All kickoffs at 7:30 EDT unless noted
district/region game
BRAINERD PANTHERS (1-5, 1-1) at HOWARD HUSTLIN' TIGERS (0-5, 0-1)
Storyline: The Panthers have struggled offensively and without defensive help might be winless going into the District 6-AA game. Their highest point production in a game is 29, and that came in their overtime upset win at East Ridge two weeks ago. Their nondistrict opponents' record is a combined 16-5. Howard also has struggled offensively, scoring 34 total points. However, 18 of those came last week. The teams' common opponent to date is unbeaten Baylor, which beat Howard 51-7 and Brainerd 41-13. Brainerd has won three of the last five meetings, including 26-19 a year ago.
CENTRAL PURPLE POUNDERS (3-2, 0-2) at TYNER RAMS (0-5, 0-1)
Storyline: Central's strong defense showed signs of cracking in a 37-7 District 6-AA loss to Red Bank, but the Pounders have had two weeks to prepare for an improving Tyner team, which ran for more than 300 yards in a loss at Soddy-Daisy last week. Led thus far by James Metcalf, Caleb Morgan and Kevin McKenzie, the Pounders' defense will be contending with a physical Rams OL and RB Chaysen Patrick, who is coming off a 202-yard rushing performance.
GRUNDY COUNTY YELLOW JACKETS (2-4, 1-1) at CHATTANOOGA CHRISTIAN CHARGERS (3-2, 1-1)
Storyline: CCS is still looking for its first winning season but has made quality strides under new coach Rob Spence. Its losses are to fellow District 7-AA team Notre Dame, ranked fifth in the Class 3A state poll, and Class 5A member White County. Grundy has lost three consecutive games and has been outscored 119-41 the past two weeks. A CCS defense that opened the year with two shutouts has allowed 49 points the past two weeks and will have to keep clamps on RB Logan Meeks and QB Houston Mainord.
HIXSON WILDCATS (4-2, 2-0) at EAST RIDGE PIONEERS (2-4, 1-1)
Storyline: Records going into this District 6-AA game were not what coaches had envisioned. The teams were picked as co-favorites in the preseason but East Ridge has fallen on hard times, especially the past two weeks when it lost in OT to Brainerd and then by a point last week to unbeaten Loudon. Hixson, meanwhile, has won four of its last five. Assignment football will be key if the Pioneers are to stop Hixson QB Preston Wilkey and RBs James Cole, Tarik Twitty-Humphrey and Marshall Cooper.
SEQUATCHIE COUNTY INDIANS (2-3, 0-2) at BLEDSOE COUNTY WARRIORS (3-3, 0-2), 8
Storyline: This is one of the area's fiercest rivalries, and a win here can salvage almost any season for either team. Both District 7-AA teams have shown signs of competing. Bledsoe has two shutouts and scored 57 points last week, led by QB Chaise Sorrow and RB Joseph Gore. Going into last week, Sequatchie's losses were by a total of five points, but then it was blown out by Marion County. Bledsoe has won four of the last five.
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN EAGLES (6-0, 2-0) vs. NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (4-1, 2-0) at Ringgold, 7:30
Storyline: This game moved to another state has more at stake than gaining a serious advantage toward the District 7-AA championship. This has become a rivalry almost since Signal fielded its first varsity team in 2009. The Eagles have won all three meetings, but since a 58-18 win in 2011 they have won by a single TD. While depth might favor Signal, speed probably favors Notre Dame. The key probably will be whether Notre Dame can contend with Signal's powerful offensive line all game.
* COOKEVILLE CAVALIERS (6-0, 2-0) at RHEA COUNTY EAGLES (5-0, 2-0)
Storyline: As long as the quality of teams in District 6-AAA remains as it currently is, this game will determine the regular-season champion. The teams have played at a level above the others this season, and with both teams sporting powerful rushing attacks, the winner probably will be the one that is able to make plays in the passing game.
* EAST HAMILTON HURRICANES (1-4, 1-1) at CLEVELAND BLUE RAIDERS (2-4, 1-1)
Storyline: These District 5-AAA teams met twice last season -- the second in the Class 5A state quarterfinals, a game the Blue Raiders won 21-14. This year, both have dealt with devastating injuries at key positions but are still in the thick of the district race. It's a game neither can afford to lose, as a fifth overall loss would add pressure to have to win out for a spot in the state playoffs.
* McMINN CENTRAL CHARGERS (6-0, 2-0) at SWEETWATER WILDCATS (3-2, 0-1)
Storyline: A win would inch the Chargers closer to the District 5-AA title. After the thought of a back-by-committee system being used in Englewood early in the season, Jackson Long has assumed the primary role, with 674 yards and 10 touchdowns through six games. The key will be whether the Wildcats can stop the Chargers' rushing attack: Sweetwater has allowed 14 points per game in its wins but 41.5 points per game in its losses. The Chargers average scoring 36.3.
* McMINN COUNTY CHEROKEES (0-5, 0-1) at SODDY-DAISY TROJANS (4-1, 1-1)
Storyline: The four nondistrict opponents the District 5-AAA Cherokees faced -- McMinn Central, McCallie, Alcoa and Oak Ridge -- are a combined 22-1, and each is ranked in its respective state poll. RB D.J. Kimpson leads McMinn's rushing attack with 634 yards and six touchdowns. The Trojans' high-powered offense has been on a roll since being shut down by Ooltewah and averages 393.2 yards per game led by QB Hunter Maynor, RB Christian Bell and WR Tre Carter.
* OOLTEWAH OWLS (6-0, 2-0) at BRADLEY CENTRAL BEARS (2-3, 0-1)
Storyline: The Owls will come into the District 5-AAA game as heavy favorites, but the Bears are still going to be a threat with home-field advantage, QB Cole Copeland and some playmakers on both sides of the ball. Ooltewah will look to get some playmaking of its own from its stiff defense and QB Kelvin Leon's ability to distribute the ball.
* BAYLOR RED RAIDERS (5-0, 2-0) at McCALLIE BLUE TORNADO (6-0, 2-0)
Storyline: McCallie, which lately had been playing its archrival at Finley Stadium when it had its turn to host in the series, has brought the game back to Spears Stadium for the first time in 14 years. The last tickets to the game between the state's top-ranked teams in Division II-AA were sold Monday at 1:14 p.m. And that's with a few sets of temporary bleachers that were brought in. McCallie is seeking to snap a six-game losing streak to Baylor in what could be a high-scoring affair, considering the teams have combined for 471 points so far this season.
* GRACE ACADEMY GOLDEN EAGLES (0-5, 0-0) at BOYD-BUCHANAN BUCCANEERS (0-5, 0-0)
Storyline: Some of Boyd-Buchanan's starters who had been out with injuries are beginning to work their way back into playing time, which isn't good news for the Golden Eagles. The Bucs are 15-0 against District 5-A opponents since the TSSAA went to its current football format in 2009 and could be about to release some seasonlong frustration. Also not good news for Grace is that its best lineman, Logan Groves, remains out with a concussion. Coach Bob Ateca said his team will need great decision-making from QB Jared Thompson and SS Dalton Morrison will need to continue his steady play.
* WHITWELL TIGERS (2-4, 0-2) at LOOKOUT VALLEY YELLOW JACKETS (1-4, 0-1)
Storyline: Because of some injuries, Lookout Valley's starting lineup looks nothing like it opened the season with. Whitwell has rushed the ball often (299 carries for 1,820 yards on the season) and may run it even more often than usual tonight. Four Tigers have more than 330 rushing yards for the season, led by RB Clay McHone with 537. Lookout Valley coach Tony Webb stressed valuing technique this week in practice. Key players for the Yellow Jackets include QB Evan Walker and RB/S Jaylen Wynn.
* MEIGS COUNTY TIGERS (2-3, 1-1) at KNOXVILLE GRACE RAMS (4-2, 2-0)
Storyline: The Tigers take on a fellow run-oriented District 3-A team, which graduated 3,000-yard passer Devin Smith, now a preferred walk-on at Tennessee, off last year's Class 2A state semifinalist. Dakota Ricker shone when Meigs won 42-14 at Rockwood on Sept. 19, but he and ILB Jay Odum injured knees since and are expected to miss at least the next two games. Coach Jason Fitzgerald is seeking big efforts from RB Logan Fowler and ILB Blaze Bunch in their places. The O-line play will also be key for Meigs, facing its fourth state-ranked team in five weeks.
* SEQUOYAH CHIEFS (1-4, 0-2) at POLK COUNTY WILDCATS (0-5, 0-1)
Storyline: The Wildcats have nine injured players, most of them starters, and they're about to go against a physical District 5-AA team with a big line and big RBs. Polk is also affected schematically, having to keep things especially basic with so many new players on the field because of injuries to some, and lack of performance by others. "Effort" is the key word in Benton this week. "Until we give that for four quarters," coach Derrick Davis said, "it doesn't matter what you run or scheme."
* CREEKVIEW GRIZZLIES (2-3, 2-0) at DALTON CATAMOUNTS (4-1, 2-0)
Storyline: This important Region 7-AAAAA game features a Dalton defense coming off consecutive shutouts. LBs Jase Chastain, Eder Mora and Nate Mays have a combined 133 tackles and will take dead aim on Creekview RB B.J. Smith, who has 444 rushing yards, and QB Kyle Wilkie, who has 795 passing yards and seven TDs. The Catamounts are also clicking on offense, where they are averaging 7.8 yards per rush attempt, led by senior Kelvis Rhodes, who has 448 yards on 31 carries (14.5 per carry). Quarterback Payton Veraldi already has 931 yards passing and 11 touchdowns, so teams can't just focus on the run game.
* GILMER COUNTY BOBCATS (3-1, 1-0) at RIDGELAND PANTHERS (3-1, 1-0)
Storyline: An immensely important Region 7-AAAA game likely will come down to whether the Gilmer defense can hold up against a suddenly potent Ridgeland ground game. The Panthers put up 391 yards in a strong win at Pickens County last week and had 100-yard rushers in Caderius Word and Chris Henderson. Though the Bobcats lost 52-27 to Cartersville a week ago, QB Chris James proved he can move the team through the air with 209 yards and three TDs, two of them and 140 yards to Thaddeus Bowers.
* LaFAYETTE RAMBLERS (2-2, 0-1) at SOUTHEAST WHITFIELD RAIDERS (4-0, 1-0)
Storyline: The Raiders try to be 5-0 for the first time since 1985 (also their last playoff season) and, after a slow start to their 45-25 win over Heritage, have found an offensive identity behind QB Will Swantic. The junior led a ground game that amassed 359 yards with his 142 while also completing all 10 of his passes for 150 yards and two scores. Tyler Brown and Devin Fields also each eclipsed 100 yards. Southeast did give up over 300 yards passing last week, a bad sign with Evan Head, Kolbe Mosely and the athletic Ramblers coming to town. LaFayette has to clean up the penalties (14 for 140 last week) to have a shot.
* NORTHWEST WHITFIELD BRUINS (3-1, 1-0) at PICKENS COUNTY DRAGONS (3-1, 0-1)
Storyline: Injuries have decimated the Northwest backfield, but coach Josh Robinson may have found his go-to player in Jamon Horne. The former WR had 126 yards and two long TD runs in last week's win over LaFayette, and he'll likely be more active in tonight's Region 7-AAAA game with No. 1 WR Clay Phillips questionable with a hamstring injury. The Bruins' defense will have to deal with Pickens RB Shannon Brooks, who is coming off a 200-yard rushing game against tough Ridgeland.
* NORTH MURRAY MOUNTAINEERS (2-3, 1-2) at LAKEVIEW-FORT OGLETHORPE WARRIORS (3-2, 3-0)
Storyline: A loss here and the Mountaineers' state-playoff hopes are likely over, but the team may have discovered its offensive identity just at the right time. QB Hinton McConkey rushed for 202 of the team's 280 yards in a win over Murray County last week, including scoring runs of 96 and 80 yards, and had four total TDs. They'll face the comeback-prone Warriors, who have rallied for three consecutive Region 6-AAA wins behind the clutch play of QB Ryan Keefe. He passed for 262 yards and four TDs in rallying the team from a 28-6 deficit against Gordon Central.
* HERITAGE GENERALS (2-2, 0-1) at CARTERSVILLE PURPLE HURRICANES (3-1, 1-0)
Storyline: If there's a good time to play Cartersville, this is it. The Hurricanes are coming off an emotional win at Gilmer County, where they held the Bobcats to 31 yards rushing on 34 tries but gave up more than 200 yards through the air. That's good news for new Heritage QB Corbee Wilson, who seems to have earned coach E.K. Slaughter's trust after a 300-yard, four-TD performance last week. The Cartersville offense is clicking behind the QB rotation of Trevor Lawrence, a freshman, and Miller Forristall, receiver Terrius Callahan and standout RB Tiamon Pennymon.
* COAHULLA CREEK COLTS (0-4, 0-2) at MURRAY COUNTY INDIANS (1-3, 0-2)
Storyline: One team has to win the Region 6-AAA game. It may be the first to get to 14 points. The Colts are still without a point this season. "We've had it pretty rough at times," Colts coach Chad Barger said. The Colts had a bye week to build on their growing process.
GORDON CENTRAL WARRIORS (0-5, 0-3) at SONORAVILLE PHOENIX (3-2, 2-1)
Storyline: This is a county rivalry. Sonoraville, the younger school, has established itself as a formidable program and established itself to the point where Region 6-AAA games like this are are must-wins because a loss would be devastating.
COOSA EAGLES (2-2, 2-0) at CHATTOOGA INDIANS (2-3, 1-0)
Storyline: The Eagles have found some offense. After scoring 23 points in their first two games against bigger schools, Coosa scored 63 points against Rockmart and Pepperell. The Indians should have the Foster twins -- Isiah and Isaac -- on their side in the Region 7-AA game to counter Coosa's offense.
ARMUCHEE INDIANS (1-4, 0-1) at GORDON LEE TROJANS (1-4, 0-1)
Storyline: Gordon Lee QB Caleb O'Neal needs to take care of the ball. Turnovers have hampered the Trojans in the first half of the season. "We can't put ourselves in bad positions," coach Charlie Wiggins said. Slowing Armuchee FB Dakota Mobbs is key for the Trojans in the Region 7-AA game.
*TRION BULLDOGS (4-1, 0-0) at CHRISTIAN HERITAGE LIONS (2-3, 0-0)
Storyline: The Bulldogs have lived up to their nickname. Addison Meeler, Matthew Wilson and Ben Chapman answered the question about how Trion would replace four graduated offensive linemen. But they can't do anything about Trion's propensity for allowing big plays, which they'll hope to avoid in their Region 6-A opener. The Lions have the capability to go all the way in one play.
FORT PAYNE WILDCATS (4-1, 3-0) vs. HUNTSVILLE LEE GENERALS (1-4, 0-2) at Alabama A&M, 8
Storyline: The Wildcats are in trouble, even going against a one-win team, because QB Alan Smith is likely out for the Region 7-6A game with a knee injury and other probable backups have been out with injuries also. Freshman Jay Tyler Ellis replaced Smith last week in a 46-0 loss to Hazel Green. Fort Payne also has been without versatile athlete Desmon Turner (ankle). These teams haven't met since 2007, when Fort Payne won 56-21.
IDER HORNETS (3-2, 0-2) at WEST END PATRIOTS (1-4, 0-3), 8
Storyline: They're winless in Region 7-2A, but the Hornets ended a two-game losing streak last week with a 46-14 win over rival North Sand Mountain. West End scored a season-high 59 points and snapped a four-game losing streak in clubbing Coosa Christian by 29. Last week Jarrett Palmer scored Ider's first points on a safety, but he was only warming up. He finished with five TDs. The Patriots have been outscored in double digits in three of their losses.
NORTH JACKSON CHIEFS (3-2, 2-1) at J.B. PENNINGTON TIGERS (1-5, 1-2), 8
Storyline: Riding the crest of a big win over county rival Scottsboro, the Region 7-4A Chiefs are playing at Pennington for the first time in program history. The Tigers' win came against DAR (52-38) three weeks ago. The Chiefs also whipped DAR (63-33). The other common opponent is Priceville, which lost by a lopsided margin to North Jackson but beat the Tigers handily. RB Octavius Matthews is leading the Chiefs with 9.5 yards per carry, and QB Logan Walters is the second-leading rusher and has 762 passing yards. He has eight TDs against two interceptions.
NORTH SAND MOUNTAIN BISON (0-5, 0-3) at GERALDINE BULLDOGS (4-1, 3-0), 8
Storyline: Coming off a school-record nine-win season in 2013, the rebuilding Bison continue to struggle and last week lost to rival Ider 46-14. These Region 7-3A programs haven't met since 2009 and Geraldine leads the series 8-6, including a 55-40 win in that last meeting. The Bison are giving up 45.8 points per game. Damion Totherow spearheaded Geraldine's 21-12 win over Sardis with two TDs, and Austin Willoughby added two late interceptions.
SPRING GARDEN PANTHERS (3-2, 2-0) at VALLEY HEAD TIGERS (2-2, 2-1), 8
Storyline: Valley Head had a week to relish its Sept. 20 win over Gaylesville. The Region 7-1A Tigers face more of a challenge in Spring Garden, although the Panthers have lost two consecutive games. Tigers RB Josh Gregory ran for more than 100 yards and scored two TDs against Gaylesville, but he isn't all of their running attack. They also depend on Dallas Phillips and Jeremy Young.