Week 9 is big time region week as several Region titles should be settled as huge games are across the board in the state of Tennessee.
Here’s my list of the nine biggest games statewide in week nine.
East
Greeneville Greene Devils (7-0, 4-0) at Cherokee Chiefs (6-1, 4-0)
Head Coaches- Greeneville- Caine Ballard (88-14 in eight years at Greeneville); Cherokee- Cody Baugh (6-1 in first year at Cherokee)
AP Rankings- Greeneville- No. 2 in 4A; Cherokee- Unranked in 4A
Scoring Averages- Greeneville- 48.1/6.1; Cherokee- 43.7/24.4
Last Year’s Result- Greeneville 42-0
Returning Starters- Greeneville- 6/6; Cherokee- 7/7
Players To Watch- Greeneville- Donovan Barner (RB, Sr.), Leau Alston Williams (FB/DE, Sr.), Takeem Young (DB/WR, Sr.), Cody Hartness (TE, Sr.), Cade Ballard (QB, Soph.), Ethan Ellis (PK/P Sr.), Evan Grooms (OL/DL, Sr.), Spencer Marsh (OL, Sr.), Garrin Shuffler (RB/DB, Soph.), Jostyn Ricker (DL, Sr.), Seth Crawford (WR, Jr.), Andrew Duckworth (LB/RB, Sr.), Dorien Goddard (WR/DB, Soph.), Cameron Hite (LB/WR, Soph.), Nathaniel Moon (WR, Jr.) , Tevarreous Anderson (OL/DL, Sr.), Nick Rideout (OL/DL, Jr.), Dylan DeBusk (WR, Sr.), Jake Tillery (DB, Sr.), Logan Shipley (DL/RB, Soph.)
Cherokee- Huston Hamilton (RB/LB, Sr.), Jeremiah Bragg (ATH, Sr.), Fletcher Hickman (ATH, Sr.), Eion Hughes (DB, Sr.), Dillon Frazier (LB, Sr.), Lucas Miskus (DL, Sr.), Grayson Cowan (TE/DE, Sr.), Collin Trent (QB, Fr.), Connor Smith (ATH, Fr.), Jahpeth Curtsinger (RB/LB, Soph.)
Keys to the Game- Greeneville will shoot for their 59th straight region win as they visit Rogersville to take on Cherokee. First place in on the line in region 1-4A as the Greene Devils led by sophomore quarterback Cade Ballard will tangle with a wide open Cherokee Offense led by freshman quarterback Collin Trent and versatile senior Jeremiah Bragg.
McMinn County Cherokees (6-1, 3-0) at Ooltewah Owls (5-2, 2-1)
Head Coaches- McMinn County- Bo Cagle (61-44 in 11 years at McMinn); Ooltewah- Mac Bryan (35-9 in three seasons at Ooltewah)
AP Rankings- McMinn County- No. 4 in 5A; Ooltewah- Unranked in 5A
Scoring Averages- McMinn County- 37.3/16.4; Ooltewah- 38.4/21.0
Last Year’s Result- Ooltewah 41-0
Returning Starters- McMinn County- 5/5; Ooltewah- 4/2
Players To Watch- McMinn County- James Moore (OL, Sr.), Mason Bortle (OL, Jr.), Jake Watson (OL, Sr.), Xayvier Beckingham (DL, Sr.), Roman Lockmiller (DE/TE, Sr.), Xavier Abernathy (RB/S, Sr.) Julion Santos (RB/S, Sr.), Tabre Abernathy (RB/LB, Jr.), Collin Hockman (WR, Sr.), Chris Knowles (WR, Sr.)
Ooltewah- Cameron Turner (RB/LB, Sr.), Scottie Strickland (WR, Sr.), Joseph Norwood (WR, Jr.), Will Whitson (DE, Sr.), Avery Black (OL, Sr.), Josh Myrick (OL, Sr.), Ethan Wall (WR, Sr.), Kendall Robinson (DB, Sr.), Gene Myers (LB, Sr.), Collin Thurman (QB, Sr.)
Keys to the Game- McMinn County will try and inch closer to a region 4-5A title with a win over Ooltewah after beating previously undefeated Oak Ridge last week. Quarterback Collin Thurman will lead the Owl offense as they try for the upset.
Bradley Central Bears (7-0, 4-0) at Hardin Valley Hawks (5-2, 3-1)
Head Coaches- Bradley Central- Damon Floyd (61-53 in 11 years at Bradley); Hardin Valley- Wes Jones (70-86 overall, 41-42 in eight years at Hardin Valley)
AP Rankings- Bradley Central- No. 4 in 6A; Hardin Valley- Unranked in 6A
Scoring Averages- Bradley Central- 32.1/19.0; Hardin Valley- 28.4/9.9
Last Year’s Result- Bradley Central 18-8
Returning Starters- Bradley Central- 8/7; Hardin Valley- 6/4
Players To Watch- Bradley Central- Key Returnees-Cole Copeland (QB, Sr., UTC commitment), Cason Still (S, Sr.), Jake Tolleson (LB, Sr.), Jake Presley (S, Jr.), Hunter Duggan (LB, Sr.), Jay Person (LB, Jr.), Henley Headrick (LB, Jr.), Kevin Gentry (DL, Jr.), Maliek Whaley (DL, Sr.) Chris Keller (OL, Sr.), Tyler Collier (OL, Jr.), Christopher Cash (OL, Jr.), Trevon Hill (WR, Sr.), Nick Howell (WR, Jr.) Lamerick Tucker (WR, Jr.), Adam Mullis (RB, Jr.), Devin Moore (RB, Jr.),
Hardin Valley- Gavin Greene (QB, Sr.), Tim Frizzell (LB, Sr.), Aaron Dykes (RB, Jr.), Colton Burns (RB, Sr.), Thomas Clay (WR, Sr.), Rook Landers (LB, Sr.), Ellis Chapman (FB/LB, Sr.), Elijah Richardson (LB, Jr.), Elijah Jones (DL, Sr.)
Keys to the Game- The Bears will try to stay undefeated against region 1-6A opponent Hardin Valley as they are a couple of weeks away from their big show down with Maryville. UTC commitment Cole Copeland will jump start the Bradley offense and running back Aaron Dykes shoulders a large part of the Hawks offense
Middle
Shelbyville Eagles (5-2, 2-2) at Stewarts Creek Red Hawks (4-3, 3-1)
Head Coaches- Shelbyville- Justin Palmer (8-9 overall, 5-2 in first year at Shelbyville)
Stewarts Creek- David Martin (225-120 overall, 13-24 in four years at Stewarts Creek)
AP Rankings- Both schools are unranked in 5A
Scoring Averages- Shelbyville- 37.7/31.9; Stewarts Creek- 26.1/27.1
Last Year’s Result- Stewarts Creek 49-35
Returning Starters- Shelbyville-7/8; Stewarts Creek- 7/7
Players To Watch- Shelbyville- Jamal Harden (RB/LB, Sr.), Treavan Bailey (OL/DL, Sr.), Corvin Giles (WR/DB), David Rutledge (TE/LB, Sr.), Jack Mitchell (OL/DL, Sr.), Triston Maxwell (OL/LB, Sr.), Darius Young (WR/DB, Sr.), Noah Mason (WR/K/P, Sr.), Avery Brown (WR/DB, Jr.), Luke Davidson (WR/DB, Jr.)
Stewarts Creek- Tayne Davis (QB, Sr.), Zach Long (FB, Sr.), Tre Bailliez (RB/S, Sr.), Ke’shawn Walker (RB/S, Sr.), Aaron Foster (OT, Sr.), Gavin White (OG, Sr.), Cameron Graff (OG, Jr.), Jon Braxton Brewer (OT, Sr.), Jordan Rouse (WR/DB, Sr.), Mit Patel (WR, Sr.), James Finley (WR, Jr.), Marcus Clemons (DE, Sr.), Adarius Wilkerson (LB, Jr.), Noah Owen (DB, Jr.), Loyd Rogers (S, Jr.), Daniel Bridges (NG, Sr.), Jared Foxx (DL, Sr.), Trey Greene (DL, Jr.),
Keys to the Game- Shelbyville under first year head coach Justin Palmer will try and gain revenge for last year’s 49-35 loss to Stewarts Creek as running back Jamal Harden will power the Eagle offense. Stewarts Creek is moving in on the school’s first ever Playoff appearance and a win over Shelbyville will definitely help those chances as the Red Hawks Wing T attack is led by Zach Long, Tre Bailliez and Ke’shawn Walker.
Middle Tennessee Christian Cougars (7-1, 5-1) at Trousdale County Yellow Jackets (6-1, 4-1)
Head Coaches- MTCS- Fred Shambaugh (22-7 in three years at MTCS); Trousdale County- David Barker (13-5 in two year at Trousdale County)
AP Rankings- MTCS- Unranked in 1A; Trousdale County- No. 8 in 1A
Scoring Averages- MTCS- 42.1/13.9; Trousdale County- 32.1/6.0
Last Year’s Result- Trousdale County 39-21
Returning Starters- MTCS- 6/7; Trousdale County- 8/8
Players To Watch- MTCS- Joseph Peck (QB/DB, Sr.), Grant Pickard (WR/LB, Jr.), Taylor Gardner (WR/DB, Sr.), Mason Williams (OL/LB, Soph.), Matt Swift (OL/DL, Jr.)
Trousdale County- Tanner Lannom (RB/LB, Sr.), Mason Quinn (OL/DL, Sr.), Colton Gammons (RB/SS, Sr.), Austin Harrison (OL/DL, Sr.), Austin Ford (WR/DB, Sr.), Isiah Harper (RB/FS, Jr.), Dustin Osaile (OL/LB, Jr.), Easton Stacy (WR/DB, Sr.), Steve McClain (RB/LB, Jr.), Jake Gregory (TE/DE, Soph.), Keyvont Baines (QB/DB, Soph.), Logan Hewitt (QB, Jr.)
Keys to the Game- A huge region 5-1A game as both teams have one loss in the region and are currently chasing Nashville Christian and Gordonsville. The MTCS offense is spearheaded by quarterback Joseph Peck who is a dual running and passing threat. Trousdale has a ton of running backs that get involved in the running game including Tanner Lannom, Isiah Harper, Steve McClain and Keyvont Baines as well as quarterback Logan Hewitt.
Nashville Christian Eagles (5-2, 5-0) at Gordonsville Tigers (5-2, 5-0)
Head Coaches-Nashville Christian- Jeff Brothers (95-64 overall, 67-19 in seven years at Nashville Christian);
Gordonsville- Head Coach- Ron Marshall (74-58 overall, 53-31 in eight years at Gordonsville)
AP Rankings- Nashville Christian- No. 7 in 1A; Gordonsville- Unranked in 1A
Scoring Averages- Nashville Christian-43.9/9.3; Gordonsville-28.7/17.4
Last Year’s Result- Nashville Christian 53-6
Returning Starters- Nashville Christian- 1/4; Gordonsville- 11/10
Players To Watch- Nashville Christian- Slater Howard (DB, Sr.), Jack Elliot (OL/DL, Jr.), Warren Hanson (OL/DL, Jr.), Maverick Marlin (OL/DL, Jr.), Jesse Watson (WR/DB, Jr.), Daniel Watson (FB/LB, Jr.), Lelan Wilhoite (RB/LB, Jr.), Brant Lawless (DL, Jr.), Xavier Myers (RB/DB, Soph.), Joseph Dyer (OL/DL, Soph.), Noah Schurmann (OL/DL, Sr.), Bryce Pemberton (QB, Sr.)
Gordonsville- Tristan Pope (OL, Jr.), Hunter Vaught (OL, Jr.), Justin Vaden (DB, Sr.), Dylan Askew (DB, Jr.), Braxton Givens (RB, Soph.), Jay Vaden (WR/DB, Sr.), Koby Watts (DL, Sr.), Jacob Lancaster (LB, Sr.) Dakoda Washer DB, Sr.), Sheldon Harris (RB/LB, Sr.), Adam Goolsby (QB, Soph.)
Keys to the Game- The winner takes sole possession of first place of region 5-1A as both teams come into the game unbeaten at 5-0 in the region, while the loser will go into a tie for second place in the region. Nashville Christian quarterback Bryce Pemberton has done a good job of running the Eagle offense and can lean on junior running back Lelan Wilhoite for help. Gordonsville has gotten great play from its sophomore quarterback as well in Adam Goolsby.
West
Union City Tornadoes (8-0, 6-0) at Dresden Lions (7-0, 5-0)
Head Coaches-Union City- Darren Bowling (193-85 overall, 86-23 in eight years at Union City); Dresden-Derek Rang (36-10 overall, 24-8 in three years at Dresden)
AP Rankings- Union City- No. 2 in 1A; Dresden- No. 1 in 1A
Scoring Averages- Union City- 56.8/12.2; Dresden- 49.7/3.4
Last Year’s Result- Union City 35-18
Returning Starters- Union City-5/4; Dresden-8/9
Players To Watch- Union City- Thomas Barnes (OL, Sr.), Tucker Kennedy (FB/LB, Sr.), Jeremy Bumpus (DE, Sr.), Andrew Easley (DB, Jr.), Wilton Wade (OL/DL, Jr.), Colton Quick (OL/DL, Jr.), Austin Jernigan (OL/DL, Jr.), Derek Grey (DL, Sr.), Deonte Miller (DB/WR, Soph.), Braxton Miller (QB/LB, Jr.)
Dresden- Key Returnees- Dresser Winn (QB, Sr.), Quincy McDonald (ATH, Sr.), Dylan Yates (RB/LB, Sr.), Austin Thomas (WR/DB, Sr.), Blase Cashion (DB/LB, Sr.), Brice Williams (WR, Sr.), Jordan Mitchell (LB, OL, Sr.), Jake Cantrell (OL/DL, Jr.), Kyle Hutcherson (WR/DB, Sr.), Fernando Serrano (OL/DL, Jr.), Devin Mansfield (OL/DL, Sr.), Ricco Taylor (DB, Jr.) Hudson Nanney (LB, Jr.) Dalton Meadows (OL/DL, Sr.), Braden Cooper (OL, Sr.)
Keys to the Game- Huge state wide implications here as the top two teams in 1A meet with a region 7-1A title on the line as Union City (No. 2 in 1A) is the current Region kingpin with a 31 game region winning streak on the line. Dresden (No.1 in 1A) has a current seven game Region winning streak as well and are led by 2015 Mr. Football Back winner Dresser Winn at quarterback.
Briarcrest Saints (6-1, 1-0) at MUS Owls (7-0, 1-0)
Head Coaches- Briarcrest- Brian Stewart (57-44 overall, 20-11 in three years at Briarcrest); MUS- Bobby Alston (150-66 in 19 years at MUS)
AP Rankings- Briarcrest- No. 5 in Division II; MUS- No. 1 in Division II
Scoring Averages- Briarcrest- 36.6/20.3; MUS-34.8/9.9
Last Year’s Result-MUS 31-12
Returning Starters- Briarcrest-7/8; MUS- 6/6
Players To Watch- Briarcrest- Randall Booker (DB, Sr.), Dayton Leach (WR, Sr.), Jake Powers (WR/DB, Sr.), D.J. Robinson (TE/DE, Sr.), Charles Elliott (RB/DB, Sr.), Will Gentry (OL/DL, Sr.), Griffin Hawkins (OL/DL, Sr.), Will Barto (LB, Sr.), Christian Satterfield (LB, Jr.), Jackson Walker (QB, Soph.), Hunter McGaw (OL/DL, Jr.)
MUS- Jalon Love (RB/DB, Sr.), Bradley Foley (RB, Sr.), Josh Gray (TE/LB, Sr.), Evan Smith (RB/LB, Sr.), Eli Christenbury (OL/DL, Sr.), Kobe Gibson (OL, Sr.), Steven Regis (QB, Sr.), Harrison Tabor (OL, Sr.), John Carter (DL, Jr.), Oganna Oraedu (DL, Sr.), Evan Smith (LB, Sr.), Buchanan Dunavant (LB, Jr.), Maurice Hampton (DB, Soph., LSU commitment), Ryan Pahlow (RB/S, Sr.), John Bolton (DB, Jr.), Bobby Wade (S, Jr.)
Keys to the Game- It’s a battle of unbeaten Division II West foes meet at MUS as Briarcrest tangles with MUS. Briarcrest is coming off a huge region win over Christian Brothers behind sophomore quarterback Jackson Walker. MUS counters with a talented quarterback of their own in Steven Regis but the Owls biggest weapon could be kicker Trey Thomas who has already kicked 16 field goals this season.
Liberty Crusaders (5-2, 3-0) at South Gibson Hornets (7-0, 3-0)
Head Coaches-Liberty- Tyler Turner (18-3 in two years at Liberty); South Gibson- Scott Stidham (37-25 in seven years at South Gibson)
AP Rankings- Liberty- No. 6 in 3A; South Gibson- Unranked in 3A
Scoring Averages- Liberty- 28.4/18.9; South Gibson-36.1/19.6
Last Year’s Result- Liberty 48-0
Returning Starters- Liberty-5/5; South Gibson-6/7
Players To Watch- Liberty- Corey Newble (QB, Sr.), Rodney Castille (WR, Sr.), Alec Long (SS, Sr., Memphis commitment), Elijah Harris (DE, Sr., Memphis commitment), Trae Dunlap (FS, Sr.), Johntazzie Montague (C, Sr,) Kendarius Holliman (RB/DB, Jr.) Laderian Harris (OL, Jr.), Michael Brown (OL, Jr.)
South Gibson- William Parker (OL/DL, Sr.), Conner Warren (OL/DL, Jr.), Matt Johnson (OL/DL, Sr.), Chazz Sawyers (OL/DL, Jr.), Aalyc Walker (WR/DB, Sr.), Will Corbin (WR/DB, Jr.), Ryan Black (OL/DL, Jr.), Krayton Woods (OL/DL, Jr.), Levi Schlesinger (LB/RB, Jr.), C.J Sharp LRB/RB, Jr.), Calem Rich (DB/RB, Sr.), Dustin Moore (OLB/QB, Jr.), Dre McAllister (RB, Jr.)
Keys to the Game- A big region 7-3A battle as both teams are undefeated in the region. Liberty has two Memphis commitments leading their defense in Alec Long and Elijah Harris while South Gibson will respond with the three prong rushing attack of juniors Dustin Moore, C.J. Sharp and Dre McAllister.
Contact Donovan at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter at Examine_Stew
