Here's a preview of tonight's Chattanooga area high school football matchups

Southeast Whitfield quarterback Porter Johnson, with ball, has thrown 16 touchdown passes while helping the Raiders to a 5-0 start. Tonight the Raiders visit Heritage, also 5-0, for a Region 6-AAAA game.
Southeast Whitfield quarterback Porter Johnson, with ball, has thrown 16 touchdown passes while helping the Raiders to a 5-0 start. Tonight the Raiders visit Heritage, also 5-0, for a Region 6-AAAA game.

NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (4-1, 2-0) at KNOXVILLE WEBB SPARTANS (2-2, 1-0)

Storyline: These programs last met in 2004, with Webb winning 22-7. Both had open dates last week in preparation for what could be for the Division II-AA East Region championship. Webb is led by RBs Elijah Howard (a freshman who already has a scholarship offer from Tennessee), Jahil Jefferson (who's even more elusive) and West Point-bound Morgan Ernst (who is probably more valuable at LB). Since a season-opening Kickoff Classic loss to Baylor, Notre Dame has averaged 50.8 points while rolling to a four-game winning streak. The Irish have benefited greatly from versatile junior Cameron Wynn - he has lined up at RB, QB and WR - and RB Akil Sledge and QB Landon Allen.

EAST RIDGE PIONEERS (5-0, 1-0) at ANDERSON COUNTY MAVERICKS (6-0, 2-0)

Storyline: The bus ride from East Ridge to Anderson County takes more than two hours, leading some to question how the Mavericks wound up in a region filled with Chattanooga-area teams. Other than a possible complaint about the 120-mile trip, this could be a dream matchup between two of the three teams still unbeaten in Region 2-4A. The Mavericks are coming off a big win over Maryville's Heritage, a Class 6A school, led by QB Stanton Martin's 324-yard, four-TD passing performance. While it could be an interesting challenge for Pioneers DB Alonzo Russell, his task might be harder if LB Lorenzo Stewart, injured a couple of weeks ago, is unable to play.

BRADLEY CENTRAL BEARS (4-1, 2-0) at McMINN COUNTY CHEROKEES (1-4, 0-2)

Storyline: Since a season-opening loss, the Bears have been on a tear, beating Ooltewah and Cleveland - teams that are loaded with skill players - and last week grinding out a two-TD win against Rhea County, a physical, rough-and-tumble team. McMinn, meanwhile, has losses to always highly touted Maryville and Farragut and, by one point, to Rhea County. The Cherokees lost to Heritage two weeks ago but had an open date to prepare for the Bears in this Region 2-6A game. Using ball-control offense may be McMinn's best shot at a win, because it would limit the number of scoring opportunities for Bradley QB Dylan Standifer, RB Nick Howell and WRs Lameric Tucker and Stephen Muhonen.

CENTRAL PURPLE POUNDERS (3-2, 2-0) at HOWARD HUSTLIN' TIGERS (2-3, 0-1)

Storyline: The resurging Pounders, in Cortney Braswell's second year at the helm, can't afford to look ahead to Region 2-4A games against Anderson County and East Ridge. The Tigers are beginning to blossom under John Starr, also in his second year at his current post. After suffering consecutive shutouts the previous two weeks, Howard exploded last week for 59 points, easily the most points the Tigers have put up this year. Howard is beginning to hit its stride - many of its seniors are first-year starters - but the Tigers may be hard-pressed to keep up with Pounders RB Michael McGhee, WR Andrew Bingham and QB Jaheim Jones.

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN EAGLES (1-5, 0-2) at BRAINERD PANTHERS (1-5, 0-2)

Storyline: There is more to this game than a first-time meeting of teams struggling to re-establish their niches. It's possible a postseason berth, although one with a travel ticket, is on the line. These teams are currently in a three-way tie with McMinn Central for fourth in Region 4-3A. New coach Tyrus Ward's Panthers got their win last week on the road while new Eagles coach Josh Roberts' victory came against current Region 3-2A leader Tyner.

BLEDSOE COUNTY WARRIORS (2-3, 0-1) at TYNER RAMS (4-2, 2-0)

Storyline: The Warriors have a shutout (Grundy County) on their defensive résumé this season, but even with that they have allowed an average of 25 points per game - and Tyner hasn't been shy about scoring points. The Region 3-2A-leading Rams, behind RBs Jeremy Elston and Tyon Young, have averaged 37 points over the course of their current four-game winning streak. The one constant for Bledsoe has been senior K/P Gabe Boring, who has four field goals (with a long of 47 yards) and a 46.8-yard punting average.

SEQUATCHIE COUNTY INDIANS (3-2, 1-0) at SMITH COUNTY OWLS (4-1, 2-0)

Storyline: The Indians, last year's Region 4-3A champions, are coming off a 41-7 rivalry win over Bledsoe County, but the challenge gets stiffer tonight against the seventh-ranked Owls. Smith opened the year 4-0 but lost to Livingston Academy last week. Until then, the Owls had scored at least three TDs in each game this season; the Indians have two games in which they gave up no more than a TD. Smith County's leader is dual-threat QB Carson Hackett. He has averaged 125 passing yards and two TD passes per game, and he and Bryant Goolsby are the team's leading rushers. RB Brett Hicks is the Indians' leading scorer, but QB Ethan Barker is the focal point of their offense.

photo Southeast Whitfield's Oscar Gonzalez, pictured, and fellow wide receiver Landon Eaton have combined for 12 touchdown catches and nearly 1,000 receiving yards while helping the Raiders to a 5-0 start. Tonight the Raiders visit Heritage, also 5-0, for a Region 6-AAAA game.

SILVERDALE BAPTIST SEAHAWKS (1-3, 0-1) at CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF KNOXVILLE WARRIORS (0-6, 0-2)

Storyline: This DII-AA East Region game features Silverdale's running game versus CAK's passing game. Seahawks coach Al Rogers said occupying clock time offensively and putting pressure on shifty Warriors QB Stewart Howell while also trying to contain him in the pocket are things that have been stressed in practice this week. Injuries started taking a toll on the Seahawks before the season began and have continued to plague them. "It seems like we get one back and lose two," Rogers said. As a result, some freshmen have been put into starting roles and are learning on the job. Rogers also indicated CAK's record is not indicative of its talent. Part of the proof: The only game the Warriors haven't scored in double figures was against Greenback (5-1), ranked No. 6 in Class 1A.

MARYVILLE HERITAGE MOUNTAINEERS (3-3, 2-0) at CLEVELAND BLUE RAIDERS (4-2, 1-1)

Storyline: Heritage likes to give 6-foot-3 QB D.J. Cooper a lot of run-pass option plays, and his most dangerous receiver is Kameron Johnson. Cleveland has been looking to get back to basics in practice this week. Romeo Wykle is returning from an ankle injury, which is a boost for the secondary, but don't look for him to try to lock in on Johnson, because his work as a run-stuffer at SS is equally important to the defense. The Mountaineers have a size advantage, but Cleveland has speed to offset that. Heritage will have to tackle well in space or it, too, could be on the receiving end of a majestical score (see last week's 67 points against Walker Valley). QB Kellye Cawood, RB Keegan Jones and Wykle, the leader in receiving TDs, are among the Blue Raiders' key offensive stalwarts, but all have been out at some point this season. They'll need them to show up here in the stretch run with nothing but Region 2-6A games remaining.

EZELL-HARDING EAGLES (1-5, 0-3) at GRACE ACADEMY GOLDEN EAGLES (3-2, 1-1)

Storyline: Grace needs a victory in this Division II-A East Region game to help its chances of reaching the state playoffs. It will be challenged by an Ezell-Harding spread offense that tends to throw the ball slightly more than it runs it. Jonah Hedges has been the main QB. The Eagles' offense will also operate some out of a wildcat set, with Kejuan Calloway taking direct shotgun snaps. WR Ingram Page could cause Grace some matchup problems. Look for the Golden Eagles to counterattack with their running game. It's led by QB Cade Tinsley, whose 621 yards and nine TDs this season are more than the rest of the team combined. The main thing they need to do is hold on to the football. Last week against Boyd-Buchanan, they fumbled four times, lost them all and still were within 10-0 in the fourth quarter when a missed 25-yard field goal obstructed any comeback.

CHATTANOOGA CHRISTIAN CHARGERS (4-2, 2-0) at BOYD-BUCHANAN BUCCANEERS (1-5, 0-2)

Storyline: Division II-AA East Region teams are down to nothing but league games in the regular season, so positioning for the state playoffs begins in earnest now. Both teams stress possessing the ball and moving the chains, so the defenses must get lined up correctly. Brace for CCS's hybrid wing-T. Here comes Boyd-Buchanan's version of the triple-option offense. First-year Chargers QB Dylan Clark is a senior whose role is that of a conductor. He has thrown 13 passes this year, but three have gone for TDs. Be mindful of where ballhawk Kohl Henke lines up defensively. Bucs QB Eli Evans accounted for 166 yards of total offense last week, but for him to have similar success, they'll need to get ILB Ian Gaines and DE Josiah Sneller blocked. Eli Morris started the season as Boyd-Buchanan's QB but was injured on the 12th play. He was cleared to return to practice this week, as was REC/CB Mike Mincey, who has yet to play this season.

SALE CREEK PANTHERS (1-4, 0-2) at LOOKOUT VALLEY YELLOW JACKETS (2-3, 0-1)

Storyline: With Region 3-1A having five teams, each league game has big postseason implications. These teams mirror each other, from a wing-T look on offense to a 4-2-5 defensive alignment. The Panthers have a slight edge in size in the trenches. The Roberts twins, Luke and John, have combined for 630 rushing yards and six TDs this year. Lookout Valley has a modest speed advantage. Key performers have included Joshua Ibach (325 rushing yards, three TDs, leading tackler) and Riley Phillips (seven receptions, 141 yards). There isn't much doubt where the teams believe the outcome will be determined, as has been the case with all of their winnable games, and that's with the turnover battle. The Yellow Jackets executed as planned in last week's 20-8 loss to Huntland but turned the ball over four times. Turnovers proved costly in Sale Creek's 7-0 loss to Copper Basin and were also a key factor in a 12-point loss to Grace Academy.

RED BANK LIONS (4-1, 2-0) at SWEETWATER WILDCATS (4-1, 2-0)

Storyline: There's a three-way tie atop Region 3-3A with these two teams and Loudon. The Wildcats' defensive front of seniors Brandon Bishop (6-3, 250), Jeff Gibson (6-3, 280), Meechie Oggs (6-4, 220) and Zac Perian (6-4, 235) will pose the biggest obstacle for a Red Bank offense - led by RBs Calvin Jackson and Zay Brown - that is averaging nearly 40 points per game. Sweetwater has not allowed more than 20 points in a game this season. The Wildcats' offense is led by playmakers Drew Hicks and Ethan Holley at RB, as well as WR Domonique Oggs.

SOUTH PITTSBURG PIRATES (5-0, 1-0) at COPPER BASIN COUGARS (1-5, 1-1)

Storyline: Coach Vic Grider said his Pirates, ranked No. 1 in Class 1A, were very sloppy in last week's win over Lipscomb Academy, so look for them to respond with more focus this week against a Region 3 foe. The Pirates have won 11 straight region games and 23 of the past 24 meetings with the Cougars. South Pittsburg is led by the backfield tandem of senior RB Sawyer Kelley and junior FB Garrett Raulston. If the Pirates can build an early lead, this could be a good opportunity for the young QBs - sophomore Jaylyn Hubbard and freshman Brayden Sanders - to work on the passing game.

BAYLOR RED RAIDERS (3-3, 1-1) at BRENTWOOD ACADEMY EAGLES (5-0, 2-0)

Storyline: One week after Baylor's offense rolled up yardage easily in a lopsided win over Chattanooga Christian, the challenge level should be much stiffer in a road trip to face the Eagles, who have won two straight state titles and are off to a good start in DII-AAA East/Middle Region play. Baylor junior dual-threat QB Lorenzo White has been solid all season and is surrounded with talent at the skill positions, including Brendon Harris, Jaylon Baker and Mike Benning. Baylor likely will need all of them to counter a team that has averaged 41 points per game.

MCCALLIE BLUE TORNADO (4-2, 1-1) at POPE JOHN PAUL II KNIGHTS (3-3, 1-3)

Storyline: The Knights have been outscored 43-9 in their three Division II-AAA East/Middle Region losses, including a 28-point defeat to Baylor two weeks ago. McCallie had been on an impressive two-game streak with wins over region foe and perennial power Ensworth as well as Knoxville's Webb before a tough loss at Georgia's Blessed Trinity. The Blue Tornado have scored at least 44 points three times this season, and their ground game, led by sophomore QB Deangelo Hardy and RB Zavier Brooks, has been the strength of the offense.

photo Southeast Whitfield's Oscar Gonzalez, pictured, and fellow wide receiver Landon Eaton have combined for 12 touchdown catches and nearly 1,000 receiving yards while helping the Raiders to a 5-0 start. Tonight the Raiders visit Heritage, also 5-0, for a Region 6-AAAA game.

SOUTHEAST WHITFIELD RAIDERS (5-0, 1-0) at HERITAGE GENERALS (5-0, 1-0)

Storyline: The playoff race in GHSA Region 6-AAAA is on, and this is easily the headliner of tonight's league schedule. Two pass-happy teams will go at it, with both having thrown for more than 2,000 yards already this season. Southeast QB Porter Johnson has 16 touchdown passes, and WRs Oscar Gonzalez and Landon Eaton have combined to catch 12 of them and provide nearly 1,000 receiving yards. Last week, though, in a 48-26 win over LaFayette, it was RB Christian Gillespie who stole the show, rushing for 178 yards and three scores on just eight carries. The Raiders, however, have not faced a defense nearly as talented as this one - Heritage's first team has allowed just two TDs in 2017. The front seven, led by Zaine Burton, Zach Goins and Hank Weldon, have a combined 15 sacks and 36 tackles for loss. On offense, the Generals have settled in under new QB Blake Bryan, who has 843 passing yards and 14 TDs plus a team-leading 241 rushing yards. Heritage two-way starters Luke Grant and Ryan Carter, the team's top WRs and the CBs who will be trying to slow Gonzalez and Eaton, will play key roles.

RINGGOLD TIGERS (3-2) at LAKEVIEW-FORT OGLETHORPE WARRIORS (2-3)

Storyline: This Catoosa County battle matches teams on the rise. Ringgold has won three consecutive games, including a pair of crossover affairs in Region 6-AAA that could serve the Tigers well in case of tiebreakers being needed. Last week, they beat Sonoraville 31-28 to avenge two 2016 losses to the Phoenix, getting another 100-yard performance from RB Ty Jones plus 170 yards and two scores from QB Cole Kibler. Ringgold will look to stay balanced against an improved LFO defense that led the way in a 17-14 crossover win over Haralson County last week. The key for the Warriors will be having QB Zach Vaughn, RB Nathan Williams and WR Ruddy Ware producing enough to keep the ball away from the potent Tigers.

NORTH MURRAY MOUNTAINEERS (2-3) at MURRAY COUNTY INDIANS (2-3)

Storyline: The Region 6-AAA north subregion opener could be a shootout, though the offenses get things accomplished in differing fashions. The Mountaineers, led by emerging junior QB Preston Poag Jr., are a quick-strike team and can play at a dizzying pace. Poag has 1,145 passing yards and 14 TDs, including a pair on 14-of-15 passing last week against a strong Calhoun defense. WR Conner Rice has 569 receiving yards and an area-best 11 TDs. Murray has the area's leading rusher in senior Tucker Gregg (923 yards, eight TDs) and an experienced line in front of him. QB John Reed, who missed last week's 49-30 loss to Adairsville, should return tonight and will have to take advantage of opportunities to make big plays when the Mountaineers stack the line to stop Gregg. Slow starts have plagued both teams, so which will get the jump tonight?

NORTHWEST WHITFIELD BRUINS (3-2, 0-1) at LaFAYETTE RAMBLERS (2-3, 0-1)

Storyline: Both teams are coming off disappointing losses in their Region 6-AAAA openers. Northwest, after scoring the game's first touchdown, was routed at home by Ridgeland, 48-7, while LaFayette fell behind 41-6 before scoring three TDs late in a 48-26 loss to Southeast Whitfield. The Bruins expect better play up front tonight in order to give QB Luke Shiflett time to throw and RB Dominique Sistrunk (607 rushing yards, seven TDs) room to run. LaFayette hopes to duplicate the Ridgeland game plan and establish the run early behind RB Dakota Cathey (519 rushing yards, six TDs). But unless there is the threat of a pass, that may be tough to do against an angry Northwest defense.

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