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 (16-2)
Buddy Pearson: News and Communications Director at Tennessee Tech University and longtime high school sports commentator (13-5)
Chase Hoke: Color commentator at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (15-3)
Scott Wilson: Longtime sports journalist and editor in the Upper Cumberland (13-5)
Adam Parks: Sports editor at Mitchell Media in Livingston (15-3)
Game 1:
#10 Monterey (3-0) vs Jackson County (4-1)
Last game:
Monterey: 47-12 win over Pickett County
Jackson County: 16-6 win at East Robertson
Pearson:
Pick: Monterey
Hoke:
Pick: Monterey
Comments: Jackson County is the best team that Monterey will face so far in the season, but the Wildcats will continue their success this Friday night. I expect Monterey to have another big win.
Wilson:
Pick: Monterey
Parks:
Pick: Monterey
McKay:
Pick: Monterey
Comments: This Jackson County team is a real test for the Wildcats. Either team can win, but this Monterey team has been too impressive to pick against them at this point.
Game 2:
York (1-3, 1-1) vs White County (1-3)
Last game:
York: 7-0 loss at Smith County
White County: 49-14 loss at Walker Valley
Pearson:
Pick: White County
Hoke:
Pick: White County
Comments: White County’s 1-3 record is very deceiving. This is a very talented football team lead by the sophomore sensation Malaki Dowell. I think White County gets it done Friday and get another W in the win column.
Wilson:
Pick: White County
Parks:
Pick: White County
McKay:
Pick: White County
Comments: This York team is a tale of two sides of the football. Offensively, they’ve only scored six points all season. Defensively they’ve been much more solid. White County will have to play well, and I think they will. I’ll take the Warriors to get back into the win column.
Game 3:
Smith County (1-3, 1-1) vs Livingston Academy (4-1, 2-0)
Last game:
Smith County: 7-0 win over York
Livingston Academy: 28-6 win over Stone Memorial
Pearson:
Pick: Livingston Academy
Hoke:
Pick: Livingston Academy
Comments: Livingston Academy had success running the football last week against Stone Memorial. I do not see any reason for them to stray away from the running game this week. I am expecting another big game from the senior running back Kaleb Robinson.
Wilson:
Pick: Livingston Academy
Parks:
Pick: Livingston Academy
McKay:
Pick: Livingston Academy
Comments: This LA team continues to impress. I expect Kaleb Robinson to have another big game behind a physical offensive line. Give me the Wildcats to move to 5-1.
Game 4:
Coffee County (2-2, 1-1) vs Cookeville (3-2, 0-2)
Last game:
Coffee County: 31-21 win over Siegel
Cookeville: 42-7 loss at Oakland
Pearson:
Pick: Cookeville
Hoke:
Pick: Cookeville
Comments: Cookeville played arguably the best team in the state last week. I think they will bounce back against the Red Raiders this week.
Wilson:
Pick: Cookeville
Parks:
Pick: Cookeville
McKay:
Pick: Cookeville
Comments: Make no mistake, Cookeville has to win this game to keep their playoff hopes within reach. The Cavs have to ensure they aren’t looking ahead towards an undefeated Warren County team. I think they’ll stay focused and get their first region win of the season.
Game 5:
Oneida (4-0, 2-0) vs Upperman (3-2, 2-0)
Last game:
Oneida: 39-0 win over Cumberland Gap
Upperman: 48-6 win over Cannon County
Pearson:
Pick: Upperman
Hoke:
Pick: Oneida
Comments: Oneida is very solid this season and has shown a lot of consistency.
Wilson:
Pick: Upperman
Parks:
Pick: Oneida
McKay:
Pick: Oneida
Comments: Upperman has struggled against dynamic runners in Stockton Owen and Kaleb Robinson this season. OHS tailback Kolby Morgan will be a division-1 college football player and has the potential to change a game. I think this will be a physical football game where either team can win, but Oneida has shown more consistency so far, so I have to give them the edge.