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:
Gordonsville vs Clay County (Region Championship)
Ellis:
Pick: Gordonsville 24 – Clay County 34
Comments: The Bulldogs have looked the part all year and are a 2-point conversion away from being undefeated up to now. I like Gordonsville’s style and they have more depth, but in a game this close, I’m looking at the coaching. Give me Bruce Lamb and the Bulldogs.
Matheney:
Pick: Gordonsville 21 – Clay County 38
Comments: You win some, you lose some. Nothing like the head ball coach texting you after a game, in which you picked against his team, talking that smack! Big home win for the Bulldogs last week and it looks like more of the same this week. We talk a lot about that Clay County offense but it’s the defense that is the real difference maker right now, allowing less than a touchdown a game.
Lindsay:
Pick: Gordonsville 18 – Clay County 28
Comments: The Region 4A championship pits the 7-2 Gordonsville Tigers against the 8-1 Clay County Bulldogs in Celina, and I think the home fans leave happy Friday night. Clay County’s physicality should allow them to seal the game late.
Pearson
Pick: Clay County
McKay:
Pick: Gordonsville 21 – Clay County 28
Comments: The Bulldogs are rolling. This is a great matchup, but I’m looking at the balance of the Clay County offense and their very high level of play on defense. Couple that with Gordonsville’s head scratching loss against Watertown and close game with Jo Byrns, give me the Bulldogs.
Game 2:
East Nashville vs Smith County (Region Championship)
Ellis:
Pick: East Nashville 38 – Smith County 34
Comments: I want Smith County to win this game for the Upper Cumberland, but I think East makes just one too many plays for the Owls to win this one. It’s a much more respectable final this time around however, Matt Dyer’s squad is making some headway for sure in the region.
Matheney:
Pick: East Nashville 28 – Smith County 21
Comments: Speed kills here. I’m picking against my gut of the most physical team wins. What a matchup for the region championship Friday night in Carthage.
Lindsay:
Pick: East Nashville 35 – Smith County 14
Comments: Class 3A No. 7 Smith County has put together an impressive 8-1 season so far and hosts East Nashville Friday for the Region 5-3A championship. East Nashville is a different animal, though, as the No. 2-ranked Eagles are coming off a state championship appearance last year and haven’t lost any steam in 2022. Eagle running back Tre’Quan Waters has already eclipsed 1,000 yards on the season and will be a key piece Friday.
Pearson
Pick: Smith County
McKay:
Pick: East Nashville 21 – Smith County 27
Comments: Most physical team wins. I know how good East Nashville is. They are a force in the 3A classification, but this Owls squad is big, physical and hungry for a huge W. It’s in the Black Hole, and I’ve got the Owls pulling the upset.
Game 3:
Stone Memorial vs DeKalb County (Stone wins region with win, loser is 4th in the region)
Ellis:
Pick: Stone Memorial 21 – DeKalb County 17
Comments: Stone’s got a chance to control their own destiny here, and while DeKalb will certainly make them earn it, I think Stone gets the job done on the road.
Matheney:
Pick: Stone Memorial 28 – DeKalb County 24
Comments: What a tough game to pick here. I picked the Panthers here in a tight one. Stone Memorial found a way to slow down a very physical Upperman team earlier in the season. I think their experience from that game pays off a ton here. Your Region 4/4A champs reside in Crossville.
Lindsay:
Pick: Stone Memorial 22 – DeKalb County 21
Comments: Two great teams meet in Smithville Friday with a region championship on the line for Stone Memorial. The defenses will shine, keeping this one low-scoring. Look for Stone Memorial to go for 2 should they score late.
Pearson
Pick: DeKalb County
McKay:
Pick: Stone Memorial 21 – DeKalb County 22
Comments: Toughest game of the year for me to pick, and a fitting end to our regular season slate of livestream games. I think this one comes down to two factors: It’s in Smithville and the Tigers defense is ferocious. It won’t surprise me if either team wins, but I’ll take the Tigers to win on a last-minute two-point conversion. Get your popcorn ready
Game 4:
Rockwood vs York (York wins region with win, Monterey wins region with Rockwood win and win over Wartburg)
Ellis:
Pick: Rockwood 31 – York 17
Comments: I got burned last week, so this is a prove it game. Otherwise, Monterey’s winning this region. That’s all I’ve got to say here.
Matheney:
Pick: Rockwood 28 – York 27
Comments: Rockwood is on an absolute heater offensively averaging 50 points a game over the last month. Granted the competition over the last month has been less than stellar. The Dragons have lost the last three of four against much tougher competition. A win for York would need to see the explosives back on the offensive side of the ball.
Lindsay:
Pick: Rockwood 34 – York 26
Comments: Friday’s showdown in Jamestown should come down to the wire, but I think the visiting Tigers do just enough to get a win. Rockwood’s 1,000-yard rusher Dakota Waldo will be a problem for the Dragons, who are currently on a 2-game skid.
Pearson
Pick: Rockwood
McKay:
Pick: Rockwood 35 – York 27
Comments: I went back-and-forth on this one, but I’m going to pick the team that’s playing better at this moment. The Dragons have faced a tough schedule recently, but I thought they would be competitive in them and that hasn’t happened. Injuries have hurt this York squad, and I hope they get some guys back before the playoffs start. This should be a good game.
Game 5:
Shelbyville vs Cookeville (Winner is 3rd in region)
Ellis:
Pick: Shelbyville 17 – Cookeville 24
Comments: I’m trusting the Cavs to not have their atypical first-half struggles in this one. The offense has been solid at making halftime adjustments so if they can come out with a sense of urgency right away, I think they’ll be in good shape in this one.
Matheney:
Pick: Shelbyville 34 – Cookeville 35
Comments: Not an ideal spot of either program. Loser travels to Oakland and the winner travels to Blackman. Big two letter word here IF the Cavaliers can slow down the run game look for them to win this one. Offensively, Cookeville needs to continue to hunt the big play in the passing game.
Lindsay:
Pick: Shelbyville 34 – Cookeville 35
Comments: Give me the home team as two near-even programs meet in a battle for third place in Region 3-6A Friday. Cookeville does just enough defensively to hold off Shelbyville late.
Pearson
Pick: Cookeville
McKay:
Pick: Shelbyville 28 – Cookeville 21
Comments: Cookeville has to be able to run the ball to win this game, and recently that has been a struggle. You don’t want to have to go to Oakland in the first round, so both teams should be desperate for a win. Prove me wrong, Cavs!
Game 6:
Upperman vs Livingston (UHS wins region with win and DeKalb win)
Ellis:
Pick: Upperman 48 – Livingston 6
Comments: The Bees. Terrance Dedmon. Jonathon Rushing. That’s all.
Matheney:
Pick: Upperman 42 – Livingston 0
Comments: Tough back to back years here for the Wildcats. Look for the Bees to get more young players going in the backfield as they look to replace the production from Jaxon Rollins.
Lindsay:
Pick: Upperman 42 – Livingston 6
Comments: Two programs in different places right now. Look for Upperman to get the running clock going then rest their starters as they prepare for a playoff run.
Pearson
Pick: Upperman
McKay:
Pick: Upperman 42 – Livingston 0
Comments: Bees end this one early in the night and then turn their attention towards the game in Smithville.