Game # 5 – Nashville-Montgomery Bell Academy vs. Cincinnati-Moeller
Coach Daniel McGugin will take the MBA Big Red up to Ohio this weekend to take on perennial powerhouse Cincinnati-Moeller. After cruising to a week zero win over Antioch 45-19, the Big Red will need to continue to maintain their balance from a week ago. In week zero MBA ran for 157 yards on the ground and threw for 209 in the air. Fans should check out offensive guard prospect Wesley Johnson, 6-5, 250 pounds and tight end Joseph Sloan, 6-5, 245 pounds.
This should prove to be a good test as Moeller returns five starters on offense and four on defense. Junior linebacker Nick Galvin returns after a sophomore campaign with nine and a half sacks and an interception. Watch out for wide receiver Tony Harris, who had 42 receptions in 2007 for nine touchdowns.
Game # 4 - Brentwood (Tenn.) Academy vs. Brentwood-Ravenwood
The Brentwood Academy Eagles look to march their undefeated streak against Williamson County schools up to 31-0 in this match up against Ravenwood. These two teams are heading in the opposite direction at this point as Ravenwood is recovering from a 14-7 week zero lost to Goodpasture and Brentwood Academy is coming off a win against Independence. This game should highlight some top players in the PrepTennessee.com database. Players to watch from Brentwood (Tenn.) Academy include Alex Bullard, 6-4, 290 pound offensive guard, Thad McHaney, 6-4, 240 pound tight end, Barry Dabney, 6-3, 250 defensive tackle, and Jeremy Martin, 5-11, 180 pound defensive back. On the other sideline for Ravenwood keep a close eye on Logan Massengale, 6-6, 270 pound offensive tackle and Bo Gilroy, 6-1, 179 pound wide receiver.
Game # 3 – Marion County vs. South Pittsburg
This is the oldest rivalry in the state and the intensity seems to jump up a little bit more each and every year. The rivalry has always been fairly competitive except the last two seasons as the South Pittsburg (Tenn.) Pirates have had their way winning both seasons by an average of 38 points. Fans should expect to see a big game from South Pittsburg running back sensation David Jones, 6-0, 205 pounds. This game will be fun to watch for the rivalry, but fans should expect to see the Pirates led by Jones to put up some big numbers in this game.
Game # 2 – “The Battle for the Bishop’s Trophy”
Hendersonville-Pope John Paul II vs. Nashville-Father Ryan
This young rivalry has really grown into a fierce rivalry between the only two Catholic high schools in Middle Tennessee. The Irish have retained the Bishop’s Trophy for the past two seasons with a 35-0 blowout win last year. Coach Bruce Lussier hopes to carry his team’s momentum after a 38-7 win over Nashville-Hillwood in week zero. Fans should watch for Sean Conway, 6-3, 285 pound offensive guard to make some room for the Irish ground game coupled with his counterpart Mick Cohan, 6-3, 325 pounds. Also Mark Mulloy, 6-3, 240 pound tight end could play a key role for the Irish in this game. The Irish will also look for young players like Trey McPhail, 6-3, 205 pound junior quarterback to step up and perform.
On the other sideline Coach Jeff Brothers hopes to improve from last week’s late loss to Greenbrier. The John Paul II Knights played a tough ball game until the end and lost last in the game on a tip drill Hail Mary play. The Knights will look to move the ball down the field and give it to Wesley Tate, 6-2, 205 pound tailback. Tate is the go to guy in this offense, but has some help from quality wide receivers like Devin Wilson. Fans can expect to see a much improved game to be played by the Knights this time around especially in the interior line.
Game # 1 – “The Clash of the Titans”
Alcoa (Tenn.) vs. Maryville (Tenn.)
There are not many games around the state that feature two teams that are defending four state championships in a row in their respective division. To make it even more amazing these two teams share eight titles in four years and are less than eight miles apart. This game serves to be not only the game of the week, but could turn out to be the game of the season.
Coach George Quarles and his young Maryville (Tenn.) Rebels will try and ward off visiting Alcoa this Friday night to extend their win streak to 62 games. The Rebels have reeled off four undefeated seasons with four state championships in the past four seasons. Led by senior defensive end Justin Smith, junior running back Buddy Jones, and junior quarterback Phillip Juhlin the Rebels put away region rival Knoxville-Halls late in the fourth quarter last week 28-7.
The Alcoa Tornadoes led by Coach Gary Rankin know the stat sheet for Maryville, but they don’t get too impressed as they themselves have some impressive stats. The Tornadoes have won four consecutive state championships and have few losses in the regular season, but they those losses have come at the hands of Maryville. The Tornadoes will be led by senior defensive back Sam Thompson, 5-10.5, 175 pounds and senior quarterback Chase James. Fans should watch for big plays from junior running back Jaron Toney, junior tight end Tyler Robinson, and sophomore fullback Taharin Tyson.
Check back this week from PrepTennessee.com for more on each of these match ups including interviews with players and coaches from each team. Make sure you also check out the PrepTennessee.com free Forums in order to sound off who you think will win these big games. PrepTennessee.com FORUM