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Where I was wrong last week: Hendersonville-West Creek. Clevis Pin Shackle
Shout out to Jim Mora, who gave us one of the most fantastic sound bites in November 2001. “Playoffs? You want to talk playoffs? You kiddin’ me? We’re just trying to win a game.”
The below seven county teams are in the playoffs because they did indeed win.
As for Station Camp and Liberty Creek, the two Gallatin schools have already started preparing for 2023, while Liberty Creek is given one final home game against Ezell Harding on Thursday.
So, how do I anticipate the other games shaking out? Let’s find out.
#6 Beech (9-1) vs. McGavock (7-3)
Will this be the postseason Beech makes it back to the state championship?
It’s been five years since Beech has played for a gold football, and if you ask folks on Shackle Island, it’s been too long.
With opportunity knocking on its doorstep, I think Beech has its shot of playing for a state championship since that 2017 season.
Up first, McGavock High School.
Led by 3-star wide receiver Demitrius Bell, McGavock comes to Shackle Island with a ton of confidence.
That being said, I like this Beech team to go on a run.
Gallatin (4-6) at #8 Cane Ridge (9-1)
Fresh off one of its best regular season since 2018, Cane Ridge has high hopes of not just a first-round victory but a chance at making a real run at Chattanooga. Likely Beech’s biggest threat in the quadrant, the Ravens have won six in a row since dropping a head scratcher against Father Ryan on September 8.
On the other side of the field, Gallatin could present Cane Ridge with problems. The Ravens are used to playing teams that use space to beat you. Gallatin doesn’t, which I think works to its advantage.
I’m not sure how many times Cane Ridge has seen a power team like Gallatin this season, so I think Friday’s contest could be close.
However, I’m still rolling with Cane Ridge for the next few weeks.
Hendersonville (4-6) at #16 Smyrna (9-1)
It’s been a tough season for the Commandos, but not necessarily surprising. Hendersonville played the exact schedule as last year but didn’t have the same horses as in 2021.
Hitting the road for Smyrna, the Commandos must turn around its defense if they want to leave Rutherford County with a victory.
This season, Hendersonville has surrendered 311 points through 10 games while scoring just 21 points per game.
Led by Arion Carter, I think Smyrna moves on to round two, ending the tough season for the black and gold.
#11 Pope Prep (7-3) vs. Briarcrest Christian (5-5)
Will this be the game we see Kenny Minchey return? The four-star quarterback has missed the last six weeks with a shoulder injury, but the Knights are 3-3 in that stretch.
Led by senior Chet Lax at quarterback, Pope has kept up its offensive production but will need even more if they have any plans to make a run at Chattanooga.
Just .500 on the season, Briarcrest has been hit or miss this season. The Saints have given up more than four touchdowns in a game four times this season, and Pope will likely exploit that stat come Friday night.
Give me the Knights to make a few more plays, especially in the fourth quarter.
Portland (5-5) at Southward (8-2)
It’s been a tough three weeks for the Portland Panthers football team, dropping their final three games of the regular season by a combined 94 points.
I’m not sure how much confidence Portland carries to Southwind Friday night, but last season’s playoff showing should give the purple and white hope.
Even after dropping back-to-back games before the playoffs in 2021, Portland responded by giving Munford, the region’s number one seed at the time, all they could handle.
So why can’t 2022 be the same but with a different result?
Defensively, the Jaguars are giving up only 16 points per game and scoring 23 points per game, so Friday night’s game will be a slugfest.
I’m unsure who to pick in this one, so I’ll roll with the home team.
Westmoreland (6-4) vs. Meigs County (7-3)
Their first home playoff game since 2014, Westmoreland gets one of Class 2A’s best Friday night when Meigs County rolls into town.
The Tigers have a stingy defense, allowing only 18 points per game, while the Eagles score at a decently high clip.
The Eagles’ defense has been just as good, if not better, this season, limiting opponents to only 12 points per game, with the most given up in one game being 29 points to region champion East Robertson.
The Eagles are in a tough spot playing a tradition-rich program in round one.
Liberty Creek (2-7) vs. Ezell Harding (3-7) (Thursday, non-playoffs)
Liberty Creek will close out its first season as a program Thursday night when Ezell-Harding comes to Gallatin for the Wolves’ 10th game.
It’s been a fun but challenging season for Liberty Creek, but one they will benefit from as they move forward as a team.
Despite the losing season, coach Bill Alexander is as good as they come for building a foundation on hard work, integrity and leadership.
The Wolves close the season out the right way, earning win number three on the year with a big victory on senior night.
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