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 6, 2023:
GOTW: DeKalb County at Stone Memorial
Rusty:
Pick: Stone Memorial 31-24
Comments: I go back-and-forth on this one and if there’s a bad matchup for Stone, it very well might be DeKalb at full health with how they can dominate time of possession. For now, I’m going with Stone in a close one, but it would not shock me if the Tigers pulled this one out.
Jacob:
Pick: Stone Memorial 28-25
Comments: The last three times these two have met it could not be closer with each game being decided by one point. The Panthers are coming off their first loss of the season, while DeKalb is enjoying a three game win streak. It may come down to who is healthy in this ballgame, but I’m going to give the edge to the home team by a possession.
Michael:
Pick: Stone Memorial 26-20
Comments: These two only know how to play incredible football games as the last 3 matchups have been 1-point games. Stone Memorial hosting could be the difference as the Panthers look to bounce back from a loss to Meigs County last week.
Justin:
Pick: Stone Memorial 24 DeKalb County 14
Comments: Even after the hiccup last week against Meigs County, I like the Panthers here especially if they get Bear Eldridge back. The loss against Meigs was trap game; a let down after a hard fought victory over White County with a non-region sandwiched between the DeKalb County game. If Brizz Trapp is close to 100%, look for this one to be a little closer than my prediction.
Noah:
Pick: DeKalb County 22-21
Comments: If Briz Trapp does not play, this pick cannot legally be held against me.
This has all the makings of another classic between these two squads. While the offenses steal headlines, the DCHS defense has been stout the last four weeks. While this Stone offense is the best they’ve faced all season, I like the matchup in the secondary for the Tigers. Tossup game, Stone won on the road last year, and I’ll take DeKalb to get even in this one.
Warren County at Cookeville
Rusty
Pick: Cookeville 27-17
Comments: Going with the Cavs this week, as I think they’ve shown enough to earn the benefit of the doubt against the Pioneers. They’ve not had the horses the last two weeks against Lebanon and Mt. Juliet, but that shouldn’t be a problem this week.
Jacob:
Pick: Cookeville 28-14
Comments: The Cavaliers have played some tough competition in their last two region games with losses to Lebanon and Mt. Juliet. Their main problem was allowing the big plays in both of those. They remedy that against a struggling Pioneers squad and get their first region win of the season .
Michael:
Pick: Cookeville 34-20
Comments: Cookeville should get back on track this week in a key region matchup with Warren County. The Cavs will lean heavily on their run game to pick up the victory.
Justin:
Pick: Cookeville 21 Warren County 7
Comments: The Cavaliers jump back in the win column after back-to-back tough region losses. For Cookeville to have a shot at the fourth spot in the playoffs, they have to win out in their region games and look for a little help.
Noah:
Pick: Cookeville 28-14
Comments: The Cavs simply have to win this game to have a shot of making the playoffs. I like the matchup of Cookeville’s defense against a Warren County offense that has struggled lately, and while this should be a hard-fought game, I’ll take the Cavs.
Upperman at Cumberland County
Rusty:
Pick: Upperman 41-0
Comments: Upperman rolls, next.
Jacob:
Pick: Upperman 42-0
Comments: Cumberland County welcomes another top dog in the region to Crossville and Upperman rolls to stay undefeated.
Michael:
Pick: Upperman 35-7
Comments: Upperman keeps the train rolling this week with another road Region 4-4A victory. The Jets have shown major improvement this season, but Upperman is still the standard in region play.
Justin:
Pick: Upperman 35 Cumberland County 7
Comments: Bees are in a better place athlete wise Friday night in Crossville.
Noah:
Pick: Upperman 42-0
Comments: Two teams in different spots. Upperman rolls to 6-0.
Gordonsville at Monterey
Rusty:
Pick: Monterey 17-13
Comments: A game like this comes down to the trenches and last week, Gordonsville was dominated in that aspect. Combine that with how solid Monterey’s been up-front, I like the Wildcats in this matchup.
Jacob:
Pick: Monterey 21-17
Comments: Someone else want to pick this one for me? I have no clue what to think of this Monterey team. I know they aren’t bad, but they’ve also shown they struggle to score at times. Until last week of course against a good Westmoreland team. I’m going to believe the offense gets a little more consistent going forward and they finally get their first home win of the season.
Michael:
Pick: Monterey 18-14
Comments: Two physical football teams collide in non-region play as Monterey hosts Gordonsville. Look for Monterey’s experienced line to pave the way to a win.
Justin:
Pick: Monterey 21 Gordonsville 20
Comments: We have no idea which Wildcat teams going to show up week to week. That is to be expected when you replace the amount of players Monterey did from last year. Should be a great one.
Noah:
Pick: Monterey 28-27
Comments: Back on the Monterey train I go. Gordonsville has battled some injuries in recent weeks, and that’ll be something to watch on Friday. The Monterey offense should be playing with some swagger after their output last week in Westmoreland, and I think they make just enough plays in this rivalry matchup.
Smith County at East Robertson
Rusty:
Pick: East Robertson 31-17
Comments: I would love to be wrong about this one, as it essentially serves as the de facto Region Championship, but I think East Robertson finds a few too many big plays for Smith to come out on top.
Jacob:
Pick: East Robertson 28-14
Comments: This is an incredible midseason game. East Robertson have shown early on that they are a state title contender in 2A and Smith County continues to show they want to be in that conversation as well. The Indians took care of Monterey a few weeks ago, but now welcome a very good Smith County team to their place. The Owls have played a much tougher schedule to this point, but I think the athletes of East Rob shine in this one.
Michael:
Pick: Smith County 20-14
Comments: A massive region showdown pits East Robertson and Smith County against each other with the #1 seed on the line. Smith County’s defense has been elite to this point, and it could be the difference Friday against an athletic East Robertson team.
Justin:
Pick: East Robertson 24 Smith County 20
Comments: There is a great chance we see this matchup down the road in the Class 2A playoffs. If the Owls can find a way to limit the explosive plays on the offensive side of the ball by ER, they have a chance.
Noah:
Pick: East Robertson 28-21
Comments: One of the 2A games of the year and a potential postseason preview here and likely the region championship game. The Groves brothers are legit, but Smith County’s defense has limited explosive players all season. If the Owls can contain the big plays, they’ll get a signature win and stake their claim as a state championship contender, ultimately I’ll take the home team in a great game.
York Institute at Livingston Academy
Rusty:
Pick: York 41-10
Comments: Livingston will keep it close for a bit, but the Dragons just have too much firepower for the Wildcats to handle. Myles Leffew has been awesome so far this year and it could get ugly in a hurry if LA doesn’t find a way to contain him.
Jacob:
Pick: York Institute 35-21
Comments: Livingston Academy finally have some wins under their belt, but now the competition ramps up quite a bit. The Dragons posted a school record in scoring last week with 74 points and their defense is only allowing 8 points per contest to their opponents. It’ll be a tall task in this rivalry match up for LA.
Michael:
Pick: York 41-14
Comments: York’s explosive offense rolls into Livingston Friday for a meeting of non-region rivals. York is in a different place right now and should roll to a victory.
Justin:
Pick: York 41-14
Comments: York will be one of the better teams that LA plays this year. The Dragons have a loaded 2A roster with a deep postseason run in front of them. The Wildcats are still trying to learn how to compete through a full game. They are getting better with that aspect each week, but York should roll tonight.
Noah:
Pick: York 42-21
Comments: This York offense is firing on all cylinders (74 POINTS). Livingston is riding high after a two game winning streak, but I think the Dragons are too much in this one.
White County at Macon County
Rusty:
Pick: Macon 24-20
Comments: Macon is beginning to find its offensive identity and I think that progression continues this week. Tripp Pinion will get his and keep it close, but Macon’s defense will make just enough plays to get the job done.
Jacob:
Pick: Macon County 21-14
Comments: Another really tough, but really fun matchup for the Warriors. Tripp Pinion has shown in the last two weeks that he can also throw the ball a little bit and not just be a runner. However, Macon’s defense is just as stout as Upperman’s and I think that’ll be the difference. I give the edge to the home team with the raucous crowd.
Michael:
Pick: Macon County 28-21
Comments: A region matchup with massive implications awaits Macon County & White County on Friday. White County has fallen in 3 straight 1-score games, and Friday could be the fourth. Macon has a little more variety on offense and that should be the difference.
Justin:
Pick: Macon County 17 Sparta 7
Comments: Macon County needs a W to keep pace for the all important number two spot in Region 4-4A. The Warriors need a W to avoid a month straight of losses. Unfortunately for Sparta, they face one of the top two defenses in the region Friday night on the road in Lafayette. My concern for White County is overall health and morale after a brutal four game stretch.
Noah:
Pick: Macon County 28-21
Comments: I have similar feelings about this one as I have the past two weeks for Sparta. They’ve got a chance because of Tripp Pinon, but ultimately I think Macon has the deeper team. Sparta’s defense will have to limit explosive plays, which is easier said than done against this Tigers squad. I’ll take Macon to get a huge home W.