BLITZ: High school football game previews - Week 1
7 p.m. games
USJ (1-0) at TCA (0-1)
Last year's score: TCA 35, USJ 0
Players to watch: USJ QB Easton Underwood; TCA LB Andrew Goldsmith
What to know: The Lions failed to come back a week ago, while the Bruins' earned a lop-sided win. TCA will try to bounce back against a team that had a hard time handling its pass offense a year ago.
Hardin Co. (1-0) at North Side (1-0)
Last year's score: North Side 30, Hardin Co. 22
Players to watch: Hardin Co. RB Brandon Luna; North Side lineman Rondarius McKinney
What to know: These teams won their Week 0 games by a combined score of 90-0. This game could have plenty of points scored, but the defenses will certainly be tested as well.
Crockett Co. (1-0) at South Side (0-1)
Last year's score: Crockett Co. 55, South Side 0
Players to watch: Crockett Co. QB Cade Parlowe; South Side LB Ju'wan Carter
What to know: The Cavaliers manhandled the Hawks a year ago, and South Side wants to avoid that at home this time around.
Donelson Christian (1-0) at Jackson Christian (0-1)
Last year's score: Donelson Chr. 45, Jackson Chr. 13
Player to watch: Jackson Chr. LB Ethan Payne
What to know: The Eagles look to prove they can play defense while trying to get their first win of the season.
Fayette-Ware (0-1) at JCM (0-1)
Last year's score: JCM 55, Fayette-Ware 20
Player to watch: JCM lineman Maleic Clark
What to know: Ball control was the problem for the Cougars last week. Competition level drops considerably this week, but four JCM turnovers in the first half might end Fayette-Ware's losing streak.
Liberty (1-0) at Brentwood Acad. (1-0)
Last year's score: Brentwood Aca. 45, Liberty 7
Player to watch: Liberty WR Ajan White
What to know: After beating a defending state champion last week, the Crusaders go on the road to take on one of the top programs in the South tonight. Another tough test looms in Middle Tennessee.
Milan (1-0) at Humboldt (1-0)
Last year's score: Humboldt 26, Milan 21
Players to watch: Milan WR Jordan Sturdivant; Humboldt RB Cornelius Watson
What to know: The Bulldogs and Vikings have one of the oldest rivalries in West Tennessee, and both teams are trying to prove themselves after opening with a victory last week.
South Gibson (0-1) at Chester Co. (0-1)
Last year's score: South Gibson 38, Chester Co. 10
Players to watch: South Gibson RB Tyler Dysart; Chester Co. QB Sam Kesler
What to know: The Hornets dominated last year during a rough week off the field for the Eagles. Both teams are coming off heart-breaking losses last week.
Huntingdon (1-0) at Westview (1-0)
Last year's score: Huntingdon 20, Westview 19
Players to watch: Huntingdon lineman Michael Pritchard; Westview QB Dallas Callins
What to know: Both teams looked impressive last week in their high-scoring wins in which defense worked as well. One of these old rivals will carry a lot of momentum into district play next week.
Peabody (1-0) at Dresden (0-1)
Last year's score: Peabody 15, Dresden 3
Players to watch: Peabody DL Grant McEwen; Dresden lineman Dillon Jolley
What to know: This matchup last year was Peabody's worst offensive performance last year. The Lions are trying to come off a sub-par road performance last week, while the Golden Tide are looking for their second consecutive win over a District 13-A team.
Lexington (0-1) at Riverside (0-1)
Last year's score: Lexington 22, Riverside 14
Players to watch: Lexington K Ryan Courtright; Riverside LB Cannon Duke
What to know: Both teams had their chances to win against quality competition last week but failed. This game will match a couple of athletic backfields against each other that could see a lot of points scored.
Bolivar (0-1) at Adamsville (1-0)
Last year's score: Adamsville 42, Bolivar 6
Players to watch: Adamsville LB Jacob Dengler; Bolivar WR Javonte Crisp
What to know: Adamsville had to fight hard for its win last week, while Bolivar didn't show a lot of fight early on in its loss. The Tigers will try to make their defense look a lot more stout than it did last week and last year against the Cardinals.
Dyersburg (1-0) at Haywood (1-0)
Last year's score: Haywood 46, Dyersburg 24
Player to watch: Haywood QB Wil Austin
What to know: This game saw one of the area's bigger upsets of the entire season when the Tomcats surprised the undermanned Trojans. Haywood comes back a lot more experienced, while Dyersburg won't be as big or fast as it was last year.
Scotts Hill (1-0) at Gibson Co. (0-1)
Last year's score: Scotts Hill 39, Gibson Co. 18
Players to watch: Scotts Hill RB Kobe Rogers; Gibson Co. LB Josh Bailey
What to know: The Lions have been one of the more surprising teams so far this season.
West Carroll (1-0) at Harding Academy (0-1)
Last year's score: Harding Aca. 34, West Carroll 12
Player to watch: West Carroll lineman Michael Huff
What to know: The War Eagles have a long road trip against a good team tonight. They nearly pulled off a big win last week.
Middleton (0-1) at East Union, Miss.(1-0)
Last year's score: East Union 47, Middleton 36
Player to watch: Middleton WR Kane Howard
What to know: Middleton's problem last week was a lack of defense. If the Tigers can make a few stops and create scoring opportunities, things could go differently for the road team in this one.
McNairy (0-0) at Kossuth, Miss. (1-0)
Last year's score: McNairy 16, Kossuth 10
Player to watch: McNairy lineman Isaiah Robinson
What to know: The Chad Hodge Era begins tonight south of the border. It's time to see how much all the work the Bobcats have put in over the last four months will pay off.
7:30 games
Union City (1-0) at McKenzie (0-1)
Last year's score: McKenzie 35, Union City 14
Player to watch: McKenzie RB Noah Lowrance
What to know: This game was Union City's only loss last year, but it was also the Golden Tornadoes' first of the season in which they were still working kinks out. They've got a game under their belts this week and could be a more difficult team to stop and force five fumbles.
Greenfield (0-1) at Gleason (1-0)
Last year's score: Gleason 51, Greenfield 16
Players to watch: Greenfield DB John David Ricketts; Gleason DE Jake Horn
What to know: The Yellowjackets showed some offensive firepower last week in a narrow loss, so fans could see a shootout tonight in Tater Town.
McEwen (0-1) at Bruceton (1-0)
Last year's score: Bruceton 47, McEwen 13
Player to watch: Bruceton lineman Damathis Parker
What to know: The Tigers compete well when they play teams their size, and this is one of those games.
Fairview (1-0) at Camden (1-0)
Last year's score: Fairview 19, Camden 7
Player to watch: Camden DL Isaac Whitely
What to know: The first district game of the year in the area will kick off tonight in Benton County. The Lions are at a disadvantage with one fewer day to prepare after a Saturday game last week, but they don't have to travel nearly two hours to play either.
Compiled by Brandon Shields