by Rusty Ellis
The regular season has come and gone, and it’s time for postseason football.
Week 11 saw four Upper Cumberland teams win region championships, as Stone Memorial, Smith County, Clay County and York Institute all clinched the top seeds in their regions heading into the playoffs.
Here’s everything you need to know about Friday’s action, as well as upcoming playoff opponents for everyone in the area.
Thursday
White County 53, Sequatchie County 21
A slow start offensively didn’t deter the Warriors, as Malaki Dowell and Tripp Pinion put some finishing touches on their outstanding regular seasons. Pinion eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark, and Dowell was as unstoppable as ever in the blowout victory.
By nature of Mt. Juliet’s win over Green Hill, White County earned the two-seed in the region and will host 7-3 Franklin County.
Friday
Stone Memorial 29, DeKalb County 28 (OT)
The Panthers earned the Region 4-4A Championship in a gritty win over the Tigers in Smithville. Quarterback Hunter Heavilon found Brady Lane in the end zone for a contested snag and a two-point conversion to seal the victory, moving Stone’s record to 9-1.
Stone will host 5-5 Hixson, while DeKalb County will hit the road to take on 7-3 East Hamilton.
Smith County 15, East Nashville 14
The Owls shocked the Class AAA world on Friday, stunning the Eagles of East Nashville by one in Carthage. Kaden Powell tossed a deep touchdown to Johnny Lyda near the end of the first half, and Bryce Currie scored on a 14-yard touchdown in the third to give the Owls and head coach Matt Dyer the permanent lead.
Smith County moves their record to 9-1, and they will host Sycamore in the first round.
Clay County 27, Gordonsville 20
The Bulldogs of Clay County got over the hump for the first region title in program history with their seven-point win over the Tigers. Clay’s offense was led by Keaton Arms and Joseph Marcom as it has been all season, and the defense clinched the win with a goal-line, fourth down stand in the final minutes of the game.
Clay County will host 4-6 Sale Creek, while Gordonsville earned the two-seed and will host 5-5 Lookout Valley.
York Institute 32, Rockwood 0
The Dragons snapped a two-game skid to win the Region 2-2A Championship in a 32-0 blowout of Rockwood. With this win, the Dragons moved their record to 6-4 and an undefeated 4-0 in region play.
They will host 2-8 Cumberland Gap on Friday.
Monterey 35, Wartburg 2
The Wildcats took care of business on Friday and clinched the second overall seed with their 35-2 win over Wartburg. Monterey is now 8-2 and 3-1 in region play, as they’ve won their last six games.
The Wildcats will host 2-8 Happy Valley on Friday.
Upperman 63, Livingston Academy 7
The Upperman Bees earned the two seed in Region 4 as well, as they dominated Livingston behind a rushing attack the Wildcats had no answer for. Livingston finishes their season 0-10 for the second consecutive year.
Upperman meanwhile finishes 8-2 and will host 6-4 Chattanooga Central.
Macon County 44, Cumberland County 0
The Tigers of Macon County will be the three-seed in Region 4, as they shut out Cumberland County to send their record to 8-2. The Jets finish their season with a 2-8 record.
Macon County will also have to hit the road, as they will take on 8-2 Red Bank in what should be one of the best games in the first round.
Cookeville 54, Shelbyville 43
The Cookeville Cavaliers are back in the playoffs, as they took down Shelbyville by nine to win their third game of the season. That’s a two-game improvement over last year for the Cavaliers, who will be the three-seed in Region 3.
They will head to Murfreesboro to take on 8-2 Blackman, a rematch of a game from Week 10.
Lebanon 28, Warren County 7
The Pioneers saw their season come to an end in a tough loss at Lebanon, as Warren County finishes their season with a 1-9 record that saw them drop several one-score games.
Stratford 28, Jackson County 19
Jackson County took on Stratford in a win-and-in game, but they fell just short against the Spartans by nine. The Blue Devils season ends with a 2-8 record overall and an 0-4 mark in region play.