Jackson area's high school football upset watch for Week 1
With the Dresden-Westview football game Thursday night, the 2017 high school football season has arrived.
Week 1 will get into full swing on Friday night as a majority of the teams in West Tennessee will play their first game.
The top 10 games of Week 1 have been previewed, but here are three games that need to be put on upset alert this opening week.
McKenzie at Huntingdon
Kickoff time: Friday, 7 p.m.
This game wasn't close last season as Huntingdon won 44-15. But this meeting has some differences. This is the opening week of the season, so neither team has perfected its offensive and defensive strategy, and there isn't much film to go off of either. These two are Carroll County rivals that do not like each other. And there is excitement around the Huntingdon program right now with this being the first game on the turf field and renovations finishing to the fieldhouse and press box. The Mustangs will have to get over the hype because McKenzie would love to pick up the first win on the turf.
TCA at Jackson Christian
Kickoff time: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Yes, there are definitely some unknowns about Jackson Christian heading into the season. The Eagles didn't play in any scrimmages, except for the 8-0 loss to Greenfield in the jamboree. Will Buehler is no longer taking the snaps and moving the team down the field. But Gunnar Lewis is an experienced athlete that is fully capable of leading Jackson Christian to a win. Defensively, the Eagles will have to slow down TCA's Viktor Horton, if they can do that, they can win.
Craigmont at Hardin County
Kickoff time: Friday, 7 p.m.
Look at last year's result, and that is a good reason to put this on upset alert. The Chiefs came down to Savannah and put 20 points up before falling 28-20. The score two years ago was 35-0. The Tigers have new players at skill positions with Antonio Davis and Davius Prather among others now gone. Craigmont went 2-9 last season, but expectations are for an improved team this year.
Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.