Each week, experts from the Upper Cumberland will give their predictions for select high school football games in the area. These picks are presented by TLTSports Performance. TLTSports Performance is where the athletes of tomorrow, train today.
In addition to our four standard experts, each week a guest expert will join in the picks.
Experts:
Rusty Ellis: Sports Director of the Upper Cumberland Reporter
Justin Matheney: Co-Owner and lead color commentator of the Upper Cumberland Reporter. Former defensive backs coach at Tennessee Tech University.
Buddy Pearson: Longtime sports journalist in the Upper Cumberland. Commentator for the Upper Cumberland Reporter.
Noah McKay: Co-Owner, COO and lead play-by-play announcer of the Upper Cumberland Reporter.
Guest Expert, Michael Lindsay: Sports Editor of the Crossville Chronicle
Game 1:
Cookeville (1-1) vs Lebanon (2-0) – Live on UCR 3 on Facebook with Josh Boles and Joe Joe Matheney on the call
Last week:
Cookeville: 27-7 win over Livingston
Lebanon: 43-3 win over Wilson Central
Ellis:
Pick: Cookeville 0 – Lebanon 41
Comments: Unfortunately for Taylor Hennigan’s squad, they’re running up against a juggernaut in Lebanon this week. I’m looking for the Cavaliers to fight and battle in this one, but Lebanon’s the favorite to win the region for a reason, which they will show in this game.
Matheney:
Pick: Cookeville 7 – Lebanon 42
Comments: This game comes down to the line play upfront. Unfortunately for the Cavaliers I haven’t seen anything through two games to give me confidence that they are going to be able to run against the 6A 3rd ranked team in the state.
McKay:
Pick: Cookeville 7 – Lebanon 42
Comments: Winning is hard, and the Cavs should be happy with their first win of the season over Livingston, but the equation changes this week. CHS is traveling to the home of the third-ranked 6A team in the state and LHS boasts athletes all over the field. Ultimately, I think Cookeville fights hard but gets beat by a better football team.
Pearson:
Pick: Lebanon
Lindsay:
Pick: Cookeville 16 – Lebanon 34
Comments: Lebanon receiver Anthony Crowell is fresh off a 104.5 The Zone Hero of the Week award for his efforts in a 43-3 win against Wilson Central, and I think his great start to the season continues against the Cavaliers.
Game 2:
Cumberland County (0-2) vs Upperman (2-0) – Live on UCR 2 on Facebook with Buddy Pearson and Chase Hoke on the call
Last week:
Cumberland County: 33-0 loss vs Monterey
Upperman: 49-8 win over Trousdale County
Ellis:
Pick: Cumberland County 0 – Upperman 42
Comments: I know for a fact that Adam Caine hated giving up any points last week to Trousdale, regardless of who was in the game. That in mind, I fully expect the defense to pitch a shutout and Jaxson Rollins and Terrance Dedmon will dominate on offense once again to start 1-0 in region play.
Matheney:
Pick: Cumberland County 0 – Upperman 49
Comments: This game is an indication of how good Upperman is. Not How bad Cumberland County is. Honestly the Bees can name their score in this one.
McKay:
Pick: Cumberland County 0 – Upperman 49
Comments: The Bees have left no doubt through the first two games of the season, they are legit. I see no reason for that to change this week against a young CCHS team. The Bees have never lost a region game under Adam Caine and I don’t see that changing any time soon.
Pearson:
Pick: Upperman
Lindsay:
Pick: Cumberland County 14 – Upperman 35
Comments: The young Cumberland County Jets are tasked with defeating a top-5 Upperman team in Baxter, a task few have accomplished. Upperman RB Jaxson Rollins and the experienced Bees will use their experience to their advantage to pick up a region win.
Game 3:
White County (2-0) vs Station Camp (2-0) – Live on UCR 4 on Facebook with Michael Dodgen and Randy Wallace on the call
Last week:
White County: 22-21 win over Warren County
Station Camp: 44-23 win @ Hillsboro
Ellis:
Pick: White County 21 – Station Camp 41
Comments: For me to pick White County in a region game, I need them to prove to me first that they can win against some of the best teams in the region. On the road against Station Camp is a tough way to start region play for the Warriors, so I’ll take Station Camp to pull away late in this one.
Matheney:
Pick: White County 21 – Station Camp 24
Comments: Malaki Dowell is the best player on the field in this one. However, Station Camp has a deeper and bigger team; especially up front. I need the Warriors to win one of these they aren’t supposed to win before I can start picking them to do so.
McKay:
Pick: White County 21 – Station Camp 28
Comments: Malaki Dowell will be who he is, a superstar, but the Bison are a real top-10 5A team at this point. Ultimately they have home field advantage and more ways to win, so I’ll pick them in this one.
Pearson:
Pick: Station Camp
Lindsay:
Pick: White County 28 – Station Camp 20
Comments: A massive early-season game for White County against a 2-0 Station Camp group. The Warriors boast a weapon few teams in Tennessee have in RB Malaki Dowell, and look for him to carry the load against Station Camp. Star players shine in big moments, and this is certainly that.
Game 4:
Livingston Academy (0-2) vs Stone Memorial (2-0)
Last week:
Livingston: 27-7 loss vs Cookeville
Stone Memorial: 35-6 win @ East Ridge
Ellis:
Pick: Livingston 0 – Stone Memorial 39
Comments: The Panthers have a chance to move to 3-0 on the season and after what transpired in DeKalb-Macon, second place in this region is completely up for grabs. Hunter Heavilon, Kaleb Flowers and company will take care of business against the Wildcats.
Matheney:
Pick: Livingston 0 – Stone Memorial 49
Comments: Stone should thoroughly control this game in all three phases.
McKay:
Pick: Livingston 7 – Stone Memorial 42
Comments: It hasn’t been all bad for Livingston so far. I’ve been impressed with their ability to extend drives, but they haven’t been able to capitilize and turn them into points. Stone Memorial is quietly putting together a nice start to the season, and may make a run for a home playoff game. That starts Friday.
Pearson:
Pick: Stone Memorial
Lindsay:
Pick: Livingston 6 – Stone Memorial 42
Comments: A red-hot Stone Memorial team keeps it going in week 3. Receivers Kaleb Flowers and Bear Eldridge have traded 100-yard receiving efforts the first two weeks behind efficient play from QB Hunter Heavilon. Look for the Panthers to potentially score on the defensive end, too.
Game 5 (HSFB Game of the Week):
Monterey (2-0) vs York (1-1) – Live on the UCR Facebook page with Noah McKay and Justin Matheney on the call
Last week:
Monterey: 33-0 win @ Cumberland County
York: 35-2 win vs Jackson County
Ellis:
Pick: Monterey 28 – York 13
Comments: I like the Dragons’ physical style and I think Derwin Wright can coach them to finish in the top-3 of the region, but I think the Wildcats have the defense to counter the Wing-T and Mason Bowman will put together another big game to lead the Wildcats over the Dragons.
Matheney:
Pick: Monterey 24 – York 10
Comments: The Wildcats look really good so far this season. I expect them to progress each and every week as all those sophomores upfront get more comfortable playing. York’s overall team speed is something to watch in this game. The dragons have several players who can score from a long ways out in this one.
McKay:
Pick: Monterey 28 – York 14
Comments: I think this is a close game down the stretch with the Wildcats scoring late to make it a 14 point game. York is improving under Derwin Wright, and they are the first real test for Monterey this season. While York’s team speed could give MHS some problems, ultimately I think Mason Bowman and company make enough plays to move to 3-0.
Pearson:
Pick: Monterey
Lindsay:
Pick: Monterey 34 – York 20
Comments: Monterey’s Mason Bowman has video game numbers through 2 weeks, racking up over 470 rushing yards. Bowman & an experienced Monterey group keep it rolling week 3.