A letter from the Commissioner, aka the defending UCR Pickem’ champ Justin Matheney. It’s football time in Tennessee! We’ve waited all year and it’s finally here. The start of football season is better than Christmas for some of us. What a time to be alive! I look forward to defending my crown and to adding another championship to the trophy case. Thank you all for reading and interacting. As your defending champ I will bring my best each and every week! Good luck to Goose and Jacob. Noah can kick rocks. As always GO VOLS!
Gordonsville at Smith County (UCR Game of the Week)
Noah: Smith County 20-14
The health of J Foster looms large over this game. Regardless, another edition of one of the UC’s best rivalries promises to be a great game. Riley Martin, Wyatt Claywell and Jermaine Cason return for a Smith County team that is replacing a host of players elsewhere. The Tigers are primed for a return to the top of Class 1A, but I think the game being in The Black Hole provides the Owls a boost as they eek out a win.
Jacob: Gordonsville 24-21
I’ll stick with my pick that I went with on the Coaches Show earlier this week. If J Foster plays, I like the Tigers chances. Smith County has a few question marks defensively they’ll be looking to answer in week one and I think Gordonsville will have some good opportunities to score. The Owls got the job down on the road last year and I think the Tigers get their revenge by a field goal.
Goose: Smith County 27-21
The UCR Game of the Week slate starts off with a bang as Gordonsville travels to Smith County. Last season’s showdown was a classic, and this one shouldn’t be any different. I’ll take the Owls’ offense with another year of experience under their belt at home against a capable Gordonsville team.
Justin: Smith County 24-10
My main man Eddie Sykes will be fired up about this pick regardless of how it’s picked. Throw out the classification difference. We’ve got some good, old-fashioned cross-town hate (In a good way!). The Owls have to replace so much on the defensive side of the ball that Gordonsville will give them some issues. The Tigers better come prepared to deal with Riley Martin at QB for Smith County. Martin’s the real deal as a sophomore. Jay Foster potentially being out has greatly influenced my pick on this one. Should be a fun one at the Black Hole Friday night in Carthage.
Cookeville at Stone Memorial
Noah: Cookeville 28-20
The Cavaliers return a host of experience on both sides of the ball, headlined by Blake Owen, and are poised for a strong season in Class 6A. The Panthers are one of the more intriguing teams in the UC. Maddox Oquendo is electric, and Noah Potter is a fitting successor to Nick Osmun. That being said, I think Cookeville’s size is a big difference maker as they run the football effectively and get revenge for last season’s loss to the Panthers.
Jacob: Cookeville 28-14
I like the size and the returning starters in this game for the Cavaliers. Last year, the Cavs were still trying to figure out their identity offensively and still had a chance to win the game. You can always expect Stone to be competent offensively, but I think the size advantage really plays a factor for Cookeville in this one. Cavs get their revenge on the road.
Goose: Cookeville 35-21
Cookeville hits the road in week one with revenge on their mind as Stone Memorial won last season’s opener against the Cavaliers. A big, physical front from Cookeville should be the difference Friday night in Crossville.
Justin: Cookeville 28-17
The Cavaliers will have the size advantage in Crossville on Friday. You also know last year’s last second TD from Osmon to Eldridge is fresh on their minds. Look for Cookeville to ground and pound this one out. However, Coach Samber will have that offense plenty prepared to move the ball despite all the losses from last years squad.
Upperman at Fayetteville
Noah: Upperman 28-7
The Bees are replacing several key parts of the offensive and defensive lines, but they return Bronzden Chaffin and Ethan Palk. Upperman’s last trip to Fayetteville ended in controversial fashion, I don’t think this one has that much intrigue.
Jacob: Upperman 21-7
Upperman was more than prepared for this game last year winning 26-0 at home. More impressively they gave up less than 40 yards of offense to the Tigers. Fayetteville returns their marquee guys on offense, but will it be enough? They’ll be going against a fairly new look defense for the Bees, however, coach Caine will have his guys ready for a second year in a row.
Goose: Upperman 20-13
The Class 4A state runners-up start their season with a challenge as they travel to Fayetteville. The Bees are replacing multiple starters up front, but return a dynamic quarterback in Bronzden Chaffin. The Bees may take a little bit to get going, but ultimately close out the game late.
Justin: Upperman 21-17
There are a ton of unknowns, but I know for a fact Fayetteville will have tons of athletes on the field. Upperman has had to replace a ton on the offensive and defensive lines. I believe that the Bees will continue to run the football as their priority with Ethan Palk. Big time quarterback matchup with Brondzen Chaffin and Sam Willoughby.
Silverdale at White County
Noah: White County 42-14
Tripp Pinion Mr. Football candidacy part 1 incoming here. I expect a huge day out of senior quarterback. Silverdale will need to have some drastic improvement from last season if they want to knock off Sparta at Warrior Stadium.
Jacob: White County 35-7
We know quite a bit about White County this offseason and nothing about SBA. That being said we can look at last year’s result and factor in that the Warriors should be much improved on both sides of the ball. I think Tripp and company run wild in Sparta.
Goose: White County 35-20
I think White County controls this game more than the scoreboard indicates. The Warriors have a high-powered offense returning Tripp Pinion and a ton of weapons around him. Look for Silverdale to put up some late points to close the gap, but White County should cruise.
Justin: White County 41-14
Finding information on Sliverdale pre-season is like trying to get information out of KGB Russia. Regardless, the Warriors have that dawg Tripp and that’s all I need to make my pick here. Good luck chasing that dude around all night.
Livingston at Trousdale County
Noah: Livingston 20-13
This is one of the toughest picks on the board. This is a big game for Livingston to try and build confidence early in the season. Adrian Jenkins is a talented quarterback, and Livingston is much bigger on the lines. Couple that with the coaching change at Trousdale County and I think Livingston gets a huge win at the Creek Bank.
Jacob: Livingston 14-7
Last year the Wildcats had a great chance to win the first game of the season, but didn’t have a true quarterback. This year they have their quarterback back and I think the offense hums a little more. Trousdale will have a new face at the helm after coach Satterfield joined the ranks at Upperman so maybe they have few wrinkles as well, but this is a great opportunity for coach Houser and staff to start the season on a high note.
Goose: Trousdale County 20-14
Two traditional powers looking to get back on the right track meet in week one looking to get back on the right track as Livingston Academy travels to Trousdale County. Both teams are looking to start 2024 off with a victory, and I’ll take the home team in a close one.
Justin: Livingston 14-10
All time LA is 5-19 against TC. Combined with the Wildcats only returning two seniors this one is tricky. Coach Houser did say that Livingston averaged 230lbs on the offensive line last season and they’re up to closer to the 280 mark. That increase up front should be a big factor in this Fridays game.
York Institute at Clay County
Noah: Clay County 21-20
I have absolutely no clue. York is probably the biggest unknown in the Upper Cumberland. I think we know more about Clay County, and especially Nate Adams, right now so I’ll pick them, but I don’t feel good picking against Derwin Wright’s squad.
Jacob: Clay County 21-14
This one was probably one of the tougher picks in my mind. Of course York had a great season last year, but lost a lot of that talent. Clay County started slow last season, but ended up having a fairly successful year. I think the Bulldogs start the season a little faster this year and are ready for the Dragons in Celina.
Goose: Clay County 34-16
Clay County returns a lot of talent on the perimeter coupled with a big offensive line this season under coach Bruce Lamb. The Dragons are replacing a ton from a historic run last season. Give me the Bulldogs in week one.
Justin: Clay County 24-10
Hey Bruce! I’m picking your Bulldogs this week! I might pick them every week so I don’t have to hear you whine and cry about it. In all seriousness I’m going with the boys from Celina here. Too many question marks from Jamestown puls they lost a lot from last year. Look for Bruce’s bunch to play inspired football after last years 26-0 season opener loss to the Dragons.
Clinton County (KY) at Jackson County
Noah: Jackson County 20-13
Jacob: Jackson County 14-7
Goose: Jackson County 34-12
Justin: Jackson County 17-14
Scott at Cumberland County
Noah: Cumberland County 13-6
Jacob: Cumberland County 20-13
Goose: Cumberland County 20-12
Justin: Cumberland County 18-17
Warren County at DeKalb County
Noah: DeKalb County 28-20
Jacob: DeKalb County 14-10
Goose: DeKalb County 34-6
Justin: DeKalb County 14-13
Sunbright at Red Boiling Springs
Noah: Red Boiling Springs 28-7
Jacob: Red Boiling Springs 21-0
Goose: Red Boiling Springs 41-0
Justin: Red Boiling Springs 21-13
Oakdale at Pickett County
Noah: Oakdale 20-6
Jacob: Oakdale 28-7
Goose: Oakdale 35-6
Justin: Oakdale 28-7
(Saturday) UCR GOTW 2: Westmoreland at Macon County
Noah: Macon County 35-14
This is a huge rivalry and I think that could keep it close for a while, but ultimately the Tigers have too much firepower. The three-headed monster of Gabe and Zach Borders and Braylon Flowers should be able to get loose as the game wears on. The Tigers roll in front of a packed house.
Jacob: Macon County 28-6
I like Macon County a lot in this game. Not only did they win comfortably last season. This season it’s at home and it is the only game going on on Saturday so all eyes will be on Lafayette. The Tigers had a great year last year and they expect to go even further this year. Look for Gabe and Zach to have a big game.
Goose: Macon County 41-20
All eyes will be on Lafayette Saturday afternoon as the Macon County Tigers host their old-school rivals in Westmoreland. This came should be a coming-out party for the Tigers, and I expect them to run away with a big victory.
Justin: Macon County 35-10
Folks in Lafayette have said this football team has the potential to be the best team ever. The Tigers are the bigger and better team and to kick off this run they expect to go on, Macon County needs to take care of business. Heavy dose of the Border twins. You’ll hear that name all night.
