This season, a group of experts will predict the outcomes of the high school football games for Cookeville, Livingston Academy, Monterey, Upperman and White County.
The experts have decades of combined experience covering high school sports in the Upper Cumberland with a variety of outlets.
Note: These predictions are purely opinions. The Upper Cumberland Reporter wishes each of the teams in the Upper Cumberland good luck in their contests.
Our experts:
Noah McKay: COO and play-by-play announcer at the Upper Cumberland Reporter
Buddy Pearson: News and Communications Director at Tennessee Tech University and longtime high school sports commentator
Chase Hoke: Color commentator at the Upper Cumberland Reporter
Scott Wilson: Longtime sports journalist and editor in the Upper Cumberland
Adam Parks: Sports editor at Mitchell Media in Livingston
Week 1
Cookeville vs Upperman
Pearson:
Pick: Cookeville
Comments: Should be another great game between the two Putnam County rivals. Upperman will again be tough on defense, but the offense is a question mark. The Cavs return a lot of players, including Stockton Owen, who will be the difference maker in this game.
Hoke:
Pick: Cookeville
Wilson:
Pick: Cookeville
Comments: CHS quarterback Stockton Owen will have a huge game for the Cavaliers and I am not sure the UHS defense will be able to stop him. Cookeville should win the offensive and defensive line battles with the Delk brothers.
For Upperman, it will be interesting to see who gets the nod at quarterback and how he handles the pressure. Donoven McCallister is not there anymore. Remember, former UHS assistant coach Jeff Upshaw is now on the CHS staff.
Parks:
Pick: Cookeville
Comments: Stockton Owen looks like he’s going to be one of the best in the region. Cookeville also seeking vengeance from last year.
McKay:
Pick: Cookeville
Comments: This should be a close, hard-fought rivalry matchup. I could certainly see Upperman taking their third straight over the Cavs, but Stockton Owen should be the best player on the field, and I think that will tip things in the Cavs favor.
White County vs Cannon County
Pearson:
Pick: White County
Comments: White County head coach Mark Frasier picks up where he left off last year with a much-improved team and more of a winning culture. Warriors roll!
Hoke:
Pick: White County
Wilson:
Pick: White County
Comments: White County may have the surprise star of the area in sophomore quarterback Malaki Dowell. He is athletic, can run the ball and has a decent touch with the ball in the air. White County coach Mark Frasier says Dowell is potentially one of the best to ever wear a Warrior uniform.
Parks:
Pick: White County
McKay:
Pick: White County
Comments: Cannon County is a bit of an unknown, but I think this Warriors team has a chance to surprise some people. Malaki Dowell is special, and the WCHS defensive line should be able to slow down the CCHS offense.
Livingston vs Westmoreland
Pearson:
Pick: Livingston
Comments: This one could be closer than most people think. Wildcats still scratch out the “W.”
Hoke:
Pick: Livingston Academy
Wilson:
Pick: Westmoreland
Comments: I am picking an upset. Westmoreland over Livingston Academy.
Livingston Academy lost a lot of talent from last year. I think it will take the Wildcats a little time to develop.
Parks:
Pick: LA
Comments: A lot of offensive weapons, passing excluded, from LA. Wildcats whipped Westmoreland up the past couple of years, this year should be no different.
McKay:
Pick: Livingston Academy
Comments: I think this game will be closer than it has been in recent years, but LA gets it done. Bruce Lamb will scheme up a way to slow down the Westmoreland wing-T offense, and Kaleb Robinson will have a big game running the football for the Wildcats.