Week One (Friday, Aug. 21)

Week one’s guest picker is the man himself from Warren County, Jeffrey “Big Cat” Simmons. Jeffrey runs the show at the Warren County Sports Authority and is an award-winning journalist in McMinnville.

UCR GOTW Presented by Mayberry’s Furniture: Coalfield at Gordonsville

Noah: Gordonsville 21-14

A good old fashioned fight in the jungle on Friday night. Both teams play a physical brand of football and have eyes on a deep postseason run. Ultimately I’ll give the Tigers the nod with their home crowd and some explosive weapons.

Goose: Gordonsville 28-21

The Tigers open the 2026 season against a powerhouse Class 1A program in Coalfield. These two have shared plenty of postseason battles over the years along with last season’s opener at Coalfield. This should be good, old-fashioned physical football that comes down to the last drive. Coalfield is explosive all over the field, but give me the Tigers’ depth and home-field advantage to wear them down in a nail biter.

Jacob: Gordonsville 28-14

I like the Tigers in the season opener. Not being able to finish the game last season and getting to play in the Jungle will create a big time atmosphere. The Tigers have a ton of returners on top of some high caliber newcomers. Look for Gordonsville to control the pace of the game and start the season off on a high note. 

Justin: Gordonsville 21-20

Jeffrey: Gordonsville 27-20

Wouldn’t be shocked if the Tigers pulled away by even more. Last year’s win in this game sparked a 12-game winning streak that lasted all the way to the quarterfinals. What could this win vault Gordonsville to in 2026?

UCR2: Knoxville Webb vs Upperman

Noah: Upperman 28-21

The Bees dominated Webb last year, but this isn’t last year. George Quarles is the TN HSFB GOAT in my opinion (no offense, coach Rankin), and he will have his squad playing a much better brand of football. In a year I expect Webb to be towards the top of Division 2, but for now the Bees still have a great offensive line and potent running game, and I expect that to be enough.

Goose: Upperman 34-7

A “new era” of Upperman football begins on Friday as former quarterback Bronzden Chaffin has moved on to Appalachian State, but that term is used loosely as the Bees will still look to pound the rock in the run game. Ole Miss commit Colton Johnson will be utilized all over the field for Upperman. Legendary high school football coach George Quarles makes his return on the Webb sidelines in this one, but I don’t expect the Spartans to look like his Maryville Rebel teams of old. Give me the Bees big.

Jacob: Upperman 21-7

Webb had no chance against Upperman last season and these two teams will look very different this year. Defensively, the Bees are still going to stout and will look different offensively but still explosive. Coach Quarles coming to town makes this an even more intriguing matchup as he simply doesn’t lose. I think the Bees defend their homefield though and get a solid win in week one. 

Justin: Upperman 24-21

Jeffrey: Upperman 24-10

The talk before the game is always about who isn’t around anymore – particularly for Upperman – and who is on the sideline now, at least for Webb, but by kickoff  the Bees will still be buzzing to the ball, pounding the rock and making big plays that get them rolling in Week 1.

UCR3: Cumberland County at Livingston Academy

Noah: Livingston 35-7

The Wildcats set the tone for a great start to their season with a great win over the Jets a season ago, and while Mark Wattenbarger will have his CCHS team ready to go, I think the Wildcats have a few more horses to go to. 

Goose: Livingston 20-12

There’s “new” all over the field in this one; a plethora of new starters taking the field for Livingston and Cumberland County head coach Mark Wattenbarger takes over for his second stint with the Jets. This one feels more like their 2024 matchup (a 22-21 Livingston win) than last year’s 47-9 game.

Jacob: Livingston 28-7

The Wildcats lost quite a bit to graduation from last season, but have quite a few young guys with a lot of talent. LA was impressive in their jamboree against Jackson County a week ago on both sides of the ball and I expect that to continue against a very young Jets squad. Give me the Wildcats to defend their home field.

Justin: Livingston Academy 27-7

Jeffrey: Livingston 28-0

I can’t see this game flip-flopping that much from a 47-9 walloping from last year. The Jets may have improved and the Wildcats may need a few weeks to rework their weapons, but it’ll still be enough for Livingston to start the year with a dub.

UCR4: Siegel at Cookeville

Noah: Cookeville 21-17

As close to a must-win as you’ll see week 1. The Cavs let one get away against the Stars last year, and really stumbled out of the gate. Taylor Hennigan will have this group ready to go and they even the series in a really good football game. Hunt Reese with a big night

Goose: Siegel 27-21

One of the closest toss-up games on the week one slate sees Cookeville host Siegel. The Stars got it done last year in week one and are looking to continue that magic this season.

Jacob: Siegel 21-14

The Cavs struggled in this game a year ago and couldn’t really get it going until late in the season. The offensive line will look very different this year after graduating some big time players up front. Siegel has some big time playmakers and will be looking to get back on the winning side of things this season. I like the home team in this one. 

Justin: Cookeville 17-14

Jeffrey: Cookeville 28-14

Is this the start of the Easton Davidson hype train? Or has that already left the station? I think the Cavs get the job done on opening night. 

WCSA: Warren County at DeKalb County

Noah: Warren County 21-20

Perhaps the toughest pick on the board. DeKalb County has a lot of unknowns but returns an up-and-coming star in Reed Midget. On the other hand, the Pioneers finished last year very well, albeit against not great competition. I like some of what I’ve seen out of Erik Belew’s team this offseason, so a slight lean their way here. Total toss-up for me.

Goose: Warren County 27-14

The trajectory for head coach Eric Belew’s squad has been trending up at Warren County, and what better way to kick off the 2026 season than a heated rivalry matchup against DeKalb County. The Tigers lost a few key transfers and had some preseason injuries to deal with, so I’ll take the Pioneers in week one.

Jacob: Warren County 28-14

The Pioneers found their way to six wins a season ago under coach Belew and feel confident they can replicate that success this season. The Tigers lost a few players to transfers and graduation and will look very different this year under first year head coach Michael Shaw. I expect the Tigers defense to still be solid but what will the offensive side look like? I think the Pioneers get the job done in the border rivalry. 

Justin: Warren County 31-10

Jeffrey: Warren County 28-14

Are PbP guys supposed to pick the game they’re calling? Is that just a Herbstreit rule? Anyway, you don’t earn the moniker of the Warren County Sports Authority (or give it to yourself), then pick against the Pioneers on opening night. The offense for the Pioneers won’t be one that hits the Tigers for over 250 yards through the air like last year, but AJ Whitman brings a dynamic to the backfield at QB that will be the difference in Smithville. 

UCR (Saturday): Macon County at Fulton

Noah: Macon County 35-7

The Tigers dominated the Falcons a year ago, and I’ve yet to see a reason why that would change this year. Xavier Bentley goes nuts and the Tigers roll on a Saturday night in Knoxville.

Goose: Macon County 42-7

Macon County hits the road for their week one Saturday showdown at Fulton, who they handled last year at Pat Parker by a 48-6 margin. The 2026 edition should be much of the same behind a big offensive line for the Tigers.

Jacob: Macon County 21-7

The strength of this year’s team is going to be on the defensive side of the ball. Offensively, they’ll still be looking for some continuity at the QB spot and that may take a few games. Still, the Tigers didn’t struggle with Fulton last season and I expect that to be the same on Saturday. 

Justin: Macon County 28-17

Jeffrey: Macon County 38-6

I feel like this is going to be unanimous among the panel. The Tigers are good – nothing has changed.

Stone Memorial at York Institute

Noah: Stone Memorial 35-14

Goose: Stone Memorial 41-21

Jacob: Stone Memorial 28-14

Justin: Stone Memorial 35-21

Jeffrey: Stone Memorial 28-14

 

Clay County at Barren County (KY)

Noah: Barren County 28-21 (Coach Lamb don’t call me)

Goose: Barren County 20-12 (Coach Lamb call Noah instead of me)

Jacob: Barren County 21-14

Justin: Clay County 20-17 (I never pick against Coach Lamb)

Jeffrey: Clay County 21-14

 

White County at Soddy Daisy

Noah: White County 28-24

Goose: White County 35-7

Jacob: White County 28-14

Justin: White County 24-17

Jeffrey: White County 35-14

 

Clinton County (KY) at Jackson County

Noah: Jackson County 27-14

Goose: Jackson County 34-21

Jacob: Jackson County 28-21

Justin: Jackson County 22-16

Jeffrey: Jackson County 21-17

 

Watertown at Smith County

Noah: Watertown 21-7

Goose: Watertown 28-21

Jacob: Watertown 21-7

Justin: Watertown 18-12

Jeffrey: Watertown 20-0

 

Grundy County at Red Boiling Springs 

Noah: Grundy County 35-0

Goose: Grundy County 35-8

Jacob: Grundy County 28-0

Justin: Grundy County 24-7

Jeffrey: Grundy County 42-0

 

Oakdale at Pickett County

Noah: Pickett County 20-19

Goose: Oakdale 32-8

Jacob: Oakdale 14-7

Justin: Oakdale 10-6

Jeffrey: Oakdale 17-14