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:
*Prediction record noted by ()
Noah McKay: COO and play-by-play announcer at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (10-0)
Buddy Pearson: News and Communications Director at Tennessee Tech University and longtime high school sports commentator (7-3)
Chase Hoke: Color commentator at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (9-1)
Scott Wilson: Longtime sports journalist and editor in the Upper Cumberland (8-2)
Adam Parks: Sports editor at Mitchell Media in Livingston (9-1)
Game 1:
Monterey (1-0) vs Harriman (1-2)
Last week:
Monterey: 44-8 win over Red Boiling Springs
Harriman: 34-20 loss against Coalfield
Pearson:
Pick: Monterey
Hoke:
Pick: Monterey
Comments: Monterey looked really good last week vs Red Boiling Springs. I expect that success to continue this week vs Harriman.
Wilson:
Pick: Harriman
Parks:
Pick: Monterey
Comments: Monterey came out strong last week in their first appearance, I’d look for a similar performance this week. Monterey by 2 scores.
McKay:
Pick: Monterey
Comments: It was a great start for Monterey last week, and now they find themselves inside the top 10 in the latest AP poll. I think they roll to 2-0 with a big win over Harriman.
Game 2:
Upperman (2-1) vs Livingston Academy (2-1)
Last week:
Upperman: 42-14 win over Smith County
Livingston: 7-0 win over Cumberland County
Pearson:
Pick: Upperman
Hoke:
Pick: Upperman
Comments: Upperman seems to have found their offensive groove. With Livingston losing their starting QB for the season, I have to give the edge to the Bees.
Wilson:
Pick: Upperman
Parks:
Pick: Upperman
Comments: With an all new offensive scheme and a sophomore quarterback with minimal experience for LA, Upperman will look to take advantage. Not to mention the Wildcats won last season in a tight one and Upperman didn’t forget.
McKay:
Pick: Upperman
Comments: The Upperman rushing attack is firing on all cylinders with Ty Dutchess and Terrance Dedmon. Both of LA’s wins have come in poor playing condition, so this game is a real chance for the Wildcats to prove they can make some noise in 2020. I’ll take the Bees in a good football game.
Game 3:
White County (1-1) vs Cookeville (2-1)
Last week:
White County: 7-10 loss against CAK
Cookeville: 21-6 loss against Riverdale
Pearson:
Pick: Cookeville
Hoke:
Pick: Cookeville
Comments: I think Sparta has caught lightning in a bottle with Malaki Dowell at QB, but Cookeville just has so much experience on both sides of the ball. Stockton Owen had the opportunity to showcase his arm last week and I expect another strong showing for the senior QB.
Wilson:
Pick: Cookeville
Parks:
Pick: Cookeville
Comments: Two good teams here, I’d give the Cavs the edge — but would not be surprised at a close one here.
McKay:
Pick: Cookeville
Comments: This matchup is very interesting. Starting with the quarterbacks of Stockton Owen vs Malaki Dowell to the battle of two very good front-sevens. This is the closest this rivalry has been on-paper in many years, but I think the Cavs advantage in experience will put them over the top.