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
TSSAA Playoff Quarterfinal Round
GOTW: Macon County at Upperman
Rusty:
Pick: Upperman 17-15
Comments: I really like this Macon County team and I won’t be surprised in the slightest if they win, but I think the Bees are on a mission and they’ll get the job done in their narrowest victory of the season to this point.
Jacob:
Pick: Macon County 14-7
Comments: This is the game we all hoped would happen when the playoffs began and it’s finally here. It was a battle in Lafayette earlier this year and far from a clean game for both sides. I like Noah’s point in that whoever can channel emotions best will come out on top. I also think you could very well flip a coin to decide the winner of this one. I like the Tigers in Baxter (this surely won’t backfire on me).
Michael:
Pick: Macon County 22-21
Comments: We’ve waited over two months for this rematch and it’s finally here. Two of Tennessee’s best meet in Baxter with a semifinal berth on the line as the 12-0 Upperman Bees host the 11-1 Macon County Tigers. Their last meeting was a one-score game with plenty of “pleasantries” exchanged postgame, and look for both teams to bring the same energy tonight. Macon County has found a way to win a lot of games over the years, but Upperman has been their kryptonite. Games aren’t played in the pages of history books, however, and I think Macon County finds a way to get it done. I can almost guarantee this will be one of the best games of the season, and look for the difference to come from Macon doing something off-script. I’d say two dudes named Borders will have a hand in it, too.
Justin:
Pick: Upperman 21-20
Comments: Friday night cannot get here quick enough. Upperman has talked that tall all season and backed it to this point. The Tigers played Upperman tougher than anyone else has back on September 1. Both teams look a little different than they did in Week 3, and it’s for the better. For the Bees, Bronzden Chaffin’s growth running the offense, especially in the passing game, has really opens things up on that side of the ball. The Bees defense is as advertised. Fantastic. On the other hand, the emergence of Braden Warren, Zach Borders, and Luke Gammon have given the Tiger multiple options to go along with Gabe Borders. The Macon County defense held Upperman to their lowest offensive output of the season in Week 3. The Tigers will need another lights out performance if they want to pull this one out.
Noah:
Pick: Upperman 21-14
Comments: This one should be an absolute barn-burner. These two teams do not like each other, and the squad that channels that emotion best may leave with a win. Upperman is experienced in this game, with several key contributors having already won a quarterfinal game. That coupled with the Bees’ front-seven leads me to take them, but it is far from a sure-fire pick.
East Robertson at Smith County
Rusty:
Pick: Smith County 17-10
Comments: The cyclical nature of sports is incredible. It was just last year that Smith took on East Nashville in an eerily similar situation that they now face East Robertson in. The difference is now, the Owls have that experience and Riley Martin has the offense humming along. While sure, some could say that just not making mistakes is enough, Martin could also have a massive game like against Fayetteville to leave no doubt. I lean towards that happening, as the Owls clinch their spot in the 2A Semifinals.
Jacob:
Pick: Smith County 28-14
Comments: Smith County is playing as well as anybody in the 2A classification (see next pick). It was close in Cross Plains earlier this year with the Owls topping East Rob 14-7. I think this game being in Carthage is a huge advantage. On top of that, the Owls are playing some great football in their last five games having scored 27 or more in each and not allowing more than 14 on defense in those games. Owls get the job done and set up for a monumental semi final match up with the Dragons.
Michael:
Pick: Smith County 26-14
Comments: As high as we are on Smith County’s elite defense, their offense has put on a show this season and I look for them to move the ball against an ultra-talented East Robertson team. Smith County has beat this team once on the road already, and Smith is even better now than they were then. Give me the Blue Collar Savages in a two-score game and a massive celebration in Carthage afterwards. Just don’t throw Rusty off the bridge into the river during said celebration, fellas.
Justin:
Pick: Smith County 27-17
Comments: My favorite quote of the season was born from this September 22nd matchup where the Owls beat East Robertson 14-7: Blue Collar Savages. It will take some more savergy to beat them twice in one season. The Peyton Hix and Javier Gaspar-led defense will have to come up huge against a highly athletic ER offensive attack. The Indians have several highly-touted players that will lace em up on Saturdays. Home field advantage and a wet track all play in favor of the hometown Owls.
Noah:
Pick: Smith County 15-14
Comments: Rematches are always a tough pick, but a few things are good for the Owls. First, it’s in Carthage. Second, East Robertson has struggled with physical teams all season, including in the loss to Smith County. This is a coin flip game, but I’ll pick the Owls to win on a two-point conversion.
York Institute at Hampton
Rusty
Pick: York Institute 28-17
Comments: York will face a closer challenge than they have in recent weeks, but the Dragons will still win by multiple possessions. I think the travel is more of an opponent than Hampton, because let’s be real, the difference in schedules is drastic. If all goes according to plan, next week’s semifinal matchup will be must-see football in Jamestown.
Jacob:
Pick: York Institute 35-14
Comments: The Dragons are on another level at the 2A classification right now just the aforementioned team. They’ve taken care of business against each 2A opponent they’ve played this year. It is a very long trip to Hampton, but one I think the Dragons are able to handle well. York rolls and gets to host a tasty semi final next week.
Michael:
Pick: York Institute 20-13
Comments: I hope York packed a bag for their quarterfinal trip to the hills of Hampton as the Dragons make a long haul to the Appalachian Mountains to face the Bulldogs. The 12-0 Dragons have handled adversity all season, and a longer bus ride won’t be enough to stop their route to the semifinal round. If you’re going to the game, I hope Hampton still plays that catchy intro song. It definitely won’t be stuck in your head for two decades like it is for me.
Justin:
Pick: York Institute 31-14
Comments: I’ve not had to dig into the Dragons matchups yet this post season because they’ve clearly been the better team. This Friday night looks to be no different. Long road trips can present some issues for High School teams. If York starts slow, don’t panic. They will get it corrected. If they start fast, look out. Could be a lot of points on the board. Hampton’s not played near the schedule York has to this point nor have they seen the team speed that the Dragons possess either.
Noah:
Pick: York Institute 35-21
Comments: Hampton’s offense is legit, but they haven’t faced a defense a caliber of the Dragons. This York team is motivated and expects to win. They’ll get it done.
Gordonsville at South Pittsburg
Rusty:
Pick: South Pittsburg 41-7
Comments: This has nothing to do with Gordonsville, just that South Pitt is a different animal. If there’s any team from this area at the Class A level that’s built to beat the Pirates, it’s the team that literally did it last year, but the problem is this isn’t the same team. Winning at all costs certainly has effects like that, hope it’s worth it.
Jacob:
Pick: South Pittsburg 42-14
Comments: Gordonsville beat them last year and there is a reason you play the game. However, this Pirates squad has struggled with no one this season and have only allowed 48 points all season. The Tigers may have to score 48 points to win this game. I like South Pitt at home in the quarters.
Michael:
Pick: South Pittsburg 34-19
Comments: South Pittsburg is a different animal this season as they’ve reloaded their roster with plenty of new faces. They feel like the runaway Class 1A favorite, but Gordonsville has went into Pirate territory and won before. I’ll take South Pitt and pray for some postseason magic from the red-hot Tigers.
Justin:
Pick: South Pitt 49 Gordonsville 17
Comments: My man Eddie Skyes will not like this whatsoever. I’m sorry brother. South Pitt’s gone out and recruited them a fine group of players this year. If that’s what they are going to continue to do, put them in the private division and let it play out. If not, make them play by the rules everyone else is playing by. Be better, TSSAA.
Noah:
Pick: South Pittsburg 49-7
Comments: Gordonsville has had a solid season, reaching the quarterfinals for the second straight year, but South Pitt is a different animal this year..