High School Football Expert Predictions – Postseason Round 2

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 (36-12)

Chase Hoke: Color commentator at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (37-11)

Rusty Ellis: Sports Director at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (40-8)

Kailee Means: Sports Reporter at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (34-11)

Justin Matheney: Color commentator at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (34-11)

 

Game 1: DeKalb County vs Upperman

Last Week:

Upperman: 46-7 win over Soddy Daisy

DeKalb County: 35-21 win at East Hamilton

 

Ellis:

Pick: DeKalb County 17 – Upperman 27 

Comments: The Tigers were really impressive in their game against East Hamilton and they had the right gameplan against Upperman earlier this season. And everything went their way early on. I’m sure everyone also remembers Upperman went on to win that game by 10 with all of that in mind. I think Steve Trapp will once again have his guys prepared, but I also believe that Adam Caine learned a lot from that first meeting. I’ll take the Bees here.

Means:

Pick: DeKalb County 14 – Upperman 21

Comments: This is a big toss up for me. The nail in the coffin for my pick is Jaxson Rollins. He had a dominant game last week scoring the majority of Upperman’s points. For DeKalb to do something in this game, they have to get the ball to someone other than Isaac Knowles. Knowles is great and can do something in this game but there needs to be someone else stepping up to help put points on the board.

Matheney:

Pick:  DeKalb County 17 – Upperman 31

Comments: This will make the fourth matchup in three years between these two teams. Upperman has taken the previous three. The first two were rather convincing. However, the first time these two teams played, this season, it took a fourth quarter comeback for Upperman to win late. I do believe DeKalb County has the best player on the field Friday night in Isaac Knowles. Knowles is a dangerous player that can score from anywhere. Although Knowles might be the best player on the field I still believe, as I did earlier in the season, Upperman has the better all-around team. Bees’ in a fun one Friday night in Baxter.

Hoke:

Pick: DeKalb County 21 – Upperman 20

Comments: This is going to be such a good environment and football game. Two teams match up that are very familiar with each other. Upperman won by 10 in the regular season, and the Tigers want revenge. Being a homer paid off last week as I was the ONLY one who picked DeKalb. Lets see if it pays off again this week. Give me the Tigers!

McKay:

Pick: Dekalb County 14 – Upperman 35

Comments: I think this game will be closer than the score appears. Upperman has been a second half team this season and I expect the Tigers to have a fast start. Ultimately, I think the Bees have more ways to win whether it’s Jaxson Rollins, Terrance Dedmon, Ty Dutchess, Daniel Metzgar or someone else, so I think they pull away late to earn a trip to the quarters. 

 

Game 2: Clay County vs South Pittsburg

Last week:

Clay County: 55-16 win over Sale Creek

South Pittsburg: 56-0 win over Red Boiling Springs

 

Ellis:

Pick: Clay County 6 – South Pittsburg 35 

Comments: It’s been a great year for the Clay County Bulldogs, but I think it ends here. If football in middle Tennessee is the Marvel Cinematic Universe, then call South Pitt Thanos because you inevitably have to go through them in the 1A playoffs. Clay will battle early as most do, but I see South Pitt pulling away in the second quarter.

Means:

Pick: Clay County 14 – South Pittsburg 21

Comments: After seeing how Clay played against Gordonsville I am going to have to go with South Pittsburg. This is going to be a close game.

Matheney:

Pick: Clay County 18 – South Pittsburg 28 

Comments: I want to pick Clay County so bad in this one but unfortunately for the Bulldogs I cannot. Please prove me wrong. I would love to see it. I’ve not seen either team play this year but South Pitt’s schedule jumped off the screen to me.

Hoke:

Pick: Clay County 21 – South Pittsburg 35 

Comments: These teams are pretty evenly matched, in my opinion. With the Bulldogs having to travel over two hours, I just do not think it bodes well for Clay County. Give me the Pirates!

McKay:

Pick: Clay County 28 – South Pittsburg 21

Comments: Clay County is a really good football team. I think they are poised to go on the road and knock off the Goliath that is South Pittsburg. Give me the Bulldogs in a great one.

 

Game 3: Jo Byrns vs Gordonsville

Last week:

Jo Byrns: 28-6 win at Whitwell

Gordonsville: 35-8 win over Copper Basin

Ellis:

Pick:  Jo Byrns 3 – Gordonsville 38

Comments: Gordonsville has been rolling this season and it’s going to continue on Friday against Jo Byrns. Normally, you see teams battle early before falling behind, but I think the Tigers dominate from the jump and cruise to a third-round game.

Means:

Pick: Jo Byrns 7 – Gordonsville 40

Comments: Gordonsville 100% will win this game. They have not gone unnoticed under my radar as they are just dominating week in and week out. Albritton is going to put up some serious numbers in this game. 

Matheney:

Pick: Jo Byrns 13 – Gordonsville 35 

Comments: Gordonsville rolled Jo Byrns earlier in the season and I have no reason to believe anything has changed at this point in the season. Gordonsville rolls into the quarters convincingly.

Hoke:

Pick: Jo Byrns 21 – Gordonsville 42 

Comments: These teams met earlier in the season and Gordonsville won 48-6. The Tigers seem poised to make a run, and I expect another big win from them this week. Give me the Tigers!

McKay:

Pick: Jo Byrns 13 – Gordonsville 42

Comments: Gordonsville is simply the better team in this one. They roll into the quarterfinal round.

 

Game 4: Macon County at Red Bank

Last week:

Macon County: 28-26 win over Chattanooga Central

Red Bank: 41-6 win over Stone Memorial

 

Ellis:

Pick: Macon County 27 – Red Bank 34 

Comments: Again, I think Macon was really impressive in their win over Chattanooga Central, but Red Bank was dominant against Stone Memorial. Add in that Red Bank gets a home game and it’s a decent amount of traveling for the Tigers, I just don’t think they’ll have enough to win.

Means:

Pick: Macon County 28 – Red Bank 35

Comments: It is hard for teams to go to Red Bank and win, plus Red Bank is on a 6 game winning streak. I also just see Red Bank being the better team in this game.

Matheney:

Pick: Macon County 21 – Red Bank 42 

Comments: Both of these teams played Chattanooga Central in close games. However, Red Bank blew out Stone Memorial while Macon County squeaked out a two point victory. Red Bank to host the winner of DeKalb County at Upperman.

Hoke:

Pick: Macon County 21 – Red Bank 28 

Comments: I think this game will be close, and I honestly could see it going either way. That is why I am picking the home team. They have played some of the same teams throughout the season, and they match up well together. It would not surprise me one bit if Macon County pulls out the win, I hope they do. I just cannot make myself pick them. Give me the Lions!

McKay:

Pick: Macon County 35 – Red Bank 28

Comments: This is 100% a gut pick. Red Bank is probably the more talented team, but I think they may struggle against Macon County’s physicality. It’s a four quarter fight when you play the Tigers, and I think they’ll find a way to get it done on the road.