All 11 Rutherford County football teams will be involved in region games this week as the race to the TSSAA playoffs heats up and the games grow in importance week after week.
We’re halfway home through the regular season and fall break is just around the corner.
Let’s start with Siegel at Blackman: Siegel is coming off its first loss of the season, a 28-21 setback at Hendersonville, while Blackman fell 42-7 at Oakland in its region opener.
Nothing will be settled on Friday night as far as the postseason, but the winner will certainly get a leg up on the other. Pick: Siegel 28, Blackman 20.
Oakland at Rockvale: The Patriots (4-1, 1-0) have dominated each of their opponents since losing to Cedar Grove (Ind.) 28-10 Week 2. In fact, Oakland has allowed just 25 points during that span while averaging more than 46 points a game. Rockvale (2-3, 0-1) is coming off a 41-6 loss at Riverdale. Pick: Oakland 49, Rockvale 7.
Riverdale at Coffee County: The Warriors (3-2, 1-0) visit a Coffee County (1-4, 0-1) that is struggling in its first season in the region. Last year, the Red Raiders had arguably their best season ever, but that was last year. Pick: Riverdale 38, Coffee County 7.
Antioch at Stewarts Creek: This is not only an interesting matchup but a surprising one as well as the winner will be no worse than in a tie for first in the region. The Bears are off to a surprising 2-0 start in the region while Stewarts Creek comes in a 4-1 and 1-0. Pick: Stewarts Creek 35, Antioch 26.
Smyrna at McGavock: Smyrna (1-4, 1-0) is coming off its first win of the season. The region is wide open and the Bulldogs should notch another league win on Friday. Pick: Smyrna 19, McGavock 6.
Cane Ridge at La Vergne: Cane Ridge has long had a stranglehold on this region but has yet to win a game this season, La Vergne hasn ‘t won since Week 1. Pick: Cane Ridge 20, La Vergne 14.
Eagleville at Wayne County: The Eagles got on the right side of the ledger in region play last week, and getting to .500 would be huge this week. Pick: Eagleville 21, Wayne County 20.
Friendship Christian at MTCS: It’s early, but FCA and MTCS are the class of this region, and both are playing at a very high level. Both offenses can put up points and both defenses have been stingy. Let’s see what gives. Pick: Friendship Christian 28, MTCS 27.
PCA at The Kings Academy: This is also another interesting game as PCA has won two of its last three while Kings Academy is off to a 1-4 start. It’s a long road trip for PCA, and Kings Academy played much better at home last week. Pick: PCA 20, Kings Academy 17.
Last week: Last week: 5-3; Season 33-11 (75 percent)
(Monte Hale Jr. is sports editor of The Murfreesboro Post. Email him at mhale@mainstreetmediatn.com)
