SODDY-DAISY TROJANS (4-3, 0-2) at RHEA COUNTY EAGLES (4-4, 2-1)
Storyline: The streaky Eagles – this season, they’ve lost two, won three, lost two and won one – can count a pair of Region 2-5A conquests in last month’s three-game winning streak, and they’re coming off a physical win over Class 2A power Marion County. They’ve fallen back on power offense and RBs Brandon Hunt, Gavin Morrison and Christian Simon with a definite eye on ball control, but their defense has been sporadic against passing teams. Soddy-Daisy definitely is a passing team, thanks to QB Gavin Chambers and WRs Beau Blaylock and Jarvis Smith, but also runs effectively with Ty Boeck, Brandon Davis and Hayden Maynor. The Trojans and Eagles have three common opponents to date: Soddy-Daisy lost to Bradley Central, 42-21, Knoxville Catholic, 49-48, and Lenoir City, 15-14. Rhea also lost to Bradley, 21-7, and Catholic, 49-24, but beat Lenoir City 21-14.
McMINN CENTRAL CHARGERS (0-8, 0-3) at SIGNAL MOUNTAIN EAGLES (2-5, 1-2)
Storyline: Despite a disappointing season, the Chargers still have a chance to make the playoffs out of Region 3-3A, and they can get there with a win tonight and another next week against Brainerd. However, their closest brush with victory was Aug. 25 in a 21-14 loss to Sequoyah, and they’ve been shut out in two of their past three games while allowing 168 points in their past four. Signal Mountain appears to be close to making the playoffs, but after tonight and next week’s nonregion game against Soddy-Daisy, the Eagles still must play Sweetwater, which is third in the region standings behind Loudon and Red Bank.
ANDERSON COUNTY MAVERICKS (7-0, 3-0) at CENTRAL PURPLE POUNDERS (5-2, 4-0)