This season, a group of experts will predict the outcomes of the high school football games for Cookeville, Livingston Academy, Monterey, Upperman and White County.
The experts have decades of combined experience covering high school sports in the Upper Cumberland with a variety of outlets.
Note: These predictions are purely opinions. The Upper Cumberland Reporter wishes each of the teams in the Upper Cumberland good luck in their contests.
Our experts:
*Prediction record noted by ()
Noah McKay: COO and play-by-play announcer at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (27-5)
Buddy Pearson: News and Communications Director at Tennessee Tech University and longtime high school sports commentator (25-7)
Chase Hoke: Color commentator at the Upper Cumberland Reporter (27-5)
Scott Wilson: Longtime sports journalist and editor in the Upper Cumberland (23-9)
Adam Parks: Sports editor at Mitchell Media in Livingston (25-7)
Game 1:
Upperman (6-2, 4-0) vs #4 Watertown (7-1, 4-0)
Last game:
Upperman: 48-0 win at Grundy County
Watertown: 38-0 win over Jackson County
Pearson:
Pick: Upperman
Hoke:
Pick: Upperman
Comments: Upperman has a really good football team and it seems like they have gotten the offense firing on all cylinders just in time. Watertown is very solid and play smart football, but I think the Bees are the better team. This could go either way but give me the Bees!
Wilson:
Pick: Watertown
Parks:
Pick: Watertown
McKay:
Pick: Watertown
Comments: This is a great matchup. Upperman has found its rhythm during their four-game win streak, and Watertown has been great all season. I’ll take the Purple Tigers because they have shown the ability to get consistent production on both sides of the ball more than Upperman. This is a measuring-stick game, and if the Bees can get it done it’ll build great momentum for the postseason.
Game 2:
White County (5-3) vs Macon County (6-2, 2-1)
Last game:
White County: 28-7 win at Clay County
Macon County: 24-20 loss against Dekalb County
Pearson:
Pick: White County
Hoke:
Pick: White County
Comments: I think White County is one of the best teams in the Upper Cumberland. The Warriors have a stout front seven defensively and they spread the ball around on offense. I think White County will just be too much for Macon County.
Wilson:
Pick: White County
Parks:
Pick: Macon County
McKay:
Pick: Macon County
Comments: This Macon County team is one of the best kept secrets in the Upper Cumberland. They do nearly everything well. They rolled to a win over Sparta in 2019, and while I do not think it will be lopsided like that game was, I’ll take the Tigers at home in this one.
Game 3:
#10 Monterey (5-2, 3-0) vs Clay County (5-3, 2-1)
Last game:
Monterey: 14-20 loss against Bledsoe County
Clay County: 28-7 loss against White County
Pearson:
Pick: Monterey
Hoke:
Pick: Monterey
Comments: Monterey is coming off a loss and I expect them to look motivated to get get another W in the win column. Clay County is a solid football team and this could go either way, but I am all for the Wildcats this week!
Wilson:
Pick: Clay County
Parks:
Pick: Monterey
McKay:
Pick: Monterey
Comments: This is where we really find out how good this Monterey team is. I think they get it done on the road, setting up a region championship game next week against Gordonsville.
Game 4:
York (2-6, 2-2) vs Livingston Academy (5-3, 2-1)
Last game:
York: 43-14 win over Sequatchie County
Livingston Academy: 28-34 loss at White County
Pearson:
Pick: Livingston Academy
Hoke:
Pick: Livingston Academy
Comments: Livingston has been on a losing streak, but that changes this week. They lost in a thriller vs White County after almost coming all the way back in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats are coming off their bye, and I expect them to look refreshed and re-energized Friday night.
Wilson:
Pick: Livingston Academy
Parks:
Pick: Livingston Academy
McKay:
Pick: Livingston Academy
Comments: This York team is playing some good football right now, but I think the bye week came at a perfect time for the Wildcats. I think they get back into the win column with a statement win over the Dragons.