TENNESSEE
All kickoffs at 7 local time
Class 6A
BRADLEY CENTRAL BEARS (9-2) at BLACKMAN BLAZE (8-3)
Stars: Bradley senior QB Cole Copeland has 2,612 yards of total offense, 21 TD passes and 10 rushing TDs. Junior WR Lameric Tucker's 82 catches have produced 1,276 yards and 12 TDs. Junior RB Adam Mullis has 778 yards and 6 TDs. Junior LB Jay Person is a defensive leader. Blackman junior RB Cordel Braxton has 1,592 rushing yards and 16 TDs. Junior QB Connor Mitchell has thrown for 1,008 yards and 14 TDs. Senior LB Rico Banks has 11 tackles for loss.
Storyline: Last week the Bears welcomed back Copeland, who missed three games and part of another with a shoulder injury, and he threw for 411 yards. Tucker, his top target, had double-figure catches for more than half of those yards and was one of 10 receivers nationally to be recognized as a CBS MaxPreps national stat star of the week. They'll be facing an agile 3-4 defense that's given up 21 or fewer points in each game during Blackman's current seven-game winning streak.
Class 5A
WALKER VALLEY MUSTANGS (7-4) at OOLTEWAH OWLS (9-2)
Stars: Walker Valley junior QB Kolten Gibson has 3,138 yards of total offense and has accounted for 38 TDs. Senior WRs Cooper Melton and Bryce Nunnelly have teamed for 92 catches for 1,700 yards and 20 TDs. Senior LB Skyler Swafford has 123.5 tackles, 20 for loss. Ooltewah senior QB Collin Thurman has 1,691 passing yards and 15 TDs. Senior RB Cam Turner has 945 rushing yards and 14 TDs. Junior WR/DB Andrew Manning has 589 yards and 5 TDs and also 4 INTs. Senior DE/LB Will Whitson has 13 tackles for loss, including 5 sacks. Senior K/P Aleksander Toser (55-59 PATs, 8-11 FGs) and junior PR Jake Sullivan (15 ret., 356 yds., 3 TDs) are weapons on special teams.
Storyline: These Region 4 teams met two weeks ago at Walker Valley. Ooltewah won by four TDs, but the Mustangs regrouped and won at No. 1-seeded Oak Ridge last week. Both of these offenses are potent. Factor in senior Zach Eslinger (45 rec., 7 TDs) and Walker Valley has three WRs with at least 587 receiving yards. The Owls' Turner and sophomore RB Sincere Quinn (759 yds., 14 TDs) both topped the 200-yard rushing mark in the last meeting. The Mustangs simply must tackle better this time to have a chance.
FARRAGUT ADMIRALS (10-1) at RHEA COUNTY EAGLES (9-2)
Stars: The Admirals have been a balanced offense with QB Adam Fulton and RBs Cooper Hardin and Isaiah Gibbs. Fulton has thrown for 2,200 yards and 28 TDs while Hardin has run for nearly 900 yards. Rhea has had one of the best rushing offenses in the state, using at least four backs - Christian Simon, Cody Bice, Mason Stephenson and Eddie Davis - most often from a wing-T. Jawan Martin, Tyler Martin, Bradley Evans and Chase Suttles spark the Eagles' defense.
Storyline: This should be one of the more entertaining round-of-16 games. Rhea prides itself on physical football, but so do the Admirals. These two also are familiar with each other. The Eagles rebounded from early deficits and ended Farragut's season a year ago - this same round - at Farragut. It was a game in which Stephenson played bull-in-a-china shop with the final score being 40-34. Rhea must continue to dominate time of possession, thus limiting the Admirals' offensive chances.
CLASS 3A
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (7-4) at SEQUATCHIE COUNTY INDIANS (11-0)
Stars: In a game last week when the Irish used six QBs, converted RB Andrew Banks came up big by rushing for 256 yards and 5 TDs. It's possible that Landon Allen, the freshman QB who started before suffering a broken leg, might show up for this one, and that Cameron Wynn, who's been the primary QB since, will be closer to healthy after suffering a sprained ankle two weeks ago. Sequatchie, though, is all about power football and distributes the carries to Austin Stevens and Hunter Davenport.
Storyline: Banks and the Irish have better overall speed, but Sequatchie has an advantage in size and power. This is pretty much the same Indians talent that got blistered by the Irish in the 2015 playoffs' first round, but they're much improved, and one of their advantages has been their "play for each other" mindset.
EAST RIDGE PIONEERS (6-5) at RED BANK LIONS (8-3)
Stars: As he has gained confidence in a surgically repaired knee, RB Traneil Moore, a 2015 Mr. Football honoree, has again become the focal point of the Pioneers' offensive attack. He is, though, one of a handful of starters who missed these teams' first meeting on Sept. 16. Versatile QB Calvin Jackson and RB Zay Brown are the Lions' top offensive threats, and a talented, physical line has been the defensive spearhead.
Storyline: That final score earlier this season was 22-10, but the Lions are comfortably entrenched with the schemes installed by OC Drew Akins and DC Charles Weems. That comfort level was illustrated in their 54-13 victory last week over Upperman. The 54 points were a season high.
Class 2A
WATERTOWN PURPLE TIGERS (10-1) at MARION COUNTY WARRIORS (10-1)
Stars: Watertown QB Seth Price has thrown for 2,577 yards and 37 TDs. RB Ty Love has rushed for 1,077 yards and 14 TDs. WR Vonte Bates has 913 yards and 10 TDs. LB Josh Deel has 143 tackles, including 7 for loss. All are seniors. Marion County had three players rush for at least 775 yards in the regular season, led by junior Jacob Saylors with 833. Senior Hunter Zeman had 16 tackles for loss through 10 games. Sophomore QB Isaah Sampson threw for 640 yards and 5 TDs before last week's playoff game, and senior LB Alex Kirkendoll had 118.5 hits with 12 tackles for loss.
Storyline: Marion County has scored 457 points this year, but the Purple Tigers have scored more (513). However, they likely haven't faced a defense like this one. The Warriors have surrendered 100 points all season. Even though Watertown asks a lot of Price, and he operates behind a big offensive line, the goal for Marion County will first be to take away the run. If Marion is able to score a few times early, the Purple Tigers will be challenged to try to stick to their original game plan.
MEIGS COUNTY TIGERS (10-1) at FORREST ROCKETS (10-1)
Stars: Meigs is led in the backfield by RBs Zy Moore and Logan Fowler and QB Aaron Swafford. Mr. Football semifinalist Slayton Wild leads the Rockets. He has 715 total yards and 8 TDs and also plays defense.
Storyline: Forrest has been stingy, allowing 9.5 points per game. Meigs has been solid on defense, but its offensive line was near-savage last week as Tigers RBs ran for 424 yards against Jackson County, which upset the Rockets in the final regular-season game of the year. Forrest struggled mightily to post a last-second 21-14 win over Tyner, which lost to Meigs 26-12 earlier.
CLASS 1A
FAYETTEVILLE TIGERS (9-2) AT SOUTH PITTSBURG PIRATES (10-1)
Stars: Tigers junior RB Brandon Moore and senior backfield mate Marquice Emmons are dangerous on every snap and two-way lineman Stanley High controls things up front. The Pirates have a variety ways to move the ball, including speedy RBs Kyree Pryor, Joseph Lilly and Sawyer Kelley, bruising FB Garrett Raulston and QB Hogan Holland throwing to WRs Cade Kennemore and Jess Morrison.
Storyline: This will be the first time in several weeks that an opponent can come close to matching the Pirates' speed. Fayetteville's offense has been held below 30-plus points twice all season, but the Pirates have scored 50-plus in seven of their past eight games. Whichever defense can put together a couple of stops, or create turnovers, will likely make the difference.
WHITWELL TIGERS (6-5) at COLUMBIA ACADEMY BULLDOGS (10-0)
Stars: Logan Neal is averaging 104 rushing yards per game and leads a run-oriented Bulldogs offense, and he has provided more than a third of their scoring punch. QB Dylan Johnson is adding 65 passing yards per game with a completion rate of only 45.3 percent. The Tigers, who have shown they can throw, have relied heavily on a four-back rotation consisting of Trace Condra, Hudson Petty, Dawson Holloway and Warner Ashworth.
Storyline: The Bulldogs beat Whitwell 21-3 on Oct. 21. The teams' only common opponent is Grace Academy, which fell to Whitwell 56-34 on Sept. 30 and to the Bulldogs 49-21 last week. On five occasions the Bulldogs scored at least 42, and they scrambled over the 50-point plateau twice. The 21 points they managed vs. Whitwell earlier were their fewest in any game. Whitwell is one of the youngest teams in the postseason, and it looks as if the Tigers will return at least 21 starters in addition to their K and P.
DIVISION II-AA
McCALLIE BLUE TORNADO (7-4) AT BRENTWOOD ACADEMY EAGLES (7-2)
Stars: Everything begins and ends at QB for both teams. Eagles senior Jeremy Oatsvall, an Austin Peay commitment, threw for 361 yards, ran for 86 and totaled five TDs the first time these teams played two weeks ago. McCallie's Rob Riddle threw for 407 and four TDs in the close loss.
Storyline: Keeping Oatsvall in the pocket, not allowing him to freelance or make plays with his legs, will be the key to slowing the Eagles offense, which has scored five TDs or more in all but two games this year. The kicking game, especially the return game, could also provide a big momentum swing. Both teams are dangerous in that department.
BAYLOR RED RAIDERS (7-4) AT MEMPHIS UNIV. SCHOOL OWLS (10-0)
Stars: The Owls have sophomore standouts in MLB Dorian Hopkins (6-0, 230), a Mr. Football semifinalist and tackling machine, and WR-CB Maurice Hampton, who has committed to LSU for baseball. Senior DE Ogonna Oraedu (6-2, 225) is physical. Since Baylor moved Brendon Harris to full-time RB, he has responded with three consecutive 100-yard rushing games. DT Tyree Toliver (6-0, 220) leads the Red Raiders in tackles and has 12 for loss and 7 sacks.
Storyline: If Baylor is to knock off the state's top-ranked team, it will need to eliminate turnovers and penalties, areas that have been issues this year. The Raiders are the most penalized team in Division II and have one of the worst turnover ratios. Baylor also needs Toliver and the defensive front to get pressure on MUS's QB rotation of Steven Regis and Bobby Wade, who are really good passers.
GEORGIA
All kickoffs at 7:30 p.m.
Class AAAAAA
WINDER-BARROW BULLDOGS (5-5) at DALTON CATAMOUNTS (10-0)
Stars: The Bulldogs lean heavily on QB Brock Landis, who has passed for more than 1,000 yards, and a pair of imposing receivers in Deon Williams (6-2, 190) and Casey Thurmond (6-3, 180). The offensive line has a trio of veterans in Cullen Moore, Tyler Pace and Dylan Brown, while the defense is led by LBs Nathan Millwood and Mason White. Dalton has a balanced offense led by QB J.P. Tighe, who has passed for 1,758 yards and is coming off a 300-yard game against Allatoona, 1,000-yard RB Ahmaad Tanner and big-play WR Zeke Cobb, who has 841 yards and 10 TDs. The defense is anchored by DL Max Mainor and John Henry Whiteside and LBs Tucker Sumner and Matthew Howell.
Storyline: Allatoona showed how to shut down the Dalton run game a week ago, and though Tighe bailed out the Cats, the coaching staff wants to re-establish the ground game tonight against a team that gave up 30-plus points in each of its five losses. Winder does its best work through the air, though few teams have had success against Dalton's secondary.
Class AAAA
ST. PIUS X GOLDEN LIONS (2-8) at RIDGELAND PANTHERS (8-1)
Stars: Despite the record the Lions have plenty of star power, led by two-way lineman London Lewis (6-5, 270) and athlete Grant Holloman (5-10, 170). The Lions are stout up front, with Will Ver Meulen, Bennett Hardee and Hunter Kirkland joining Lewis. Ridgeland has its own stars in RBs Jalyn Shelton, Grayson Moore and Markeith Montgomery, part of an offense that has exceeded 3,000 rushing yards in nine games. Defensively, DE Skye Wilson and DB Montgomery lead an underrated unit.
Storyline: St. Pius was a heavy favorite a year ago when the Panthers were a two-point conversion away from tying the first-round playoff game late. Ridgeland coach Wesley Tankersley is preaching to his team to not look at the 2-8 record. The Lions have lost to state powers Blessed Trinity, Benedictine and Marist. The Panthers have to avoid turnovers and might have to loosen the Lionsdefensively with some early passes from QB Ivy Boehm.
OCONEE COUNTY WARRIORS (7-3) at NORTHWEST WHITFIELD BRUINS (7-3)
Stars: The Warriors have a big-play offense built around the big arm of QB Sam Middlebrooks, who has 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns. Most of the big plays involve WRs Cordarius Ty Paschal and Roques Dowdy, who each averages nearly 30 yards per catch. They also lead a secondary that will test Northwest QB Luke Shiflett (2,033 yards, 23 TDs) and his pair of playmaker WRs, Jay Jones and Will Blanchard, who have combined for nearly 1,600 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Storyline: The Bruins need to avoid the slow starts that have plagued a few of their games. They also need to establish 240-pound RB Dominique Sistrunk early to take some pressure off Shiflett and the pass game. Defensively, a secondary that has given up some long touchdown passes has to stay disciplined or the Warriors will burn them.
HERITAGE GENERALS (7-3) at STEPHENS COUNTY INDIANS (8-2)
Stars: Heritage brings one of the state's highest-scoring offenses against a Stephens County defense that has held five opponents under 10 points. Heritage QB Corbee Wilson has passed for 2,345 yards and 28 touchdowns and has elite WRs Ryan Carter (864 yards, 14 TDs) and Luke Grant (691 yards, 6 TDs). Stephens County's balanced offense is led by QB Jackson Bell, who has nearly 1,500 total yards.
Storyline: The big matchups will be the Heritage receivers against Stephens' CBs Brandon Wheeler and Malik Frazier and a Heritage defense that has been porous against the run vs. an Indians' ground game that has been spotty at times.
Class AAA
MONROE AREA HURRICANES (3-7) at CALHOUN YELLOW JACKETS (8-2)
Stars: The Hurricanes are a run-first team led by RB Chandler Byron, who is averaging 8.7 yards per carry and is right at 1,000 yards for the season. QB Hunter Mitchell has 500 rush yards but has thrown nine interceptions against just two touchdowns. The team's best players are on defense, led by LB Javion Heard, who has 18 tackles for loss. Calhoun, with the emergence of QB Gavin Gray, now has the balance coach Hal Lamb wants. RB-QB-LB Baylon Spector has surpassed 600 rushing yards and leads a hard-hitting defense.
Storyline: Teams that rely on running the ball have fared poorly against the Jackets, who aren't afraid to let Lawrence and Randall single-cover receivers to allow the front seven to concentrate on the run. Monroe Area's aggressive defenders will try to force sophomore Gray to beat them.
JACKSON COUNTY PANTHERS (3-7) at NORTH MURRAY MOUNTAINEERS (7-3)
Stars: The Panthers bring a run-first offense to Chatsworth and rely heavily on RB Noah Venable, who has 1,272 yards and nine touchdowns. QB Caleb Matthews has 415 rushing yards. The team has thrown for just 600 yards. North Murray also prefers to do its damage on the ground and has found a new weapon in sophomore QB Preston Poag Jr., the son of the head coach; he has started the last two games. RB Brady Harper has more than 1,000 yards running behind a very large line anchored by super sophomore Luke Griffin.
Storyline: North Murray has had trouble stopping passing teams, but that won't be an issue tonight. Avoiding turnovers and penalties that have too often stopped promising drives are the focal points for the Mountaineers, who are making their playoff debut.
SONORAVILLE PHOENIX (7-3) at FRANKLIN COUNTY LIONS (4-6)
Stars: Sonoraville has an exciting run game led by RB Tristan Key and QB Patrick Moore, but there are plenty of guys such as Trenton Daniel and Camron Keith who can spring a big play when called upon. The team's best overall player is LB Sherrod Agee, who had two interceptions a week ago in a wild two-overtime win over Ringgold. Franklin County has several playmakers of its own, led by QB Tyrique David and Tyquan Hailey, and features 17 starters back from last year's playoff team.
Storyline: It's simple for Sonoraville: Get the run game going early and then hit the Lions with a deep pass or trick play. The Phoenix defensively have struggled at times against the pass, so expect a big dose of blitzing to force the Lions' hand.
Class A public
TRION BULLDOGS (6-4) at TAYLOR COUNTY VIKINGS (9-1)
Stars: Trion is nearly at full strength again with the return of leading rusher Jarrett Pierce, who is averaging better than 100 yards per game. QB Jarrett Gill has a school-best 1,200 yards passing this season and isn't afraid to throw it to 6-foot-3 WR Evan Walker at any time. The defense will get tested heavily by a Vikings offense that has put up 40-plus points in eight games. RB Lyn-j Dixon is one of the state's best and has 1,698 yards and 31 touchdowns, while QB Gunnar Watson has thrown for 1,700 yards and 17 scores.
Storyline: Trion typically has struggled against teams featuring the kind of speed Taylor County possesses. Keeping the ball for long drives may be the Bulldogs' best plan, though that may be difficult against a defensive line featuring 310-pound Ashon Hayes and 260-pound end Quin Daniels.
ALABAMA
Class 4A
NORTH JACKSON CHIEFS (7-3) AT HOKES BLUFF EAGLES (7-4), 8 p.m.
Stars: The Chiefs have one of the best backfield tandems in Alabama, with QB Trey Harris and RB Omar "Tank" Brown each having rushed for more than 1,400 yards so far this season. LB Gant Goins leads the team in tackles with 92.
Storyline: Unless the Eagles can limit the big plays by Harris and Brown, they could be in for a long night. The challenge will fall on the Eagles defense, which allowed Haleyville to score just eight points last week, to come up big again.