Top 10 Rutherford County area football games to watch in 2017

Cecil Joyce

Murfreesboro Daily News Journal

Even though the 2016-17 school year just ended, the 2017 high school football season isn't that far away.

Practice in pads begins in less than two months and the first regular-season games are about 10 weeks away.

With new region alignments, the upcoming season should be an interesting one.

Here are a look at the top 10 games to watch in 2017:

Maryville at Oakland

Maryville's Christian Markham (8) runs the ball during the game against Oakland during last season's 6A state semifinals. The two teams meet in the regular season in 2017.

Friday, Aug. 25, 7 p.m.

Nothing at stake region-wise in this one, and a little luster may be lost with Coach George Quarles having left Maryville. However, everything else about this matchup is intriguing, with the two teams having played in the last three Class 6A state semifinals. Oakland won last year 23-7.

Riverdale at Oakland

Battle of the Boro trophy, given to the winner of the Riverdale-Oakland game.

Friday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m.

The Battle of the 'Boro is always one of the top games to watch, and most expect this year's matchup to be closer than last year's 35-7 Patriot win. This matchup will be huge in Region 3-6A positioning.

Oakland at Blackman

Blackman coach David Watson and his Blaze are favorites to win Region 3-6A this season.

Friday, Sept. 22, 7 p.m.

These two teams finished first and second in the region last season. With some big talent returning and UT commitment Adonis Otey added to the mix, Blackman is expected by many to be 3-6A favorites this year. However, this matchup should come late enough for the talented young Patriots to have grown up some.

Blackman at Riverdale

Riverdale's Christian Souffrant hands off to tailback Michael Scruggs during a 2016 game. The two will be key for the Warriors in 2017.

Friday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m.

If you look at numbers and returning starters, these would be the top two returning teams in 3-6A, and the last game of the regular season could be for the league title.

Stewarts Creek at Siegel

Friday, Aug. 18, 7 p.m.

Fans will get a chance to see the Stars under new coach Michael Copley as Siegel plays host to county rival Stewarts Creek. The Red Hawks reached the 5A playoffs for the first time last season.

Smyrna at La Vergne

La Vergne coach Stanton Stevens and his Wolverines will move up to 6A this season, competing in the same district as county rivals Smyrna and Stewarts Creek.

Friday, Aug. 18, 7 p.m.

Always a rivalry, but now the two teams are back in the same region, with La Vergne moving up to 5-6A. There are a lot of Division I college talent replaced in this game. Smyrna won last year's matchup 38-20.

Smyrna at Stewarts Creek

Smyrna's Blake Watkins gets around the end during a 2016 game. The Bulldogs are in the same region as rivals La Vergne and Stewarts Creek in 5-6A in 2017.

Friday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m.

Like La Vergne, Stewarts Creek moved from 5A to 6A and this matchup will be a region battle between city rivals. Smyrna won last year's meeting 65-20.

DCA at MTCS

MTCS freshman Kemari McGowan finds running room during a 2016 game. The Cougars move to Division II-A in 2017.

Friday, Sept. 29, 7 p.m..

It will be interesting to see how the Cougars fare in Division II-A. This matchup will be a big litmus test for MTCS. The Wildcats went 8-4 last year, reaching the second round of the playoffs.

Siegel at Ravenwood

Ravenwood's Kyle Briggs is brought down by a host of Siegel defenders during a 2016 game. The two battle Aug. 25 in 2017.

Friday, Aug. 25, 7 p.m.

The Stars will get a good test before region play with the third straight matchup against the Ravens. Ravenwood edged Siegel 23-19 in last year's season opener.

Smyrna at CPA

After dominating in 3A, CPA will move to Division II this season. The Lions will play host to Smyrna on Sept. 1.

Friday, Sept. 1, 7 p.m.

Prior to moving to Division II, CPA had been very good in Class 3A and had been no strangers to playing bigger competition. The Lions reached the 3A semis last season after reaching the BlueCross Bowl the previous three years (going 1-2 against Alcoa in those three).