Tonight's greater Chattanooga area high school football matchups

Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog

Tennessee

(all kickoffs at 7 p.m. local time)

Class 1A

COPPER BASIN COUGARS (7-4) vs. MONTEREY WILDCATS (8-3) at Tennessee Tech

Stars: Cougars have used five backs in the past, but it was Aaron English last week and he scored all three of the Cougars' TDs including one on a fumble return. But a big play - one that came on a fourth-and-10 prior to English's TD - came from Jackson Ledford to Jordan Johnson. Dalton Phillips led Monterey last week with 126 yards on 28 carries but it was Caleb Phillips' fourth-quarter, 53-yard TD pass to Corey Heiderich and Elvis Perez' three PATs that made the difference.

Storyline: Monterey is the top seed in the quadrant and Copper Basin No. 2. Both had first-round byes. The Wildcats last week became the first Monterey football team to win a football playoff game, withstanding a furious, three-TD fourth-quarter rally to beat Midway 21-19. Copper Basin advanced with a come-from-behind, 22-15 win over South Pittsburg. The Cougars have made the playoffs four of the past six seasons and now have won at least one game in each of those four seasons. The winner will host the Greenback-Coalfield winner.

Key matchup: Both teams prefer to run the ball and Copper Basin has proved to be quite efficient with its offensive mix of Wing-T and single-wing plays.

Coach's quote: "We're going to show up. Beyond that I don't know what else is going to happen. If I can get the guys to quit looking around at the (Tennessee Tech) stadium, we might play a little football. We're kind of a grind-it-out team too. They'll spread it out a little bit but what they really want to do is run inside." - Copper Basin coach Patrick Daley

Class 2A

TROUSDALE COUNTY YELLOW JACKETS (9-3) at MARION COUNTY WARRIORS (10-1)

Stars: RB Kenyan Harper was injured in the first quarter of the season, had surgery, but has returned for Trousdale County and in a big way. In last week's playoff win he ran for 277 yards and six TDs. QB Marquel Claiborne can also strike fear into a defense with his run/pass skills. TE Seth Holder is a load at 6-2, 225. Marion County is paced by RB/LB Blake Zeman on both sides of the ball, but junior Josh Henderson adds a speed element that has helped him to be the Warriors' second-leading rusher and scorer. Alex Kirkendoll is the second-leading tackler. Fellow sophomore Corey Tucker has developed into a stalwart along the defensive line.

Storyline: Marion County's seniors were on a 1-9 team as freshmen. They were then part of back-to-back 8-2 regular seasons, and those teams earned playoff berths. This year, under the guidance of their third head coach, they want more. And what better test for the Warriors than facing the defending state champion, as well as the program that put an end to their tumultuous 2013 season? A victory tonight could serve as a major springboard.

Key matchup: Physically it may be the Yellow Jackets' Harper-led offense that has averaged 41 points per game on their current six-game winning streak against a Marion defense surrendering an average of 11 points per game. But something else to consider is the Warriors vs. the mental hurdle of facing a program that expects to win this time of year and often does (nine state titles overall with four coming since 2005).

Coach's quote: "They've been down this road. They won it last year. They know about what it takes and know that feeling. When you've been down that road and felt that feeling, you want to do everything in your power to get back to that feeling." - Marion County coach Ricky Ross.

Class 3A

McMINN CENTRAL CHARGERS (10-2) vs. NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (11-1) at Finley Stadium

Stars: Averaging 110 rushing yards per game, Jackson Long is the Chargers' offensive leader, but he is one of three with more than 600 yards, joining Jordan Brooks (716) and Jackson Guy (697). Meanwhile, coach Josh Goodin has called FB/LB Luke Davis the team's "heart and soul." Notre Dame has numerous standouts from RB Auston Banks (1,690 rushing yards) and WR Kareem Orr (43 receptions, 16 TDs) to QB Alex Darras (60 percent completion rate, 5-to-1 TDs to interceptions ratio) and LBs Kealey Green and Tyler Enos, the team's leading tacklers.

Storyline: In running off an 11-game win streak, Notre Dame has gotten in the habit of scoring early and often and putting most opponents away by halftime. Their defensive starters have given up just two TDs in the past nine games. Notre Dame has its first 10-win season since the 2005 team went 13-1. This year's group is only the fourth in Notre Dame football history to nail down a double-digit victory effort. The Chargers twice came close to 10-win seasons when Brandon Derrick was there (2007-2008) but it's been 20 years since their last 10-win campaign. The winner will host the Alcoa-Christian Academy of Knoxville winner.

Key matchup: Orr and Long can fly, but the fastest guy on the field might be Banks, who at one time had one of the nation's fastest shuttle times among senior prospects. Notre Dame's defense is versatile and fast and the Irish will be prepared for Chargers' physical running game, but they'll also have to keep an eye on Central WR Ryann Dhale.

Coach's quote: "They're very good up front, they have two backs that are physical and a receiver that's very quick and looks to be special on returns. He had a good game against Red Bank. We're hitting our stride as far as efficiency and we're playing as well as we have all year." - Notre Dame coach Charles Fant

Class 5A

RHEA COUNTY GOLDEN EAGLES (12-0) at OAK RIDGE WILDCATS (12-0)

Stars: Rhea County RBs Zack Daoust and Cody Bice have topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark. Jacob York is at 834 yards on the ground but leads in rushing TDs with 14 to their 12. QB Daniel Dotson directs things and eight of his 63 passes have gone for TDs. LB Tyler Pendleton leads in tackles. Oak Ridge features sophomore WR Tee Higgins, a possible SEC prospect, but he hyperextended a knee in last week's win over Cleveland and his playing status is expected to be decided at game time. Logan Fadnek is the QB and RB T.J. Allison is the rushing leader. Brandon Bonds is an active DB and LB Adam Manookian is the tackles leader.

Storyline: Rhea County is one of the storied football programs in the Chattanooga area, but the one thing missing from its checklist is a state championship. Oak Ridge has four. If the Eagles are to win one in 2014, they could potentially have to beat four consecutive undefeated teams in the playoffs with the Wildcats being the second among them.

Key matchup: Few teams statewide in any classification rely on the running game as much as Rhea County. The Wildcats' front seven is as stout as any the Eagles have faced all year. Rhea has totaled 509 points on the season and has scored at least 21 in every game. The only time Oak Ridge has surrendered more than 21 points was in a 53-28 playoff win over Soddy-Daisy.

Coach's quote: "They haven't given up many points. That's going to be a big challenge for us. We have to be able to run the football. That's what we do the best. And if you play great defense you've always got a chance." - Rhea County coach Mark Pemberton.

Division II-AA

BAYLOR RED RAIDERS (8-4) at MBA BIG RED (9-2)

Stars: QB Nick Tiano is the Red Raiders' rushing and passing leader and has a combined 1,800 yards in the regular season. He is only two points behind team scoring leader PK Colin Brewer. It was Brewer's last-second kicks that beat MBA earlier this year and Christian Brothers last week. Baylor had been filling its RB slot by committee but settled three weeks ago on sophomore Calvin Watson. MBA QB Cole Euverard is averaging more than 200 yards of offense.

Storyline: Baylor is looking at its second game this season with MBA and the Red Raiders are hoping for similar success when they bested the Big Red 23-20 in Week 3. While Baylor was beating Christian Brothers 10-7 in Memphis last week, MBA was at home beating McCallie for the second time, 40-14. While MBA had a first-week playoff bye, the Red Raiders ended the regular season with a win over Father Ryan and then had to beat them again in the first round. The Red Raiders and Ensworth are the only two teams to beat MBA this year. The winner will play the Ensworth-MUS winner on Dec. 4 for the state championship.

Key matchup: While Baylor has allowed just 14.9 points per game, MBA has scored at a 39.6 points-per-game clip. Euverard has been the Big Red's leader all season but they have begun asking more of RB Ty Chandler as the season progressed. Chandler had but a half-dozen carries against Baylor in the first game but he'll be the focus on Red Raiders LB Ryan Parker this time. Both defenses will be engrossed in stopping the QB first but Chandler and Watson could alleviate some of that pressure.

Coach's quote: "We spent two days trying to convince our team that this is not the same MBA team we played earlier in the year. After 12 weeks we're still making mistakes on offensive side - physical mistakes whether it's hanging onto a ball, dropped passes or sustaining blocks. In close games like the state playoffs we have to play well in all areas." - Baylor coach Phil Massey.

Georgia

DALTON CATAMOUNTS (9-2) at NORTHSIDE-WARNER ROBINS EAGLES (10-1)

Stars: Dalton's multi-faceted offense is led by quarterback Payton Veraldi, who has an insane 26-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio, running backs Kelvis Rhodes and Tyler Noland, who each eclipsed 100 yards last week, and receivers Peter Sigmon and Zek Cobb. The Cats' defense has sure-tackling linebackers in Nate Mays and Eder Mora and a ball-hawking cornerback in Jordon McKinney, who has seven interceptions. Northside's run-heavy offense is led by tailback Willie Jordan, a 6-1, 210-pounder who has rushed for 1,500 yards, and sophomore quarterback Tobias Oliver, who can break big runs if teams concentrate too much on Jordan. The strength of the team lies in its lines, where guard Brandon Sandifer, a 6-4, 330-pound University of Florida recruit, leads an offensive front that pushes 290 pounds per man, and Octavis Lester and Taykwon Northern are part of a deep defensive line unit.

Storylines: It's the first meeting between two teams with deep winning traditions and rabid fan bases. Dalton has the more balanced offense, but Northside has a deep advantage in size. The obvious key for Dalton is to slow down the Eagles' running game, but few have been able to do that.

Coach's quote: "I would like to think we've gotten to a level defensively where we can take certain things away. That will be the biggest test for us, to take away the run, but sometimes you don't try to take away what a team does best. Sometimes, you take away everything else and see just how good their best is." - Dalton's Matt Land

CEDAR GROVE SAINTS (9-2) at CALHOUN YELLOW JACKETS (11-0)

Stars: Cedar Grove brings a bevy of elite prospects to Phil Reeve Stadium for this Class AAA second-round game. Among those are Oregon recruit Gus Cumberlander, a 6-6, 245-pound defensive end; defensive tackle Quentez Johnson, a 6-3, 315-pounder headed to N.C. State; safety Christopher Fredric, who's headed to Syracuse; and the state's 10th-ranked junior prospect in defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson (6-3, 265). Calhoun's offense, much more balanced this season than the past two years, is led by dual-threat quarterback Kaelen Riley, who has amassed more than 2,300 yards, and a pair of backs in Cole Jackson and Olico Dennis with a combined 1,300 yards. Defense is the strength of the Jackets, where end Landon Rice (6-6, 245) and linebackers Jireh Wilson, Austin Bennett and Will Conley are extremely disruptive.

Storylines: The Saints will have a very decisive size edge up front, including a pair of 320-pound offensive linemen in Justin Shaffer and Marquez McNeill, and more than enough speed to give the Jackets' defense fits. No team has put together consistent drives against Calhoun's starters. If the Saints do this will be decided late.

Coach's quote: "They're very athletic and big - probably the biggest team we've played in a long time. They average 300 pounds across the offensive line and 270 on the defensive front. We've got to take advantage of their size. They can take advantage of it, obviously, but we have to as well by using more pace and hopefully wearing them out." - Hal Lamb

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE LIONS (5-5) at CALVARY DAY CAVALIERS (10-0)

Stars: QB Tyson Coopers has adjusted to operating the new Lions offense, RB Ahmad Turner has rushed for more than 700 yards and LB Evan Townsend has more than 140 tackles this season. Cavaliers RB Robert Heyward, RB Brent Sanders and DE Ruby Amaya stand out on film.

Key Matchup: The Lions linebackers need to be busy and chase from sideline to sideline. The Cavaliers probably have more speed on the outside, but the Lions could control Calvary Day's interior running attack.

Storyline: The Cavaliers lost starting quartback Sal Calderon to a broken leg last weekend. The Cavaliers will likely run a more simplistic offense with one of the running backs taking snaps.

Coach's quote: "They've got some big playmakers. A lot of their kids play both ways like us. They've played some close games and beat the dog out of some teams. We shouldn't be intimidated because we've played good teams." - CHS coach Preston Poag

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