Tennessee
CLASS 4A
Greeneville Green Devils (9-3) at Red Bank Lions (12-0)
Kickoff, 7 p.m. EST
The coaches: Greeneville's Caine Ballard; Red Bank's Tim Daniels.
Playoff history: Red Bank has yet to be seriously challenged. The Lions clubbed Gibbs 48-8 in Week 1 and then more than doubled Knox Fulton 55-22. Greeneville had an easy win over Central, 42-6, and then ousted Brainerd 38-22. Greeneville, which made it to the state semis last year before losing to Maryville, has an all-time playoff record of 21-18. The Lions, 22-20 overall, made it to the quarterfinals in 2006 and 2007 before falling to Maryville.
Things you may want to know: Red Bank struggled for a half against Central before winning 35-0 and then beat Brainerd 42-8. ... Greeneville had no regular-season opponents that also played Red Bank. ... Greeneville's losses were to Sullivan South, Elizabethton and Tennessee High. ... The Green Devils are on a seven-game win streak including two shutouts. ... Red Bank has averaged 51.5 points in its two playoff wins and the scoring has come one week by pass and the next by the rush. ... Red Bank hasn't been past this step since winning a state title in 2000. ... They have never played Greeneville in the playoffs. This is the Lions' sixth consecutive postseason and the Green Devils' third. ... Red Bank's schedule included six playoff teams.
Getting here from there: A relatively easy trip from I-81 South to I-75 South to I-24 East to Hwy 27 North. Take Morrison Springs Road exit and turn left. School is less than a mile on the left. This is really an easier route than Bonny Oaks Drive to Hwy 153, etc., unless it's during rush hour.
The winner gets: the Maplewood-Whites Creek winner. Red Bank would host and Greeneville could host unless Maplewood wins.
CLASS 2A
Cascade Champions (8-3) at Boyd-Buchanan Buccaneers (10-1)
Kickoff, 7 p.m. EST
The coaches: Cascade's Kenny Parker; Boyd-Buchanan's Grant Reynolds.
Playoff history: Each had a first-round bye. Cascade rallied to beat Signal Mountain 25-24 while Boyd-Buchanan broke open a close game to win 28-6 over Marion County. Cascade, which has 18 seniors, got to the quarterfinals last year before losing 22-0 to Jo Byrns. They have a 5-9 playoff record. The Buccaneers went to state finals from 2002-2004, winning once, and also got to the quarters last year before losing in an upset to Marion County by 7-6. The Bucs have a 28-11 playoff record. The teams have never met in the postseason. This is Boyd-Buchanan's 12th consecutive year to enjoy the postseason.
Things you may want to know: The teams have one common opponent. Boyd-Buchanan beat South Pittsburg 20-12 when the Pirates were without QB Terrell Robinson and South Pittsburg thumped Cascade 57-14 with Robinson. Cascade was down 24-0 early in the third period and rallied with 25 straight points last week. Boyd-Buchanan has been seriously challenged only three times this year - wins over South Pittsburg and Marion County and a 14-7 loss to unbeaten Red Bank, which is in the Class 4A semifinals. Cascade has won seven straight; Boyd-Buchanan, including a forfeit over David Brainerd, nine straight. This may be the best passing team the Bucs have faced. Champions QB Jared Carkuff is for real as are his two primary receivers - Tyler Bowen and Ricky Hord. Carkuff passed for almost 200 second-half yards in leading the Champions' rally last week. Too, their five-man front made it awfully tough for Signal to run consistently. Cascade opened the game with a bomb, which was completed but then fumbled away. ... The Buccaneers had five playoff teams on their schedule.
Getting here from there: Take Highway 269 to Highway 64 East to I-24 East and stay on I-24 to Moore Road exit. Turn left back over the interstate, crossing Brainerd Road and passing Brainerd High, which will be on the right. From there it's about two miles farther to Boyd-Buchanan and entrance is on the right.
The winner gets: The Hampton-Rockwood winner. Boyd-Buchanan/Cascade winner will be on the road if Hampton wins, at home if Rockwood wins.
CLASS 1A
Gordonsville Tigers (8-4) at South Pittsburg Pirates (9-2)
Kickoff, 8 p.m. EST
The coaches: Gordonsville's Ron Marshall, South Pittsburg's Vic Grider.
Playoff history: South Pittsburg had a Week 1 bye while Gordonsville was pouncing on Lookout Valley 34-6. The Pirates opened their 2009 postseason with a 50-0 win over Eagleville while Gordonsville won 34-20 over Middle Tennessee Christian. These two have a postseason history. As a matter of fact it is the most-visited in South Pittsburg's storied past. The teams have played nine playoff games with South Pittsburg winning the most recent meeting 33-13 on its way to the 2007 state title. The Pirates lead the postseason series 5-4. They have played six postseason games this century with Gordonsville winning in the even years (2006, 2004, 2000) and South Pitt winning in the odd years (2001, 2003, 2007). South Pittsburg owns a 53-22 record while Gordonsville is 31-22.
Things you may want to know: Gordonsville opened the season with consecutive losses to Smith County, Friendship Christian and Trousdale County. Smith County finished the regular season 8-2, Friendship and Trousdale each 9-1. The win over Eagleville marked the fourth time the Pirates had produced at least 50 points in a game this year. South Pittsburg had two shutouts during the regular season. ... The Pirates' schedule this year wound up including eight playoff teams including Class 2A quarterfinalist Boyd-Buchanan and second-round losers Polk County, Marion County and Signal Mountain.
Getting here from there: A trip of little more than 100 miles. Take Hwy 141 East to Highway 53 to Manchester. Pick up I-24 East to Exit 152 (South Pittsburg/Russell Cave National Monument) and turn right onto Highway 72 West to Highway 156. Football field is no more than a half-mile on the left.
The winner gets: The Knoxville Grace-Harriman winner. South Pittsburg would host if Harriman wins or travel if Knoxville Grace wins. Gordonsville would travel either way.
ALABAMA
Cherokee County Warriors (12-0) at North Jackson Chiefs (9-3)
Kickoff, 8 p.m. EST
The coaches: Cherokee County's Thomas Curry; North Jackson's Shawn Peek.
History: Cherokee County is coming off a 49-14 win over Fayette County while North Jackson defeated Guntersville 16-14 last week. In first-round games, the Chiefs won over Brooks 36-19 while Cherokee County rolled past Haleyville 51-13.
Ider Hornets (11-1) at Lamar County Bulldogs (12-0)
Kickoff, 8 p.m. EST
The coaches: Ider's Brent Tinker; Lamar County's Ken Adams.
History: Ider beat Lineville 20-13 last week while Lamar County won over Tanner 28-27. In opening-round games, Ider bested Lanett 34-7 and Lamar County shut out Red Bank 42-0.
GEORGIA
North Oconee Titans (8-3) at Calhoun Yellow Jackets (11-0)
Kickoff, 7:30 p.m. EST
The coaches: North Oconee's Terry Tuley Calhoun's Hal Lamb.
History: In first-round games last week, North Oconee bested Lamar County 34-14 while Calhoun was beating Avondale (42-14). The Titans lost their last three regular-season games after opening the year 7-0 with three shutouts. Calhoun's closest brush with defeat came in its opener, a 31-28 win over Dalton.
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