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 (33-10)
Chase Hoke: Color commentator at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (33-10)
Rusty Ellis: Sports Director at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (36-7)
Kailee Means: Sports Reporter at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (33-10)
Justin Matheney: Color commentator at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (33-10)
Game 1: Monterey (6-4) vs Hampton (7-2)
Monterey: 3 seed out of Region 2/2A
Hampton: 2 seed out of Region 1/2A
Ellis:
Pick: Monterey 21 – Hampton 24
Comments: This was the most difficult game to pick this week. For me, it’s the distance and travel time that keeps me from giving it to the Wildcats. It’s hard to drive over three hours away and win a football game and after watching film, I think the Wildcats keep it close, but Hampton pulls it out.
Means:
Pick: Monterey 14 – Hampton 28
Comments: I hate to say it but I think this game is the end for Monterey. Hampton has played a decent schedule, including a shutout over Cloudland who is 9-1.
Matheney:
Pick: Monterey 14 – Hampton 28
Comments: The odds are really stacked against Monterey in this one. The four hour bus ride does not make things easier. Monterey got things right against an uninspired Wartburg team last Friday. Hampton owns wins over 3A a Pigeon Forge (7-2) 1A Cloudland (9-1) and 1A Unaka (7-3) Monterey also holds wins over 3A Cannon County 4A Cumberland County. Unfortunately I still believe Monterey is Mason Bowman or bust. Shut him down. Shut down the Wildcats.
Hoke:
Pick: Monterey 28 – Hampton 21
Comments: The Wildcats looked really good last week, and I am hoping that performance carries over into this week. Give me the Wildcats!
McKay:
Pick: Monterey 28 – Hampton 21
Comments: This is a great matchup. This Monterey team is capable of beating any 2A team, but they’ve also shown they are capable of losing to nearly any 2A team. I saw a new energy out of the Wildcats in their rout over Wartburg last week and I think they use the long drive to come together and get it done. I’ll take Monterey in a close one.
Game 2: Soddy Daisy (4-6) vs Upperman (9-1)
Soddy Daisy: 4 seed out of Region 3/4A
Upperman: 1 seed out of Region 4/4A
Ellis:
Pick: Soddy Daisy 10 – Upperman 28
Comments: The Bees start the postseason with an excellent defensive showing and a consistent rushing presence from start to finish. Right now, it’s near-impossible for me to pick against this defense. That may change as we get further into the playoffs, but it’s not changing now.
Means:
Pick: Soddy Daisy 14 – Upperman 35
Comments: This one is obvious. Soddy Daisy’s wins do not impress me because they beat teams who have a combined six wins. I am giving this one to the Bees.
Matheney:
Pick: Soddy Daisy 7 – Upperman 28
Comments: Soddy Daisy rides a three game win streak into the playoffs. It will not make it to four. Soddy’s three game win streak comes against teams with a combined six wins on the season. Bees rock and roll in the hive Friday night.
Hoke:
Pick: Soddy Daisy 14 – Upperman 35
Comments: The Bees are a team we have talked about making a run all season long. The new season starts this week and Upperman seems to be clicking on all cylinders. Give me the Bees!
McKay:
Pick: Soddy Daisy 7 – Upperman 35
Comments: Upperman is the better football team. Soddy Daisy is playing with confidence, but the UHS defense is far superior to their last three opponents. Bees roll.
Game 3: DeKalb County (6-4) vs East Hamilton (7-2)
DeKalb County: 3 seed out of Region 4/4A
East Hamilton: 2 seed out of Region 3/4A
Ellis:
Pick: DeKalb County 20 – East Hamilton 28
Comments: DeKalb County was almost the pick here, but in games this close, I’m going to lean toward the home team. If Briz Trapp was just a little more seasoned as a quarterback, I wouldn’t think twice about it. As it stands now, this is a learning experience for the young signal-caller, and in the long-run, I think it benefits him.
Means:
Pick: DeKalb County 20 – East Hamilton 21
Comments: When you compare both of these two schedules they are very similar, but East Hamilton held up with Red Bank and that is impressive. Their two losses are only by one point. If DeKalb had beat Upperman this may be different, and I hope I am proven wrong but I will give this to East Hamilton.
Matheney:
Pick: DeKalb County 21 – East Hamilton 35
Comments: I honestly have nothing to go on here except the scores from the season. East Hamilton has a high powered offense, on paper at least.
Hoke:
Pick: DeKalb County 35 – East Hamilton 31
Comments: I am going full homer here and I don’t care! I expect Isaac Knowles to continue to impress, and lead DeKalb to the upset. Give me the Tigers!
McKay:
Pick: Dekalb County 21 – East Hamilton 35
Comments: It wouldn’t stun me if the Tigers got the road win, but East Hamilton is really good. Their two losses came by just a single point in each, and they do nearly everything well. The Hurricanes have a back who rushed for 23 touchdowns, a 3-start receiver and another receiving division one offers. Ultimately, I think it’s just a little too much firepower.
Game 4: Sale Creek (5-5) vs Clay County (9-1)
Sale Creek: 3 seed out of Region 3/1A
Clay County: 2 seed out of Region 4/1A
Ellis:
Pick: Sale Creek 0 – Clay County 35
Comments: Keaton Arms’ development in his second season as the Bulldog quarterback has produced astounding results. That, along with a physical defense that has been stout for most of the year leads to a relatively smooth opening-round win for head coach Jake Johnson.
Means:
Pick: Sale Creek 0 – Clay County 40
Comments: Clay should run away with this game. Clay County is poised to go on a long run.
Matheney:
Pick: Sale Creek 7 – Clay County 35
Comments: The only common opponent on the schedule here is Jackson County. Clay County beat the Blue Devils 35-0. On the flip side Sale Creek lost to Jackson County 27-20. Bulldogs roll in this one.
Hoke:
Pick: Sale Creek 28 – Clay County 42
Comments: Clay County is good on both sides of the ball, and Sale Creek has a really good offense. I think the Bulldogs will be able to get some stops defensively, and take advantage by scoring points off those opportunities. Give me the Bulldogs!
McKay:
Pick: Sale Creek 0 – Clay County 35
Comments: Clay County will be highly motivated after their narrow loss last week to Gordonsville which cost them an undefeated season. I think they roll.
Game 5: York (3-7) vs South Greene (8-2)
York: 4 seed out of Region 2/2A
South Greene: 1 seed out of Region 1/2A
Ellis:
Pick: York Institute 0 – South Greene 28
Comments: Consider this the flipside of the 1-4 matchup we saw with Upperman-Soddy Daisy. I just don’t think the Dragons will be able to move the ball consistently and finish drives against South Greene. Give me the Region 1 champs.
Means:
Pick: York 7 – South Greene 21
Comments: South Greene is simply playing better football right now and all season.
Matheney:
Pick: York 15 – South Greene 38
Comments: Simply put South Greene’s just a better team at this point in the season. The Dragons’ season comes to an end in the first round.
Hoke:
Pick: York 7 – South Greene 45
Comments: South Greene is a really good football team. Hate that York got matched up with them in the first round, but this shows the importance of winning regular season games. Unfortunately the Dragons’ season will end this week. Give me the Rebels!
McKay:
Pick: York 7 – South Greene 35
Comments: This wasn’t the season we expected or wanted from the Dragons, and unfortunately it appears they may be outmatched in this one. I’ll take the Rebels to win comfortably at home.