(All kickoffs at 7:30 EDT unless noted)
BRAINERD PANTHERS (0-3) at BAYLOR RED RAIDERS (3-0)
Storyline: Nick Tiano, the Baylor QB who has committed to Mississippi State, rushed and passed for more than 100 yards in last week's thrilling win over Montgomery Bell Academy, and he may get an early trip to the sideline as he is battling some nagging minor injuries. Brainerd looked better last week in a tight loss to Red Bank and hopes to build on that improved effort.
SIEGEL STARS (0-3) at McCALLIE BLUE TORNADO (3-0)
Storyline: The Stars have played one of the toughest early-season schedules in Tennessee, and the chore gets no easier tonight in Chattanooga. McCallie fullback Alex Trotter had a city-record 374 yards rushing and seven touchdowns last week. The McCallie cast of talented juniors is picking up speed and gaining experience each week.
BLEDSOE COUNTY WARRIORS (1-2) at YORK INSTITUTE DRAGONS (1-2), 8
Storyline: After a season-opening win at Cumberland County, the Warriors have lost back-to-back games including a shutout last week at Signal Mountain. QB Chaise Sorrow has four TD passes with one interception and sophomore Joseph Gore, a Times Free Press Player of the Week earlier this year, is averaging better than 100 rushing yards per game.
EAST RIDGE PIONEERS (1-2) at POLK COUNTY WILDCATS (0-2)
Storyline: Pioneers QB JoJo Tillery missed almost a quarter in his team's 3-0 win over previously unbeaten Central after taking a hit that numbed his elbow. The District 6-AA favorite in the preseason, East Ridge is facing a team that has had two weeks to prepare. The Wildcats, 0-2 for the first time since 2011, lost 29-0 to Central two weeks ago.
HARRIMAN BLUE DEVILS (2-1) at WHITWELL TIGERS (1-2), 8
Storyline: The Blue Devils are averaging slightly more than 34 points per game and gave third-ranked Class A Rockwood a challenge before falling 42-28 last week. They will be mindful of Whitwell QB Tyler Tate, who is averaging better than 120 rushing yards per game. The Tigers are a strong rushing team, including RBs Clay McHone, Cody Ingrassia and Jake Sartin.
HOWARD HUSTLIN' TIGERS (0-2) at LOUDON REDSKINS (3-0)
Storyline: The Tigers have sophomores at numerous skill positions and also sprinkled in the lines and they have struggled, giving up 51 points in each of their games. Coach Mark Teague is hopeful than an open date last week was time well spent as the Tigers try to develop his "pistol" triple-option offense. Loudon, playing its first home game, is allowing 9.7 points per game and coming off a shutout win over Sweetwater. Howard's lone win in 2013 was over the Redskins.
LOOKOUT VALLEY YELLOW JACKETS (0-2) at GRACE ACADEMY GOLDEN EAGLES (0-3)
Storyline: Sophomore QB Evan Walker has been the Jackets' leading rusher, but they have struggled in losses to higher-classification teams. They'll be on even terms tonight against Grace, which also has lost to higher-classification teams. Chattanooga Christian is the only common opponent and shut out both. Lookout Valley will have to contend with Grace rushing leaders Jared Thompson and James Rowell.
MARION COUNTY WARRIORS (3-0) at CENTRAL PURPLE POUNDERS (2-1)
Storyline: The Pounders rallied late last year at Jasper and escaped with a 21-19 victory over the Warriors, who wound up going three games into the postseason before their season ended. It could be a show, watching Central's aggressive defense, anchored by Jamel Metcalf and Kevin McKenzie, taking on a strong rushing team led by two-way standout Blake Zeman and Deion Riley.
RED BANK LIONS (2-1) at SIGNAL MOUNTAIN EAGLES (3-0)
Storyline: In their loss the Lions were subjected to pinpoint passing from Soddy-Daisy QB Hunter Maynor. Is this the week the Eagles turn loose QB Jack Teter, or will they stay with a power running game keyed by Skye Wilson? The sophomore is averaging 110 rushing yards per game. The Eagles have other capable runners in Kaleb Menzel, Nathan Johnson and Hunter VanDyken. Red Bank is led defensively by the Stamper brothers, senior Courtney and junior Tra, and offensively by QB Caleb Tate, RB Demarcus Rivers and WRs Malik Davis and Ben Brown.
SOUTH PITTSBURG PIRATES (1-2) at SEQUATCHIE COUNTY INDIANS (1-1), 8
Storyline: The Pirates got their first win of 2014 last week, while the Indians were extended to overtime and lost. South Pitt beat Sale Creek with Joseph Lilly responding with 146 yards and two TDs in four carries. RB Corbin Fitzgerald had limited playing time but opened the game with an 86-yard kickoff return. Led by Colby Reed's 104, Sequatchie ran for 300 yards in a one-point loss to Grundy County. The Indians' defense was led by sophomore LB Josh Bailey, who had five lost-yardage hits and two sacks among his 13 tackles.
CLEVELAND BLUE RAIDERS (1-2) at WILSON CENTRAL WILDCATS (1-2), 8
Storyline: The Blue Raiders earned their win last week against rival McMinn County. They'll face a similar style of play tonight against the Wildcats, who prefer to run the ball -- an area where the Raiders defense has struggled. The Cleveland offense has relied primarily on its own rushing, and last week senior Raekwon Bunion ran for 200-plus yards and three scores. He'll be needed as the young receiving corps tries to provide help for senior QB Austin Massey.
HIXSON WILDCATS (2-1) at BRADLEY CENTRAL BEARS (1-1)
Storyline: The Bears hope to do a better job of finishing drives. They were able to move the ball effectively two weeks ago against Riverdale but struggled getting the ball in the end zone of an eventual 42-7 loss. Sophomore QB Cole Copeland and RB Christian Hamilton will try to resurrect a rushing attack that had 104 yards against the Warriors. Meanwhile, the Wildcats will look for some of the big-play ability that led to their 14-7 win over Tyner last week. In that game, Marshall Cooper had a 34-yard scoring run and James Cole scored from 62.
McMINN COUNTY CHEROKEES (0-3) at ALCOA TORNADOES (2-1)
Storyline: The schedule fails to get any easier for the Cherokees, who have improved each week in losses to McMinn Central, McCallie and Cleveland. D.J. Kimpson has rushed for 529 yards so far, which is second in the Chattanooga area. McMinn will try to jump-start its passing attack. Normally able to run the ball at will, Class 3A Alcoa struggled and finished with 67 yards in a 41-14 loss to Class 6A Maryville last week.
RIVERDALE WARRIORS (2-1) at EAST HAMILTON HURRICANES (1-2)
Storyline: The Warriors look to continue their "payback" tour of area teams from 2013 losses tonight against the Hurricanes, who have struggled to get things started offensively since the loss of QB Nick Woods to an ACL tear in the season opener. They've relied more on their run game, having averaged 144.5 rushing yards in the past two games. The Warriors have been led by Cane Ridge transfer QB Cortland Owens, who has adapted well as the team has switched from the wing-T to more of a spread offense.
TYNER RAMS (0-2) at OOLTEWAH OWLS (3-0)
Storyline: The Rams are no stranger to early-season tests, and the Owls certainly will provide that. Tyner has one touchdown in season-opening losses to Signal Mountain and Hixson, while averaging 106 yards rushing per game. Now the Rams face an Owls team whose first-team defense is allowing 6.7 points per game. In the past two games, the Owls have been led by QB Kelvin Leon, who engineered a comeback win over Siegel and was solid in the team's dismantling of Soddy-Daisy. Frunsez Kendricks has been effective leading the ground game.
WALKER VALLEY MUSTANGS (2-1) at RHEA COUNTY EAGLES (2-0)
Storyline: The Eagles' lone regular-season loss last season was 27-24 to the Mustangs, after Rhea led 17-0 three minutes into the second quarter. That fact isn't lost on the Eagles, who have averaged 400.5 total yards and 273 rushing yards per game this season. Despite moving to a spread offense, Walker Valley has featured its running game. Sophomore RB Alex King is averaging 99.7 rushing yards per game so far, and junior QB Josh Jones has a team-leading four touchdowns.
GRUNDY COUNTY YELLOW JACKETS (2-1) at SILVERDALE BAPTIST SEAHAWKS (2-1)
Storyline: The Yellow Jackets are coming off a mild upset, knocking off Sequatchie County in their first District 7-AA game. A major contributor was Logan Meeks with double-digit tackles, more than 100 rushing yards and a game-winning conversion reception. Grundy, though, also has an above-average passing game with QB Houston Mainord. SBA suffered its first loss in its District 5-A opener, falling to Copper Basin at home. The young Seahawks have been led thus far by Hunter Arnold and Tanner Webb offensively and by Arnold and Christian Rogers defensively.
McMINN CENTRAL CHARGERS (3-0) at KNOXVILLE GRACE RAMS (3-0)
Storyline: Five players have scored rushing TDs for the Chargers, who started the year with a win over rival McMinn County and have yet to slow down. The rushing leader is sophomore Jackson Long, who's averaging 109 yards per game. Although they average 12 passing yards per game, QB Jackson Guy has three TD passes and has yet to throw an interception. Grace started off slowly, struggling somewhat against Austin-East (14-0) and Kingston (19-7) before rolling up 48 in a lopsided victory at Tellico Plains last week.
SALE CREEK PANTHERS (0-3) at MEIGS COUNTY TIGERS(0-2)
Storyline: This is the Panthers' best shot at a first win, but they'll probably need to have a few offensive wrinkles in place for the Tigers. Too, they're catching a Meigs team that is 74 players strong and is slowly rounding into shape. QB Bryson Baker has impressed the coaches with his leadership skills, and RB Dakota Ricker, coming off a shoulder injury from last year that's kept him sidelined through the first two games, will be back on the field this week. He can run and he also is a more than capable receiver. Meigs also will have RB Tyler Lawson back. Lawson, who was sidelined last week, ran for 125 yards in the Tigers' opener.
TELLICO PLAINS BEARS (1-2) at COPPER BASIN COUGARS (2-1)
Storyline: Tellico coach John Mullinax has been a proponent of a ground-oriented wing-T offense much of his 35-year career, but Bears QB Dakota Rinehart has already thrown for eight touchdowns and has a near-60-percent completion rate. The Cougars feature an athletic backfield and already have won more games than last year (1-9). This also marks a homecoming for Mullinax, who got his head-coaching start at Copper Basin. "This will be the first time I've stood on the visitors sideline there," he said. "It's going to feel kind of funny."
BOYD-BUCHANAN BUCCANEERS (0-3) at NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (2-1)
Storyline: The Bucs haven't been healthy since their opening half of the season. This week they get back lineman Eli Legg, and more should return after next week's open date. Notre Dame features some explosive offensive players, led by WR Kareem Orr and RB Auston Banks. Boyd-Buchanan hopes to sustain some drives to keep the ball away from the Irish. Bucs coach Grant Reynolds said special-teams play must also be good for his team to be able to be competitive.
NORTH ATLANTA WARRIORS (1-1) at DALTON CATAMOUNTS (1-1)
Storyline: The most interesting nugget concerning North Atlanta is that, at $147 million, it is the most expensive school in Georgia. The football team is still a work in progress, coming off an 0-10 season and defeating a first-year magnet school in the first week before falling to River Ridge last week. Dalton coach Matt Land says the Warriors are athletic and will "try to out-scheme you." The Catamounts get a huge boost with the return of senior RB Kelvis Rhodes from a two-game suspension for breaking school rules, and Land believes Rhodes, a three-year starter with nearly 4,000 career yards rushing, will be hungry and ready to earn his starting spot back.
DAWSON COUNTY TIGERS (0-2) at HERITAGE GENERALS (1-1)
Storyline: Dawson has had a rough start to the season, scoring seven points in losses to Forsyth County and Gilmer County. Making matters worse, the status of QB Zach Buchan will be a game-time decision after he suffered an injury in the first week. The Generals are still learning the nuances of the spread offense, but an improved defense and stellar special-teams play have masked some of the growing pains. A goal for Heritage's final nonregion tuneup will be meshing QB Dylan Bice and his talented group of receivers.
DADE COUNTY WOLVERINES (1-1) at RIDGELAND PANTHERS (1-1)
Storyline: This nonregion matchup features ground-oriented offenses that will try to impose their will on each other. The Class AA Wolverines, though a little banged up, have the edge in experience, especially in the backfield with strong runners such as Blake Lynn (four touchdowns), Zac Freeman and Brett Swader. Ridgeland will counter with senior RB Cadarius Word and a more confident QB in sophomore Ivy Boehm. The key will be which defense can force the other offense to adjust. Some of the major defenders to watch in what promises to be a defensive game are Dade's Roy McMahan and Damian Pickering and Ridgeland's Ian Hayes and Zach Weathers.
CALHOUN YELLOW JACKETS (2-0) at GORDON CENTRAL WARRIORS (0-2)
Storyline: This Gordon County rivalry has had a couple of years off, and things have changed quite a bit in that time. The Yellow Jackets are coming off their most impressive win in more than a year, dominating Carrollton. The run game, which was a question mark most of last season, was at its best last week, with QB Kaelen Riley and backs Olico Dennis and Cole Jackson racking up big yards. Coach Hal Lamb may elect to work on the passing game this week against a Gordon Central team seeking its first win under second-year coach David Humphreys. The team's option-based offense, led by QB Shy Wilson, has scored six total points.
LAKEVIEW-FORT OGLETHORPE WARRIORS (0-2) at COAHULLA CREEK COLTS (0-2)
Storyline: LFO played an inspired game in last week's loss to Heritage, and this Region 6-AAA opener is a chance to take another step forward. However, star DL Frankie Pinkston's availability is in question after he sustained a leg injury late, leaving an already-thin unit even thinner. Expect the Warriors to work backs Jesse Flanagan and Shamon Catoe early and often. The Colts have been slow to warm to new coach Chad Barger's new offense in back-to-back shutouts, and the pressure will be on QB Luke Brock to get the team moving.
RINGGOLD TIGERS (2-0) at ADAIRSVILLE TIGERS (2-0)
Storyline: Ringgold has had a week to heal after two physical games, and the big news for the Tigers is the return of star DL Zach Morris from offseason knee surgery. This Region 6-AAA opener will help decide playoff positioning and features teams with dynamic offenses. Ringgold is led by the backfield of Kile Sholl and D.L. Goins and the big arm of quarterback Devin Lancaster. Adairsville has in QB Marcus Childers one of the most dangerous athletes in the region, and stopping him is a key for coach Robert Akins' defense. However, focus too much on him and RB Sidnee Johnson will break a big one for an offense that already has scored 80 points.
GORDON LEE TROJANS (1-2) at CHRISTIAN HERITAGE LIONS (0-2)
Storyline: The Lions have allowed 81 points so far, but the Trojans aren't exactly a high-scoring team. They average 23.6 points per game. The Trojans will be without three players who were ejected from Gordon Lee's 43-22 loss to LaFayette last week.
SONORAVILLE PHOENIX (1-1) at NORTH MURRAY MOUNTAINEERS (1-1)
Storyline: Both schools are relatively new to the GHSA with the Phoenix first having a program in 2006 and North Murray starting football in 2010. The Phoenix won 38-35 last year and lead the series 4-1. They chose to continue playing despite Sonoraville moving up to Class AAA.
CHATTOOGA INDIANS (0-2) at FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN PALADINS (1-1)
Storyline: The Indians want to settle into a routine. It starts with RG Armad Ford, who creates holes for the RBs. They include Isiah Foster, who rushed for more than 200 yards in a 20-point loss at North Murray. The Paladins have a power running game and balance it with about 25 passes per game.
TRION BULLDOGS (2-0) at LaFAYETTE RAMBLERS (2-0)
Storyline: The Ramblers play a rivalry game for the second straight week. They beat Gordon Lee last week in a game that had more than 300 yards in accepted penalties. "It's not hard to get up for one rivalry game, but it's hard to get up for back-to-back rivalry games," LaFayette coach Chad Fisher said. Trion runs its traditional wing-T offense, which the Ramblers haven't faced this season. The Bulldogs beat Gordon Lee the first week of the season.
BREWER PATRIOTS (0-2, 0-1) at FORT PAYNE WILDCATS (2-0, 1-0), 8
Storyline: Brewer is struggling and now the Patriots are on the road to Fort Payne, which hasn't been kind to them the last two seasons. The Wildcats won 49-12 in 2012 and 35-0 last season, extending their series lead to 4-0. The Wildcats have won five of the last nine Class 5A Region 7 championships. QB Alan Smith was Fort Payne's hero in last week's 38-27 win at Arab, competing 12 of 17 passes for 215 yards and rushing for 90.
IDER HORNETS (2-0, 0-0) at GASTON BULLDOGS (0-2, 0-1), 8
Storyline: Former UTC standout Brent Tinker has gotten the Hornets on a quick start out of the gate with wins over Valley Head (30-14) and Gaylesville (29-0). He got an outstanding defensive performance as the group held Gaylesville to three yards of offense. This will be the Hornets' second straight road trip before a return home next week to play Fyffe. Though the teams have split the past two seasons, Gaston leads the overall series 7-3.
NORTH SAND MOUNTAIN BISON (0-2, 0-1) at SAND ROCK WILDCATS (2-0, 1-0), 8
Storyline: The Bison won last year to even the overall series at 8-8 and extend a series win streak to four. This will be their second road trip of the season before they come home for the next two weeks.
PRICEVILLE BULLDOGS (3-0, 1-0) at NORTH JACKSON CHIEFS (1-2, 0-1), 8
Storyline: The Chiefs hold a 4-0 series record. In Mark Rose's return as coach, North Jackson has been able to score points but still is trying to alleviate some defensive kinks. Priceville enters the game averaging 42.5 points per game. RB Octavius Matthews is averaging 121.5 yards per game while QB Logan Walters has thrown for 354 yards and three TDs with two interceptions. Trae Franklin and Brett Barbee lead the defense.
SCOTTSBORO WILDCATS (2-1, 1-0) at ALBERTVILLE AGGIES (3-0, 1-0), 8
Storyline: The Wildcats opened the season with a home loss to Dalton (Ga.) but have won two straight, including a region win last week over Brewer. DeKarlos Billingsley is the Tigers' leading rusher with a per-game average of 137.7 yards. QB Justin Whitehead had his best game, throwing for 219 yards and three TDs. The teams haven't met since 2011, when Albertville took a 28-7 win.
VALLEY HEAD TIGERS (1-1, 1-0) at CEDAR BLUFF TIGERS (0-2, 0-1), 8
Storyline: Valley Head won this matchup a year ago, 48-27, to avenge a 2012 loss. However, Cedar Bluff leads the all-time series 34-15. This will be Valley Head's third straight road game. The Tigers' home opener is next week against Gaylesville.