Rogan’s Upper Cumberland High School Playoff Predictions

I’ve had the pleasure of watching and collecting stats for the Upper Cumberland’s High School Football teams this year and we all need to be proud for not only having some highly competitive teams in our area but also the class and character of our coaches and players have displayed. Just another reason why the Upper Cumberland is one of the best places to live in the great state of Tennessee.

Now down to the predictions.. We’re into the last day of the regular season and it will be a sloppy one with rain in the forecast all evening. Let’s all say a collective prayer for any of the Moms who are washing the uniforms after tonight’s games.

Class 1A, Region 4

1. Gordonsville 2. Jo Byrns 3. Monterey 4. Clay County

The Gordonsville Tigers have been the cream of the crop with consistency across the board with their 7-2 record and deservingly earns the top spot in the region. Jo Byrns coming in second and I predict Monterey coming in 3rd. The Wildcats had a slow start to the season not getting their first win till week 5 but haven’t lost since and don’t expect them to loose tonight against Red Boiling Springs. Clay County travels to Gordonsville tonight and while they have a stud at running back, the Bulldogs are better at home than on the road and would need a win as well as Red Boiling to get their first win of the season to move up to 3rd place in the standings.

Class 3A, Region 4

1. Upperman 2. Sequatchie County 3. York Institute 4. Smith County

The Bee’s are the team to beat in all the Upper Cumberland. Balanced offense, stingy defense.. These kids have performed well in every category and I expect them to make some noise in the playoffs. Sequatchie County has been a consistent football team with a strong rushing attack and face Upperman tonight. However, the Bee’s have scored 78 more points and allowed 127 fewer points than the Indians. They are both in the playoffs regardless but it’s going to take a perfect game to win in Baxter. York Institute may need to replace the grass in the Dragon Pit after this season. The Dragons are averaging 346.4 yards per game.. You heard that right.. It’s not a typo.. The offense has generated over 3,400 yards on the ground this season. They don’t care if they are one dimensional, they pound the rock and are good at it. The Smith County Owls have had some ups and downs with their 3-6 record this season and travel to the mountain tonight to play Grundy County. The Owl offense shouldn’t have a problem taking on Grundy County who have allowed twice as more points than they have scored this season.

Class 4A, Region 3

1. Stone Memorial 2. Livingston Academy 3. Macon County 4. DeKalb County

Stone Memorial’s Panthers came out hot and cruised to a 7-0 start before slipping up on the road to Lenoir City. Since then, the Panther offense has been clicking outscoring their opponents 82 to 10. Class 4A is loaded in the state so we hope the Panthers can keep it together for a deep run into the playoffs. Meanwhile, Livingston Academy with their pass happy offense has been high flying for them with a QB and Receiver Corps that will score in a hurry. Problem is that the Wildcats have had a brutal schedule this season playing 7 teams that are going into the playoffs this year. They are battle tested for sure. Macon County comes in with a low scoring but effective offense. They too have had a tough schedule this year and are closing up the regular season tonight against Livingston. The rain may help Macon County tonight but I don’t think it will be enough for them to overtake the Wildcats in Hogeye Country. DeKalb County is in one word.. young. The Tigers have seen some success in defeating Warren County to start the season off and found some offense scoring a total of 51 points in their last two games. Now coming off a open date, the Tigers will look to close out the regular season at home hosting the Jets of Cumberland County.

Class 6A, Region 3

1. Oakland 2. Blackman 3. Riverdale 4. Cookeville

Simply put.. Probably one of the toughest regions in the state. Oakland could very well be playing in Tucker Stadium for the state championship this season. Blackman, who’s only loss was to Oakland, will be hosting Riverdale tonight and I don’t expect the Blaze to fall. Riverdale, while being a solid football team, isn’t in the same class as Oakland and Blackman and their record speaks for itself. The Cookeville Cavaliers carry one of the most challenging schedules in the UC. Starting out with a loss to in county rival Upperman, the Cavs then start into their regional schedule and play every Murfreesboro school they’ve got. Cookeville had a good win last night against Siegel to solidify themselves in the playoffs but I fear they won’t get much farther unless more offensive help shows up and soon.

11 teams out of the Upper Cumberland make the playoffs and let’s hope that this year is the year that we see them playing at “Home” at Tucker Stadium.