RED BANK LIONS (4-2, 3-0) at CLEVELAND BLUE RAIDERS (5-1, 3-0)

The kickoff: 7:30

Coaches, career numbers: Red Bank’s Tim Daniels (116-55); Cleveland’s Danny Wilson (86-46)

Interesting stats: Red Bank enters this game with two losses for the first time since 2004 when they opened the season with back-to-back losses to Ooltewah and Soddy-Daisy. The Lions won 17-14 that year, and they have not lost to Cleveland since a 13-0 shutout in 2003. Cleveland’s last home loss was to Red Bank (17-0) in 2006, and the Blue Raiders have since won nine straight at home. The Lions haven’t lost a regular season road game since falling at Austin-East in the first game of the 2005 season, a streak of 16 games. Cleveland’s 5-1 start is the Blue Raiders’ best since 2006. They started 6-0 before losing to Red Bank. Cleveland, which has three shutouts, gave up 36 points to state-ranked Cookeville but has given up only 57 points this year. That’s an average of 9.5 points.

What to watch: Red Bank had trouble defending both run and pass in a 28-24 loss to Boyd-Buchanan and Cleveland’s spread offense, spearheaded by quarterback Tucker Tipton, has been quite balanced. The only team to beat Cleveland this year was Cookeville, and the Cavaliers seemed content to contain the Blue Raiders’ running game, keep an eye open for turnovers and let Tipton try to beat them with his arm. Tipton threw for four TDs in that game, but turnovers proved to be Cleveland’s undoing. Red Bank quarterback Andy Christopher and his receivers haven’t yet been on the same page for an entire game, and the Lions cannot survive on the running of Jamarcus Mobley and Tim Dews.

RIDGELAND PANTHERS (3-2, 1-0) at RINGGOLD TIGERS (2-3, 1-0)

The kickoff: 7:30

Coaches, career numbers: Ridgeland’s Mark Mariakis (39-54); Ringgold’s Robert Akins (214-97)

Interesting stats: Both teams won their region openers last week and both are riding modest two-game win streaks.

What to watch: There is almost too much for Ringgold defenders to concentrate on between Ridgeland quarterback Carlan Bowman, Alabama-committed receiver Mike Bowman and running backs Devin Bowman and Terryl Freeman. On the other hand, Ringgold seems to have found its stride after being staggered by the preseason loss of quarterback Zach Fairchild. Barrett Johnson is finally getting comfortable and Martez Eastland has shouldered the bulk of the offense, rushing for 201 yards and four TDs in the Tigers’ 48-0 win over Southeast Whitfield.

BOYD-BUCHANAN BUCCANEERS (6-0) at SOUTH PITTSBURG PIRATES (6-0)

The kickoff: 7:30

Coaches, career numbers: Boyd-Buchanan’s Grant Reynolds (14-15); South Pittsburg’s Vic Grider (119-28)

Interesting stats: The Buccaneers have averaged 31.3 points per game with an average victory margin of 17 points. Those are impressive numbers, but they pale considerably when compared with those of South Pittsburg, which has scored 48 or more points in five of its wins including 64-, 67- and 82-point spreads. The Pirates’ average point production is 57.3 points. Marion County is the lone common opponent, losing to South Pitt by 35 and to Boyd by one. Of course, the Buccaneers played Marion without quarterback Nic Hughes.

What to watch: Grider would love for the Pirates to control the game offensively and keep Hughes and Bucs running backs Taylor Gilley and Ben Beasley off the field. South Pitt proved it could handle big and tough opposing lines in its come-from-behind win over Tyner two Fridays ago, and the Bucs likely have the biggest lines the Pirates will see the rest of the way. However, Boyd-Buchanan showed its versatility in a big win two weeks ago over Red Bank. It makes a big difference having a healthy Hughes, whose arm can keep defenses from stacking the line to shut down the Bucs running game. South Pitt running back David Jones may be the biggest single challenge Boyd will face all year.

TYNER RAMS (5-2) at HOWARD HUSTLIN’ TIGERS (6-0)

The kickoff: 7:30

Coaches, career numbers: Tyner’s Wayne Turner (154-79); Howard’s Alvin Tarver (26-12)

Interesting stats: Tyner has won three straight and last year ended the Tigers’ unbeaten status with a 26-22 decision. Howard has assured itself of three consecutive .500 seasons for the first time since 1984-86. Tyner entered the year with seven straight winning years including campaigns with at least 10 wins in five of those years.

What to watch: See if Tyner can shut down the Tigers’ running game that features Eric McCullough, Tederick Walker and Marcus Shropshire. They were held in check last week, but quarterback Michael Bryant had a field day against Polk, throwing for 238 yards although the Wildcats shut down Howard’s rushing offense. Quarterback Brandon Scott has given the Rams stability and leadership. The Rams’ big guns, though, has been running back receiver Michael Poarch and running back Tobyas Simmons.

McMINN COUNTY CHEROKEES (3-3, 1-2) at SODDY-DAISY TROJANS (5-1, 3-0)

The kickoff: 7:30

Coaches, career numbers: McMinn’s Bo Cagle (10-6), Soddy-Daisy’s E.K. Slaughter (5-1)

Interesting stats: Not that it was necessary, but the Cherokees served notice that they have an eye on the playoffs with their 24-21 victory over Oak Ridge. McMinn has now won two of its last three against the Wildcats. Soddy-Daisy is off to its best start since it began 2004 with seven wins under then first-year coach Tom Weathers. McMinn has since won four straight including a 22-0 shutout of the Trojans last year.

What to watch: These are two pass-oriented spread offenses with capable quarterbacks in the Trojans’ Scott Parrott and the Cherokees’ Cy Ables. Both are underclassmen and both should be college prospects. Soddy-Daisy has the better receivers with Donovan Barnes and Bubba Haney, but McMinn has the better more consistent running game behind Delano Ellison. The teams probably split on special teams with Haney handing the Trojans’ returns and Stephen Stansell kicking for the Cherokees. Stansell, who had a 51-yard field goal, has put the majority of his kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks.

The rest of the schedule

(All kickoffs at 7:30 unless noted)

Brainerd (0-6, 0-3) at White County (1-5, 0-3), 8

Central (1-5, 0-3) at Rhea County (5-1, 3-0)

Esat Ridge (3-4, 1-4) at Notre Dame (2-4, 2-2)

Hixson (4-2, 2-1) at Walker Valley (2-4, 1-2)

Bradley Central (2-4, 0-3) at Farragut (6-0, 3-0)

Grundy County (1-4, 0-3) at Sequoyah (2-4, 2-2)

Baylor (2-4, 0-3) at Battle Ground Academy (6-0, 2-0), 8

Ooltewah (4-1, 3-0) at Maryville Heritage (1-5, 0-3)

Polk County (5-1, 3-1) at Meigs County (2-4, 2-3)

Tellico Plains (1-6, 1-4) at McMinn Central (6-0, 4-0)

Webb (3-3) at Sweetwater (3-3)

Cannon County (2-4) at Marion County (4-2), 8

Sequatchie County (5-2) at Silverdale Baptist (4-1)

Stone Memorial (0-5) at Bledsoe County (0-7), 8

David Brainerd (2-4, 0-3) at Grace Academy (4-2, 2-0)

Whitwell (1-5, 0-2) at Copper Basin (1-5, 0-3)

York Institute (5-1) at Cumberland County (1-4)

Tullahoma (4-2) at Stratford (2-4), 8

ALABAMA

North Jackson (5-1) at Guntersville (5-2), 8

West End at Ider (1-4), 8

North Sand Mountain (2-4) at Geraldine (5-1), 8

Madison County (6-0) at Scottsboro (3-3), 8

Albertville (2-4) at Fort Payne (5-1), 8

Valley Head (1-5)at Woodville (1-5), 8

GEORGIA

Cass (2-3, 0-1) at Dalton (5-1, 2-1)

Murray County (1-4, 0-2) at Rome (5-1, 3-0)

Chattooga (3-2, 0-1) at Calhoun (3-2, 1-0)

Sonoraville (5-0, 1-0) at Dade County (0-5, 0-1)

Gordon Central (3-2, 0-1) at Adairsville (3-2, 1-0)

Gordon Lee (3-2) at Bowdon (5-0, 2-0)

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