Thursday, August 21, 2025
Check out the week-by-week predictions from UCR’s staff along with a new, rotating guest picker each week.
Week 1’s guest picker is an Upper Cumberland staple in White County girls basketball coach Michael Dodgen. Coach Dodgen helps us out on the headset as well, and you can hear him calling football games across the UCR Media Network.
*Note from the CHAMP Noah McKay: Ding Dong another year has arrived, meaning another opportunity for me to show these scrubs who the top dog is. I took the crown last year with an insane correct-pick percentage, and that isn’t going to change this year.
Watch and learn, boys.
Livingston Academy at Cumberland County (Thursday):
Noah: Livingston 27-13
There’s a lot of juice around this LA program under Kaleb Qualls, and I like them to open the year in style. All eyes on the return of Adrian Jenkins at quarterback as he tries to propel the Wildcats back into competitiveness against 4/4A’s best.
Justin: Livingston 20-14
Livingston is under new leadership and is looking for the first win of the Kaleb Qualls era. Adrian Jenkins being back is big, so give me the Wildcats in a close one.
Jacob: Livingston 21-13
The Wildcats struggled mightily with injuries last season including their quarterback Adrian Jenkins. He’s back under center to start this season and has one of the best athletes at LA in Kaden Weitzel in the back field with him this season. If the LA line can open some space for Weitzel and the rest of the skill players this could be a great first game for the Wildcats under new head coach Kaleb Qualls.
Goose: Livingston 20-8
We’re kicking off the 2025 season in Crossville with a former Region 4-4A showdown. Livingston is under new leadership in the Kaleb Qualls era and should have multiple players back from injury that missed significant time last year. The injury bug bit Cumberland County in the preseason with the loss of starting quarterback Greyson Dunlap for the season, and it’ll take the Jets a little bit to find their footing. Give me Hogeye in a tight game.
Guest Picker (Michael Dodgen): Livingston 27-6
Livingston starts the year off with a big win at home. CCHS still hit by the injury bug and will show on offensive side of football
York Institute at Stone Memorial (UCR GOTW):
Noah: Stone Memorial 21-20
A tossup game as both teams return some key players from a year ago. The Dragons have taken the last two meetings, and I’d expect a fired up Panthers team to be eager to defend their home field. A late touchdown from Noah Potter to Kadyn Page is the difference in a great game.
Justin: Stone Memorial 34-21
Two of the most intriguing teams in the Upper Cumberland square off in week 1 in Crossville. Stone returns multiple weapons and that could be the difference against a York team who’s looking for their fourth straight semifinal appearance.
Jacob: Stone Memorial 21-13
These two have had some absolute battles the last couple of seasons with each game coming down to one score. York has won the last two including last season at Stone, but the Dragons are very young on the offensive line this season. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if York wins this thing, but I like Stone’s offense with Noah Potter and Kadyn Page to be the difference in this one.
Goose: York Institute 30-28
A matchup with plenty of storylines headlines as our Game of the Week with York Institute traveling to Stone Memorial. Coach Derik Samber and the Panthers love to sling it around with quarterback Noah Potter while coach Derwin Wright’s Dragon squad has been to three consecutive state semifinal games with an impressive ground attack. I’ve bet against York a few too many times over the years so give me the Dragons on the road.
Dodgen: York Institute 34-27
Dragons start the year off at home with a big home win over Stone. York is always a tough place to play no matter what sport and Coach Wright always has his team ready to play.
Upperman at Knox Webb (UCR2):
Noah: Upperman 35-14
Surprise surprise, Upperman should be really good again. This is a good opening test for Adam Caine’s squad. Bronzden Chaffin appears poised for a Mr. Football caliber season but he is not alone as the Bees have a bunch of weapons. A statement win for the Baxter Bees.
Justin: Upperman 42-21
Upperman enters 2025 with high hopes and talent across the board, and the trip to Webb is no cake walk to open the season. Give me the Bees’ offense to light it up on the way to a win.
Jacob: Upperman 27-14
The Bees begin their tough schedule in week one this season on the road in Knoxville. Webb went .500 last season, but play a very good schedule in D2. They’ve got some really nice pieces in Shavar Young Jr. who’s going to Clemson next year and some size on the offensive line. I think the skill and speed of Upperman will be too much for the Spartans in this one though.
Goose: Upperman 28-7
Coach Adam Caine and the Bees didn’t pad their schedule with easy games as they open up with a trip to Division II’s Webb School of Knoxville. Upperman returns a stable of size and athleticism led by Georgia State commit QB Bronzden Chaffin. Look for the Bees to air it out more than years past to complement their ground game. Give me Upperman on the road.
Dodgen: Upperman 28-27
Upperman starts the year off with a big win on the road in Knoxville. Chaffin and crew ready to make another deep run this year and end a great career at UHS. Only uncertainty with this game is what has Webb brought in player wise in the off season with a summer of transfers around the state, with alot of good skill players and a big offensive line could give them an advantage at home.
Siegel at Cookeville (UCR3):
Noah: Cookeville 35-14
The Cavaliers are hoping to take the next step in year 4 under Taylor Hennigan, and they have an opportunity to get an early win against the Stars out of Rutherford County. Blake Barrett and Evan Banks run wild behind the left side of the Cavalier offensive line and Cookeville rolls.
Justin: Cookeville 35-6
Cookeville enters week 1 as a heavy favorite, and I trust them to take care of business. I’m interested to see how this offense rolls in the post-Blake Owen era.
Jacob: Cookeville 28-7
The Cavaliers have a great opportunity to show what they’ll look like this season without Blake Owen. Easton Davidson got some good time last season at QB and has some nice skill pieces around him. The offensive line is really solid as well, but can the defense step up and make some plays for their new quarterback? I like the Cavs in this one to build some confidence going into a tough week two matchup with FRA.
Goose: Cookeville 42-14
A lot of new faces will see their first starts in a Cavalier uniform Friday. Coach Taylor Hennigan has done one of the better rebuilds I can remember, and the Cavs are looking to keep that momentum going in 2025. I could see Cookeville starting off slow before overwhelming Siegel en route to a big victory.
Dodgen: Cookeville 35-21
Cavs with a big home opener in Cookeville. Gotta keep Justin happy this week and pick the Cavs.
Fulton at Macon County (Saturday GOTW):
Noah: Macon County 28-20
The defending champions get an interesting matchup in a rematch of the 2003 semifinal win for Fulton. This time it’s the Tigers who enter as big favorites and while a slow start wouldn’t be a shock, ultimately I think Macon County sends the mob home happy with a win.
Justin: Macon County 42-14
The defending state champions are going to come out HOT week 1 against a Fulton squad traveling from Knoxville. Give me the Tigers.
Jacob: Macon County 21-13
Apparently I really like the score of 21-13 this week. The Tigers, like the Cavs, will look very different this season with no Borders, Luke Gammon, Brody Frye and Hunter Griggs among others. However, they just won the state title in 4A and they’re the only team in 4A who can say that this season. I think coach Shoulders will have this new team ready to go and avenge their loss from the 2003 semifinals.
Goose: Macon County 31-14
The defending Class 4A state champions are at home to open the 2025 campaign with an old foe in Fulton coming to town. Macon County is replacing 17 seniors from 2024, but the cupboard’s hardly bare in Lafayette. Matthew Wheeley takes over at quarterback behind an experienced offensive line, while the defense ushers in 9 new starters. Fulton’s team speed will be difficult to handle, but give me the Tigers to pull away in the fourth.
Dodgen: Macon County 24-21
Macon wins at home in front of a big crowd on the home opener after winning the state title. I know there will be a lot of unanswered questions around the Tigers having to replace a lot of key players on offense and defense, But its a long drive for the Falcons who typically have a lot of athletes and don’t come out of the Knoxville area unless they are a good football team
Gordonsville at Coalfield
Noah: Coalfield 28-21
Justin: Justin Coalfield 34-27
Jacob: Coalfield 35-21
Goose: Coalfield 34-28
Dodgen: Gordonsville 24-20
Smith County at Watertown
Noah: Smith County 35-20
Justin: Smith County 21-10
Jacob: Smith County 14-7
Goose: Smith County 21-14
Dodgen: Smith County 13-6
Soddy Daisy at White County
Noah: Soddy Daisy 20-13
Justin: Soddy Daisy 35-24
Jacob: Soddy Daisy 35-14
Goose: Soddy Daisy 35-21
Dodgen: White County 27-19
DeKalb County at Warren County
Noah: DeKalb County 35-14
Justin: DeKalb County 41-14
Jacob: Dekalb County 28-14
Goose: DeKalb County 27-21
Dodgen: Dekalb County 24-21
Jackson County at Clinton County KY
Noah: Jackson County 28-7
Justin: Jackson County 14-13
Jacob: Jackson County 28-14
Goose: Jackson County 28-14
Dodgen: Jackson County 27-7
Clay County at Glasgow KY
Noah: Clay County 28-21
Justin: Clay County 21-20
Jacob: Clay County 42-21
Goose: Clay County 35-28
Dodgen: Clay County 34-13
Pickett County at Oakdale
Noah: Oakdale 33-12
Justin: Oakdale 20-14
Jacob: Oakdale 40-12
Goose: OAKDALE 34-6
Dodgen: Oakdale 42-13 (Gotta keep Goose Happy)
Red Boiling Springs at Grundy County
Noah: Grundy County 35-6
Justin: Grundy County 42-21
Jacob: Grundy County 21-14
Goose: Grundy County 34-14
Dodgen: Grundy County 41-7