MARYVILLE REBELS (8-0, 4-0) at McMINN COUNTY CHEROKEES (8-0, 4-0)
The Region 2-6A title is on the line, but a win by the Cherokees would send a clear statement that they are also state title contenders. Maryville comes in riding a 135-game streak of region victories – not having lost to a league opponent in more than 20 years – and has won state championships two of the past three seasons, including going undefeated in 2019. The Rebels had to replace 17 starters from that team and have relied on a collection of talented players who waited for their turn, including senior RB Parker McGill, who has rushed for 933 yards so far. Maryville, which is plus-13 in turnover margin, has used 13 ball carriers, had 14 players catch a pass and boasts four players with at least eight tackles for loss. The Cherokees’ offensive strength is up front, where all but one lineman is at least a three-year starter, including all-state tackle Bryce Goodner. That group has led the way for senior RB Jalen Hunt’s eye-catching totals – 1,592 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. QB Jayden Miller has accounted for 20 scores and more than 1,300 total yards, while Noah Brown and Jalen James help lead the defense with a combined seven interceptions.
SALE CREEK PANTHERS (4-4, 2-1) at SOUTH PITTSBURG PIRATES (7-1, 2-0)
This will be the first home game for the Pirates since Aug. 28, a stretch of 56 days that included four road trips and two scheduled home games that were canceled due to opponents having to quarantine as a result of positive COVID-19 tests. Sale Creek has been on a roll, with its four straight wins including a pair of Region 3-1A games to earn the young program’s third straight playoff berth. Braden Penny has been an offensive leader – rushing for 706 yards, throwing for 567 and accounting for 17 TDs – and fellow senior Will Roberts is another backfield weapon with 466 rushing yards and 18 catches, while LB Nick Hall’s 57 tackles lead a defense giving up an average of fewer than 18 points per game during the winning streak. A win for South Pittsburg would set up next week’s game against state-ranked Copper Basin as a region title showdown. The Pirates, who have averaged 51 points per game, have a speedy group of RBs led by senior Hunter Frame’s 909 yards (13.4 yards per carry). Junior WR Reginald Hunter has four TD catches so far, while senior LB J.J. Beene’s 46.5 tackles and junior DL Gio Davis’s nine tackles for loss lead a defense that has held five opponents to single-digit scoring.
EAST RIDGE PIONEERS (5-3, 2-2) at HOWARD HUSTLIN’ TIGERS (5-3, 3-1)