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 (24-5)
Buddy Pearson: News and Communications Director at Tennessee Tech University and longtime high school sports commentator (22-7)
Chase Hoke: Color commentator at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (25-4)
Scott Wilson: Longtime sports journalist and editor in the Upper Cumberland (23-8)
Adam Parks: Sports editor at Mitchell Media in Livingston (22-7)
Game 1:
White County (4-3) vs Clay County (5-2, 2-1)
Last game:
White County: 34-28 win over Livingston Academy
Clay County: 1-0 COVID win over Pickett County
Pearson:
Pick: White County
Hoke:
Pick: White County
Comments: The Warriors have a stout front seven and their offense looks really good with freshman QB Owen Adams at the helm. Clay County is a good football, but I think White County will be too much for them.
Wilson:
Pick: Clay County
Parks:
Pick: White County
McKay:
Pick: White County
Comments: I like this matchup. Going to Celina on a short week won’t be an easy task for this Warriors team coming off an emotional win, but I think Sparta is just more than Clay County can handle. Give me the Warriors.
Game 2:
Upperman (5-2, 3-0) vs Grundy County (1-5, 0-1)
Last game:
Upperman: 26-21 win over York
Grundy County: 28-0 win over Whitwell
Pearson:
Pick: Upperman
Hoke:
Pick: Upperman
Comments: The Bees will look reenergized and well-rested coming off their bye. I expect the Bees to come out firing on all cylinders vs Grundy County.
Wilson:
Pick: Upperman
Parks:
Pick: Upperman
McKay:
Pick: Upperman
Comments: I expect Upperman to roll. No issues here.
Game 3:
Siegel (0-7, 0-4) vs Cookeville (4-3, 1-3)
Last game:
Siegel: 28-0 loss at Riverdale
Cookeville: 24-0 loss at Warren County
Pearson:
Pick: Cookeville
Hoke:
Pick: Siegel
Comments: Siegel is a team that has played some really good football teams. They hung tough against Warren County losing 25-20, and the Pioneers shut Cookeville out 24-0. I think Stockton Owen bounces back this week, but I expect the Siegel Stars to get their first win of the season.
Wilson:
Pick: Cookeville
Parks:
Pick: Cookeville
McKay:
Pick: Cookeville
Comments: Siegel is not the typical 0-7 team. They played Oakland and Warren County more competitively than Cookeville did, but at the end of the day the Cavs have to have this win, and I think they’ll get it. I expect the Cavs to look motivated and get it done in the High School Football Game of the Week.