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.
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.
Michael Lindsay: Senior Sports Reporter of the Upper Cumberland Reporter.
Game 1: Alcoa (5-1) vs Cookeville (2-4)
Last week:
Alcoa: 29-26 loss vs West
Cookeville: 58-29 loss @ Gallatin
Ellis:
Pick: Alcoa 41 – Cookeville 7
Comments: If Cookeville can look competitive and respectable, that’s enough of a win for the Cavs. Other than that, just come out of this game healthy and ready to move on to the next.
Matheney:
Pick: Alcoa 41 – Cookeville 14
Comments: Cookeville had shown no ability to stop the run whatsoever this season and I don’t see that changing Thursday night against Alcoa. Long night for the good guys.
Lindsay:
Pick: Alcoa 56 – Cookeville 7
Comments: I mean it’s Alcoa. There are less than 10 teams in Tennessee who could even keep it close with the Tornadoes. No disrespect to Cookeville, but the Tornadoes should roll fairly easy in this one. A win for Cookeville is leaving the game injury-free.
Pearson:
Pick: Alcoa
McKay:
Pick: Alcoa 56 – Cookeville 14
Comments: It’s Alcoa. Just get out healthy and get ready for an important three game stretch if you are the Cavs. Alcoa is a monster.
Game 2: Stone Memorial (6-0) vs Cumberland County (0-6)
Last week:
Stone Memorial: 44-7 win @ York
Cumberland County: 21-10 loss vs Polk County
Ellis:
Pick: Stone Memorial 38 – Cumberland County 0
Comments: Stone’s offense was electric a week ago against York and I expect this week to be no different. Hunter Heavilon adds three more touchdowns to his senior season and the Panther defense pitches a shutout. 7-0’s looking really good in Crossville.
Matheney:
Pick: Stone Memorial 56 – Cumberland County 7
Comments: Name your score on this one for the Panthers. Stone Memorial and the Jets are at different places right now.
Lindsay:
Pick: Stone Memorial 46 – Cumberland County 10
Comments: The Battle of Big Mountain trophy will stay on Cook Rd. another year as the AP top-10 Panthers improve to 7-0. Cumberland County kept it close last year (21-9), but most of the big pieces from that Jet squad have graduated. Stone Memorial quarterback Hunter Heavilon should add another impressive game to his resume. Look for a Stone Memorial touchdown on either defense or special teams, too.
Pearson:
Pick: Stone Memorial
McKay:
Pick: Stone Memorial 42 – Cumberland County 14
Comments: These two teams don’t like each other which should make this one a fun one. Ultimately, these are two teams in completely different spots. I expect Stone to get to 7-0 before a monster showdown next week against Macon County.
Game 3: Lakeway Christian (3-3) vs Monterey (4-2)
Last week:
Lakeway Christian: 38-21 loss vs Middle Tennessee Christian
Monterey: 28-13 win @ TN Heat
Ellis:
Pick: Lakeway Christian 20 – Monterey 24
Comments: Monterey gets their third straight win and begins to really build some momentum heading into the back-end of the schedule. I’m looking for a solid performance in both the passing and running game, and the Wildcat defense will get a crucial stop late to seal their fifth win of the season.
Matheney:
Pick: Lakeway Christian 14 – Monterey 28
Comments: Admittedly the game I know the least about because of Lakeway. They travel up the mountain to play the Wildcats who are tough to beat at home.
Lindsay:
Pick: Lakeway Christian 13 – Monterey 21
Comments: The Wildcats keep the wins flowing against a solid Lakeway Christian program. As much as Mason Bowman has done for Monterey this year, I could see the Wildcats spreading the love a little this week to save him for the home stretch.
Pearson:
Pick: Monterey
McKay:
Pick: Lakeway Christian 14 – Monterey 28
Comments: This is a solid Lions squad, but I expect Monterey to be the superior team. Another big week incoming for Mason Bowman.
Game 4: White County (5-1) vs Wilson Central (1-5)
Last week:
White County: 21-20 win over Green Hill
Wilson Central: 31-3 loss vs Mt. Juliet
Ellis:
Pick: White County 31 – Wilson Central 10
Comments: With or without Malaki Dowell, I’m expecting a dominant showing from Sparta. If there’s no Malaki, this is a chance for Tripp Pinion to continue showing his growth as both a player and a leader. Wilson Central’s had a rough season to this point, and I don’t see it getting any better when the Warriors come to town.
Matheney:
Pick: White County 20 – Wilson Central 17 (Without #6)
White County 49 – Wilson Central 17 (With #6)
Comments: The difference in this game is all dependent on #6 playing. The Warriors are good enough to win without him. However, I think the game looks much different if he is in the game or not.
Lindsay:
Pick: White County 28 – Wilson Central 6
Comments: Even if there is no Malaki Dowell, that shouldn’t stop the Warriors from improving to 6-1. No better chance for the rest of the talented Warriors lineup to showcase their abilities before Dowell’s return for the final stretch of the season, if he was to miss the game.
Pearson:
Pick: White County
McKay:
Pick: White County 28 – Wilson Central 14
Comments: With or without Malaki Dowell, I think Sparta is the better team in this one. I will be watching the WCHS defense closely. If they can play like they played last week the Warriors may turn into a contender in the 5A classification to make some noise in the postseason. The Warriors must avoid dropping this game.
Game 5: Upperman (4-2) vs Macon County (6-0)
Last week:
Upperman: 48-7 win @ Watertown
Macon County: 42-15 win vs Portland
Ellis:
Pick: Upperman 21 – Macon County 20
Comments: Good lord this is tough. I really like what I’ve seen out of Gabe Borders and he has the ability to take over a game by himself, but looking at the whole picture, I like the depth that Upperman offers just a hair more. This is the kind of game where a missed extra point or a failed 2-point conversion costs you the game. Still, I’m very impressed with the season Kyle Shoulders’ squad has put together up to this point. I’d hate to be the other region once the playoffs begin.
Matheney:
Pick: Upperman 27 – Macon County 21
Comments: Upperman has yet to beat a team with a winning record on the season. A win against Macon County would go a long way for me believing in the Bees as a team that can make it past the second round of the playoffs. A loss here sends Upperman on the road for post season play. Upperman, on paper at least, has better players top to bottom but do they have the better team?
Lindsay:
Pick: Upperman 20 – Macon County 26
Comments: One of the biggest games on the plateau this season as the Bees head north to Lafayette. I stared at my computer for a good 30 minutes thinking about this pick, and good luck projecting a winner in this one. AP No. 7 Macon County has put together an impressive 6-0 start, while the Bees are in unfamiliar territory at 4-2 with a region loss to Stone. But don’t let that fool you; this Upperman team is still a top-10 team in Class 4A in terms of talent. I don’t pick Macon County lightly; I understand what Upperman brings to the table. But I think the Tigers bring just a little more and pull off the home victory.
Pearson:
Pick: Upperman
McKay:
Pick: Upperman 28 – Macon County 20
Comments: One of the toughest games of the year for me to pick. Gabe Borders is electric, but Upperman will be coming to Lafayette very motivated knowing they can’t drop another region game. This should be a dogfight to the end, and I just trust UHS a little bit more in this spot given their recent history. Can’t wait to watch this one in person.