GAME OF THE WEEK
Brentwood Academy (8-1, 4-1) at Ensworth (8-1, 4-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., WUXP-TV
There have been a number of great DII-AA East/Middle matchups this season, but it looks like the private school league saved the best for last. Brentwood Academy, winners of four straight, has been on a roll since its Sept. 19 loss to Montgomery Bell Academy, averaging 48 points per game in wins over Science Hill, Pope John Paul II, McCallie and Baylor. Ensworth, winners of three straight, has stepped it up defensively in recent weeks, surrendering a combined 13 points in victories over Giles County and Baylor. BA, which has already clinched a first-round bye in the playoffs, needs a win over Ensworth to secure the region title. For the Tigers to claim the crown, they’ll need a win over Brentwood Academy in addition to an MBA victory over McCallie. Brentwood Academy 31, Ensworth 28
McCallie (8-1, 4-1) at Montgomery Bell Academy (7-2, 3-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Montgomery Bell Academy isn’t in the running for a DII-AA East/Middle Region championship, but with a win over McCallie, the Big Red can still secure a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the quarterfinal round. McCallie, on the other hand, still has a shot at the title. If the Blue Tornado can capture a win, in addition to Ensworth beating Brentwood Academy, it’ll secure the region championship. MBA, which is riding a two-game win streak, racked up 308 yards and four touchdowns on the ground in last week’s 42-7 win over Pope John Paul II, while McCallie escaped with a 38-31 win at Father Ryan behind senior Alex Trotter’s 179-yard, three-touchdown rushing performance. Whichever team’s defense is stingier against the run should have the upper hand in this one. Montgomery Bell Academy 24, McCallie 21
East Nashville (8-1, 4-0) at Lipscomb Academy (6-3, 3-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
East Nashville is coming off its first defeat of the season — a 19-0 non-district loss to Nashville Christian. Fortunately for the Eagles, they’re still one win away from claiming the District 10-AA championship. Standing in their way, however, is a solid Lipscomb Academy squad that still has title hopes of its own. The Mustangs, who’ve rolled to four blowout wins since suffering a Week 5 setback to Pearl-Cohn, need a win over East Nashville plus a Pearl-Cohn loss to Maplewood on Friday. Lipscomb quarterback Sy Taylor threw for 156 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s 35-7 win over Sycamore, while East Nashville struggled mightily on offense against Nashville Christian, managing just seven yards and not a single first down with QB Isiah Upton injured most of the contest. Upton is out for the rest of the season with a partial ACL tear. East Nashville 34, Lipscomb Academy 27
Middle Tennessee Christian (8-1, 4-1) at Huntland (8-1, 5-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
The District 9-A title will be up for grabs when Middle Tennessee Christian travels to Huntland on Friday. MTCS, which is coming off a 49-14 setback at Forrest, will be looking for a solid bounce-back performance after surrendering 553 yards in its disappointing loss to the Rockets. Huntland, on the other hand, is riding high after notching a 45-7 win over Community — the squad’s seventh in a row — and the Hornets will be looking for another big performance out of quarterback Evan Ray, who threw for 180 yards and four touchdowns a week ago. Huntland 38, Middle Tennessee Christian 24
Fairview (6-3, 4-3) at Waverly (8-1, 6-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
The District 11-AA race might already be settled heading into this one, but a Waverly win on Friday would seal the deal for the Tigers, who’ve strung together wins over Camden and Hickman County since suffering a 46-41 loss at Lewis County. Visiting Fairview shouldn’t be taken lightly, though. The Yellow Jackets, led by junior quarterback Hunter Zimmerman, are in the midst of a four-game winning streak, including last week’s 17-13 triumph over Page. Waverly 44, Fairview 35
Clarksville Academy (7-2, 4-0) at Nashville Christian (9-0, 4-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Nashville Christian has to be feeling good following its 19-0 non-district win over East Nashville. But the unbeaten Eagles must quickly turn their attention to an even more important game this week against the Clarksville Academy Cougars, which will determine a District 10-A champion. The Cougars have scored at least 35 points in each of their seven wins this season, while Nashville Christian has pitched three consecutive shutouts against East Robertson, McEwen and East Nashville. Nashville Christian 30, Clarksville Academy 17
Battle Ground Academy (7-2, 2-1) at Franklin Road Academy (5-4, 3-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Both of these teams are in the playoffs, and both are guaranteed at least one home game. Now it’s time to determine a DII-A East/Middle District 2 champion. Battle Ground Academy, now three weeks removed from its narrow loss to DII-A East/Middle District 1 champs Knoxville Webb, is coming off a bye, so the Wildcats should be well rested heading into this one. Franklin Road Academy was competitive in last week’s 39-29 loss at Pearl-Cohn, but the Panthers gave up 394 yards rushing to the host Firebirds. Battle Ground Academy 41, Franklin Road Academy 24
Lawrence County (7-2, 4-1) at Shelbyville (7-2, 5-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Shelbyville will be looking to finish off a flawless run through District 8-AAA, while visiting Lawrence County would take the crown with a victory. Lawrence County is in the midst of a seven-game winning streak, and the Wildcats haven’t dropped a district contest since their season opener at Columbia. Shelbyville, led by junior running back Michael Eddings’ 18 rushing touchdowns, narrowly escaped with a 49-48 overtime win over Columbia two weeks ago. Shelbyville 44, Lawrence County 41
Franklin (7-2, 4-1) at Centennial (8-1, 4-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Ravenwood has already secured the District 11-AAA championship, but second place will be up for grabs in this one. Centennial’s only blemish this season was a 24-0 loss to the Raptors on Oct. 3, but the Cougars have rebounded, capturing consecutive wins over Independence (49-38) and Dickson County (43-7). Franklin, which suffered a seven-point loss to Ravenwood on Oct. 17, is coming off a 34-33, overtime win over Independence. Franklin QB Joe Critchlow has thrown for 1,976 yards and 18 touchdowns this season, while Centennial running back Deon Sanders has amassed 948 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. Franklin 38, Centennial 31
Maplewood (4-5, 2-2) at Pearl-Cohn (7-2, 3-1)
When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
Pearl-Cohn is no longer in the race for the District 10-AA title, but the Firebirds can secure the runner-up spot with a win against Maplewood. Running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn is coming off a huge rushing performance, piling up 303 yards rushing and four touchdowns en route to last week’s 39-29 win over Franklin Road Academy. Maplewood is coming off its fifth loss of the season, but the Panthers played defending Class 3A champions Alcoa much closer than anyone could have imagined. Maplewood’s Antwon Endmonson finished with 172 yards receiving and a touchdown against the Tornadoes, in addition to 14 tackles. Pearl-Cohn 42, Maplewood 17
Reach Michael Murphy at 259-8018 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.
