TSSAA QUARTERFINALS
CLASS 1A
WHITWELL TIGERS (11-1) at SOUTH PITTSBURG PIRATES (12-0)
Storyline: Since their regular-season meeting, a 21-14 escape for the Pirates, both teams have destroyed the competition the past four weeks - Whitwell has outscored opponents 61-3, South Pittsburg 46-3. The teams mirror each other in many ways, relying heavily on power running games and stingy defenses. The Tigers have held 10 of their 12 opponents to seven or fewer points, with the Pirates the only team to score more than 14. Whitwell's RB by committee is a foursome of tough runners: Trace Condra, Dawson Holloway, Hudson Petty and Josh Wingo. They all helped outrush Gordonsville 369-165 last week, scoring four TDs in the third quarter alone. The Pirates will counter with their own quartet of runners, led by junior fullback Garrett Raulston and senior running back Sawyer Kelley - each with more than 800 rushing yards - along with sophomores Jaylyn Hubbard and Ronto Tipton. At LB, Raulston, Kelley and senior Mason Fuqua lead a defense that has registered three straight shutouts, held Jo Byrns to 63 total yards last week and has allowed more than 14 points twice all season.
CLASS 2A
MARION COUNTY WARRIORS (7-5) at TYNER RAMS (10-2)
Storyline: The Rams used a furious rally in the final five minutes to earn a win and the Region 3 title in their first meeting, securing the right to host tonight's game. Last week, the Warriors continued their resurgence with a huge win at one of the toughest places to play in the state, rolling past Trousdale County. Senior RB/DB Jacob Saylors, who was announced as a Mr. Football finalist this week, was again the best player on the field, collecting his fourth 200-plus-yards rushing performance in five games. He also intercepted a pass for the fourth time in three weeks. Backfield mates Seth McClain and Brett Nelson can keep the Rams honest, and QB Isaiah Sampson can be dangerous as a runner or throwing downfield to speedy WR Kane Hale. The Rams are riding a huge wave of confidence that comes with having won 10 straight, averaging 40-plus points per game during that stretch. Tyner has speed at every skill position - including QB Jaylen Bowens (1,000-plus all-purpose yards), RB Jeremy Elston (1,200 rushing yards) and sophomore WR Jeremiah Batiste (700-plus receiving yards) - which will challenge Marion to be sound defensively on every snap or risk giving up a big play. The Rams' defense, led by senior DL Tracey Justice with 100-plus tackles and 25 for loss, has been just as impressive, holding six opponents to one score or fewer.
ROCKWOOD TIGERS (9-3) at MEIGS COUNTY TIGERS (12-0)
Storyline: These Region 2 opponents met Sept. 15 at Meigs County, with the home team winning 48-27. Rockwood left that night 2-3, but it hasn't lost since. It is a senior-heavy team that runs a wing-T offense, with sophomore QB Nate Brackett (6-3, 215) directing things behind a big line. Rockwood's first option is inside to FB Ryan McCain (6-3, 215), who's flanked by scatback types in WBs Joe Ashburn (5-7, 140) and Zander Price (5-9, 170). And like most teams that operate this type of offense, it primarily wants to run the ball. But Brackett has a strong, accurate arm and has shown he can make all the throws, including deep. He may have a hard time trying to upstage his counterpart, though. In the earlier meeting, Meigs QB Aaron Swafford, a Mr. Football finalist, ran for four TDs and passed for three. With the recent emergence of RB Martin Smith, who has gained approximately 500 rushing yards the past three games, Rockwood may not be able to solely concentrate on trying to contain Swafford. It tried five-, four- and three-player defensive fronts the first time. Meigs showed its last opponent, Happy Valley, a couple of things it hadn't seen on video. The team that adjusts best should be able to gain an edge. The thing is, there's no time to wait until halftime for that. It will have to be done earlier - and on the fly.
CLASS 3A
SMITH COUNTY OWLS (9-3) at RED BANK LIONS (10-2)
Storyline: Red Bank's defense is fully aware that Smith County is led by senior QB Carson Hackett, a 73-percent passer this year with 27 TDs who is the school's career passing leader with more than 5,000 yards. He's also the team's leading rusher with 816 yards and has rushed for 12 TDs. The Lions' losses were both by three points in high-scoring games against Soddy-Daisy and Walker Valley, which happen to have offensive approaches similar to the one taken by the Owls, whose losses have been by four, three and two points. Hackett's favorite target is WR Jaylon Shepperson, whose 82 catches have gone for 1,072 yards and 13 TDs. He has also contributed four fumble recoveries and three interceptions at OLB. Another OLB, Jaden Apple-Gibbs, leads with 82 tackles; MLB John Ross Hord has 81. Andrew Gibbs is the team's sacks leader with 11.5. But offense is Smith County's strength, so getting third-down stops will be paramount for Red Bank. The Lions want the ball in the hands of RB Zay Brown (1,802 rushing yards, 20 TDs) and versatile Calvin Jackson, who has 1,760 yards from scrimmage, 19 rushing TDs, 12 receiving TDs and another on a kickoff return. Red Bank should be able to create some red-zone opportunities. Converting TDs when it gets there is of major importance.
Lameric Tucker (15) runs the ball for Bradley. The Science Hill Hilltoppers visited the Bradley Central Bears in the first round of the TSSAA football playoffs on November 3, 2017. CLASS 6A
BRADLEY CENTRAL BEARS (10-2) at MARYVILLE REBELS (11-1)
Storyline: These teams played each other at Maryville less than a month ago, with the Rebels prevailing 31-7. And although Maryville's program has shown no signs of dropping off since the departure of head coach George Quarles, who compiled a 250-16 record in his 18 seasons, four of Bradley's first five possessions ended up on the other side of the 50, but the one TD was all it got. The Rebels have a standout player at each key skill position. QB Dylan Hopkins has committed to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. RB Isaiah Cobb, the nephew of Green Bay Packers WR Randall Cobb, recently committed to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. And sophomore WR A.J. Davis is a terrific speedster. The onus is on the Bears' offense to keep up. QB Dylan Standifer is a 70-percent passer who has thrown for 2,954 yards and 27 TDs. He completed 18 passes for 200 yards last time, but it was mostly underneath the back line of the Rebels' defense. In addition to not making many mistakes, because Maryville generally doesn't, Bradley must cash in when it has a scoring opportunity.
DII-AA SEMIFINALS
CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN ACADEMY LIONS (10-2)at NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (10-1)
Storyline: The Lions are coached by former Montomery Bell Academy standout QB Ingle Martin, who spent some time in the NFL. They are a run-first team as far as scheme, but WR Noah Henderson is dangerous. When they throw it, they like to get it to him. The strength of CPA's defense is the back end, where the LBs and DBs have been exceptional. Notre Dame's top skill-position player is Tennessee-committed Cam Wynn, a Mr. Football finalist who has been equally adept at aiding the team's receiving and rushing totals. But the Irish have averaged 41 points per game, so they're not dependent on one player. RB Akil Sledge has come on lately and had 135 rushing yards by halftime in Notre Dame's first playoff game. Jeffrey Watkins has led the Irish in rushing in a game before, too, and QB Landon Battle has topped the 300-yard mark passing more than once. The key thing the Irish are aware of is that this senior class was part of teams that advanced to the state semifinals in 2014 and '15 but lost both times. Coach Charles Fant said his point of emphasis for his team this week is getting off to a good start, something those other semifinal teams didn't do.
DII-AAA SEMIFINALS
MCCALLIE BLUE TORNADO (8-3) at BRENTWOOD ACADEMY EAGLES (10-0)
Storyline: McCallie is the only team to score more than 14 points on BA all season, albeit in a 46-24 loss. Many of the young players have grown into their roles on both sides of the ball now and have the team playing its best at just the right time. The McCallie offense was able to move a huge Briarcrest front out of the way last week on the way to a 21-0 lead and eventually a blistering 21-point road win. The Blue Tornado's option offense has averaged 37 points per game this season, led by sophomore QB Deangelo Hardy, who has more than 1,100 rushing yards. He is complemented by RBs Xavier Brooks and B.J. Harris, who have combined for another 1,100-plus. Senior WR Rico Dozier (700-plus receiving yards) is someone who can prevent the Eagles from being able to just load the tackle box to stop the run. In their first matchup, BA's Tomario Pleasant scored three times, including on runs of 67 and 69 yards, and all-state WR Camron Johnson caught three TD passes covering 145 yards as five of the Eagles' TDs covered at least 31 yards. That game was a tale of two halves as McCallie compiled 208 yards in the first half but just 79 in the second; the Eagles rolled up 302 second-half yards.
GHSA SECOND ROUND
CLASS AAA
MONROE AREA PURPLE HURRICANES (10-1) at CALHOUN YELLOW JACKETS (10-1)
Storyline: Monroe Area, a postseason regular, is coming off a 42-7 win over North Hall that had all the talents of QB Chandler Byron on display. The junior rushed for 320 yards and four TDS, and he has 1,572 passing yards, 1,698 rushing yards and 48 total TDs this season. Needless to say, a Calhoun defense playing its best ball of the season will have Byron as its top priority. The Hurricanes also have RB Jakia Thompson (634 rushing yards) and WR Jayden Brandon (447 receiving yards, 28 per reception) as other threats. Defensively, they utilize the talents of twin LBs Jermonte and Jayden Davis, who have a combined 221 tackles, and 6-foot-2, 245-pound DE Javion Heard, who has 25 tackles for loss. Calhoun is coming off a physical 27-3 win over Pace Academy that proved the Jackets are more than just an air-it-out team. FB Zach Fuller bulled his way for 170 yards and two touchdowns, providing balance for productive junior QB Gavin Gray and his trio of receivers. Gray has 2,606 passing yards, nearly equally spread out among Bralin Barton, Luke Moseley and Brannon Spector. The key for Calhoun's LB-driven defense is the play up front of NG J.C. Fuller, who allows LBs Davis Allen, Collin Baggett and Bailey Lester to make plays. Each will get his shot at the prolific Byron.
CLASS AAAA
JEFFERSON DRAGONS (9-2) at RIDGELAND PANTHERS (11-0)
Storyline: Jefferson made it to Bowers & Painter Field via a 29-13 win over White County in which RB Colby Wood had 148 rushing yards and two TDs to go with a 21-yard TD reception. He now has more than 1,300 yards this year and more than 6,000 for his career. Dragons senior QB Bryce Moore has thrown for 1,547 yards and 14 touchdowns, while WR Sammy Elegreet leads the team with 34 receptions and 544 yards. WR Zac Corbin leads the Dragons in TD catches with seven. MLB Matthew Nilson leads Jefferson's balanced defense in tackles with 61, while Terrell Wall is the top DB and has three interceptions. Ridgeland's wing-T offense features FB Jalyn Shelton and WB Markeith Montgomery, 1,000-yard rushers this season who ran for three first-half touchdowns in last week's 63-7 rout of Chapel Hill. The Panthers can also strike through the air with QB Tanner Hill and WR Stephon Walker. The defense has speed everywhere, including Montgomery and Jordan Hughley in a secondary that backs an ultra-aggressive front seven. Only Darlington has been within two touchdowns of the Panthers at halftime this season.