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 all have 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 (0-0)
Chase Hoke: Color commentator at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (0-0)
Rusty Ellis: Sports Director at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (0-0)
Kailee Means: Sports Reporter at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (0-0)
Justin Matheney: Color commentator at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (0-0)
Week One:
Upperman vs Cookeville
Ellis:
Pick: Upperman 21 – Cookeville 6
Comments:
This is a complete flip of last year’s contest. Upperman’s experienced defense, particularly the front seven, goes up against a really green Cavalier offensive line. Factor in a quarterback making his high school debut, and I see the Bees taking this one.
Means:
Pick: Upperman
Comments:
I’m going to go with Upperman because they have more experience than the Cavaliers.
Matheney:
Pick: Cookeville 20 – Upperman 18
Comments:
Let it be noted I tried not to pick this game. As a cookeville football alumni my heart says cookeville.
However, my head says Upperman. Cookeville lost a ton on both sides of the ball and the Bee’s will have the best player on the field.
That being said I’ll take my Cavaliers.
Hoke:
Pick: Upperman
Comments:
The Bees have experience and talent throughout this roster, and look poised to make a run this year. I feel Cookeville is still establishing an identity post Stockton Owen. Give me the Bees!
McKay:
Pick: Upperman
Comments:
For many, UHS-CHS is like playing the Super Bowl to open the season. You never know what will happen in this matchup, but the advantage on-paper has to go towards the Bees. Returning starters all over the field against an inexperienced Cookeville team leads me to take the 4A squad from Baxter in this one.
White County vs Livingston
Ellis:
Pick: White County 31 – Livingston 7
Comments:
Again, experience wins the day here. This is a young Wildcat team that is relying on underclassmen in the trenches. White County’s physical style and ability to move a lot of their playmakers around the field will prove to be too much for Livingston. The return of Malaki Dowell, along with all of that, will equal a Warrior victory.
Means:
Pick: White County
Comments:
I’m going to go with White County because after watching both of them play in the jamboree White County just looked better prepared and knew what they were doing. That doesn’t mean Livingston doesn’t know what they are doing, but they have a lot of changes that I think they still need to adjust to.
Matheney:
Pick: White County 28 – Livingston 0
Comments:
The Warriors return a lot of talent and get the best player in the Upper Cumberland, Malaki Dowell, back from injury. Livingston is a young team without a lot of experience. Give me the Warriors!
Comments:
These are two teams in completely different spots. I expect Malaki Dowell to announce his arrival back to the field in impressive fashion enroute to a Sparta win.
The Wildcats could be primed for a big year, and aI think a dominant win over the Lions is just the beginning. Mason Bowman and Matthew Montgomery will lead a dangerous Wildcat offense, while Grant Hoover anchors both lines in a physical Monterey win.
Matheney:
Comments:
It will be fun to see how Coach Hughes uses Mason Bowman going into his junior season. Bowmans an explosive player that Wildcat fans will enjoy watching the next two seasons.
Comments: