Gerry Bertier's 4A Top Ten heading into Week 10

[Gerry Bertier]

Finally got a chance to sit down and watch some film on some top 4A teams across the state. So for the 1st time in 2017 here is my Top 10 in 4A.

1. Greeneville (8-0) - Right now the Green Devils looked poised for a return trip to Cookeville. They have the most impressive resume thus far. With Ballard at QB and a suffocating defense. I find it hard to see a 4A beating them unless the injury/turnover/penalty bug hits them in the playoffs. The rematch with Elizabethton in the playoffs is a spot that could get tricky for the devils.

2. Anderson Co. (8-0)- The Mavericks have a high powered offense, but I worry they have not seen the competition that Greeneville has up until this point. Do they have what it takes to make a run in November? I think their season comes to an end against Elizabethton in the 2nd round.

3. Haywood Co. (6-2)- The Tomcats showed they are for real by boat racing Crockett County last week. They have played a tough schedule with 2 losses to Memphis Private schools. Right now they are my favorite to come out of the West and take on Greeneville in Cookeville.

4. Elizabethton (6-2)- The Cyclones have made a successful jump to 4A. I am high on Coach Witten and his staff for making strides throughout the season to get his team ready for the postseason. I think the potential match-up with Anderson Co. in the playoffs will be a classic.

5. Marshall County (6-2)- Coach Osteen and the Tigers set up their 2017 schedule to get them ready for a post season run. They will enter the postseason with 3 losses but not many teams will want to line up against the physical Tigers. They are my favorite to make the trip to Greeneville the day after Thanksgiving. Last time Osteen visited Greeneville the day after Thanksgiving he left with a 21 pt. loss but gave a great Greeneville team a run for his money as OC.

6. Crockett Co. (7-1)- The Cavs ran into a buzzsaw last week and must get ready to rebound against Top 10 3A team Covington this week. 

7. Memphis East (4-4)- This can be a headscratcher for some but the drop off after Crockett Co in terms of top 10 teams is drastic. The reigning 4A champs will be a tough out come playoff time. Look for the Mustangs to make a potential Quarterfinal run.

8. Dyersburg (6-2)- Trojans are quietly putting together another quality season. They had a surprising loss to Obion County early in the year but they are rebounding nicely.

9. Livingston Academy (7-1)- Wildcats are the best team in region 3 even though Macon County fans may say they will have something to say about it. The 1 pt win over Smith County really has me questioning how strong a team they have this year.

10. White House (8-0)- The poll is bookend with Devils. White House's record is unblemished on the season but who have they played? They will benefit from being in Region 5 and they have a chance to make a Quarterfinal/Semi final run due to Region 5/6 being the weakest quad IMO.

 

Next 5 Out: Spring Hill, Maplewood, Chattanooga Central, Springfield, Lexington

 

I am sure others will have opinions on this. 

 

[Lead]

Looks good to me.

[JacketLover]

Looks good to me as well. Hate that Springfield lost to White House or they could very well be in there. 

[DevilMan03]

I believe Elizabethton beats Anderson County easily on the road before going to Greeneville and losing. 

Im with you Gerry. It’s Greenevilles to lose this year and probably next year as well since they only lose 4 players to graduation. 

[pizzpatriot]

Bad luck for Spring Hill hill but still think they are goid this year and will be there in the playoffs. Livingston could be higher. Also, think Crockett could be 4 maybe 5.

[geo1126]

How is Macon not in?? We beat Portland like a drum the week after White House barely won ? Oh well that will change soon

[Gerry Bertier]

1 hour ago, geo1126 said:

How is Macon not in?? We beat Portland like a drum the week after White House barely won ? Oh well that will change soon

The 2 TD loss to Smith County is not helping Macon's cause in my poll. Smith County is not a very good team in 3A.

[Vent]

Have you seen Smith County play? They are a very good 3A team. Not top 5 in state but I think definitely top 10. That was the first game of the year, so don't put too much stock in that game. Macon looks completely different than that first game. The Livingston/Macon game will answer any questions about both of these teams.

[Gerry Bertier]

2 hours ago, Footballguru05 said:

Have you seen Smith County play? They are a very good 3A team. Not top 5 in state but I think definitely top 10. That was the first game of the year, so don't put too much stock in that game. Macon looks completely different than that first game. The Livingston/Macon game will answer any questions about both of these teams.

Watch 7 game films on Smith Co. and they are not a Top 10 3A team at all. They are maybe the 15th best team in 3a.

[Vent]

We will see come playoff time.

[Copacanobra13]

I don't disagree with where you have White House because the schedule is soft, but Anderson co looks like they've got a pretty soft schedule as well so I'm curious why they get so much love from you? Just a question, I appreciate the poll.  

[Gerry Bertier]

A couple of SOS formulas I use actually have Anderson County about 10 pts higher in SOS than both White House and Macon County. The Mavericks have a talented squad but they play in the toughest quad by far in 4A which will cause their season to come to an end sooner than later. 

A team like White House will benefit from playing in a weak quad.