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

Tonight, 8

Last meeting: South Pittsburg won 47-7 last year.

Why you should go: Although it does not affect either team’s postseason plans, this has been one of the area’s best rivalries since the mid-1990s, and both are ranked among the state’s top five in their classifications.

Players to watch: Boyd-Buchanan relies heavily on the running back tandem of Taylor Gilley (703 yards) and Ben Beasley (578), running behind an offensive line that averages 275 pounds. Although Nic Hughes has not yet had to carry the Bucs, he remains one of the top quarterbacks in the city and nine receivers have caught passes. Linebacker Seth Emery is a sure tackler. South Pittsburg running back David Jones leads a group that averages 330 rushing yards. Meanwhile, Terrell Robinson set school records for single-game passing yards and TDs against Tyner. Defensive linemen Trevor Barnes, Keaton Jones and Cody Wordlaw, as well as Jiajuan Fennell, have made life miserable for opponents, giving up an average of 58 rushing yards.

Key question: South Pittsburg has feasted early, putting games away by outscoring opponents an average of 39-2 in the first half. Can the Bucs prevent the Pirates from delivering their typical early knockout?

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

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: McMinn County won 22-0 last year.

Why you should go: McMinn beating preseason playoff favorite Oak Ridge last week should create additional interest in this Region 2-5A matchup. Soddy-Daisy fans will go because their Trojans are enjoying the most football success they have had since 2004. The loser of this one could be staying at home in the postseason.

Players to watch: Quarterbacks Cy Ables of McMinn and Scott Parrott of Soddy-Daisy are leaders. A first-year starter, Ables is getting more consistent with coach Bo Cagle’s mindset and in reading defenses. Parrott also is an underclassman, and he and Ables are likely college prospects. Parrott has two of the best receivers in the area in sure-handed Donovan Barnes and speedy Bubba Haney. Ables probably has more run support, led by Delano Ellison. McMinn kicker Stephen Stansell kicked a 51-yard field goal last week and puts most of his kickoffs into the end zone.

Key question: With a kicker like Stansell and a return threat like Haney, is there any doubt that the Cherokees will try to negate a big part of the Trojans’ game by shooting for kickoff touchbacks?

BRADLEY CENTRAL BEARS (2-4, 0-3) at FARRAGUT ADMIRALS (6-0, 3-0)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Farragut won 49-7 last year.

Why you should go: The Admirals showed last week that they may be beatable. They had to come from a 13-0 deficit to beat winless William Blount 28-13.

Players to watch: Bradley features backfield cousins Deonte and Courtney Lindsey, who give the Bears a chance to be competitive every week. Courtney may be limited after suffering an ankle injury against Ooltewah last Friday. Farragut quarterback Reese Browning is coming off a game in which he threw for 343 yards and three touchdowns. Admirals running back De’Andre Purty averages 8.8 yards per carry. Their top defenders are Alex Encarnacion and Jonathan Moskal.

Key question: Can the Bears find the resources to stop Purty and still defend against Browning’s passing in this 2-5A game?

OOLTEWAH OWLS (4-1, 3-0) at MARYVILLE HERITAGE MOUNTAINEERS (1-5, 0-3)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Ooltewah won 49-13 last year.

Why you should go: The Mountaineers opened their season with a shutout win but since have lost five in a row. Ooltewah, which lost 14-13 to Maplewood, rebounded with a 31-3 win over Bradley last week. The Owls are primed for a Region 2-5A championship run. They cannot afford a slip this week, especially with games remaining against Farragut and Soddy-Daisy.

Players to watch: Heritage quarterback Chase Boruff has completed more than 60 percent of his passes. The Mountaineers prefer the passing game, although running back Jerad Price is skilled. Ooltewah quarterback Brady Reed can throw deep, but the Owls prefer getting the ball in the hands of running back Matthew Polk.

Key question: Can the Owls, who have given up no more than 14 points in any game, continue the stiff defensive effort that has limited opponents to 7.6 points per game?

EAST RIDGE PIONEERS (3-4, 1-3) at NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (2-4, 2-2)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Notre Dame won 51-20 last year.

Why you should go: A playoff berth could be on the line and this could be a good game, especially considering that the Pioneers came within less than a minute and a field goal of knocking off third-ranked McMinn Central last week. Although the Irish are a game ahead of East Ridge in the Region 3-3A standings, they have games left against Polk County and McMinn Central. Notre Dame had an open date last week, so the Irish have had two weeks to prepare.

Players to watch: East Ridge has speed in primary running back Donnie Garner. Quarterback Adam Long is capable. Long is also healthy again after suffering a concussion a couple of weeks ago. Notre Dame running backs Jeremy Deocampo and Conner Choate give their team some speed, but the Irish will be breaking in a new quarterback after Bradley Stephens left school.

Key question: What will the Irish do at quarterback, and how will that change their offense?

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

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Tyner won 26-22 last year.

Why you should go: A Howard fan wouldn’t want to be absent on the night the Hustlin’ Tigers beat Tyner for the first time. Could this be the year? Last season the teams played for the 17th time. Howard mounted a three-touchdown rally in the final 6:19 at Finley Stadium, but it wasn’t enough. Don’t count on a defensive struggle, although each has been stingy at times. The Rams average 38.6 points per game, and the Tigers average 35.8.

Players to watch: The quarterbacks can be productive when filling the air with passes, and each has a standout all-around performer as a complement. Tyner’s Brandon Scott was 12-for-14 passing last week with an 8-yard touchdown to Michael Poarch. Poarch also ran 15 times for 133 yards and two TDs. Howard’s Michael Bryant threw for 238 yards last week. Eight completions went to Jahron Reynolds for 150 yards and a touchdown. The Rams’ Logan Cornelius could give them an edge in the kicking game, but Reynolds is a counter in the return game.

Key question: Like this time, the Tigers came into last year’s game undefeated while Tyner had multiple losses. Regardless, the Rams were dominant in building a 20-0 lead that Howard was unable to overcome. Will Tyner’s defense, which has given up 22 or more points four times this year, be good enough to allow history to repeat itself?

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

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Ridgeland won 30-10 last year.

Why you should go: With just a handful of Region 6-AAA North games, every league game is huge. Though Ridgeland would still have to be the favorite in the north section, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe proved last week in an eight-point loss that the top spot won’t be won easily. The Tigers, after a woeful start to the season, have found their identity and have won two straight games.

Players to watch: The Panthers are beginning to show the offensive firepower many expected to see this year. Running back Terryl Freeman has more than 300 yards the past two games; receiver Mike Bowman has more than 200; and quarterback Carlan Bowman hasn’t thrown an interception and has completed more than 60 percent of his passes. The key Panthers, however, will be on defense, where linemen Michael Roberson and Cedric Weaver and linebacker DeVaughn Buchanan will get tested. After the loss of quarterback Zac Fairchild to injury, Ringgold has started to find a groove offensively by using 5-foot-10, 235-pound junior Martez Eastland in a number of roles, including quarterback. Barrett Johnson remains the starter, but he is also used at wideout when the Tigers go to the “Tez” package. Up front, Ringgold features seniors Jason Worley, Josh Marcus and Devon Gainer.

Key question: Ringgold’s defense will be tested early and often, so can the Tigers limit Ridgeland’s big plays?

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

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Red Bank won 36-22 last year.

Why you should go: Red Bank has won the last four Region 4-4A championships, but Cleveland was picked as this year’s favorite in the preseason.

Players to watch: Red Bank features a ground attack paced by Tim Dews and JaMarcus Mobley. Andy Christopher has 875 yards passing on the season, which is slightly better than Cleveland quarterback Tucker Tipton. Senior tailback Monte Scotton is getting stronger and stronger, while juniors Terrell Parks, Marcus Davis and Jamial King provide targets on the outsides.

Key question: Turnovers have plagued Cleveland in the last few games against the Lions. Will they be able to protect the ball?

CENTRAL POUNDERS (1-5, 0-3) at RHEA COUNTY GOLDEN EAGLES (5-1, 3-0)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Rhea won 47-27 last year.

Why you should go: This 4-4A matchup is the Golden Eagles’ last dress rehearsal before back-to-back contests with Red Bank and Cleveland.

Players to watch: Rhea quarterback Cameron Tallent continues to be a stalwart through the air, with 1,065 yards and nine touchdowns through six games.

Key question: Can the Pounders keep pace with Tallent and Rhea’s offense that averages more than 350 yards and more than 30 points per game?

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