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 (29-10)
Chase Hoke: Color commentator at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (29-10)
Rusty Ellis: Sports Director at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (32-7)
Kailee Means: Sports Reporter at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (29-10)
Justin Matheney: Color commentator at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (29-10)
Game 1: Cookeville (1-8, 0-3) vs Shelbyville (3-6, 2-1)
Last week:
Cookeville: 49-36 loss vs Blackman
Shelbyville: 57-7 loss vs Summit
Ellis:
Pick: Cookeville 17 – Shelbyville 27
Comments: Mace Thomsen’s injury is unfortunate on so many levels, but I find myself feeling really bullish on Blake Owen starting instead. Not enough to win, but I think the freshman is going to show some good things in a game that Shelbyville will pull away late in.
Means:
Pick: Cookeville 3 – Shelbyville 32
Comments: I liked how Cookeville played last week but I think losing Mace Thomsen has a big impact on this team. I’ll take the Golden Eagles.
Matheney:
Pick: Cookeville 20 – Shelbyville 27
Comments: It’s been a difficult season for my Cavaliers, to say the least. They have lost several one possession games. Cookeville has also had several games get away from them in the fourth quarter. Last week an unfortunate injury to quarterback Mace Thomson led to an offensive explosion with Blake Owen in the game. Cookeville may have found enough out of Owen to get the offense on track the last week of the season. However, I don’t see a super short week with a brand new signal caller doing the Cavs any favors.
Hoke:
Pick: Cookeville 7 – Shelbyville 28
Comments: Cookeville looked probably the best they have all season long last week. Unfortunately they lost junior QB Mace Thomsen for the season. The freshman, Blake Owen, will handle the reins for the Cavs. Owen did a good job last week in relief, but you could clearly see the difference in the offense. Give me the Golden Eagles!
McKay:
Pick: Cookeville 10 – Shelbyville 28
Comments: Shelbyville’s record isn’t impressive, but when you look at their schedule it makes sense. The worst record of the teams they’ve lost to is 6-3. The Golden Eagles are a good football team looking to tune up before the playoffs. The Cavs have heart, but they just lost their starting quarterback and have no postseason aspirations. I’ll take Shelbyville in the rare Wednesday night football game.
Game 2: Sequatchie County (4-5, 2-1) vs White County (4-5, 1-5)
Last week:
Sequatchie County: 42-7 loss at McKenzie
White County: 34-9 win at Hunters Lane
Ellis:
Pick: Sequatchie County 21 – White County 31
Comments: I foresee a White County team that going to come out fired up and ready to play after their dominant win over Hunters Lane. Malaki Dowell is going to close his junior season with 200+ yards on the ground and the defense will do what needs to be done to win.
Means:
Pick: Sequatchie County 14 – White County 21
Comments: I’m giving this win to the Warriors based off of their performance against Hunters Lane last week and the added motivation from senior night.
Matheney:
Pick: Sequatchie Co 16 – White County 35
Comments: A win puts the Warriors at 5-5 on the season. Honestly it’s nothing more than a moral victory at this point in the season, but you always want to send your seniors out on a high note if at all possible. Sequatchie’s coming off back to back blow out losses as they limp into the playoffs.
Hoke:
Pick: Sequatchie County 21 – White County 42
Comments: White County got back in the win column last week. I expect the Warriors to come out ready to play and get back to .500 on the season. Malaki Dowell is going to come out firing on all cylinders. Give me the Warriors!
McKay:
Pick: Sequatchie County 14 – White County 35
Comments: White County’s season has not gone according to plan, but their losses have come against good 5A teams. Now they round out their season at home against a 3A Sequatchie squad. Malaki Dowell will be able to run for as many yards as he wants. Warriors roll.
Game 3: Wartburg (2-6, 0-3) vs Monterey (5-4, 2-1)
Last week:
Wartburg: 43-24 win over Sunbright
Monterey: 28-21 loss at Bledsoe County
Ellis:
Pick: Wartburg 10 – Monterey 31
Comments: It might be too late for the region championship, and the second-place might be too far gone as well, but there’s no better way to go into the playoffs than with a win. I feel like Monterey has had different things working in their past few games, but this game is where they’ll put it all back together and look like the Wildcats from earlier in the season.
Means:
Pick: Wartburg 3 – Monterey 35
Comments: Monterey should easily handle this game against Wartburg based off of region standings. I am fully confident in the Wildcats.
Matheney:
Pick: Wartburg 7 – Monterey 35
Comments: Monterey just needs this game. Period. They are on a three game skid and have got to find a way to stop the bleeding. One of two things can happen in this game with Wartburg’s head coach announcing his retirement after the season. Monterey will see a team fired up to send coach out with a win or a team that folds the tents when the game gets tough.
Hoke:
Pick: Wartburg 0 – Monterey 28
Comments: Monterey has lost three straight, and you know the Wildcats are itching to get right. Wartburg has been shutout four times this year, and the Wildcats hope to make it a fifth time. Give me the Wildcats!
McKay:
Pick: Wartburg 7 – Monterey 35
Comments: Wartburg could not have come at a better time for the Wildcats who desperately need to get things corrected entering the playoffs. This team is talented enough to go on a run, but they have to cut out the self-inflicted wounds. They appear to be the better team in this one.
Game 4:
Livingston Academy (0-9, 0-4) vs Upperman (8-1, 4-0)
Last week:
Livingston: 37-0 loss over Watertown
Upperman: 28-14 win over Walker Valley
Ellis:
Pick: Livingston Academy 0 – Upperman 48
Comments: Look, it’s just one of those games. I don’t see any way the Livingston offensive line is able to give Brodey Coffee enough time to breathe and I think the Bees’ Front 7 has one of their most dominant games of the season. Jyron McClellan has been fantastic lately, and I’d look for him to have a player-of-the-game-type effort. As far as offensively, that three-headed attack of Jaxson Rollins, Terrance Dedmon and Ty Dutchess is going to have its best game of the season too. I’ll take the Bees.
Means:
Pick: Livingston 3 – Upperman 40
Comments: I hate to say it but this is an easy win for Upperman. Give me the Bees.
Matheney:
Pick: LA 0 – Upperman 63
Comments: Honestly, Upperman can name their score in this one. I hate to pick it that lopsided too. The Bees have a bad bad taste in their mouths having dropped their last two games against LA. Look for Upperman to take out some frustrations and work on some things for the playoffs ahead.
Hoke:
Pick: Livingston 0 – Upperman 35
Comments: Livingston goes winless unfortunately. Give me the Bees in a blowout!
McKay:
Pick: Livingston 0 – Upperman 56
Comments: The Wildcats have won their last two matchups against the Bees, but this year is different. The Bees are in a rhythm and have their sights set on playing in Chattanooga in December while the Wildcats are fully in a rebuild. Upperman rolls.