Week 7 2024 Picks
Noah 56-7 (7-3)
Justin 54-9 (7-3)
Goose 53-10 (7-3)
Jacob 51-12 (7-3)
GOTW: DeKalb County (5-1) at Macon County (4-2)
Noah: Macon County 34-27
Two teams desperate for a bounce back victory to keep their playoff hopes very much alive. The weather this week should allow both teams to show off their entire offenses. The biggest question for me is if DeKalb County can get favorable 1-on-1 matchups for Ryan Lyons, and run the football for over 5 yards per carry. If they can, they leave Lafayette with a victory. Ultimately, I think Macon County’s big game experience shines through and they defend their home field in a great Game of the Week.
Justin: Macon County 28-21
A playoff berth is on the line this week with these two teams coming off losses last week. It’s hard to bet against the home team in Lafayette, however, as I’ll take Macon County in a close one.
Jacob: Macon County 35-28
It’s the biggest game of the season in Region 4-4A after the results last week. Macon cannot lose another game in region play if they want to make the playoffs and DeKalb needs this so they can afford a loss to the Bees later on. I think the nicer weather will help both of these offenses, but especially DeKalb County who will go through the air just a little more. I still think Macon County bounces back and wins at home by a score.
Goose: Macon County 31-21
A game with very different implications than we thought it would have a week ago goes down tonight between DeKalb County and Macon County. Both teams are capable of scoring a variety of ways, and this game will come down to who plays cleaner football. Breaks are often made in special teams, and coach Kyle Shoulders’ teams are good for a few touchdowns in the kicking game per season and I think Macon gets one tonight.
Stone Memorial (4-2) at Livingston Academy (3-3)
Noah: Stone Memorial 42-7
Maddox Oquendo is a game wrecker, and I think he’s poised to go off in this one. Another big performance and he could sniff 1,000 rushing yards in Stone’s last three games. I expect Livingston to fight hard, but 34 left, 34 right, and 34 up the middle delivers a victory for the Panthers.
Justin: Stone Memorial 35-14
Coach Derik Samber’s boys are rolling right now, and I think they get a big win at Livingston tonight. The Panthers’ ground game has been on fire the last two weeks and this week should be no different.
Jacob: Stone Memorial 48-12
Stone Memorial got their biggest win of the season last week at DeKalb and now they need to back it up with a solid win at LA. Maddox Oquendo has become an absolute problem in Region 4-4A and Stone appears to have their mojo back on offense. I think they continue their solid play in a tough place to play.
Goose: Stone Memorial 36-7
Stone Memorial has been clicking offensively the last few weeks, and I’ll ride the hot hand tonight as the Panthers look to improve to 5-2 overall at Livingston. The Wildcats have put up good fights so far this season, but Stone is red-hot entering this game.
Oneida (3-2) at York Institute (3-2)
Noah: York Institute 42-7
All Dragons in this one. They have found their stride while Oneida’s offense has looked very pedestrian in recent weeks. York rolls on another big performance out of Logan Pannell.
Justin: York Institute 24-10
Oneida has tough task in front of them tonight as they travel to Derwin Wright’s York Institute Dragons. Football at all levels is won in the trenches and by running the football, and York is better at both aspects of the game. Give me York.
Jacob: York Institute 28-14
The Dragons only allowed 7 points to Oneida last season in the two games they played against them. The Indians offense has struggled this season and the Dragons have won three games in a row. Oneida is coming off a bye which will help them, but York will be too much with Logan Pannell and company in Jamestown.
Goose: York Institute 39-6
The Battle of Big South Fork takes place on the west end tonight as York Institute welcomes their friends for the east in Oneida. The Dragons have won three straight and seem built to slow down Oneida’s offense. I’ll take York Institute comfortably in a pivotal region matchup.
Gallatin (2-4) at Cookeville (5-1)
Noah: Cookeville 21-14
Buckle your chinstraps for a pivotal one in Region 4/6A. Gallatin doesn’t have a bad loss, but they haven’t been able to put up enough points against strong 6A competition. Cookeville will have to limit the explosive plays through the air that plagued them vs Mt. Juliet, but I think Blake Owen and his tailbacks will be able to run effectively and the Cavs keep pace for a home playoff game.
Justin: Cookeville 35-31
Cookeville needs this region game if they want to make a playoff run. Last season, the Cavs came back from a 23-7 hole to win one of their biggest games of the season. Cookeville can’t afford to get down early again, and I think the Cavs do enough to win the game.
Jacob: Cookeville 28-14
A huge region game for the Cavaliers that feels they are favored in. However, this was the game last season they went down 23-7 and had to score 19 unanswered to win and put their season on the right trajectory. The Green Wave have struggled at times this season, but they have some solid offensive pieces and like to throw the ball around so the Cavs secondary will be tested. I think Cookeville holds strong and gets a big region win.
Goose: Cookeville 21-7
Cookeville hosts a massive Region 4-6A game tonight against Gallatin as they try to secure a home playoff game. Last year’s furious comeback victory isn’t in the cards this season, though, as I think Cookeville’s defense holds Gallatin in check all night.
White County (4-2) at Cumberland County (2-4)
Noah: White County 42-7
The Warriors found their identity last week, and I expect them to stick with the run as they begin to build some momentum heading into the home stretch of the regular season.
Justin: White County 49-7
White County should leave Crossville with a big victory and a whole lot of rushing yards for Tripp Pinion.
Jacob: White County 34-7
Warriors got a massive win last week and have set themselves on the path for the two seed in the region. I think they continue to run the ball this week with Tripp Pinion and cruise to another victory.
Goose: White County 42-14
One of the Upper Cumberland’s oldest rivalries dating back to 1934 (when Cumberland County was the Red Devils) renews another chapter tonight in Crossville as White County takes Highway 70 West to Jet Stadium. Look for a potent ground game from White County being the difference as the Warriors improve to 5-2.
Smith County (1-5) at Upperman (6-0)
Noah: Upperman 56-13
Two teams in very different spots here. Bronzden Chaffin continues to build his Mr. Football resume with a full compliment of explosive weapons. These picks will be chalk for the Bees through the 4A state championship game or until they get upset.
Justin: Upperman 56-7
Upperman needs to stay healthy this week against a Smith County team in a rebuilding season. I’ll take the Bees big.
Jacob: Upperman 48-0
Bees get a non-region game against a very young Smith County team. The Owls have looked better as the season has progressed, but this will be their toughest test of the season. The Bees handle business in Baxter.
Goose: Upperman 41-7
This game a year ago was one of the closest Upperman played as they won in Carthage, 14-0. The identities have changed in 2024, however, as Smith County is rebuilding while Upperman is the #1-ranked team in Class 4A. I’ll take Upperman at home comfortably.
Pickett County (1-4) at Jackson County (4-2)
Noah: Jackson County 42-0
Justin: Jackson County 49-6
Jacob: Jackson County 42-0
Goose: Jackson County 49-6
Clay County (4-2) at Jo Byrns (2-4)
Noah: Clay County 42-7
Justin: Clay County 41-0
Jacob: Clay County 35-7
Goose: Clay County 49-0
Gordonsville (4-2) at Forrest (5-1)
Noah: Forrest 28-27
Justin: Gordonsville 27-21
Jacob: Gordonsville 35-27
Goose: Forrest 41-35