2026 Expert Predictions: First Round

T1. Goose: 91-20 (7-4)

T1. Jacob: 91-20 (9-2)

3. Noah: 90-21 (8-3)

4. Justin: 89-22 (9-2)

5. Guests: 87-24 (7-4)

This week’s guest picker is the Livingston legend himself, David Ledbetter. Everybody in Hogeye knows David for one reason or another;

UCR GOTW Presented by Mayberry’s Furniture: Upperman (6-4) at Loudon (7-3)

Noah: Upperman 21-14

You know… it’s still Upperman. And everyone’s writing them off. Seems like a great time to pick the Bees.

Jacob: Loudon 28-7

Bees have really struggled the last couple of weeks to score and now go on the road for the first time in the playoffs under coach Caine. Loudon’s offense loves to go through the air which has been the kryptonite to this Bees defense at times. I think the Redskins handle business in round one. 

Goose: Loudon 27-14

Upperman travels for the first round of the playoffs for the first time in who knows how long as they take the trip to Loudon. The Bees need to find some offense and slow down the Redskins’ passing attack this week to have a chance.

Guest: Loudon 28-17

Justin: Upperman 21-14

 

UCR Midstate GOTW: East Ridge (8-2) at Macon County (9-1)

Noah: Macon County 28-14

East Ridge is tough to get a beat on with a bad schedule, but hung tough with Red Bank and Loudon. A superstar RB will challenge the Tigers, but this is playoff football in Pat Parker, give me the Tigers.

Jacob: Macon County 35-7

Tigers have been dominant the last three weeks on both sides of the ball and Isaiah Escandon cannot be stopped. Pair him with a healthy Brennan Flowers and Xavier Bentley and this rushing attack is hard to slow down. Tigers win big at home. 

Goose: Macon County 44-7

This game looks a lot better on paper than it will on grass. Macon County cruises into the second round.

David: Macon Co. 34-14

Justin: Macon County 42-6

 

UCR2: Livingston (6-4) at Red Bank (5-5)

Noah: Red Bank 35-21

The Lions being down two of their best players makes this game even more interesting, but it’s a RBHS program that knows how to win playoff games and a LA team that is going to learn how to win them. A tremendous season, but I’ll take the home team. 

Jacob: Red Bank 28-14

Red Bank may be down a few players but still have some really good athletes that’ll put some pressure on this LA defense. The Wildcats can win but will have to play really well to do so. I think Red Bank handles the first round. 

Goose: Red Bank 20-14

Livingston is riding a wave of momentum into the playoffs while Red Bank is without multiple key players due to suspension. I still think the Lions find a way to get it done in a barn burner, though.

David: Red Bank 28-14

Justin: Red Bank 14-7

 

Jackson County (7-3) at Bledsoe County (8-2)

Noah: Bledsoe County 35-21

Jacob: Bledsoe County 28-20

Goose: Bledsoe County 26-21

David: Bledsoe County 34-14

Justin: Bledsoe County 34-28

 

Grundy County (7-3) at Gordonsville (9-1)

Noah: Gordonsville 35-14

Jacob: Gordonsville 35-21

Goose: Gordonsville 35-7

David: Gordonsville 28-20

Justin: Gordonsville 37-13

 

York Institute (4-6) at Cannon County (8-2)

Noah: Cannon County 42-14

Jacob: Cannon County 28-14

Goose: Cannon County 27-20

David: Cannon County 31-21

Justin: Cannon County 21-14

 

Signal Mountain (4-6) at White County (10-0)

Noah: White County 49-6

Jacob: White County 42-0

Goose: White County 49-7

David: White County 42-14

Justin: White County 49-6

 

Copper Basin (2-8) at Clay County (4-6)

Noah: Clay County 20-13

Jacob: Clay County 28-7

Goose: Clay County 44-6

David: Clay County 35-12

Justin: Clay County 42-6

 

Cookeville (5-5) at Riverdale (9-1)

Noah: Riverdale 42-28

Jacob: Riverdale 35-14

Goose: Riverdale 35-14

David: Riverdale 42-13

Justin: Riverdale 34-21