McCALLIE BLUE TORNADO (2-0) at BRENTWOOD ACADEMY EAGLES (2-0)
It's the state's biggest matchup of ranked teams this week as the No. 1 Eagles host the No. 2 Blue Tornado, who snapped a 14-game losing streak in the series with last year's dramatic road win in which both teams rallied from double-digit deficits to swap the lead. It's also the Division II-AAA East Region opener for both and BA's first game this year against an in-state opponent, with the Eagles having beaten teams from Alabama and Florida by a combined score of 75-17. McCallie won its first two games by a combined 84-7, compiling 372 yards in each game. Despite having nine new starters on defense, the Blue Tornado allowed 89 total yards to Knoxville Webb last week. McCallie junior RB B.J. Harris ran for 114 yards in each game and already has seven touchdowns, while senior DeAngelo Hardy is one of the top dual-threat QBs in the state and DL Jay Hardy is the state's top prospect at his position. The Eagles, who have won four straight state titles, are led on offense by juniors Noah Josey (6-foot-5, 300 pounds) and Eli Sutton (6-6, 265) on the line plus QB Wade Williams (6-2, 185) who accounted for nearly 2,000 yards last season.
WHITWELL TIGERS (0-2) at CHATTANOOGA CHRISTIAN CHARGERS (0-2)
One team's season can finally take a positive turn. Both opened with back-to-back games against opponents from larger classifications and lost by at least four touchdowns, and each needs the confidence boost of a win - or at least playing well - before heading into league play. Whitwell hosts Signal Mountain next week in another nonregion game before opening Region 3-1A play against Copper Basin on Sept. 20; the Chargers are off next week before starting their DII-AA East Region schedule Sept. 20 at Boyd Buchanan. In this one, the Chargers want to use their speed advantage to turn the game into a track meet on turf, while Whitwell's game plan likely revolves around controlling the clock by running behind its behemoth line.
EAST RIDGE PIONEERS (1-1) at EAST HAMILTON HURRICANES (1-1)
After impressive opening wins, both teams took close losses last week. Now they enter Region 2-4A competition. The Pioneers will have their hands full against the Hurricanes' balanced offense, led by QB Haynes Eller and RB Adam Caudle, which will apply pressure with a no-huddle attack. East Ridge has plenty of speed of its own, including from RBs Jalen Boykin and Keanu Johnson, giving the Pioneers the chance to break a big play on any snap.
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 6All times EDT; kickoff 7:30 p.m. unless noted.TENNESSEEBaylor at Father RyanBledsoe County at TynerBrainerd at LoudonCentral at SequoyahCumberland Gap at Meigs CountyEast Ridge at East HamiltonGrace Academy at Bell Buckle WebbHixson at Anderson CountyHoward at Middle Tennessee ChristianKnoxville Webb at Boyd BuchananLookout Valley at South Pittsburg, 8Maryville at ClevelandMaryville Heritage at Bradley CentralMcCallie at Brentwood AcademyNotre Dame at Silverdale BaptistOoltewah at William BlountPolk County at Marion County, 8Rhea County at Walker ValleySale Creek at Copper BasinSequatchie County at Cannon CountySignal Mountain at Red BankSoddy-Daisy at Lenoir CitySweetwater at McMinn CentralWhitwell at Chattanooga ChristianYork Institute at Grundy County, 8GEORGIAChattooga at HeritageGilmer at Gordon CentralGordon Lee at LaFayetteModel at North MurraySoutheast Whitfield at Coahulla CreekTherrell at CalhounTrion at Dade CountyALABAMANorth Jackson at Danville
BLEDSOE COUNTY WARRIORS (2-0) at TYNER RAMS (1-0)
Although it's early, this could decide the Region 3-2A championship. It will be a battle of wills between a stingy defense for the Warriors, who held each of their first two opponents to 13 points, and Tyner's explosive offense, which put up more than 600 total yards in last week's 57-point blowout of Central. The Rams have a list of quick-strike weapons that include QB Martavious Ryals, WR Jeremiah Batiste and RBs Kamden Edwards, Ronald Neal and Jeremiah Sawyer. Coby Rogers and Cadillac Sevier lead Bledsoe's run-heavy offense.
RHEA COUNTY EAGLES (2-0) at WALKER VALLEY MUSTANGS (1-1)
An old-school attack on offense for Rhea County can help the program to its first 3-0 start since 2014, when the run-powered team advanced to the Class 5A state semifinals. So far a senior-led offensive line has helped the Eagles return to form in its wing-T scheme, with Dalton Hampton and Jackson Langley both going over the century mark in rushing yards in the same game. Walker Valley has weapons to work with on offense, too, with the versatile Griffin Broome helping lead the way, but its defense has given up 99 points through two games. With only four teams in Region 4-5A, this league opener is critical for each side's bid to host a home playoff game this fall.
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN EAGLES (1-1) at RED BANK LIONS (2-0)
The Eagles nearly pulled off a major upset last year, but the Lions escaped with a 20-13 comeback victory led by RB Lumiere Strickland, who had 107 yards and a touchdown. Strickland is back again for Red Bank as Class 3A's third-ranked team looks to carry momentum from a nine-point fourth-quarter comeback victory over Ooltewah into its home opener. Signal Mountain, which trained all offseason on building stamina in hopes of better finishing big games, must find ways to disrupt Red Bank's passing game. Campbell Garner and Terrance Russell will look to spearhead the rushing attack for the Eagles. Clark Lockerby helped lead the Lions past Ooltewah last week with a dozen tackles, a forced fumble and a sack plus an interception that helped set up a game-winning field goal.
KNOXVILLE WEBB SPARTANS (1-1) at BOYD BUCHANAN BUCCANEERS (2-0)
Boyd Buchanan is full of new life and will look to show it can compete in big games in this DII-AA East Region opener. The Bucs have a confident offense after scoring 63 points in their opener and 36 last week. A new spread attack led by playmakers Eli Evans and JaMichael McGoy has helped Boyd Buchanan surpass its entire team scoring output from last season already. The Spartans lost a lot of playmakers from last year, when they cruised to a 55-7 win against the Bucs. Webb has scored just 10 points this season and was blown out by McCallie last week.
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (1-1) at SILVERDALE BAPTIST ACADEMY SEAHAWKS (1-1)
The Irish dropped a tough battle last week at Kentucky power Corbin, letting a 14-9 halftime lead slip away. Notre Dame linebacker Dallas Brown will have to make big plays over the middle because Silverdale has a Division I prospect in tight end Jordan Sanders, who had more than 120 receiving yards and two scores against Polk County last week. Daishun Sims and Jeffrey Watkins can take off at any time for big gains for the Irish.