Game One: Alcoa (Tenn.) at Knoxville-Christian Academy
This region match up on paper looks to provide an interesting match up between the Tornadoes of Alcoa and the Warriors of Knoxville-Christian Academy. For the Warriors they will look to rely on a steady dose of their passing game led by senior quarterback Michael Fromke, 6-3, 185 pounds. In the 2008 season, Fromke has already thrown for 1382 yards and 10 touchdowns. On the ground the Warriors will look to senior running back Keenan Kolinsky, 6-1, 212 pounds to get things going.
For the Tornadoes, who have been decimating teams in class 2A, they will look to keep the good times rolling. Led by senior defensive back Sam Thompson, 5-10.5, 175 pounds the Tornadoes are looking to defend their region title and begin their warm up for another state championship. One of the most impressive things about Alcoa is their success, but an even more impressive fact about Alcoa is their youth. The young Tornadoes led by junior tight end Tyler Robinson, running back Jaron Toney, sophomore running back Daryl Warren, and Taharin Tyson.
Game Two: Hendersonville-Pope John Paul II vs. Nashville-Ensworth
This may be one of the fastest played games in the entire state this Friday night. For both teams keeping the ball on the ground is the best option between the highlighted backs on both sidelines. A chance at victory for Hendersonville-Pope John Paul II begins with their leading back senior Wesley Tate, 6-2, 205 pounds. Tate has already rushed for 1028 yards and scored eleven touchdowns.
On the other sideline the Tigers from Nashville-Ensworth look to be deadly with their two back system of senior quarterback Tavarres Jefferson and junior tailback Orleans Opuku-Darkwa. In their rivalry game last week against Nashville-Montgomery Bell Academy the tandem rushed for 504 yards together in their decisive 41-28 victory over the top ranked Big Red. The Tigers should give the Knights from Hendersonville-Pope John Paul II a heavy dose of these two all night long.
Game Three: Brentwood (Tenn.) at Columbia-Central (Tenn.)
Another big region match up this week will take place down in Maury County as the Bruins from Brentwood (Tenn.) travel to take on region rival Lions from Columbia-Central (Tenn.). The Bruins have been rolling so far this season with a record of 6-1 and are looking to keep things going in region play. For the Lions on the other hand this game is a must win to help secure some identity for the playoffs. In the past the Lions have struggled against the Williamson County schools, but hope to show drastic improvement. Led by quarterback Ryan Tilghman, 6-1, 195 and athletic junior wide receiver Bryant Belew, 6-4, 195 pounds the Lions hope to hold this Friday for a big region upset.