Jackson area midseason high school football report
Week 6 means we are right in the middle of the high school football regular season.
So before we get into Week 6’s action, let’s look back at the highlights from the first half of the season.
Most surprising teams
South Side (3-2) – Coach Tyler Reeder has brought the Hawks back to being more competitive on a weekly basis. South Side is 2-0 in Region 6-4A play to sit alone in first place.
TCA (4-1) – There was no question that Viktor Horton would be key in the backfield, but there was an unknown at quarterback. Matt Spurgeon has taken over the starting role and excelled.
South Gibson (4-1) – The Hornets might be fielding the best team in the history of the program. They already have beaten one state-ranked team in Bolivar and hung tight with Crockett County.
Most memorable games
Peabody 27, Milan 21 (Week 2) – After keeping Milan out of the end zone in overtime, Peabody’s Cooper Baugus rushed 10 yards on the first play to send the Golden Tide to the win.
Covington 28, Milan 27 (Week 5) – In the first overtime, the Chargers decided to go for 2, and got it to knock off Region 7-3A foe Milan. Covington executed its Wing-T offense well all night.
TCA 43, McKenzie 26 (Week 5) – The Lions scored 43 second-half points to come from behind and stay unbeaten in Region 7-2A. Viktor Horton had 243 yards rushing with two touchdowns.
Biggest upsets
Riverside 20, Wayne County 14 (Week 4) – Wayne County had won 25 straight regular-season games and reached the Class 1A semifinals in 2016, but the Panthers went on the road and got the win.
Chester County 28, USJ 27 (Week 1) – The Eagles blocked two extra-point attempts to open the season with a win over a potent USJ offense. Chester County had two rushers with more than 100 yards.
Top offensive players
Correy Brown (Bolivar) – Brown is second statistically in West Tennessee in rushing with 819 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Jacob Buie (USJ) – Buie is one of the top passers in West Tennessee statistically, completing 81 passes for 998 yards against some tough competition. He has eight passing touchdowns.
Viktor Horton (TCA) – Horton has helped lead the Lions to a 4-1 start with 983 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. He leads West Tennessee in rushing yards, averaging 7.8 yards per carry.
Trey Lowe (Bolivar) – Lowe has accounted for 1,117 yards of total offense. He has 546 yards and nine touchdowns rushing, while completing 35 of 58 passes for 571 yards and six touchdowns.
Ryan Miller (USJ) – Miller is the top receiver statistically by close to 300 yards. He has 37 receptions for 657 yards and six touchdowns as the Bruins have won two straight games.
Top defensive players
Addison Coleman (TCA) – Coleman leads West Tennessee in takeaways with three interceptions, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He also is one of the top tacklers with 26 solo tackles and 18 assists.
Gunnar Lewis (Jackson Christian) – Lewis has five interceptions through five games. He also has stepped in as the starting quarterback this season and has 650 passing yards.
Christian Matthews (Bolivar) – Matthews has been all over the field for the Tigers and leads West Tennessee in tackling. He has 39 solo tackles and 31 assists.
Top special teams players
Riley Cormia (Westview) – Cormia is helping the Chargers keep opposing teams deep in their own territory to start drives. He leads the area in punting, averaging 44 yards per punt with four inside the 20.
Noah Holsinger (TCA) – Holsinger might need a category all to himself. He is averaging 34.3 yards per punt, and he is the kicking leader with 30 points, having made 24 of 25 extra points and two of three field goals, including a 54-yarder. He is also a defensive leader with five takeaways (two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries) to go along with 26.5 total tackles.
Cole Miller (McNairy Central) – Miller hit a 45-yard field goal in Week 5, and he has 29 points. He is 17-for-22 on extra points and 4-for-4 on field goals.
Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754 and on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.