POLK COUNTY WILDCATS (4-5, 2-1) at MARION COUNTY WARRIORS (4-5, 2-1)
Storyline: At stake is second place in Region 3-2A and the first-round home playoff game that comes with it. With a backfield that includes speedy senior RB Jacob Saylors and sophomore Brett Nelson, Marion’s offense can strike quickly. Junior QB Isaiah Sampson is a dual threat and FB/LB Seth McClain is solid on both sides of the ball. Last week, the Warriors rushed for 530 yards in a nonregion win at Loudon, with McClain, Nelson and Saylors each gaining more than 100 each. Marion has scored more than 40 points in four games this season. The Wildcats rely more on a grind-it-out offensive style, with a RB committee led by junior Hunter Morgan. He is helped by Kyle Dunn and Gavin Miles, who are back after missing last week’s game. Defensively, junior OLB Austin Watson always seems to be around the ball, ranking among the Wildcats’ tackles leaders, and he also has six of the team’s 13 fumble recoveries.
FATHER RYAN FIGHTING IRISH (4-5, 1-4) at McCALLIE BLUE TORNADO (6-3, 3-2)
Storyline: McCallie can finish no worse than fourth in the Division II-AAA East/Middle Region, and the Irish will finish fifth or sixth. Father Ryan played within a touchdown of powerhouse Montgomery Bell Academy and knocked off Baylor last week, when Jackson Byrd had three TDs to help build a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter. The Irish have been held to three or fewer TDs in each of their five losses and have given up at least 31 points in each of their past four games. McCallie is coming off an open date and should be rested. Let by athletic sophomore QB Deangelo Hardy, who is closing in on 2,000 yards of total offense this year, the Blue Tornado have scored more than points in two of their last three games. Freshman RB B.J. Harris also has been impressive while getting more carries lately.
MONTGOMERY BELL ACADEMY BIG RED (7-2, 3-2) at BAYLOR RED RAIDERS (3-6, 1-4)