)
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3890086/57d60f61f617081bc857d671
4. Alex Gaca – #5 – WR/S – Franklin – (2 star, 2017 #83 prospect TN, 247Sports)
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/5561529/57cb12947bd2f51a545aa384
5. Patrick Leitten – #60 – OT – Ravenwood – (3 star, 2017 #15 prospect TN, 247Sports) – Duke Commit
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/2648855/57b8854b842eb22f1043288b
6. McCain Marrow – #7 – QB – Ravenwood
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4117660/57cf9f36688ec44b8c61447f
7. Tahj Williams – #6 – OLB – Ravenwood
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3890062/57cbb11fe97a845e9cf45a0f
8. Carter Nelson – #25 – MLB/RB – Ravenwood
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3901478/57cb5b830aff7a12ac245fc4
Independence Eagles (5A) at Summit Spartans (5A)
Friday at 7:00 pm, Region 5-5A, Border Battle
Independence (4-0, 1-0) won their 19th consecutive game in a 21-7 victory over Smyrna. The Eagles defense forced seven turnovers, and do-it-all athlete Landon Guidry added an interception, rushing touchdown, and blocked a punt. Defensive back Montray Steele put the defense on the scoreboard with an 85 yard scoop and score off of a Smyrna fumble. Independence likes to strike quick with its no huddle, Spread attack on offense and will feature a fast and aggressive 4-3 defense.
3 Keys for Independence
1. Play fundamentally sound on defense, know your assignment, & do not peek in the backfield
2. Get running back Troy Henderson going quickly with early touches; take pressure off the QB
3. Put Summit in 3rd & long situations & force the Spartans to beat you through the air
Summit (3-1, 1-0) carried their early season momentum and 44 point first half outburst to a 44-6 victory over Lebanon. The Spartans have rattled off three wins in a row and dominated the ground game with 329 yards rushing and six touchdowns Friday night. Running backs Dalton Fisher (9 carries, 147 yards, 2 TDs) and Tai Carter (11 carries, 77 yards, 3 TDs) led the rushing attack for the Spartans. The Spartans will look to control the tempo of the game with their Wing-T offense and line up in a 3-4 on defense.
3 Keys for Summit
1. Establish the running game & control the clock; keep the Eagles offense on the sidelines
2. Generate turnovers & be great tacklers in space
3. Force the Eagles to take another snap & drive the length of field; minimize 20+ yard plays
“Coach Speak” Forecast:
Independence continues to find ways to win, and Summit has surprised some with a fast start to the 2016 campaign. Summit is looking to continue their offensive onslaught and put their program on the map. I cannot think of a better way to announce your arrival than to knock off the defending 5A State Champions, winner of 19 straight games, and favorite to win Region 5-5A. Summit will need to control time of possession with their Wing-T offense, win the turnover battle, make a big play on special teams, and make Independence drive the length of the field for points to have a chance to win this game. Independence needs to continue to realize that every team is going to fire its best shot at them, play fundamentally sound defense verses a tough offense, and get the ball in the hands of their play-makers in space. The atmosphere will be electric for the Border Battle, but Independence will still be King of the Hill with a dominating defensive performance!
Prediction: Independence 28, Summit 13
Players Worth the Price of Admission
1. Landon Guidry – #7 – S/WR – Independence – (3 star 2017 #26 prospect TN, 247Sports) – Miss. St. Commit
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/2931718/57d44c4a7bddf75798f04fb6
2. Troy Henderson – #21 – RB – Independence
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4071944/57d40c117bddf75798f01a46
3. Hunter Dupree – #43 – ILB – Independence
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3443145/57cc68467bddf73e38c6e00b
4. Kendrell Scurry – #11 – WR – Independence – (4 star 2019 #5 prospect TN, 247Sports) – Tenn. Commit
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/5238717/57cad856ed57ee10a053de41
5. Alan Waston – #15 – CB/WR – Independence
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/2995493/57ba369ff617084494cbdb8a
6. Tai Carter – #13 – CB/RB/PR – Summit
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4517904/57caeeceed57ee10a053ea9a
7. Dalton Fisher – #11 – CB/RB – Summit
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/2816539/57d3909ded57ee0ae85fedba
8. Tyler Palmer – #3 – S/RB – Summit
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/5235869/57cef39d688ec533fccc2a5a
Cane Ridge Ravens (5A) at Beech Buccaneers (5A)
Friday at 7:00 pm, Region 6-5A
Cane Ridge (4-0, 1-0) did not show any let down after a huge win two weeks ago and punished McGavock 50-14 last Friday night. The Ravens were led by quarterback DJ Thorpe (19-27, 262 yards, 4 TDs) and wide receiver Shyree Robinson (5 receptions, 113 yards, 1 TD). The Ravens will feature a Spread attack on offense with multiple play-makers and line up in a 3-4 on defense.
3 Keys for Cane Ridge
1. Defense needs to win on 1st & 2nd down, put Beech in 3rd & long situations
2. Limit turnovers & penalties
3. Get play-makers the ball in space & allow them to pick up yards after the catch
Beech (3-1, 2-0) used 14 fourth quarter points to pull out the upset over rival Hendersonville 24-23. Alex Vanzant carried the ball 23 times for 117 yards, and quarterback Chris Peach scrambled for a 23-yard touchdown with a little over a minute left in the game to lead the Buccaneers. The Buccaneers play smash mouth football out of the I-Formation, with a little Wildcat sprinkled in, and line up in a 3-4 on defense.
3 Keys for Beech
1. Tackle well in space & limit the Ravens 20+ yard plays
2. Control the line of scrimmage & play smash mouth football; force the Ravens offense to watch from the sideline
3. Make a big play on special teams
“Coach Speak” Forecast:
This is a huge early match-up in Region 6-5A to determine playoff positioning with Beech already off to a 2-0 start. As both teams still have games with Gallatin and Hillsboro looming, this game could go a long way in determining who the number #1 seed will be and who might get left out of the playoff picture. Cane Ridge has been a scoring machine behind the heady play of quarterback DJ Thorpe and a litany of play-makers all over the field. The Ravens defense has been just as productive and suffocating. Beech is off to a surprising start, especially with the recent upset of rival Hendersonville. Beech must control the line of scrimmage, limit the Ravens offensive possessions, tackle well in space, and make a monster play on special teams to win this ball game. If Cane Ridge will limit their penalties and be on the plus side of the turnover battle, I like the Ravens to secure another impressive victory and continue their march towards an undefeated regular season!
Prediction: Cane Ridge 36, Beech 20
Players Worth the Price of Admission
1. DJ Thorpe – #5 – QB – Cane Ridge
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4249233/57d457f63bd81583481beed4
2. Dewayne Johnson – #33 – OLB/DE – Cane Ridge
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/6132641/57cc3d39688ec62690376e65
3. Christian Lancaster – #12 – WR/CB – Cane Ridge
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4240353/57ca6d1d688ec3675c30f16a
4. Noah Bayless – #44 – LB – Cane Ridge
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3269864/57cb0fc7da511362acdd8dc0
5. Alex Vanzant – #6 – RB/CB – Beech
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4035524/57d759f6688ec5e4b8d8f169
6. Chris Peach – #35 – SS/RB – Beech
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4154611/57d637d6f617081bc85812a3
7. Chaz Williamson – #10 – RB/LB – Beech
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/5279374/57cf86c3e97a8308508a5d57
8. Ty Moore – #84 – TE/LB – Beech
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/5651858/57d41d787bddf75798f02671
“Coach Speak” Season Record: 7-5 (58%)
