East Ridge's Alonzo Russell is tackled by East Hamilton's Jason Brumlow and Blaine Savage during last Friday's game, which the Pioneers won 21-13.SODDY-DAISY TROJANS (2-1) at HIXSON WILDCATS (0-3)
Storyline: A win for either tonight could easily be considered a get-well game. The Trojans suffered an unexpected and devastating loss, 15-14 to Lenoir City, in their Region 5-4A opener. The Wildcats' losing streak to start the season was extended to three games in a lopsided setback to Region 2-4A opponent Anderson County, one of the state's top-ranked teams. Soddy-Daisy has won eight straight games over the Wildcats dating to 2007, including last year's 69-35 victory. (The teams did not play in 2011 or '12.) The Trojans have been led by QB Gavin Chambers, RBs Ty Boeck and Brandon Davis, WRs Beau Blaylock, Hunter Burke and Jarvis Smith, and defenders Jerick Cook and Ben Jenkins. The Wildcats have struggled on both sides but especially defensively, allowing an average of 54.7 points. That noted, all of their opponents to date are state-ranked.
KNOXVILLE CATHOLIC FIGHTING IRISH (1-2) at CLEVELAND BLUE RAIDERS (3-0)
Storyline: The Blue Raiders finally get to go home, yet playing on artificial turf will be nothing new for the Fighting Irish, who have played on that surface every game this season. Both teams are state-ranked, with Cleveland ninth in Class 6A and Catholic finally tumbling from its No. 1 perch to fourth in 5A after losing its home opener to Atlanta-area program Eagle's Landing Christian Academy, 55-10. The Irish will outweigh the Blue Raiders at most every position, but Cleveland is among the Chattanooga area's fleetest teams. Among players Catholic defenders must watch are WR-DB Romeo Wykle, RB Keegan Jones and QB Kellye Cawood. Joshua Brown, Catholic's top RB, is probably questionable to play, but the Irish have a fairly deep pool of RBs. In addition, QB Jack Sompayrac is capable of taking off if he can't connect with one of his handful of WRs, a group that includes Dashon Bussell, Cameron Blakely and Adam Jones.
RHEA COUNTY EAGLES (1-2) at McMINN COUNTY CHEROKEES (1-2)
Storyline: Losing A.J. Velsaco in the season opener skewed the Eagles' wing-T plans, but they've adjusted - especially last week against Walker Valley - behind RBs Christian Simon and Gavin Morrison and QB Zack Pemberton. The secondary sparked that win over the Mustangs, who are powered by versatile QB Kolten Gibson. This game could come down to an up-front battle. Rhea throws rarely, but it should more than the Cherokees. And don't be misled by McMinn's record. The Cherokees have played Knoxville-area power Farragut and always powerful Maryville the past two weeks.
CENTRAL PURPLE POUNDERS (2-1) at NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (2-1)
Storyline: The Pounders rebounded nicely from a second-week loss to Red Bank with their first Region 2-4A victory (over Sequoyah). Notre Dame now has won two in a row and also got its first region win last week (over Christian Academy of Knoxville). The Irish pulled their power running package off the shelf while forgoing their potent passing game. This could be a physical game. Although the Irish's weekly offensive plan is to create space for their numerous gifted athletes, Central has a fairly good athletic stable as well.
BRAINERD PANTHERS (0-3) at EAST RIDGE PIONEERS (3-0)
Storyline: Though a nonregion game, this one still involves neighbors and rivals. Much has been written about alum Tyrus Ward returning to coach Brainerd, but he knows patience is a must to rebuild a once-proud power. East Ridge, meanwhile, has gotten off to a fine start with coach Tim James looking not only at a rebuilt stadium but also seeking funds to replace the Pioneers' demolished field house. This is the sixth year in a row Brainerd has started 0-3.
EAST HAMILTON HURRICANES (1-2) at OOLTEWAH OWLS (1-2)
Storyline: Coach Ted Gatewood addressed last week's overwhelming number of penalties when the Canes met Monday for practice. He said he can deal with the occasional call for overaggressiveness, but penalties that result from a lack of focus and lead to first-and-15 severely hamper pla- calling. They can't afford that against the Owls, a team they must try to match points with. East Hamilton would like to bottle up RB Sincere Quinn, if possible. Ooltewah is looking to get back on track after losing to state-ranked teams in Class 6A the past two weeks. The Owls are minus-7 in turnover ratio this season, which is uncharacteristic of a Mac Bryant-coached team. Some breakdowns in the kicking game have hampered them, too. It should be a full stadium, as always, for the Battle of White Oak Mountain VII.
SILVERDALE BAPTIST SEAHAWKS (0-2) at GRACE ACADEMY GOLDEN EAGLES (1-1)
Storyline: This rivalry between neighboring Baptist schools always produces a good gate for the home team. Grace will welcome that this year, considering how often the bus needs to be filled with the Eagles having so many long road trips. Both teams want, first and foremost, to be able to establish the run. Switching last year's leading rusher, Cade Tinsley, from RB to QB this year doesn't change the Golden Eagles' philosophy at all. While Silverdale will want to concentrate on containing Tinsley, it can't solely. Players like WB Jimmy Green have the speed to bust big plays. The biggest question is can Grace, a Division II-A school going up against a DII-AA school, hold up in the trenches for four quarters?
LOOKOUT VALLEY YELLOW JACKETS (2-0) at CHATTANOOGA CHRISTIAN CHARGERS (2-1)
Storyline: Lookout Valley coach Lance Rorex said practices have been full of energy, and why not? The Yellow Jackets are 2-0 for the first time since 2012. But they haven't faced a bigger, more physical team than CCS. The Jackets must match the Chargers' physicality - particularly when it comes to trying to block them - if they're going to be competitive. Facing a smaller school playing with some confidence, CCS will try to take that swagger away as soon as possible. A couple of long, methodical scoring drives early could do the trick. The Chargers have big-play capability, too - see Roderick Young's 86-yard TD run last week. The likely biggest factor in this one is how few players they have going both ways, compared to Lookout Valley.
SEQUATCHIE COUNTY INDIANS (2-1) at MEIGS COUNTY TIGERS (3-0)
Storyline: Meigs is ranked No. 2 in Class 2A, and the Tigers have beaten Sweetwater - like Sequatchie, a 3A team that also plays a bullish brand of football. But they haven't faced a playmaking QB the caliber of Indians senior Ethan Barker. He's back, although both teams lost a lot to graduation last year. To their credit, the players next in line seem to have progressed quickly for both teams. The Tigers also return their QB, sophomore Aaron Swafford, but they will not be starting a senior on offense tonight. Two, possibly three, could start on defense. One big addition for Sequatchie has been that 240-pound junior RB Brett Hicks returned to the team after a year's absence. It helps Meigs that it has enough talent to platoon at almost every position on each side. But will that be enough to deal successfully with the Indians' physical style of play?
SOUTH PITTSBURG PIRATES (3-0) at MARION COUNTY WARRIORS (2-1)
Storyline: Both teams will play on emotion from start to finish, and it would appear they are once again equally matched. The key for South Pittsburg is finding a way to limit Marion's big-play potential, particularly from speedsters Jacob Saylors and Kane Hale as well as dual-threat QB Isaiah Sampson. The Pirates will rely on the power running of junior FB Garrett Raulston and RB Sawyer Kelley, but they must also find ways to get the ball into the hands of senior Cade Kennemore, who's dangerous as a WR and returner. Marion's defense will need to shut down the Pirates' inside running game and pressure the two young QBs - sophomore Jaylyn Hubbard and freshman Brayden Sanders, neither of whom have played in a game of this magnitude. As is usually the case in such closely matched rivalry games, turnovers likely will play a significant role.
TYNER RAMS (1-2) at HOWARD HUSTLIN' TIGERS (1-1)
Storyline: The Rams finally gained some footing last week with a big-play offense that carried them to a much-needed win. They were able to overcome the penalties, turnovers and other mistakes that had cost them in their first two games thanks to 11 plays of 15 or more yards in a 36-22 victory against Polk County. But Howard can match Tyner's speed, which should limit the number of big plays. Howard's defensive focus will be on Tyner RB Jeremy Elston, who has been a workhorse so far this season and again ran for more than 100 yards last week. RB Tyon Young and QB Jaylen Bowens are also offensive weapons for the Rams, while Howard's Marques Williams can score on any snap and will have the ball in his hands in a variety of ways.
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN EAGLES (1-2) at WHITWELL TIGERS (3-0)
Storyline: Whitwell's defense has been incredibly stout so far, allowing barely more than 100 yards of total offense to its first three opponents combined. Tigers LBs Thundur Roberts and Josh Wingo along with DE Garrett Shrum are the leaders of a group giving up an average of approximately 50 yards per game. Offensively, junior RB Hudson Petty has the ability to break a long run or be workhorse carrying the ball, as does Wingo. Signal Mountain will test Whitwell's secondary with QB Tom Vatter. However, the Eagles must find a way to have success running the ball, because a one-dimensional offense likely won't be enough against the stingy Tigers.
KNOXVILLE WEBB SPARTANS (1-1) at MCCALLIE BLUE TORNADO (2-1)
Storyline: McCallie must work on its passing game if its offense is to become a threat in D-II. The Blue Tornado are inexperienced at QB and were 2-of-9 passing for 13 yards last week, so look for them to work on that aspect. RB Xavier Brooks is plenty capable of being the main option to carry the ball, and sophomore QB DeAngelo Hardy is very athletic and a danger to pick up big gains when he runs the ball. McCallie's secondary will be tested by Webb's passing game, led by all-state QB Hunter Green.
BAYLOR RED RAIDERS (1-2) at ENSWORTH TIGERS (2-1)
Storyline: Unfortunately for Baylor, the schedule continues to be brutal. Perennial state power Ensworth is led by WRs Taye Kinnard, Wesley Walker, Keshawn Lawrence and Jude Maloy, and FB/LB Josh Howard is a bull on both sides of the ball. The Red Raiders will need to get all-state athlete Brendon Harris loose for some big plays if they are to pull off the road upset. Junior QB Lorenzo White is a dual threat who is capable of making big plays for Baylor.
BATTLE GROUND ACADEMY WILDCATS (3-0) at BOYD-BUCHANAN BUCCANEERS (0-3)
Storyline: BGA is big and tall up front. The Wildcats run a 4-3 defense, and although their LB positions were a big concern coming into the season, the play of OLB/SS Antonio Stevens has helped greatly in that area. The Bucs will need to block DL Brock Baldwin and DE Wyatt Greenewalt in order to move the ball on a consistent basis. Then there's the matter of slowing BGA's offense, which is led by QB Drew Martin, a 2,500-yard passer last year. Jack Jewell is the top WR, and Ty Reed is a speedster in the slot. The Bucs, meanwhile, seem to have half as many front-line players injured as they have on hand. Standout FS/WR/QB Kohl Henke is available for Boyd-Buchanan, but there's only one of him. From 1996 through last season, the Bucs had a 182-79 record that includes numerous league titles and state playoff berths, including four finals appearances and a 1A state title in 2003. This year they have been outscored 127-10, and the greatest contributing factor has been injuries. The Bucs have 37 players on their roster, but 10 were in street clothes watching when they played 1A's top-ranked South Pittsburg.
HERITAGE GENERALS (3-0) at NORTH MURRAY MOUNTAINEERS (1-1)
Storyline: This is an intriguing matchup of teams that reached the second round of the Georgia state playoffs last year. Class AAAA's Generals, known more often for explosive offenses, are riding a defense that is red hot, having allowed just two touchdowns with the starters on the field this season. LB Zaine Burton already has 12.5 tackles for loss and has combined with Hank Weldon and Jeffrey Curtis to record eight sacks. Offensively, Heritage is a bit more balanced this year, with four players with at least 100 yards on the ground. When new QB Blake Bryan goes to the air, he has several good options, led by returning standouts Ryan Carter and Luke Grant. North Murray is coming off a disappointing loss at Coosa in which it commited numerous mistakes, including four turnovers and several miscues on special teams. The Mountaineers' offense is strong and led by junior QB Preston Poag Jr., who is coming off a 321-yard, four-touchdown game, and WR Conner Rice. It's a unit that will be tested by the stout Heritage defense, especially up front.
CHATTOOGA INDIANS (0-2) at RIDGELAND PANTHERS (3-0)
Storyline: Two ground-oriented teams will square off at Bowers & Painter Field. Ridgeland won big last year in Summerville after a blazing start on the ground, something the Panthers have also produced in three impressive wins so far this season. FB Jalyn Shelton is averaging nearly 100 rushing yards in first halves alone, while WB Markeith Montgomery is coming off a 100-yard game in a win at Darlington. The Ridgeland defense has given up 14 total points and will set its sights on a Chattooga offense still adjusting to nine new starters. Dee and Devin Price have emerged as the top playmakers, with each averaging better than 7 yards per carry. The Indians also have a fast defense and one immovable object in DL T.J. Adams.
SONORAVILLE PHOENIX (2-0) at DALTON CATAMOUNTS (1-1)
Storyline: Sonoraville, ranked ninth in Class AAA by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, is coming off a rally from a 13-0 halftime deficit to beat Class AAAAA's Cass, though the Phoenix managed fewer than 100 total yards. A blocked punt led to one touchdown, and Chandler Shaw's fumble return for a score was the difference. Sonoraville has yet to get its passing game untracked, something it will need against a Dalton defense that stood strong in last week's upset of Northwest Whitfield. The Cats will target Sonoraville QB Patrick Moore and RB Tristen Key while trying to make somebody else beat them. The Dalton ground game flourished last week, led by emerging RB Jahmyr Gibbs, while QB J.P. Tighe was back in the form that helped lead the team to the Class AAAAAA state semifinals last season. Expect the ultra-athletic Nasir Love-Porter to get more offensive touches tonight.
LAKEVIEW-FORT OGLETHORPE WARRIORS (0-2)at GORDON LEE TROJANS (1-1)
Storyline: LFO, after getting manhandled offensively in a loss against Heritage in its opener, did most of the dominating last week against Armuchee. However, despite holding a huge edge in yardage, the Warriors lost a two-touchdown lead and the game. The ground game was strong, led by Nathan Williams' 144 yards, while QB Zach Vaughn added 52 and another 75 in the air. Referencing strong ground games, the Trojans got theirs going in last week's 28-7 win over LaFayette, piling up nearly 300 yards on the ground as RB Braden Jarvis led the way with 173 yards and two touchdowns. RBs Hunter Hodson and Harrison Moore also had nice games.