RHEA COUNTY EAGLES (3-3, 2-0) at KNOXVILLE CATHOLIC FIGHTING IRISH (3-3, 1-0)
Storyline: Both Region 4-5A teams are coming off losses to ranked opponents - Catholic to Division II-AAA's Brentwood Academy, which is nationally ranked, and Rhea to Bradley Central, which is ranked in the Class 6A state poll. There is one common opponent. Cleveland beat Rhea on the game's final play, 21-14, to open the season but lost to Catholic, 33-7, three weeks later. This is a homecoming of sorts for Rhea coach Mark Pemberton, who took Catholic to a state championship several years ago. Two of Catholic's losses have come at home, but the Irish expect to have standout RB Joshua Brown, who has been out with a knee injury, back on the field tonight. The Irish also have a quality passing game with QB Jack Sompayrac and WRs Cameron Blakely, Deshon Bussell and D.J. Mitch. How their porous defense handles Rhea's keep-away, ground-and-pound offense will be a major factor. Operating behind a stout OL, Rhea is led by QB Zack Pemberton and RBs Christian Simon and Gavin Morrison.