I probably should leave playoff predictions to my co-worker Kelley Smiddie, who won this year’s pick’em box and therefore deserves the title of high school football guru. But then again, maybe I can salvage an otherwise forgettable year of picking games by nailing tonight’s TSSAA quarterfinal round.
* Farragut at Ooltewah: When these teams met in mid-October, Farragut’s Admirals were ranked No. 1 in Class 5A and had yet to be tested. They were toasted 31-3 as Ooltewah harassed and hurried quarterback Reese Browning all night, sacking him seven times and holding an Admirals offense that had averaged 38 points to 187 total yards.
Staff Photo by D. Patrick Harding
Ooltewah's Gino Norwood (6) is headed to the goal line when he is stopped by McMinn County's Tevin McDermott (11) during the first quarter.
While arguing what he felt should have been a roughing-the-passer penalty, Farragut’s frustrated coach Eddie Courtney was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, then ejected when he tossed the flag back at the referee. Star running back De’Andre Purty sat out the second half with an injury but has since returned to lead Farragut.
Purty’s return should help slow Ooltewah’s relentless pass rush, led by Mr. Football finalist Jacques Smith, but likely won’t be enough to stop the Owls from returning to the semifinals for the second time in three years. For the second straight week the Owls will dispose of a team they have already beaten soundly. Ooltewah 27, Farragut 14.
* Maryville at Rhea County: A coaching friend told me earlier this year that area 4A teams are tired of reading about the Rebels. I’m sure that feeling is shared throughout the state, but until somebody knocks them from their perch, they deserve every praise.
Most prep fans know Maryville brings a 72-game winning streak into tonight’s game, but George Quarles’ complete coaching resume is even more impressive. Since he became coach in 1999, Maryville has gone 135-9 and won seven state championships, including an unprecedented four straight. Consider, too, that the Rebels’ last loss came four years ago on the road in the semifinals, by three points in overtime.
Rhea County has held opponents to single-digit scoring in five of the last seven games, but that defense will be seriously tested tonight. Maryville has ended the Golden Eagles’ season six times this decade. Make it seven. Maryville 30, Rhea County 15.
* Marion County at Boyd-Buchanan: I’m fairly certain there’s a craftsman somewhere in Jasper already working on a statue of first-year Warriors coach Troy Boeck. Most of the current Marion players were still in diapers the last time the program was playing this late in the season, and the tractor whistle has been getting a workout.
When these teams played in early September, the Bucs held on for a one-point win after linebacker Seth Emery stopped Marion’s Joe Muir at the 1-yard line on a two-point conversion attempt with 43 seconds remaining. That yard is all that prevented the Warriors from claiming the region title and thus hosting this rematch.
That was the Warriors’ last loss and was also the game that led them to believe they could compete with anyone on their schedule. Two weeks later they beat Tyner and have carried themselves much more confidently ever since, winning 10 straight games.
Boyd-Buchanan ran 52 times in the first meeting because senior quarterback Nic Hughes missed the game with a sprained left knee. Hughes is healthy now and makes a huge difference in the Bucs’ offense. That, along with the fact that Boyd-Buchanan is hosting and its defense has gotten tougher each passing week should mean it will earn the right to host top-ranked, four-time defending 2A champion Alcoa next week. Boyd-Buchanan 20, Marion County 12.
* South Pittsburg at Trousdale County: Unlike last season, the Pirates haven’t exactly pounded every opponent to step on the field against them. They needed a touchdown pass with 16 seconds left to beat Tyner and stopped a Boyd-Buchanan two-point conversion attempt in the closing seconds for another narrow regular-season win. And they have been less than spectacular in their first two playoff wins.
As has been the case the previous five meetings between these two teams, this is basically the de facto 1A state championship and will be decided by two factors: Can Trousdale contain South Pittsburg’s speed? And can South Pittsburg handle the four-quarter pounding that the Yellow Jackets’ physical line will dish out?
It’s supposed to be a dry field, which means the Pirates should be able to make just enough plays to advance. South Pittsburg 22, Trousdale County 17.
E-mail Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com
