Class 1A
Lookout Valley (5-5) at Copper Basin (7-3)
The key: In a rematch of a double-digit victory by the Cougars from two weeks ago, it will take a few defensive adjustments for the visiting Yellow Jackets to pull the upset. Both teams finished with more than 350 total yards the first time around, but Lookout Valley struggled to make third-down stops. The Cougars are diverse enough on offense to cause confusion and have an experienced backfield that can take advantage of defensive misalignments or mistakes.
The key players: Copper Basin quarterback Dylan Boggs is a dual threat, while speedy Denzel Brown can pop a big run at any time. The Yellow Jackets had 15 tackles for loss in the first meeting, but Copper Basin overcame those losses with big plays, typically on third down. Lookout Valley senior running back Jamal Jones has gained almost 1,400 yards, including more than 200 against the Cougars the first time this season. Classmate Toney Summerow also has game-breaking speed, and the Jackets’ offfense likely will need to break several big plays to overcome their defensive shortcomings.
The next step: The winner travels to top-seeded Greenback (9-1).
Columbia Academy (5-5) at South Pittsburg (7-3)
The key: Which struggling defense can get even a couple of stops. South Pittsburg’s offense is averaging more than 40 points per game, but its defense is giving up 23 and has been torched for five TDs or more three times for the first time in eight years. Columbia Academy averages 32 points per game but gives up more than 29. The offenses will be a contrast in styles, as the Pirates have three running backs who have combined for more than 3,000 yards, while Columbia Academy has thrown for nearly 3,000.
The key players: Columbia Academy quarterback Jackson Cary throws almost 30 passes per game, and has passed for 2,580 yards and 27 TDs. Three receivers — Cole Chambley, Taylor Thompson and Thomas Garrison — have more than 500 receiving yards each, while the Bulldogs have just one rusher, J.D. Davis, with more than 200 yards. The Pirates are led by senior running back Demetric Johnson’s 1,551 rushing yards. He and junior Jajuan Lankford (901 yards) each averages more than 13 yards per carry, while Corbin Hale is a bruising runner and tackler. Pirates quarterback Jake Stone is the team’s leading tackler from his free safety spot.