by Rusty Ellis
Photo by Michael Lindsay
Region races became even more chaotic with this past week of football action, as the finish to the regular season looks to be as frantic as ever in the Upper Cumberland.
Here’s everything you need to know about what happened:
Friday
Macon County 35, Stone Memorial 34
It’s only right to start with the game of the week, and it certainly delivered as the Tigers used a big effort from Gabe Borders and a late stop on a two-point conversion to seal the win. Region 4AAAA now becomes a four-team race, including Upperman and DeKalb who meet this week in Baxter, and tiebreakers are sure to make an even bigger mess out of it.
Clay County 53, Scott 7
The Bulldogs continued their winning ways by taking care of business against Scott, moving their record to 6-1 and holding serve at the top of the region standings. This week will see Clay go on the road to take on Grundy County, another winless team that the Bulldog defense can continue to impress against. The Bulldogs are only allowing 6.5 points per game, and that number is only that high because of the 20 points they gave up to Westmoreland.
Gordonsville 35, Trousdale County 0
The Tigers have remained neck-and-neck with Clay since opening the season with a two-game losing streak. Since then, Stephen Jackson’s unit has won six in a row and have more resembled the team many expected them to be. They’ll have their bye week this week, and return to action next week against region foe Red Boiling Springs.
White County 35, Hillsboro 21
The Warriors avenged last season’s defeat to the Burros with a 14-point win on Friday, all but locking up a playoff spot for Sparta. They’ll still need to take care of business against Sequatchie County (for any potential tiebreakers) and region opponent Hunters Lane to leave no doubt, but things are looking good in Sparta for them to have a chance to host a playoff game.
Cumberland County 7, Livingston Academy 0
The Jets picked up their first win of the season in shutout fashion on the road at Livingston Academy. Bryson Wilson snuck in the lone score against the Wildcats just before half, and the second half saw CCHS get tremendous pressure on LA quarterback Brodey Coffee. Drayton Hairston was productive on the ground for Cumberland and it all added up to a 7-0 win for the Jets. They’ll go on the bye week this week before taking on Jackson County the next.