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 3, 2023
GOTW: Cookeville at White County
Rusty:
Pick: White County 31-28
Comments: To Justin’s credit, he just about got the score exactly last year when everyone leaned heavily towards Sparta. This year, I think it’s a battle where one team has to make a bend, don’t break-kind of stop in the last minute to win. I’ll go with the home team in this one, as I think Tripp Pinion and company do just enough to win.
Jacob:
Pick: White County 42-28
Comments: I’ve thought heavily about the matchups in the first two weeks and probably to a fault. I’m going to go with my gut this week and pick Sparta fairly handily. Cookeville showed last week that they can get the job done when it matters, but the Warriors have shown they’re not to be overlooked this year. Tripp Pinion leads Sparta to victory in the 111 rivalry.
Michael:
Pick: White County 34-20
Comments: The Upper Cumberland’s biggest rivalry renews in Sparta this week as a 1-1 Cookeville team visits 2-0 Sparta. Last season’s 59-54 thriller was one of the best games in UC history, and I see this one being another great game. Cookeville has some dangerous weapons, but White County’s Tripp Pinion has electric through two weeks and he’s the difference Friday night.
Justin:
Pick: Cookeville 31-28
Comments: In the words of the late, great Cookeville Caviler legend, Ottis Phillips, “Once a Cavalier, always a Caviler.” Even though my following comments will be strongly one sided I give you my word as a man and professional I will call this game as close to the middle as I can. With that being said, it’s good old fashioned Highway 111 hate. Y’all love to hate Cookeville and we love to hate Sparta. Neither of us would have it any other way. No earthly idea if the good guys can stop Tripp all night but we are going to find out. Gimme my Cavs all day everyday.
Noah:
Pick: White County 42-34
Comments: This is always a game where you can throw the records out the window, and while I like what Cookeville did in the running game last week with Thomas Johnson, Sparta still has Tripp Pinion. Last week I picked Sparta because they had the best player on the field, and I’ll do it again here. However, if Cookeville can scheme up some deep shots, they could go pull off the W.
Upperman at Macon County
Rusty
Pick: Upperman 34-10
Comments: I have high hopes for this game, but I think the Upperman defense has just been so dominant this year. Whether it’s the secondary with guys like Branson Turnbow and Kam Bush or the Front 7 with Clayton Harris and Evan Briggs, neither Fayetteville nor Lebanon was up to the task. It’s going to be a massive challenge for anyone to put up a lot of points on this team AND slow them down offensively. I’ll take the Bees in a blowout, though I hope that Macon is more up to the challenge than the score indicates.
Jacob:
Pick: Upperman 21-7
Comments: What a matchup to start Region 4-4A play. The Tigers have looked solid through two games, however, they have not played the caliber of teams the Bees have beaten up on. Upperman’s defense has been more than stout to start the year and that continues on the road in Lafayette as the Bees pick up their 7th win in a row in the series against Macon County.
Michael:
Pick: Upperman 27-14
Comments: A massive early-season showdown in Region 4-4A sees two undefeated teams meet in Lafayette. Upperman has had Macon’s number in recent years and the Bees don’t show any signs of slowing down. Macon County’s special teams excellence will be key Friday as Upperman’s defense is on another level through two weeks. Look for Upperman to attack at all three levels with confidence building in quarterback Bronzden Chaffin week by week.
Justin:
Pick: Upperman 28-7
Comments: I’m assuming we will have a clean sweep of Upperman picks this week and that will fuel the fire in Lafayette. Unfortunately it doesn’t matter for the Tigers. That defense rolling out of Baxter is an ELITE unit. For Macon County I’m to have a chance Gabe Borders needs to go for 400 yards and five TD’s.
Noah:
Pick: Upperman 35-7
Comments: I think Upperman is a bonafide state championship contender, and while the score may appear lopsided, they probably roll past the majority of teams this season. Macon is a great matchup against some of the top teams in Region 4/4A, but their lack of size up-front is not good against the ferocious Upperman defensive line. Gabe Borders could go off, and that would deliver a huge W to Lafayette, but for now I’m rolling with the Bees.
East Robertson at Monterey
Rusty:
Pick: East Robertson 28-7
Comments: This has a lot more to do with East Robertson than Monterey. These are the favorites in many eyes to win the 2A title and they’ll do this to a lot of teams this season. I like how Monterey has looked in their 2-0 start and because of that, I wouldn’t sound any alarms if this game goes south. Still a lot of season left for the Wildcats!
Jacob:
Pick: East Robertson 35-14
Comments: The Indians stroll into Monterey having scored 111 points through the first two games of the season including 69 last week in shutout fashion. They have athletes and highly touted recruits all over the field. The Wildcats won’t go easily though and we all know Coach Hughes will defend his homefield. In the end though the Indians are too much to handle for the Wildcats.
Michael:
Pick: East Robertson 34-6
Comments: A state-championship contender with multiple nationally-ranked recruits rolls into Monterey Friday evening as the Wildcats open region play with East Robertson. The Indians will have speed across the field not often seen on the Upper Cumberland and should leave the plateau with a victory.
Justin:
Pick: East Robertson 35-7
Comments: Just like Butch Cassidy and the Sun Dance Kid facing the Mexican Armada sometimes you’re just out gunned. There will be talent on the field from East Robertson that’s going to play SEC college football on Saturdays.
Noah:
Pick: East Robertson 42-0
Comments: This is more about East Robertson and Monterey.
Livingston Academy at DeKalb County
Rusty:
Pick: DeKalb County 31-10
Comments: Injuries have decimated a really good team in the Tigers and Livingston certainly looks much-improved, as they *should* have a win on their record if not for Whites Creek’s decision to not finish their week two game. Even with all the injuries for DeKalb and improvement for LA, I still see Steve Trapp and his team walking out of week three with a dominant win.
Jacob:
Pick: Livingston 24-14
Comments: I’m all in on HOGEYE. The Wildcats should be 1-1, however, the Cobras decided they didn’t want to finish their game against LA and will go down as a no contest. Technically speaking that still means the Wildcats are looking for their first win in 1,043 days. That day has come when they take on an injury riddled Tigers squad. The offense looks great and the defense has taken a step up for LA this season and it comes to fruition in Smithville.
Michael:
Pick: DeKalb County 34-12
Comments: Injuries have plagued DeKalb County through two weeks, but the sky hasn’t fallen in Smithville yet. The Tigers (unfortunately) have played through similar situations in the past and have capable athletes on their roster. Livingston keeps it close for a half, but look for DeKalb County to control the second half en route to a region victory.
Justin:
Pick: DeKalb County 17-7
Comments: This is my pick with or without Brizz. Jordan Parker playing last year will give him confidence at the signal caller position. It’s the Tigers defense that makes all the difference in Smithville Friday night.
Noah:
Pick: DeKalb County 24-17
Comments: I picked LA on the coaches show, and while I think this will be a good game, I find myself believing in Steve Trapp having his team ready to play in a must-win Region 4/4A opener. The health of Briz Trapp is critical, but I think DeKalb is more prepared to win this game at this point in their program, but it will be a fun one.
Cumberland County at Stone Memorial
Rusty:
Pick: Stone Memorial 41-6
Comments: The Panthers rolled Sweetwater thanks to great games from Nick Osmun and Bear Eldridge, and I have no reason to believe that duo won’t continue that play this week. Noah Repasky’s got the Jets playing great ball and I love the work he’s done with that program, but this is just a case of two teams in two different spots.
Jacob:
Pick: Stone Memorial 35-7
Comments: The Panthers showed out last week against Sweetwater and that continues to start region play. Osmun has looked great at QB for coach Samber’s squad and I think the Jets DBs are going to have their hands full. Of course, it’s still a cross town rivalry and anything can happen. But Stone will be too much for Cumberland County.
Michael:
Pick: Stone Memorial 41-14
Comments: The King of the Mountain showdown returns for another chapter as a feisty Cumberland County team makes the 4-mile trip to Stone Memorial. The Panthers have reigned on the Mountain Throne for 12 straight seasons, and look for Derik Samber’s squad to make it 13 on Friday. The Panther offense is a force to be reckoned with as quarterback Nick Osmun has thrown for 8 touchdowns in 2 weeks. Winners get ice cream at Eco Travel Plaza, right?
Justin:
Pick: Stone Memorial 38-7
Comments: Stone had too much talent and speed for the Jets to match up here. The battle for Crossville stays lop sided with another big Panthers win.
Noah:
Pick: Stone Memorial 42-13
Comments: The CCHS defense has been really good through two weeks, but the Stone passing attack is a different animal. Nick Osmun has been great, and I see no reason for that to change this week. I expect the Panthers to knock off their cross-county rival.
Jackson County at Clay County
Rusty:
Pick: Clay County 24-10
Comments: No doubt, Clay County opened the season with two tough customers in York and Westmoreland, but they should get on the board with a win this week against the Blue Devils. I think Jackson looked solid against Clinton in week one before Sale Creek beat them last week, and I just don’t think they’ll be able to pick up much steam against a Clay defense that played really well against Westmoreland last week.
Jacob:
Pick: Clay County 21-7
Comments: The Bulldogs finally get into the win column this week. Clay County started the year against some great competition in York and Westmoreland and stayed in a tight one in week two. The young squad breaks through and gets some momentum before a big non-region matchup with Monterey next week.
Michael:
Pick: Clay County 28-7
Comments: A rough start for Clay County gets on the right track Friday as the Bulldogs face Jackon County. The Blue Devils have shown growth this offseason and picked up a week-one victory, but Clay County has been a force in this area for years and should be back in the win column Friday.
Justin:
Pick: Clay County 21-0
Comments: Bruce Lamb’s Bulldogs are looking to take out some frustration from the first two weeks of the season. Clay County comes out too motivated and stifles the Blue Devils.
Noah:
Pick: Clay County 14-7
Comments: This is a tossup game for me. The Clay County offense has scored six points in two weeks, while JC is coming off a 28-point loss to Sale Creek. Jackson County got a win in week 1, while Clay County is looking for their first win. Ultimately, I think Clay County is the more desperate team and the more desperate team wins.
Liberty Creek at Smith County
Rusty:
Pick: Smith County 24-17
Comments: There’s been good progression from the Owls in the season’s first two weeks, and I see that continuing against Liberty Creek. Smith finally gets to play a home game too, and when that stadium is packed like I expect it will be, that can be the difference in a close game. I’ll take the Owls to make it to 3-0, and depending on what happens, we might see some movement in the UC Top 5.
Jacob:
Pick: Smith County 21-14
Comments: The Owls stay undefeated through three weeks of play with a big win over Liberty Creek. A new opponent in Liberty Creek as they’ve only been a school for a couple of years now. Smith County pulled a big win in week one and kept the momentum going into week two in Smithville after shutting out the Tigers. Owls by a score in this one.
Michael:
Pick: Smith County 27-20
Comments: Liberty Creek makes the trip from Gallatin to Carthage Friday for Smith County’s home opener. The 2-0 Owls are primed for another victory behind the continued progression of quarterback Riley Martin and the talented weapons around him. The Hole is one of my favorite football environments in the Upper Cumberland and it should be rocking on Friday.
Justin:
Pick: Smith County 20-10
Comments: Couldn’t tell you the first thing about Liberty Creek here. Complete Upper Cumberland homer pick from me. I do expect Riley Martin and Co. to continue to progress each week offensively.
Noah:
Pick: Smith County 21-7
Comments: The Owls are a train that just keeps on rolling and they will continue to get better every week. Liberty Creek is a new school which leads to some unknowns, but ultimately I think the Owls have more than enough to get it done.