High School Football Expert Predictions – Week 3

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 (5-0)

Chase Hoke: Color commentator at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (5-0)

Rusty Ellis: Sports Director at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (5-0)

Kailee Means: Sports Reporter at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (5-0)

Justin Matheney: Color commentator at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (4-1)

Game 1:

York (1-1) vs Monterey (2-0) – High School Football Game of the Week – Upper Cumberland Reporter Facebook page

Last week:

York: COVID win

Monterey: 21-7 win over Cumberland County

Ellis

Pick: York 10 – Monterey 24

Comments:

The Wildcats are 2-0 despite being turnover prone through two games. They held a really good running back to just 40 yards last week, and Eli Saylors and Michael Allred played as good a game in the secondary as you’ll see. In a match-up of physical teams that are both going to try to dominate the possession time, I’ll take Monterey.

Means

Pick: York 24 – Monterey 27

Comments:

I think this will be a very close matchup, ultimately though I have give it to Monterey.

Matheney

Pick: York 7 – Monterey 21

Comments:

I’m going with the Wildcats in a two score game here. It’s a close one until late into the fourth quarter. I  believe York has a ton of speed that will take some getting used to for the Wildcats. Much like last week for Monterey, the Wildcats have won 20 regular season games spanning the past three seasons. In a close game, Monterey has the experience to win it.

Hoke

Pick: Monterey

Comments:

Monterey looks like a team that is poised to go on a run this season. Look for the Wildcats to continue to lean on their playmakers as they look to improve to 3-0 on the young season.

McKay

Pick: Monterey 28 – York 21

Comments:

This is a great matchup between two physical teams with lots of playmakers. Both teams know the importance of this game, both have multiple players who can make plays and both are making their first appearance in their new 2A region. In such a close matchup, I’ll give the edge to the home team who also has an extra game played. I’ll take the Wildcats in a great game.

Game 2:

Upperman (2-0) vs Cumberland County (1-1) – Upper Cumberland Reporter 2 Facebook page

Last week:

Upperman: COVID win

Cumberland County: 21-7 loss at Monterey

Ellis

Pick: Upperman 41 – Cumberland County 0

Comments:

This is a battle of two teams in completely different spots. One is working its way up the ladder in the Upper Cumberland, and the other is the team at the top. The Jets are much-improved, but Upperman’s front seven dominates this game. Look for Jyron McClellan to have a player of the game-type effort.

Means

Pick: Upperman 42 – Cumberland County 3

Comments:

This game will be something else. I think the Bees will just run away with this win to advance their record.

Matheney

Pick: Upperman 42 – Cumberland County 0

Comments:

I know we took heat last week for picking Monterey to beat the Jets. Well guess what. We all picked it right. It’s not personal, just our opinions. Upperman presents a much tougher matchup across the board for Cumberland County. I look for Coach Caine and the Bees to knock some rust off from missing their game last week against Trousdale County. Bee’s roll in a blowout.

Hoke

Pick: Upperman

Comments:

The Bees are legitimate contenders this year, and I expect a one sided affair in this one. Upperman’s front seven will wreak havoc in this one. Dutchess, Dedmon and Rollins will continue to be a huge problem for opposing defenses to solve.

McKay

Pick: Upperman 35 – Cumberland County 0

Comments:

The Bees are eager to play another game after last week’s cancellation. Cumberland County is much-improved from previous years, but they are hosting a buzz saw who has their eyes on a deep playoff run. I’ll take the Bees in a big win.

Game 3:

Lebanon (1-1) vs Cookeville (1-1) – Upper Cumberland Reporter 3 Facebook page

Last week:

Lebanon: 17-13 loss at Wilson Central

Cookeville: 42-0 win over Livingston Academy

Ellis

Pick: Lebanon 31 – Cookeville 17

Comments:

I like the improved effort from Cookeville against Livingston last week, but I still see a young team fighting to overcome their own mistakes. If they can minimize those, this will be a close contest. As it stands now, I’ll take Lebanon’s experience and playmaking-ability on offense.

Means

Pick: Lebanon 24 – Cookeville 10

Comments:

After seeing Cookeville play against an experienced team and a developing team I am going to have to give this win to Lebanon.

Matheney

Pick: Lebanon 17 – Cookeville 7

Comments:

Unfortunately the Cavaliers offense just isn’t there yet. Even in a blowout win against Livingston Academy the offense did not look in sync. Cookeville will have to find a way to push the ball downfield vertically in the passing game through the season to have success. Right now all their completed passes are coming under 15 yards. The Cavalier defense will keep them in most games this season.

Hoke

Pick: Lebanon

Comments:

Cookeville is beginning region play, but I believe this is where the Cavaliers inexperience will show. The offense looked good last week, but Lebanon is a different beast.

McKay

Pick: Lebanon 17 – Cookeville 14

Comments:

This has the makings of a defensive battle. The CHS defense will need to be good against a hungry LHS team looking for a region win. A win by Cookeville would make a statement that they are a contender for the region, but I question if they will have enough offense to get past their new region opponent from Wilson County.

Game 4:

Station Camp (2-0) vs White County (2-0)

Last week:

Station Camp: 33-13 win over Hillsboro

White County: COVID win 

Ellis

Pick: Station Camp 20 – White County 21

Comments:

By far, this is the hardest game to pick. I’ve gone back and forth multiple times, but where I’ll give White County the edge is in the fact that they are well-rested and at home. It’ll be the biggest test for Malaki Dowell thus far in his return from injury, but I believe he leads the Warriors to a last-minute victory.

Means

Pick: Station Camp 17 – White County 21

Comments:

I am 100% behind Coach Frasier and what this group of boys are doing this season. It will not be an easy game but I think it will be a good game for Sparta.

Matheney

Pick: White County 28 – Station Camp 17

Comments:

Malaki Dowell is the best player most people will see all season skill-wise. If teams can bottle him up they have a chance to beat the Warriors. However I do not believe Station Camp can do that at this point in the season. Warriors win going away.

Hoke

Pick: White County

Comments:

The Warriors will put a lot of people on notice after this one. Peers across the state were projecting White County to only win 2 or 3 games this year. Look for them to begin region play with a bang! I expect Malaki Dowell to have another impressive showing as the Warriors get a big region win.

McKay

Pick: Station Camp 28 – White County 21

Comments:

This was the toughest game of the season to pick, so far. White County had an impromptu bye-week last week, while Station Camp picked up a very impressive win. If the Sparta defense can play like they did against Livingston, they’ll earn a signature win to open region play, but this Station Camp team presents a new challenge. I will apprehensively take them in a close game.

Game 5:

Stone Memorial (1-1) vs Livingston (0-2) – Upper Cumberland Reporter 4 Facebook page

Last week:

Stone Memorial: 47-21 win over East Ridge

Livingston: 42-0 loss at Cookeville

Ellis

Pick: Stone Memorial 21 – Livingston Academy 10

Comments:

Right now, the Wildcats biggest goal should be to put points on the board. That would be a show of improvement from weeks one and two. Brodey Coffee appeared to create a good connection with Jaden Lawrence against Cookeville, and they’ve got a chance to continue that chemistry, but Stone’s experience is where the difference lies for me.

Means

Pick: Stone Memorial 14 – Livingston 10

Comments:

I think Livingston’s ultimate goal within this game is to score. The past few games they have gotten to the redzone but not capitalized on it. They have a chance to win this game, but Stone is just quicker and more physical.

Matheney

Pick: Stone Memorial 35 – Livingston 0

Comments:

Livingston Academy has a ton of fight. The only problem is there is they are young across the board and all their players are playing both ways. On top of all the the Wildcats are low in numbers in comparison to everyone they are going to play. Youth and lack of depth haunt the Wildcats in this one.

Hoke

Pick: Stone Memorial

Comments:

Livingston is a young team that continues to get experience each week. Look for the Wildcats to continue to groom the young QB in Coffee. Livingston should not be judged by the win or losses this season, but instead by week-to-week improvement.

McKay

Pick: Stone Memorial 35 – Livingston 7

Comments:

All I am looking for out of LA this week is improvement. Scoring points would be a big sign of it. They’ve had a tough schedule to open the season and may surprise people in this game, but I’ll take the Panthers in this one.