Top Nashville area high school football games for Week 3

The Tennessean

Pearl-Cohn head coach Tony Brunetti signals to players during the first half of a high school football game against MBA Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.

Here’s a look at the top 10 Nashville-area high school football matchups for Week 3 of the 2017 season. The USA TODAY Network - Tennessee’s Tom Kreager and Michael Murphy will be picking the winners this season.

Kreager’s record: 12-8 | Murphy’s record: 13-7

Giles County quarterback John Bachus (left) and Pearl-Cohn running back David Anderson (right)

GAME OF THE WEEK

Pearl-Cohn (1-1) at Giles Co. (1-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

A pair of prolific offenses square off in this matchup between Region 5-3A favorites. John Bachus, a UT Martin commitment, threw for 275 yards and five touchdowns in Giles County's 41-0 rout of Lawrence County. Pearl-Cohn running backs Jimmyrious Parker and David Anderson combined for 226 rushing yards in a 46-25 loss to MBA.

Kreager’s pick: Pearl-Cohn 27, Giles Co. 20
Murphy’s pick: Pearl-Cohn 40, Giles Co. 27

Smyrna (2-0) at CPA (2-0)

Smyrna athlete Blake Watkins (21) and CPA offensive lineman Joe More (78)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

CPA’s Kane Patterson has rushed for a combined 177 yards and five touchdowns in wins over Stratford and Ensworth, and has also posted a team-leading 12 tackles. Smyrna’s Blake Watkins has a team-leading 345 all-purpose yards, an interception and three total touchdowns.

Kreager’s pick: CPA 24, Smyrna 14
Murphy’s pick: CPA 21, Smyrna 17

Gallatin (2-0) at Hillsboro (1-1)

Gallatin's Jalen Porter (2) and Hillsboro's Tre Dickerson (7)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Gallatin is off to its first 2-0 start in six seasons under coach Mark Williams. Hillsboro seems to have regained at least some of its preseason confidence. Whites Creek transfer Jacob Frazier ran for 114 yards and four touchdowns in the Burros' 46-14 win over Stratford.

Kreager’s pick: Hillsboro 28, Gallatin 13
Murphy’s pick: Hillsboro 27, Gallatin 20

Centennial (1-1, 1-0) at Independence (0-2, 0-0)

Centennial quarterback Tre Stewart (left) and Independence quarterback Nathan Cisco (right)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

A pair of Williamson County squads with lofty preseason expectations will be looking to turn things around in this Region 6-6A showdown. Centennial surrendered close to 60 points in last week’s loss at Hendersonville. Independence is coming off its first loss to rival Summit.

Kreager’s pick: Independence 28, Centennial 24
Murphy’s pick: Independence 21, Centennial 20

McCallie (2-0) at MBA (2-0)

McCallie coach Ralph Potter (left) and MBA coach Marty Euverard (right)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

The graduations of Mr. Football finalists Robert Riddle and Ty Chandler left big shoes to fill for these Division II-AAA East/Middle rivals. The Blue Tornado, led by Riddle’s replacement Deangelo Hardy at quarterback, has piled up 99 points. MBA quarterback Ty Allen has orchestrated a pair of 40-point performances.

Kreager’s pick: MBA 17, McCallie 14
Murphy’s pick: MBA 42, McCallie 35

Franklin (0-2, 0-1) at Ravenwood (1-1, 0-1)

Franklin's Matt Gaca (24) and Ravenwood's Nick Stallcup (2)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

After suffering a three-point loss to Centennial, Ravenwood edged Siegel 45-42 behind Brian Garcia’s 332-yard, four-touchdown passing effort. Franklin, off to an 0-2 start for the first time since 2000, has struggled to score, producing a just 17 in losses to Brentwood and Riverdale.

Kreager’s pick: Franklin 28, Ravenwood 21
Murphy’s pick: Franklin 20, Ravenwood 17

Siegel (1-1) at Riverdale (2-0)

Siegel's Lelan Wilhoite (left) and Riverdale's Savion Davis (right)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Nashville Christian transfer Lelan Wilhoite has been exceptional for Siegel, racking up close to 500 yards rushing. However, his 363-yard, four-touchdown effort wasn’t enough in a 45-42 loss to Ravenwood. Riverdale quarterback Christian Souffront suffered a broken leg in the 24-7 win over Franklin.

Kreager’s pick: Riverdale 21, Siegel 20
Murphy’s pick: Siegel 21, Riverdale 17

Marshall Co. (1-1) at Tullahoma (2-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Tullahoma has perhaps been the biggest surprise of the season. After suffering through a Midstate-leading 21-game losing streak, the Wildcats are 2-0 for the first time since 2005. Marshall County QB Bryce Wallace had 271 total yards and two TDs in a 51-27 win over Shelbyville.

Kreager’s pick: Marshall Co. 35, Tullahoma 21
Murphy’s pick: Marshall Co. 28, Tullahoma 10

Greenbrier (2-0) at Creek Wood (2-0)

Greenbrier's Brandon Chambers Hughes (left) and Creek Wood's Timothy Randolph (right)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Creek Wood, led by first-year coach Houston Thiel, is off to its first 2-0 start since 2005, and the Red Hawks' success has been due in large part to running back Sam Askins, who has 237 yards and five touchdowns. Greenbrier has been doing it with defense, allowing 22 points.

Kreager’s pick: Greenbrier 20, Creek Wood 14
Murphy’s pick: Creek Wood 17, Greenbrier 14

Ensworth (1-1) at Knoxville Webb (1-0)

Ensworth senior Jaylon King (left) and Webb sophomore Elijah Howard (right).

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Ensworth, led by Jaylon King (Georgia Tech commitment) and Tanner Antonutti (Tennessee), suffered a surprising 21-20 loss to CPA, commiting five turnovers. The Spartans are coming off a 26-16 win over Asheville (N.C.) thanks to Elijah Howard’s 138-yard rushing effort.

Kreager’s pick: Ensworth 20, Webb 14
Murphy’s pick: Ensworth 24, Webb 10

Reach Michael Murphy at mfmurphy@tennessean.com, 615-259-8026 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.