TSSAA Class 6A state high school football quarterfinals preview

Eight teams remain in the TSSAA Class 6A state football playoffs. They will play Friday night with berths to the state semis on the line.

Here are previews of the 6A playoff games with picks by USA TODAY Network - Tennessee's Cecil Joyce.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Cookeville (10-2) at Oakland (12-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Oakland has been there, done that over recent years. Cookeville has not. But, if you're talking momentum, both are enjoying the "Big Mo" heading into this game. Cookeville is coming off a 56-17 rout over Riverdale in the second round while Oakland came up with a 22-0 shutout over rival Blackman. The last time these two teams played, Cookeville hung in for a majority of the game before Oakland pulled away in the second half for a 35-14 win.

The top-ranked Patriots will have to contain Cookeville's strong running attack. Tailback David Gist and QB Cade Smith have combined for more than 2,300 yards rushing and 30 TDs. Smith is also 99-of-158 for 1,660 yards and 22 more scores. This will be a tough rematch for the Patriots, but big-game experience could be a factor.

Joyce's pick: Oakland 24, Cookeville 17

►More: Oakland's quarterfinal opponent bucking recent trends

Bradley Central (10-2) at Maryville (11-1)

When: Friday, 7 p.m. (ET)

Does anyone not expect Maryville to reach yet another state semifinals contest? Rebel streaks have been broken lately, though. Oakland snapped a Maryville string of consecutive trips to the BlueCross Bowl last year, and the Patriots then snapped the Rebels' 70-game regular-season winning streak during Week 2 this season. Bradley Central is hoping to keep that trend going with an upset. And it would be a big upset, given Maryville's 31-7 Week 11 win. The Rebels are surely licking their chops at the potential of a rematch with Oakland.

Joyce's pick: Maryville 35, Bradley Central 14

Ravenwood (10-2) at Cane Ridge (11-1)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Since a Week 2 loss to Brentwood, Cane Ridge has barely been tested. The Ravens are 10-0 since that game, with no opponent getting closer than two touchdowns. Included in that is a 28-13 win over Brentwood in a rematch last week in the second round. Ravenwood is also on a roll, having won its last six (including a 34-7 win over Independence in last week's second round). Cane Ridge was a hair away from the semifinals in 5A a year ago. This might be the year for Coach Eddie Woods' squad.

Joyce's pick: Cane Ridge 33, Ravenwood 30

►More: Class 6A quarterfinals: What to know

White Station (5-7) at Whitehaven (10-2)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

If it's possible to fly under the radar when you're defending Class 6A state champs, Whitehaven fits that mold. The Tigers had somewhat played second fiddle to rival Germantown all season, but now previously unbeaten Germantown is out. Whitehaven can thank its quarterfinal opponent, White Station, for that. At 5-7, the Spartans are a surprise to still be alive. But they're living by the "get hot at the right time" philosophy, having already pulled off major upsets over Arlington and Germantown in the playoffs. At one point White Station was 2-7. These two matched up earlier in the season, with Whitehaven winning 23-14. 

Joyce's pick: Whitehaven 24, White Station 20

Last week: 3-1. Season: 79-17.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.