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 11, 2023:
THURSDAY: Red Boiling Springs at Jo Byrns
Rusty:
Pick: Jo Byrns 31-17
Comments: I hope I’m wrong on this one, but it’s hard to deny the history when you look into this matchup. Jo Byrns has had the Bulldogs number the last couple of seasons and I don’t think it’ll change on Thursday. I am excited to finally see Aubrey Link play, he’s got the Bulldogs offense humming smoothly along.
Jacob:
Pick: RBS 28-14
Comments: The Bulldogs have struggled in this match up plain and simple. However, a big reason for that has been the success of the Red Devils. This year, Jo Byrns is 1-8 and have a new head coach after coach Adkins retired after coaching the last 29 seasons. QB Aubrey Link is solid on both sides of the ball for RBS and I think he’ll be the difference in this one.
Michael:
Pick: Red Boiling Springs 34-14
Comments: History doesn’t like Red Boiling Springs in this matchup, but there’s a reason you play the game. RBS has posted 40 or more points 5 times this season, and I think quarterback Aubrey Link and the Bulldogs have enough in the tank to pick up the road victory on Thursday. I’m excited to see RBS in person this season as they look to finish the regular season at .500 for the first time since 2014.
Justin:
Pick: Red Boiling Springs 28-7
Comments: Full homer pick here, I think Red Boiling Springs gets it done on the road and the Bulldogs enter the postseason on a high note.
Noah:
Pick: Jo Byrns 21-20
Comments: Flip a coin in this one. Neither team has a signature win, but Jo Byrns has controlled the series so far, so I’ll lean towards the home team.
GOTW: DeKalb County at Upperman
Rusty:
Pick: Upperman 24-7
Comments: I’m in broken record mode because if Cookeville and Macon are rolling, Upperman is white-hot and scorching at 9-0. The defense continues rolling against DeKalb County, as Clayton Harris cements his Mr. Football résumé (the numbers are insane). The Bees finish the regular season 10-0, and the only question: how far will they go in the playoffs?
Jacob:
Pick: Upperman 21-17
Comments: The Bees looked like a state championship team last week against Stone. I think they win this game as well, but I also think the Tigers will put up a pretty good fight after their emotional win last week to make the playoffs. Last year, it was just a one point game and I think it’ll be close again. Bees by a possession.
Michael:
Pick: Upperman 28-14
Comments: DeKalb County enters Friday’s contest with some momentum as the Tigers locked up a playoff spot last week. Upperman finds themselves in “trap game” territory after last week’s 48-6 win over Stone Memorial to lock up the Region 4-4A championship. With nothing on the line Friday, Upperman will be challenged mentally to still come out and play at a high level. The mental approach hasn’t been an issue all season in Baxter, and I see that trend continuing.
Justin:
Pick: Upperman 27-10
Comments: I really like this DeKalb County group, but Upperman is on another level right now. Both teams need to get out of Friday healthy so they can do some damage in the playoffs.
Noah:
Pick: Upperman 35-14
Comments: DeKalb County has historically played Upperman tight, and while I think this game may feel closer than the final score indicates, ultimately I think Upperman’s defensive front could be the difference.
Cookeville at Wilson Central
Rusty:
Pick: Cookeville 31-23
Comments: The Cavs are one of the hottest teams in the area and that’ll continue this week. With just a little bit of help from Gallatin, there’s a shot Cookeville hosts a playoff game but regardless, a win on the road over Wilson Central gives the Cavs a 7-3 season in year two of the Hennigan era, quite a leap forward from last year.
Jacob:
Pick: Cookeville 28-7
Comments: There’s another team in Putnam County who are playing scorching hot right now and the Cavaliers look to continue doing so at Wilson Central. Wilson Central will put up a good fight, but the Cavs have the confidence and the know how now to close out ball games. How about a chance at the two seed for the Cavs with a win too? What a job by coach Hennigan and his staff.
Michael:
Pick: Cookeville 24-8
Comments: Cookeville enters week 11 with a home playoff spot on the line as they hit the road to Wilson Central. I’ve doubted the Cavaliers one too many times this season, and I won’t make that mistake this week. Cookeville is battle-tested and the Cavaliers have shown mental toughness far beyond years past. I trust Cookeville in this big moment to pull out the victory.
Justin:
Pick: Cookeville 24-14
Comments: Was there any question how I’d pick this one? Cookeville has proven all season long they’re a different team than years past. Cookeville is the better team in this game and they should take care of business.
Noah:
Pick: Cookeville 35-20
Comments: The Cavs are simply the better football team. Winners of 4 straight, if they are able to get the 2 seed (with a win and Gallatin victory over Lebanon), this is a team that is fully capable of winning a playoff game. Expect another big performance out of Blake Owen and Thomas Johnson.
Stone Memorial at Macon County
Rusty
Pick: Macon 34-14
Comments: Macon’s another team on a roll and especially with a home playoff game on the line, I’m going to trust Coach Shoulders and the Tigers to win big over Stone. There’s a lot of question marks around the Panthers after last week’s loss and maybe they come out with a better start, but ultimately I feel like both Borders will be just too much and Macon clinched the second seed.
Jacob:
Pick: Macon County 35-14
Comments: Macon has looked as good as anyone this season with that lone loss coming to the Bees by a score. The Tigers offensively have scored 32 points or more in their last five games and also have three shutouts during that stretch. It’s also the first game in Lafayette since September 22nd. Going to be a very raucous environment and one that the Tigers will take care of business in.
Michael:
Pick: Macon County 35-28
Comments: Macon County hosts a massive Region 4-4A showdown in the final week of the regular season as Stone Memorial makes the 2-hour drive to Lafayette. The Panthers have to bounce back after a tough week at Upperman, but a home playoff game still sits in front of Stone Memorial. Special teams were massive in last season’s Stone/Macon game again, and look for the Borders twins to make an impact there again this week. I’ll take Macon in a close one.
Justin:
Pick: Macon County 31-17
Comments: Playing this game in Lafayette is massive for Macon County as the winner hosts a playoff game. I’ve been impressed with Macon all season and expect them to finish the regular season on a high note.
Noah:
Pick: Macon County 34-21
Comments: Gut check time for Stone Memorial. While I do not expect the game to look like last week’s, I think Macon is playing as well as any team in the state. The Tigers are hungry for a home playoff game, and I think they get it done.
Clay County at Gordonsville
Rusty:
Pick: Gordonsville 21-17
Comments: This shapes up to be one of the most physical games of the year and neither of these teams like each other. Clay County’s progressed really well in all areas as the season’s worn on, but I really like J Foster for Gordonsville. He’s been great both ways for the Tigers, and after factoring them hosting in, I’ll take Gordy in a close one.
Jacob:
Pick: Clay County 24-21
Comments: Both teams are coming off losses to a bigger classification school on the road. They most definitely wanted to be fresh for this one as well. Clay got the best of Gordonsville last year and that will surely be on the Tiger’s minds, but I think the Bulldogs surprise some people and get it done on the road and win the region for a second straight year.
Michael:
Pick: Gordonsville 28-21
Comments: Gordonsville and Clay County’s week 11 meeting for the Region 4-1A championship is one of my favorite games on the slate. The 2022 edition was an instant classic, and look for Friday’s to be no different. These teams play similar football and are both looking to make deep playoff games. Friday’s showdown is a coin flip, and I’ll go with the home team.
Justin:
Pick: Gordonsville 21-20
Comments: This one’s a coin flip game between two solid Class A teams. The winner up front wins this game. I fully expect this one to go down to the wire again like last year’s regular season finale.
Noah:
Pick: Clay County 28-21
Comments: This may be the best game on the slate. Huge region championship implications and two teams that mirror each other in a lot of ways. Clay County swept last years meetings, and I can’t get that out of my mind. Total tossup game.
White County at Livingston Academy
Rusty:
Pick: White County 35-14
Comments: White County ends year one under Curtis Beaty with a dominant win. Missing the playoffs will sting, but the future is immensely bright in Sparta.
Jacob:
Pick: White County 21-14
Comments: A game for both sides to get some momentum heading into the offseason and ultimately that’s all it comes down to with no playoff implications on the line. The Wildcats are improved and the Warriors are young and still trying to build with some really good pieces. It’ll be a great atmosphere in Livingston, but Sparta gets the job done on the road.
Michael:
Pick: White County 27-20
Comments: I don’t care if White County and Livingston are playing in pickleball, it’ll be a big atmosphere. There’s nothing on the line in this contest, but look for both teams to still play hard. Livingston has been improving all season, but I’ll take Sparta in a close one.
Justin:
Pick: White County 24-7
Comments: For the final time this season, I’m trusting in Tripp. If he doesn’t play, Livingston can make things a lot more interesting, but if he’s out there then I’m going with Sparta by a few scores.
Noah:
Pick: White County 28-7
Comments: The future is bright for both these teams, my biggest hope is both squads get out healthy and ready for the offseason/basketball season.
Monterey at Smith County
Rusty:
Pick: Smith County 27-13
Comments: The Owls close out the season against a Monterey team we’ve struggled all season to figure out. Ultimately, Riley Martin and company will be too much for the young Wildcats to handle.
Jacob:
Pick: Smith County 21-0
Comments: Smith County keeps the good times rolling as they get ready for a deep playoff run. The Wildcats need some help from other teams in the region, but the Owls will be too much for them.
Michael:
Pick: Smith County 34-13
Comments: The Smith County Owls enter Friday’s game well-rested following a rare week-10 bye. Smith County has the Region 3-2A title locked up while Monterey is fighting for a 3-seed. Smith County is known for their defense this season, but their offense has put up impressive numbers in 2023. Look for the trend to continue Friday.
Justin:
Pick: Smith County 35-7
Comments: I really like this Smith County group and they should be primed and ready to make noise in the Postseason. The Black Hole is a tough place to play, and look for Smith County to pick up the win.
Noah:
Pick: Smith County 28-7
Comments: The Black Hole should be rocking for their region champion Owls. These two teams both want to dominate the trenches, and Smith County is bigger and a little deeper, so I’ll take the Owls at home to finish a strong 8-2 regular season.