Top Nashville area high school football games for Week 9: Hillsboro faces Cane Ridge

Here’s a look at the top 10 Nashville area high school football games for Week 9. Tennessean high school sports editor Tom Kreager is picking the winners.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Cane Ridge (2-1) vs. Hillsboro (1-2)

7 p.m., Friday (at Hillwood)

Both programs wore out the scoreboard in Week 8 routs. Hillsboro walloped Glencliff 75-6 while Cane Ridge shut out McGavock 56-0. Jalen Macon threw for 159 yards and four TDs last week for Hillsboro while Cane Ridge's Xayvion Clemmons has thrown for 617 yards in three games. 

Kreager's pick: Cane Ridge 34, Hillsboro 28

Franklin (3-4, 1-2 6-6A) at Brentwood (5-2, 2-0)

The Admirals have gone to the air this season with the emergence of first-year starting quarterback Connor Beavon. Beacon has thrown for 1,312 yards, but faces a talented Brentwood secondary, led by Vanderbilt commitment John Howse IV. Luke Walters has picked it up in recent weeks as the Bruins' primary runner behind dual-threat quarterback Cade Granzow.

Kreager's pick: Brentwood 28, Franklin 17

Oakland (7-0, 4-0 3-6A) at Riverdale (6-1, 4-0)  

7 p.m., Friday

Oakland's dynamic run duo of Jordan James (96.2 rushing ypg) and Antonio Patterson (116 rushing ypg) meets Riverdale's dominant defensive front seven led by Javon Nelson (40 tackles, 11.5 for loss) and Caleb Herring (36 tackles, 11 for loss). Riverdale must slow down James and Patterson to have a shot at winning.

Kreager's pick: Oakland 27, Riverdale 14

Ravenwood (4-4) at Smyrna (5-2)

7 p.m., Friday

Clemson commitment Jake Briningstool, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound tight end, has 23 catches for more than 500 yards with 10 total touchdowns. His ability to use his size to go up and make plays has given opposing teams problems this season. He should give Smyrna's secondary fits. But the Raptors must slow down Jamir Eaton, who has 507 total yards — 266 rushing and 241 receiving — with a team-high eight total touchdowns.

Kreager's pick: Ravenwood 35, Smyrna 28

Pope John Paul II (6-1, 2-1 DII-AAA West) at MUS (4-2, 0-2)

Which quarterback will JPII coach Justin Geisinger use against the Owls? Sawyer Watts or Kenny Minchey? It may not matter. Both quarterbacks have been dynamic when in. Watts has 780 passing yards with seven touchdowns and an interception. Minchey has 682 passing yards with six TDs and an interception. Both could give MUS big problems.

Kreager's pick: Pope John Paul II 28, MUS 21

Mt. Juliet (5-1) at Oak Ridge (4-3)

6:30 p.m. (CT), Friday

Mt. Juliet had a week off to regroup after the Bears' first loss of the season. Mt. Juliet athlete Jamari Sowell is a playmaker for the Bears as a receiver and rusher. He'll give the Wildcats fits. Kendall Jackson headlines Oak Ridge's offense. He had 13 carries and 122 yards two weeks ago in the Wildcats' most recent game.

Kreager's pick: Mt. Juliet 35, Oak Ridge 28

Goodpasture (6-1, 2-1 DII-AA Middle Region) at CPA (5-0, 1-0)

7 p.m., Friday

Brendan Jones had 114 total yards two weeks ago in the Cougars' win over FRA. He'll need a big game against CPA, the top-ranked team in this week's Associated Press DII-AA poll. CPA's defense is giving up 12.4 points a game and led by linebackers Langston Patterson (39 tackles, 8.5 for loss) and Cade Reynolds (28 tackles, 3.5 for loss).

Kreager's pick: CPA 42, Goodpasture 14

King’s Academy (7-1, 4-1 DII-A East) at DCA (6-0, 4-0)

7 p.m, Friday

DCA can take a big step toward an undefeated regular season with a win. Bradford Gaines has helped lead the Wildcats' transformation. DCA has won 10 of the Wildcats' past 11 regular season games. TKA quarterback Nathan Hoffman threw two touchdowns last week in a loss to Oneida in place of starter Zak Acuff, who missed the game with an injury.

Kreager's pick: DCA 20, King's Academy 14

Gallatin (3-4) at Hendersonville (3-3)

7 p.m., Friday

Mason Stanley leads a Gallatin team seeking to snap a four-game losing streak, the most recent a 42-14 loss to Class 5A power Henry County. It won't be easy in this rivalry contest. Stanley has thrown for 648 yards and five TDs for the Green Wave. Gallatin must find a way to slow down running back Brent Rowe, who has 690 rushing yards and 11 rushing TDs.

Kreager's pick: Hendersonville 42, Gallatin 21

McCallie (5-1, 2-1 DII-AAA East) at Father Ryan (4-2, 2-1)

7 p.m., Friday

D.C. Tabscott has helped lead the Irish to back-to-back upset wins, beating Ensworth and Baylor in consecutive weeks. He's surpassed 1,000 yards in six games. He'll need another big game if the Irish are to pull off a third straight shocker. McCallie's lone loss was a 30-27 defeat to Brentwood Academy on Sept. 4. 

Kreager's pick: McCallie 35, Father Ryan 28

Last week: 6-4. Season: 52-24 (.684)

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.