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 8, 2023:
THURSDAY: Macon County at Livingston Academy
Rusty:
Pick: Macon 34-7
Comments: The Tigers will have too much on both sides of the ball for the Wildcats. Ironically enough, both of the toughest games LA has played has come against the top-two teams in the region, I wonder what Matthan Houser will scheme up for this one.
Jacob:
Pick: Macon County 28-10
Comments: Macon County’s defense will be too much for LA to handle offensively. Pair that with the Tigers offense that has roared to life and they’ll be headed to the bye week on a good note.
Michael:
Pick: Macon County 34-7
Comments: Macon County keeps it rolling in Region 4-4A play as the Tigers’ balanced attack has been getting better and better each week.
Justin:
Pick: Macon County 31-14
Comments: I believe Macon County is playing the best football in the Upper Cumberland across all three phases of the game. Defensively, the Tigers are stingy and match up well against LA.
Noah:
Pick: Macon County 35-10
Comments: The Tigers are rolling into a Thursday night showdown in Hogeye country. Livingston is hanging tough in their region games, but Macon County is playing great in all three phases and I expect them to stay just one game out of first place in Region 4/4A.
GOTW: Stone Memorial at York Institute
Rusty
Pick: York Institute 34-31
Comments: I’m absolutely torn on this one and I hate it. For me, the difference comes down to Stone flying a little too close to the sun in recent weeks. It wouldn’t shock me if the Panthers win this one, but if last week’s turnover issues pop up, York will be celebrating a big win over a really talented 4A team.
Jacob:
Pick: York Institute 28-20
Comments: This is a phenomenal non-region match up for both teams. It’s the start of a brutal finishing stretch for the Panthers and a great opportunity for the Dragons to see where they’re at with 4 weeks to go in the regular season. The Panthers handed it to the Dragons last year, but I think that changes this season and York stays undefeated to set up another huge game with Friendship Christian next week.
Michael:
Pick: Stone Memorial 28-27
Comments: A showdown of two of the Upper Cumberland’s best sees the Stone Memorial Panthers travel to Jamestown to face York Institute. The contrast in styles should be awesome as York’s proven run game meets Stone’s multi-faceted offensive attack. This one will feature big plays from both teams on both sides of the ball. Throw last year’s game out the window; your guess is as good as mine Friday night.
Justin:
Pick: Stone Memorial 21-20
Comments: I couldn’t be more torn on this pick. The Dragons are playing lights out while Stone Memorial is winning close games. York has wins over better teams, but the Panthers have played a higher classification of opponents. This is truly a coin flip game for me. I will say, the last time I went to Jamestown and picked against the home team it didn’t go well for me. Friday night cannot get here fast enough.
Noah:
Pick: York 28-20
Comments: This is the toughest game of the season to pick so far. York is rolling into this game, winning five of their six games by at least 19 points. However, Stone Memorial is the best team they have faced so far this season. The Panthers have the depth advantage, but York has been in a better rhythm in recent week. Combine that with homefield advantage and the play of Myles Leffew and I have a slight lean towards the Dragons this week.
CAK at White County
Rusty:
Pick: White County 36-13
Comments: White County got back to their winning ways against Cumberland County last week, and I see that continuing this week. If Sparta wants to make a play for the playoffs, they’ll need to string big plays together consistently and be more consistent defensively. That has a really good chance to kick into gear this week.
Jacob:
Pick: White County 35-20
Comments: White County finally got their first region win in 4-4A and their first win after falling in four straight. They win back to back with a win this week against a solid program in CAK. It’s a Cak defense that allows 35.6 ppg to opponents and have allowed 40+ in five of their seven games. Tripp will have another big night.
Michael:
Pick: White County 27-20
Comments: The Warriors make it two straight Friday as they face CAK in non-region play. The Warriors from CAK have shown they can put up points, but White County should have enough for them defensively to slow them down.
Justin:
Pick: White County 34-31
Comments: The Warriors came out of the middle part of their schedule winless, but the boys from Sparta rebounded nicely last week and handled Cumberland County. White County needs to stack wins as the all-important showdown with DeKalb County looms in the near future. For Friday’s game I have no idea what CAK is. They have some bad losses but wide margins and some decent wins where they have scored a lot of points. Complete UC homer pick here.
Noah:
Pick: White County 34-27
Comments: This is a tough game to get a read on, CAK has been a little bit up-and-down while Sparta is through the brutal middle portion of the season. White County is a young football team who bounced back last week and I expect them to continue to improve. Couple that with having the best player on the field and I’m going with the Warriors from Sparta.
Cumberland County at DeKalb County
Rusty:
Pick: DeKalb County 35-0
Comments: Jacob hits on it perfectly in his pick: Oct.13 is now basically a play-in game for both DeKalb County and Sparta. Neither team can afford to look ahead to that just yet, but the Tigers should take care of CC in shutout fashion.
Jacob:
Pick: DeKalb County 35-7
Comments: After falling in two battles to Stone and Macon, the Tigers will finally get back on track with a get right game against the visiting Jets. With a win and the bye next week, it’ll set up to be a win or go home game in Sparta on the 13th.
Michael:
Pick: DeKalb County 34-14
Comments: DeKalb County needs a Region 4-4A victory, and they should add one to the win column Friday against a feisty Cumberland County team. Look for the last name Trapp to find the end zone often on Friday.
Justin:
Pick: DeKalb Co 27-10
Comments: DeKalb needs this game to iron out some of their issues including getting a full compliment of weapons back at the skill positions. The Jets are still a little out manned; Coach Rap will have the boys coached up well, but the Jets don’t have enough fire power.
Noah:
Pick: DeKalb County 35-0
Comments: This is an opportunity for the Tigers to build momentum into the off week and before two pivotal region games. Expect a big game out of Brizz and Malachi Trapp.
Smith County at Jackson County
Rusty:
Pick: Smith County 31-10
Comments: I expect the Owls offense to find their stride again this week against Jackson County. One good thing the Upperman game did for them last week is show them where they can improve, and I think we’ll see them address several different areas in a dominant win over the Blue Devils.
Jacob:
Pick: Smith County 24-7
Comments: Smith County finds their stride again on offense after playing a blistering defense in Upperman last week. The Owls keep their place atop the standings and get momentum into the final two region games of the year.
Michael:
Pick: Smith County 35-14
Comments: Smith County is looking for a bounce back following a loss to Upperman in last week’s UCR game of the week. The Owls (5-2, 2-0) control their own destiny in region play and should leave Gainesboro with a victory.
Justin:
Pick: Smith Co 24-7
Comments: The Owls need a bounce back offensively and getting healthy can help there the most. I expect the “Blue Collar Savages” to be back with a vengeance.
Noah:
Pick: Smith County 42-0
Comments: Two teams in different spots. Jackson County has impressed with winning the games they should, but this Owls team has Chattanooga aspirations.
Gordonsville at Red Boiling Springs
Rusty:
Pick: Gordonsville 41-10
Comments: The Bulldogs are certainly an improved team and I love what Aubrey Link gives them on both sides of the ball, but Gordonsville has been here before and they know what it takes to win big games late into the year.
Jacob:
Pick: Gordonsville 30-14
Comments: The Tigers have finally found their stride and at the right time. RBS is much improved this year, but not to the level of the Tigers in 4-A. Tigers roll and get their sights set on the rematch with Clay County.
Michael:
Pick: Gordonsville 35-7
Comments: The Tigers hit the road north to RBS Friday for a key Region 4-1A showdown, and the balanced Gordonsville offense should lead the way to a victory.
Justin:
Pick: Gordonsville 41-14
Comments: Gordonsville’s offense seems to be clicking on all cylinders right now. My man Eddie Skyes called me in his infinite wisdom the last time I picked against his Tigers. I will not make that mistake again.
Noah:
Pick: Gordonsville 35-7
Comments: The Bulldogs are much-improved, but the Tigers have found their stride over the past couple of games. J Foster is playing great at quarterback, and I think their offense is on another level right now.
Pickett County at Sale Creek
Rusty:
Pick: Sale Creek 41-0
Comments: I’m not going to pretend to know a lot about Sale Creek. They’ll take care of business against a Bobcat squad that’s already without its QB. Tough times in Byrdstown, but that’s life in terms of building a program from the ground-up. Keep at it, Bobcats.
Jacob:
Pick: Sale Creek 42-0
Comments: Pickett lost their starting quarterback last week and are still trying to build the culture in Byrdstown. Sale Creek gets their third win in a row.
Michael:
Pick: Sale Creek 41-6
Comments: Sale Creek is putting together one of their better seasons in recent memories while Pickett County is still establishing their program. The 5-2 Panthers should take this one.
Justin:
Pick: Sale Creek 35-0
Comments: The Bobcats cannot afford to lose anyone. Especially someone as important as their starting QB. Tough timing for Pocket County.
Noah:
Pick: Sale Creek 49-0
Comments: Not a huge surprise here. Sale Creek should roll.