HIGH SCHOOL

Week 1 football capsules: See which players to watch this week

Tom Kreager
tkreager@dnj.com
Blackman’s Charlie Davidson (24) runs past Oakland linebacker Kevin Prather (35) during Sunday’s 28-21 win over the Patriots.

Brentwood at Blackman

When: 7 p.m., today

Where: The Inferno

Records: Brentwood is 0-1. Blackman is 1-0.

Last meeting: Blackman defeated Brentwood 38-28 in 2013.

Key players to watch: Brentwood: QB Carson Croy (137 passing ypg), LB Harrison Johnson (14 tackles), DB Gus Hardwick (14 tackles). Blackman: QB Jauan Jennings (100 passing ypg, 70 rushing ypg), RB Charlie Davidson (135 rushing ypg), ATH Ronnie Killings (62 receiving ypg).

Keys to the game: The Blaze will have their 14th consecutive day of either practice or playing on Friday before finally getting a break. It's been physically telling on them. Depth will be a key for Blackman this week. The Blaze will have to play more players than in Week 0 on Sunday.

Oakland's George Gbesee runs toward the end zone to score a touchdown after making a reception in the second quarter Sunday, August 24, 2014 at Blackman.

White Station at Oakland

When: 7 p.m., today

Where: Ray Hughes Stadium

Records: White Station is 0-1. Oakland is 0-1.

Last meeting: Oakland defeated White Station 22-8 in 2013.

Online: MTSNOnline.com.

Key players to watch: White Station: WR Dillon Mitchell (close to 300 all-purpose yards last week, 3 total TDs, offers from Ohio State, Auburn, Mississippi State), DB Redie Frye, OL Evan Gregory (preseason all-state lineman). Oakland: ATH George Gbesee (135 receiving ypg), LB Greg Cantrell (13 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble), QB Christian Haffner (195 passing ypg).

Keys to the game: Oakland will play several different players with injuries to right tackle Jack Jones, linebacker Josh Smith and overheating of Anthony Akers. How they mesh will be interesting. Jacob Lowery will replace Jones on the line. Jackson Cauthen will see some time at linebacker in place of Smith. Chris Onwumere, Jay Hathaway and freshman Dre Litaker will split time on the defensive line in place of Akers.

Riverdale's Cortland Owens pulls back to pass the ball during the week zero game against Siegel at Siegel, on Friday,  August  22, 2014.

Bradley Central at Riverdale

When: 7 p.m., today

Where: Tomahawk Stadium

Records: Bradley Central is 1-0. Riverdale is 1-0.

Last meeting: Bradley Central defeated Riverdale 39-35 in 2013.

Key players to watch: Bradley Central: QB Cole Copeland (221 passing yards, 65 rushing yards), RB Christian Hamilton. WR/DB Daniel Clark. Riverdale: QB Cortland Owens (184 passing ypg), RB Artavious Collier (114 rushing ypg), LB Baker Schott (11tackles, 1 fumble recovery)

Keys to the game: Both teams will show a spread attack. Copeland is an athletic quarterback and tends to keep the ball on run plays. Riverdale's offense got comfortable in the second half a week ago against Siegel. That may be a good sign for the Warriors.

Siegel's Andre Knox runs the ball against Riverdale during the week zero game at Siegel, on Friday,  August  22, 2014.week zero game at Siegel, on Friday,  August  22, 2014.

Ooltewah at Siegel

When: 7 p.m., today

Where: Ken Nolan Stadium

Records: Ooltewah is 1-0. Siegel is 0-1.

Last meeting: Siegel defeated Ooltewah 58-47 in 2013.

Radio: WGNS (1450-AM, 100.5-FM)

Key players to watch: Ooltewah: QB London Elrod (104 passing ypg, 3 TDs). LB Jeremiah Jackson. RB Frunsez Kendricks. Siegel: RB Andre Knox (53 rushing ypg), RB/LB Andrew Knox (11 rushing ypg), DB Greedy Howse (1 INT).

Keys to the game: Ooltewah is primed for a good season in 2014 with nine starters returning on defense from a year ago. Siegel must get its ground game on track to help open receivers for quarterback Jordan Middleton. The Owls' offense is extremely explosive.

Smyrna's D.J. Williams, Corner back and Wide Receiver on Saturday August 2, 2014.

Smyrna at Cane Ridge

When: 7 p.m., today

Where: Ravens Stadium

Records: Smyrna is 1-0. Cane Ridge is 1-0.

Last meeting: Smyrna defeated Cane Ridge 34-20 in 2013.

Key players to watch: Smyrna: WR/DB D.J. Williams (3 INTs, 2 total TDs), QB John Turner (128 passing ypg), RB Kyle Smith (116 rushing ypg). Cane Ridge: RB Brysen Terrell (2 rushing TDs), QB Tyler Caruthers (1 rushing TD).

Keys to the game: Smyrna showed off a balanced offense a week ago in a dominant win over rival La Vergne. The Bulldogs' pass game got a boost with WR Ikenna Okeke making two athletic grabs. The pass game will need to continue to evolve in order for Smith to have room to run.

Stewarts Creek quarterback Mason Hall is the returning District 7-AAA passing leader after throwing for 1,509 yards in 2013.

Tullahoma at Stewarts Creek

When: 7 p.m., today

Where: Red Hawks Stadium

Records: Tullahoma is 0-1. Stewarts Creek is 0-1.

Last meeting: Tullahoma defeated Stewarts Creek 43-27 in 2013.

Key players to watch: Tullahoma: QB Eli Grow (88 passing ypg), QB Chase Dixon (33 passing ypg, 21 rushing ypg), WR Jake Crabtree (80 receiving ypg). Stewarts Creek: QB Mason Hall (145 passing ypg), WB Jerry Carnell (44 rushing ypg, 54, receiving ypg), LB Steven Billiot (7 tackles).

Keys to the game: Both teams struggled a week ago in their respective season openers. At times, Creek's offense has looked crisp under Hall's direction. The Red Hawks must get out to a quick start, and not play from behind like they did last week.

La Vergne running back Maleik Gray

La Vergne at Wilson Central

When: 7 p.m., today

Where: Wildcats Stadium

Records: La Vergne is 0-1. Wilson Central is 0-1.

Last meeting: Wilson Central defeated La Vergne 45-34 in 2013.

Key players to watch: La Vergne: RB Roshea Grays (87 rushing ypg), RB/DB Maliek Gray (25 rushing ypg), Fred Furlow (1 INT). Wilson Central: RB Jordan Ray (44 rushing ypg), QB Cody Ray (15 passing ypg, 34 rushing ypg), RB Weston Roundtree (17 rushing ypg).

Keys to the game: Both offenses struggled to throw the ball in their season openers. That means both will need to find a way to get their respective ground games on track. La Vergne struggled at times running the football last week.

MTCS quarterback Justin Winn enters his second full season as the Cougars’ startering quarterback.

Zion Christian at MTCS

When: 7 p.m., today

Where: Throneberry Stadium

Records: Zion Chr. is 0-1. MTCS is 1-0.

Last meeting: MTCS defeated Zion Christian 35-0 in 2013.

Key players to watch: Zion Chr.: QB Jarrett DeLozier, OL/DL Will Palmer, LB Hunter James. MTCS: QB Justin Winn (155 passing ypg, 4 TDs), RB Tanner Green (64 rushing ypg), LB Brayden Melton (11 tackles, 4 tackles for loss).

Keys to the game: MTCS' high-tempo offense should give Zion issues because of its low numbers. The Cougars should wear ZCA down in the second half.

Eagleville James Merritt, Offensive Lineman and Defensive Lineman, on Saturday August 2, 2014.

Eagleville at Watertown

When: 7 p.m., today

Where: Robinson Stadium

Records: Eagleville is 0-1. Watertown is 0-1.

Last meeting: Eagleville defeated Watertown 35-14 in 2013.

Key players to watch: Eagleville: RB Cameron Lawson (86 rushing ypg), QB/DB A.J. Garza (55 passing ypg, 5 tackles), OL/DL James Merritt (5 tackles, 1 sack). Watertown: QB Brady Swann (injured last week), RB Luke Turner (143 rushing ypg), RB Austin Brown (68 rushing ypg).

Keys to the game: The Purple Tigers run the Tony Franklin spread. Swann missed last week's opener forcing Watertown to run a wildcat offense. They should be able to pass some this week. Eagleville was minus-2 in the turnover margin last week. The Eagles must flip that to have a chance to win.

MTCS defeated Cannon County 48-6 on Friday night.










Cannon Co. at Jackson Co.

When: 7 p.m., today

Where: Blue Devils Stadium

Records: Cannon County is 0-1. Jackson County is 1-0.

Last meeting: Jackson County defeated Cannon County 36-0 in 2013.

Radio: WBRY (96.7-FM, 1540-AM).

Key players to watch: Cannon Co.: RB Ethan Smith (78 rushing ypg), RB Case Isenhart (22 rushing ypg). LB Jake Walkup (5 tackles). Jackson Co.: RB Joseph Walton, QB Josh Mee, LB Dillon Maynard.

Keys to the game: Jackson County returns 19 of 22 starters from a year ago. However, the Blue Devils entered the season banged up. Cannon County had less than 100 yards of offense last week.