BRENTWOOD ACADEMY EAGLES (6-1, 3-1) at BAYLOR RED RAIDERS (6-0, 4-0)
Tonight, 7:30
Last meeting: Brentwood Academy won 28-12 last year.
Storyline: The state’s top-ranked Division II-AA teams are paired up and it’s a homecoming of sorts for BA coach Ralph Potter, who coached the Red Raiders from 1994 to ’96 before leaving for McCallie, his alma mater.
Players to watch: For BA, quarterback Matthew Hamby, who has thrown for more than 1,400 yards through the Eagles’ first seven games, and running backs Victor Caro and Radir Annoor, who have combined for 1,141 yards and receiver Weldon Garlington. Baylor’s Jacob Huesman is likely the best run-pass quarterback prospect in the state, yet the Red Raiders repeatedly handed the ball to freshman runner George Porter in last week’s win over McCallie. Tackle John Mackey and linebacker David Helton anchor a defense that has allowed a total of 16 points against MBA and McCallie the past two games.
Key question: The Raiders have their best win streak since 1978 when Red Etter’s bunch entered the postseason with an 8-0 record. Can Phil Massey’s group get there with BA this week and Ensworth next week?
SEQUOYAH CHIEFS (3-3) at SIGNAL MOUNTAIN EAGLES (7-0)
Tonight, 7
Last meeting: Signal Mountain won 47-0 last year.
Storyline: The Eagles made two trips to Sequoyah last year, starting their game on Friday but not finishing until Monday because of lightning and unplayable field conditions.
Players to watch: Chiefs quarterback Trey Dyer and running backs Brandon Bell and Blake Huffman. Eagles quarterback Hogan Whitmire was 3-for-3-for-3 (passes, completions, TDs) before coming out; his primary receivers are Jon Patton and Will Queen, and linebackers Gervell Morgan and Zach Bowman have led a first-unit defense that has been pulled after the first half in every game except the close win over South Pittsburg.
Key question: Will the Eagles, who had 15 players carry the ball last week in a romp over Marion County, go through the season without a 100-yard rusher?
EAST HAMILTON HURRICANES (2-4, 2-1) at HOWARD HUSTLIN’ TIGERS (5-1, 3-0)
Tonight, 7:30
Last meeting: Howard won 24-0.
Storyline: Howard is looking for its first District 6-AA championship. Wins over East Hamilton this week and Hixson could set up a title battle against Tyner on Oct. 23. Both of East Hamilton’s wins have come in the district (Brainerd, Hixson).
Players to watch: Hurricanes quarterback Scott Paone runs pretty well and throws well enough to keep defenses from zeroing in on running backs Logan Jackson and Bonza Monroe; Howard running backs Eric McCullough, Evander Rollins, Cadarius Harrison and Scovia Covington are getting more comfortable by the week with the switch to a Georgia Tech-style option offense.
Key question: Can the Hurricanes keep it close enough long enough to wear down the Tigers and pull out a fourth-quarter upset?
OOLTEWAH OWLS (3-3, 1-1) at RHEA COUNTY GOLDEN EAGLES (2-4, 2-1)
Tonight, 7:30
Last meeting: Ooltewah won 30-14.
Storyline: Last year’s game took two nights to play due to lightning delays and heavy rain.
Players to watch: Owls tailback/linebacker Randall Freeman, linebacker Jay Rudwall and quarterback Goose Manning; Rhea quarterback Cameron Tallent, running back Desmond Sharp, receivers Tim Loden and Chris Johnson and defensive leaders Jon Jon Jenkins and Tyler Dennis.
Key question: Which players go to work early on winter sports? The loser of this one is a near certainty to miss the playoffs.
BATTLE GROUND ACADEMY WILDCATS (4-3, 1-3) at McCALLIE BLUE TORNADO (2-4, 1-3)
Tonight, 7:30
Last meeting: BGA won 17-7 last year.
Storyline: Both teams need every victory possible. The Wildcats can’t afford to dip to .500. The Blue Tornado’s playoff life is at stake.
Players to watch: BGA’s offense is built around quarterback C.J. Beathard, who threw for 329 yards and three touchdowns last week against Montgomery Bell Academy. He is the grandson of former NFL quarterback Bobby Beathard. McCallie’s attack is led by running back Daniel McClure. Jarrod Coleman makes big plays on defense.
Key question: Which team will play best in the fourth quarter, which this one likely will be decided?
BOYD-BUCHANAN (4-2) at SOUTH PITTSBURG PIRATES (5-1)
Tonight, 8
Last meeting: Boyd-Buchanan won 20-12 last year.
Storyline: Although it’s now a nondistrict game, this has been one of the better area rivalries for more than a decade. Both teams are state ranked, South Pittsburg No. 1 in 1A and Boyd-Buchanan No. 6 in 2A. The Bucs have held the Pirates to their lowest point total of the season in six of the last seven years.
Players to watch: Boyd-Buchanan running back Chase Reed ranks among the area’s scoring leaders, while linebacker Ross Keasler is a leading tackler and had the game-sealing interception return for a touchdown in last year’s meeting. South Pittsburg running back Raquis Hale has rushed for more than 100 yards in every game this season, and quarterback Travis Millard is among the area’s top five passers.
Key question: Do the Bucs have enough playmakers to match the Pirates, who are averaging 51 points per game?
WALKER VALLEY MUSTANGS (2-5, 0-3) at CLEVELAND BLUE RAIDERS (3-3, 2-0)
Tonight, 7:30
Last meeting: Cleveland won 23-0 last year.
Storyline: The Mustangs hope to continue their success on Raider Field. Since the school’s inception in 2001, Walker Valley has beaten the Raiders twice – both at Cleveland.
Players to watch: Walker Valley tailback Kelvin Wells has averaged almost 200 yards per game as a starter and leads the area with 1,169 yards rushing. Cleveland tailback Jamarcus Mobley leads the offense, while B.J. Davis and Jeremy Simpson give freshman quarterback Austin Herink options at receiver.
Key question: Can Herink continue to improve in his second start?
BRADLEY CENTRAL BEARS (5-2, 2-1) at McMINN COUNTY CHEROKEES (1-5, 0-2)
Tonight, 7:30
Last meeting: McMinn won 23-14 last year.
Storyline: The Bears need a win to keep pace in the District 5-AAA playoff race, while the Cherokees hope to end a five-game losing streak. McMinn has a nine-game win streak against Bradley.
Players to watch: Receiver James Stovall has been the most consistent player on the Bears’ offense this year and is a game-changer, while Tucker Bolton heads the defense. Ken Starr and Ty Kimpson lead a stout Cherokees defense, while the offense continues to find its identity.
Key question: A Bears victory would ensure their first winning season since 2000. Can Bradley take care of business against a McMinn team that’s not a pushover?
CENTRAL PURPLE POUNDERS (4-2, 2-1) at BRAINERD PANTHERS (1-5, 0-3)
Tonight, 7:30
Last meeting: Brainerd won 18-6 last year.
Storyline: With a win, the Pounders can inch closer to a second consecutive playoff berth.
Players to watch: DeHart Hubbard has been a weapon all over the field for the Pounders, while lineman Kevin Carter anchors the defense. Brainerd’s Joseph Derrick is a weapon at wide receiver.
Key question: Do the Panthers have an answer for Hubbard defensively?
HIXSON WILDCATS (1-5, 0-3) at EAST RIDGE PIONEERS (3-3, 1-2)
Tonight, 7:30
Last meeting: East Ridge won 35-7 last year.
Storyline: East Ridge needs a win against a tough Hixson team to keep pace in the tight District 6-AA race.
Players to watch: Hixson’s Randy Boyd and Gary Cosey are the team’s top playmakers. East Ridge senior Chase Steele is the team’s top rusher, while defender Stefan Nelson leads the area in tackles and sacks.
Key question: Can Hixson spoil the Pioneers’ homecoming game?
RIDGELAND PANTHERS (4-1, 1-0) at LaFAYETTE RAMBLERS (3-2, 1-0)
Tonight, 7:30
Last meeting: Ridgeland won 28-0 last year.
Storyline: The Walker County War pits rivals with playoff aspirations. A LaFayette upset here turns Region 7-AAA “A” upside down.
Players to watch: The Ridgeland offense relies on a bevy of backs, led by Deonte Marsh, Zack Clayton and, this week, Devin Bowman, who will fill in for the suspended Paul Walton. The defense has keyed the team’s current four-game winning streak, led by South Carolina recruit Mason Harris and lineman Aaron Ragsdale. LaFayette relies heavily on tailback Davarus Porter, who now has over 700 yards, including back-to-back 200-yard games. His running has opened the passing game for senior quarterback Josh Morgan and his favorite target, Jordan Teems. Linebacker Koran Dyer averages more than 10 tackles per game to lead an improving defense.
Key question: Can Ridgeland put last week’s breakthrough win over Dalton behind and focus on a hungry LaFayette team?
DALTON CATAMOUNTS (3-2, 0-1) at HERITAGE GENERALS (3-2, 0-1)
Tonight, 7:30
Last meeting: This is the teams’ first meeting.
Storyline: It’s two teams with identical records but very diverse histories. The winner still has playoff hopes; the loser’s hopes will be on life support. And it’s homecoming at Heritage.
Players to watch: Dalton’s offense is built around the elusive running of junior Tre Beck and a still-improving line led by Georgia recruit Watts Dantzler. Quarterback Cole Calfee and his receivers are still trying to find a groove. The defense, led by linemen Floyd Coffee, Stefan Bonaparte and dimunitive noseguard Renaldo Torres, is much improved from a year ago. Heritage likes to run the ball with quarterback Jake Sampson and running back Ethan Thompson. Linebackers Will Crane and Justin Hall pace an aggressive defense.
Key question: Can Heritage, like Ridgeland last week, force the Catamounts into third-and-long situations all night by stacking the defensive line?
DADE COUNTY WOLVERINES (5-0, 2-0) at LAKEVIEW-FORT OGLETHORPE WARRIORS (0-4, 0-2)
Tonight, 7:30
Last meeting: In 1993, the then-Northwest Georgia High Wolverines won 7-0.
Storyline: Two programs going in distinctly different directions. Dade has high playoff hopes; LFO just wants a win.
Players to watch: Dade’s running game has been dominating at times behind a huge line led by Randy Holt and Nick Lawson, the hard inside running of John Hampton and the outside speed of David Page. Hampton, brother Gannon and linebackers Michael Bearden, Andrew Blaylock and Jarred Torbett pace the defense. The Warriors operate from the spread behind quarterback Daniel Deocampo with running back Bubba Cruz and receiver Matt Culberson as the two top offensive threats. Lineman Brandin Simpson and linebacker Taylor Guerrero are two of the top tacklers.
Key question: As with every Dade opponent, can the Warriors slow the Wolverines’ running game?