Polk County (5-1) at Signal Mountain (4-3), 7 p.m. Friday
An early peek: This is a game that should have an emotional charge. The host Eagles were flying high about this time last year and found out on the trip to Benton, Tenn., that they were going to have to give up six hard-earned wins. They went out that night and lost to Polk. The Wildcats' names may change but their football doesn't - a little passing, a lot of running, a stout defense and a whole lot of hard-nosed. They're on their way to another District 5-AA title, just as Signal appears headed for a 7-AA championship following a 27-20 win over Notre Dame last week. With an open date last Friday, it's highly probably that at least a couple of Polk coaches were in the stands to get a close look at Signal.
Ooltewah (4-3, 1-2) at Bradley Central (4-2, 2-0), 7:30 Friday
An early peek: The visiting Owls are coming off a big win over Soddy-Daisy that gave them their first District 5-AAA win of the season, while Bradleywas getting its second district win over Rhea County. The Owls, who got a two-TD, 173-yard rushing performance from Desmond Pittman, can ill afford a loss if they wish to remain in contention for the postseason. Bradley, which has been led by veteran quarterback Bryce Copeland, is unscathed in district play but has games remaining with McMinn County and Cleveland.
McMinn County (5-1, 3-0) at Cleveland (4-2, 2-0), 7:30 Friday
An early peek: Neither Kelvin Wells nor Dre Sanders played in the second half for McMinn's Cherokees last week in a lopsided win over Walker Valley. Perhaps coach Bo Cagle was resting the two in preparation for this week's match with the Blue Raiders, who will have had two weeks to prepare. These are two of the last three teams unbeaten in the district, and a win this week might be enough to secure a postseason spot for either. However, while Cleveland must contend with the two running backs, McMinn will have its hands full with the Blue Raiders' passing attack, led by quarterback Austin Herink, running back C.J. Bryant and receiver D.J. Jones.
Thursday, Oct. 4
(7:30 kickoffs unless noted)
Central (1-5, 0-3) at Tyner (4-2, 2-1)
Red Bank (2-4, 2-1) at Brainerd (1-5, 0-3)
Friday, Oct. 5
Bledsoe County (2-4) at York Institute (5-1), 8
Chattanooga Christian (1-5) at Silverdale Baptist (6-1)
Hixson (4-2, 3-0) at East Hamilton (5-1, 3-0)
Howard (2-4, 2-1) at East Ridge (0-6, 0-3)
Marion County (5-2) at Grace Academy (1-5)
McMinn Central (3-4) at Kingston (3-3)
Meigs County (0-6) at Cannon County (0-6)
Soddy-Daisy (2-1, 1-2) at Walker Valley (3-3, 0-2)
Unaka (1-5) at Boyd-Buchanan (6-0)
Upperman (3-4) at Grundy County (3-3), 8
Whitwell (1-6) at Sequatchie County (1-6), 8
GEORGIA
Dalton (2-2, 0-0) at Ridgeland (3-1, 0-0)
Heritage (0-4, 0-0) at Northwest Whitfield (3-1, 0-0)
LaFayette (0-4, 0-0) at Southeast Whitfield (0-4, 0-0)
Coahulla Creek 2-3, 1-1) at Gordon Central (5-0, 2-0)
Lakeview-F.O. (4-1, 1-1) at Cartersville (5-0, 2-0)
Sonoraville (1-4, 0-2) at Ringgold (2-3, 0-2)
Adairsville (3-2, 1-1) at North Murray (4-1, 1-1)
Gordon Lee (4-1, 1-0) at Christian Heritage (4-1, 1-0)
Trion (3-1) at Glascock County (1-4)
ALABAMA
North Jackson (3-2, 2-1) at Butler (1-4, 1-2), 8
North Sand Mountain (4-1, 3-0) at West End (0-5, 0-3), 8
Scottsboro (0-5, 0-3) at Etowah (4-1, 2-1), 8
Section (1-3, 1-2) at Ider (4-1, 2-1), 8