Each week Team UCR predicts high school football games across the Upper Cumberland, presented by TLTSports Performance.
Note: These picks are all opinion-based and intended to foster conversation about high school sports.
Experts:
Rusty Ellis: Sports Director
Jacob Vinson: Livestream Director
Michael Lindsay: Senior Sports Reporter
Justin Matheney: Co-Owner/Lead Color Commentator
Noah McKay: Co-Owner/Lead Play-By-Play Commentator
Week 2, 2023:
Lebanon at Upperman
Rusty:
Pick: Upperman 24-14
Comments: I went against Upperman last week for the first time since I arrived at UCR and they sure showed me! So this week, I’ll roll with the Bees against another tough customer in the Lebanon Blue Devils. Another stout defensive outing like last week puts the rest of Class 4A on notice.
Jacob:
Pick: Upperman 21-13
Comments: The Bees showed out in week one against a good Fayetteville team. The defense has been the calling card ever since coach Caine has been at the helm and that’s what leads them to victory this week. The Bees defend their home turf and notch another big victory.
Michael:
Pick: Upperman 21-20
Comments: Upperman’s schedule sees no break in week two as they welcome Class 6A power Lebanon to the Hive. I had questions about Upperman in week one, but the Bees answered them in emphatic fashion. I see the Bees edging out a win in this slugfest. Both teams will be feeling this game on Saturday.
Justin:
Pick: Upperman 14 Lebanon 10
Comments: I struggled with picking this game the most this week. If there’s a loss on the schedule for the Bees, it’s this game. However, I’m rolling with Upperman here until they give me a reason not to. The most interesting matchup in this game is the Lebanon spread passing attack against Uppermans cover three. If the Blue Devils can get it blocked up front there is a possibility for some big plays in the passing game. Bees in a close one.
Noah:
Pick: Upperman 20-7
Comments: Upperman was dominant in week one. Now an explosive 6A offense rolls into Baxter, but until I see a team do anything against them offensively, I’ll roll with the UHS defense. This reminds me of UHS-Cookeville 2018, where many assumed the 6A team would roll, and that didn’t happen. Look for another big game out of Bronzden Chaffin on the ground.
PURE Academy at Cookeville
Rusty:
Pick: PURE Academy 27-24
Comments: Listen Cookeville. I want you to win. I want you to be great. I need to see it happen first. Come out and take care of business against PURE, and I’ll be more likely to pick you moving forward.
Jacob:
Pick: PURE Academy 35-28
Comments: Another close affair falls in the way of the away team in Cookeville this week. I second the sentiment that Rusty said. We want Cookeville to win. However, until that happens, I’ve got to go with PURE. The Royals have athletes and playmakers all over the field who will be tough to handle for the Cavs’ defense.
Michael:
Pick: PURE Academy 26-13
Comments: It took a lot of digging to find information on PURE Academy, but what I did find could be trouble for the Cavaliers. PURE is athletic and has speed all over the place. The Memphis-based prep school has produced multiple Division 1 football players recently and could be too athletic for the Cavs. I like some things I saw from Cookeville in week one, but finishing the job and turning progress into wins is a tough task.
Justin:
Pick: Cookeville 24 PURE 21
Comments: We still do not know anything about PURE after week one. I was told Haywood was way down and played a third-string QB. I’m rolling with my Cavs in this one for no other reason than being a homer. Cookeville needs to taste a victory before they head south down Highway 111 next week.
Noah:
Pick: Cookeville 28-21
Comments: PURE Academy is 0-1 after a close loss to a rebuilding Haywood squad. Cookeville is 0-1 after last week’s dramatic loss against Stone Memorial. The Cavs should be desperate for a win in this one before they head to Sparta next week, and I think the more desperate team wins.
White County at Warren County
Rusty:
Pick: White County 31-28
Comments: This should be an awesome, old-school matchup featuring two teams that love to hit and I’m going with the team with the best player on the field in Tripp Pinion. Sparta starts 2-0 and looks really good through the season’s first two weeks.
Jacob:
Pick: Warren County 40-35
Comments: This one was a one-point game a year ago in Sparta. Now the Pioneers get their revenge in McMinnville. Warren County had too many one-possession games go the other team’s way last season. Pioneers in a close one.
Michael:
Pick: White County 28-19
Comments: In Tripp We Trust? The new-look White County Warriors rolled in week one behind their talented quarterback despite a load of penalties on offense. I’ve got confidence in Sparta to clean those up and win an old-fashioned rivalry game on the road in week two.
Justin:
Pick: White County 28 Warren County 24
Comments: What a battle between two quarterbacks in this one. Both Tripp Pinion and Alex Van Vuuren put up video game-like numbers last week in their week one wins. The defense that settles in the earliest is who will get the edge in McMinnville. I’m a slight Warriors lean here but this is truly a 50/50 game.
Noah:
Pick: White County 35-31
Comments: I think these are two evenly matched teams. This is a great quarterback battle between Tripp Pinion and Alex Van Vuuren. In games like this where it is mostly equal, I lean towards the team with the best player. Number 3 is the best player in the matchup so give me the Warriors.
Whites Creek at Livingston
Rusty:
Pick: Livingston 17-7
Comments: The streak finally ends. Livingston gets on the board with a win against Whites Creek and Matthan Houser and his staff’s work begins to bear fruit. Enjoy this one, Hogeye fans. You’ve waited a long time for it.
Jacob:
Pick: Livingston 21-0
Comments: I thought the Wildcats had it last week. I’m even more sure the Wildcats get it this week. The first win in 1,036 days for HOGEYE. The defense looked good in week one and the offense will come around in week two for the big win.
Michael:
Pick: Livingston Academy 13-6
Comments: Welcome back to the winner’s circle Hogeye; it’s been too long. Livingston was missing a few big pieces in week one, but a nearly full LA roster will take the field in week two and snap the streak. Somebody check on Josh Scott after the game.
Justin:
Pick: LA 16 Whites Creek 7
Comments: The Wildcats NEED this win. The next two opponents, that happen to be from Region 4-4A, are teams that have given them tons of trouble over the last two seasons. Getting Coffee back at QB should make all the difference here for LA. Although, I do expect Coffee to be somewhat rusty early.
Noah:
Pick: Livingston 13-7
Comments: It’s now or never for Livingston. It’s a prime letdown for Whites Creek and the Wildcats are getting their quarterback back. It should be a rowdy atmosphere and I expect Hogeye chants to ring through the UC after the game.
Monterey at Rockwood
Rusty:
Pick: Monterey 21-14
Comments: I really liked what we saw out of Monterey last week and I don’t believe we have much reason to bet against Coach Hughes and his team. I’m looking for big things from Kole Bowman and I’m betting on some more clarity in the quarterback battle. Give me the Wildcats!
Jacob:
Pick: Monterey 15-14
Comments: I like a close one in this contest. The Wildcats needed a fourth-quarter comeback to get the job done in week one and beat Rockwood by two scores last year. However, coach Hughes gets the most out of his Wildcats and that trend continues in week two.
Michael:
Pick: Monterey 26-12
Comments: These are two teams that want to play the same style of football, I just think Monterey does it a little better on Friday. This game features two coaches with a whole lot of wins under their belt, but Scott Hughes should leave with one more after Friday. Gotta give Rockwood some credit though, their walk out from the locker room is electric. That’s worth a few points right?
Justin:
Pick: Monterey 21 Rockwood 10
Comments: The boys on the mountain have dominated this matchup the last two seasons. The Wildcats aren’t going to run away with this one but they have an opportunity to control this game on the offensive and defensive lines.
Noah:
Pick: Monterey 20-13
Comments: I like the makeup of this Monterey team, particularly on the lines. The Tigers struggled with Oneida up front and I expect Monterey to have similar success. As the young players on the outside round into form, look for Monterey to win games by winning time of possession and the turnover battle.
Smith County at DeKalb County
Rusty:
Pick: Smith County 21-20
Comments: This one is tough, and the biggest difference for me is the size up front. While the quarterback and skill positions are really close across the board, I just think the Ows have too much size in the trenches and that will ultimately be the difference. An 0-2 start for DeKalb is less than ideal, but knowing Steve Trapp and his staff, I don’t think the sky will be falling just yet.
Jacob:
Pick: Smith County 35-21
Comments: The Owls keep it moving into week two with another big win. The Tigers have some question marks still looking to be answered before Region play. Give me the Owls on the road.
Michael:
Pick: Smith County 28-13
Comments: A great non-region matchup awaits fans in Smithville on Friday night. I’ll be in attendance, and I think the Owls pull away late to secure a big win to start 2-0.
Justin:
Pick: DeKalb County 17 Smith County 14
Comments: Another 50/50 game in Smithville. If I’m the DeKalb County coaching staff I’m throwing the kitchen sink at Smith County’s freshman QB until he shows me he can handle it. Brizz Trapp will have to carry this offense, not just this game but all season. The deciding factor in this one for me is the older more experienced QB.
Noah:
Pick: Smith County 28-13
Comments: The Owls are a big, physical football team. They’ll be hungry for revenge after last year’s walkoff in Carthage by the Tigers. They are the healthier team, which helps balance out the home-field advantage and while you won’t have much luck betting against DeKalb, I will take the Owls in this one.
Grace Christian at York Institute
Rusty:
Pick: York 31-17
Comments: I really liked York’s performance last week, not many teams can turn the ball over like they did and STILL win by 26. If they clean the turnovers up, the Dragons are a force to be reckoned with and an athlete Myles Leffew leading the way makes a 2-0 start more likely. I’ll take the Dragons.
Jacob:
Pick: York 35-21.
Comments: I like York in this one as well. The Dragons played how they should in week one and still can improve on a lot into week two. The Rams allowed 21 points in week one and allowed 26 per contest on average last season. Look for Myles Leffew and company to have a strong outing offensively.
Michael:
Pick: York 41-34
Comments: York cleans up the week one turnovers and wins a week two shootout against Grace Christian. GCA throws it almost every down, so bring your tents to Jamestown Saturday; this game could last all night
Justin:
Pick: York 28 Grace Christian 21
Comments: Who doesn’t love Saturday football in the Upper Cumberland? Complete Upper Cumberland homer pick here as well for me. I anticipate YAI to clean up some things from their big week one win and look even better in week two. Admittedly,I know very little about Grace Christian here.
Noah:
Pick: York 35-21
Comments: This is a great Saturday matchup. Grace Christian is going to throw it around, which will give York a chance to show off their speed on the outside. It’s no secret I am high on the Dragons this year, and I expect them to continue their winning ways.