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.
NOTE: The matchup between White County and Cannon County was added to the Warriors’ schedule after our experts made their picks.
Our experts:
*Prediction record noted by ()
Noah McKay: COO and play-by-play announcer at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (20-3)
Buddy Pearson: News and Communications Director at Tennessee Tech University and longtime high school sports commentator (18-5)
Chase Hoke: Color commentator at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (19-4)
Scott Wilson: Longtime sports journalist and editor in the Upper Cumberland (18-5)
Adam Parks: Sports editor at Mitchell Media in Livingston (19-4)
Game 1: #10 Monterey (4-0, 2-0) vs Jo Byrns (3-3, 1-1)
Last week:
Monterey: 12-6 win at Jackson County
Jo Byrns: 35-14 loss against East Robertson
Pearson:
Pick: Monterey
Hoke:
Pick: Monterey
Comments: Monterey is on a roll so far this season and I do not see it coming to an end anytime soon. I like the Wildcats again this week!
Wilson:
Pick: Monterey
Parks:
Pick: Monterey
McKay:
Pick: Monterey
Comments: This Monterey team impressed me with their win over Jackson County. Traveling to Jo Byrns is tough, but I think the Wildcats get it done.
Game 2: York (1-4, 1-1) vs Upperman (4-2, 2-0)
Last week:
York: 54-13 loss at White County
Upperman: 7-0 win over Oneida
Pearson:
Pick: Upperman
Hoke:
Pick: Upperman
Comments: Upperman was able to beat a good Oneida team last week. I expect their success to continue this week. I expect Daniel Metzgar and Carter Shanks to both have big games.
Wilson:
Pick: Upperman
Parks:
Pick: Upperman
McKay
Pick: Upperman
Comments: Upperman continues to roll
Game 3: Livingston Academy (5-1, 2-0) vs Dekalb County (3-3, 1-0)
Last week:
Livingston Academy: 35-0 win over Smith County
Dekalb County: 49-7 win at Cannon County
Pearson:
Pick: Livingston Academy
Hoke:
Pick: DeKalb County
Comments: This is a game I could see going either way. I think Kaleb Robinson will have another big game for Livingston Academy, but I am going to pick the Tigers in this one. I expect Dekalb’s senior QB Axel Aldino to have a good showing in this one.
Wilson:
Pick: Livingston
Parks:
Pick: Livingston
McKay
Pick: Livingston
Comments: This is a great Region 3/4A matchup. Both teams need the win to keep their hopes of winning the region alive. In my opinion, LA is playing the best football in the Upper Cumberland right now. I’ll take the Wildcats.
Game 4: Cookeville (4-2, 1-2) vs Warren County (6-0, 3-0)
Last week:
Cookeville: 20-19 win over Coffee County
Warren County: 25-20 win at Siegel
Pearson:
Pick: Warren County
Hoke:
Pick: Warren County
Comments: This is another game that I could see going either way, but I am going to pick the Pioneers. If you like watching great QBs duke it out, this game is for you. Stockton Owen is having a tremendous season for the Cavaliers. CJ Taylor for the Pioneers is a tremendous talent as well. This is the best Pioneer team we have seen in quite some time and I expect their success to continue this week.
Wilson:
Pick: Cookeville
Parks:
Pick: Warren County
McKay:
Pick: Warren County
Comments: I went back-and-forth on this pick all week. Cookeville has to have this win to control their own destiny when it comes to making the playoffs. Pioneer QB/Safety CJ Taylor is one of the top players in the state, and I think he will have a big game. I could be wrong here, but I’ll take the undefeated Pioneers in this region matchup.