TONIGHT’S AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL MATCHUPS
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (7-1, 5-0) AT CHATTANOOGA CHRISTIAN CHARGERS (5-3, 3-1)
Storyline: With a win, Notre Dame would repeat as the Division II-AA East Region champion and secure home-field advantage throughout the state playoffs. Things would get more complicated should the Chargers win tonight and next week against Knoxville’s Grace Christian. In that scenario, the Chargers would create a three-way tie atop the region that would give them the top seed based on several tiebreakers. The Chargers will rely heavily on senior Mondo Ellison’s physical running style, while the Irish will counter with big-play threats Jordan Ford and Cameron Wynn. After missing two games with an injury, 2017 all-state selection Ellison has 689 yards on 91 carries. Chargers LB Dee Hinton leads the team in tackles, has six for loss and has returned an interception for a touchdown this season. Wynn has 925 rushing yards and 18 total TDs (15 rushing, two receiving, one kickoff return), and Jordan has 727 rushing yards and 11 scores. Since their season-opening loss to Baylor, the Irish have won all but one game by at least 16 points.
EAST RIDGE PIONEERS (2-6, 2-2) HOWARD HUSTLIN’ TIGERS (3-4, 2-2) AT
Storyline: This could be the last game ever played at Howard’s Gaston Stadium/Reggie White Field — there has not yet been official word from the Hamilton County Department of Education on when construction on a new field will begin, but there is speculation it could be ready by the start of next season. Regardless, this will serve as an elimination game for the fourth and final playoff spot in Region 2-4A. Both teams still have one region game remaining, but the loser tonight would essentially be eliminated from playoff contention. After a frustrating start to the season, East Ridge has won its past two region games to pull into a tie with Howard in the standings, thanks to an improved offensive line and the big-play ability of senior dual-threat QB Alonzo Russell. In a region win last week, Russell threw for 313 yards and three TDs, ran for 70 yards and three more scores, made nine tackles and intercepted a pass. The Hustlin’ Tigers are led by senior QB Marquez Williams.
CLEVELAND BLUE RAIDERS (3-4, 2-2) OOLTEWAH OWLS (6-2, 3-1) AT
Storyline: Due to Cleveland’s open date last week, both the Blue Raiders and the Owls come into this game off lopsided losses to top-ranked Maryville. The 2017 Class 6A state champion beat Cleveland 42-17 two weeks ago, and the Owls were shut out last week in Maryville, 42-0. Cleveland is fighting for the fourth and final playoff position in Region 2-6A, and beating the Owls on the road — combined with a loss by William Blount to Bradley Central — would be a huge step for the Blue Raiders. Ooltewah is virtually assured of a second seed and a home playoff game because it owns any tiebreaker with Bradley Central (6-2, 3-1) by virtue of a 28-27 comeback win in the third week of the season, and the Bears still must play Maryville next week. Cleveland and Ooltewah feature strong running games, but both have demonstrated the ability for chunk plays in the passing game, too. Owls RB Sincere Quinn and QB Kyrell Sanford are likely to pass 500 rushing yards for the season during the game. Sanford also has thrown for 1,071 yards in 2018. Ooltewah turned the ball over for the first time in 2018 last week at Maryville.
BRAINERD PANTHERS (3-5) AT TYNER RAMS (7-1)
Storyline: This is not a region game, but it is one of the more underrated rivalries in the city and the Panthers are looking to snap a three-game losing streak in the series. The Panthers also come into the game having lost three straight this season. The Rams are ranked second in Class 2A and looking to make a deep run in the playoffs, thanks to QB Martavius Ryals and WR Jeremiah Batiste, a pair of talented juniors. Ryals has 1,255 total yards and 15 TDs this year, and Batiste leads the area in receiving yards with 748 and 10 TDs. Ryals and Tyner LB Solomon Bridgeman rank among the area’s tackles leaders, and DL Tyrique Henry leads the area in tackles for loss (17) and sacks (nine).
RIDGELAND PANTHERS (5-2, 3-0) PICKENS DRAGONS (8-0, 4-0) AT
Storyline: This game is for the GHSA Region 6-AAAA title, and it pits a pair of offenses hitting their strides at the right time, with both the Panthers and the Dragons averaging more than 50 points per game over the past month. Ridgeland is at its most dangerous when QB Tanner
Hill is keeping defenses honest with his arm, which opens up the ground game for RB brothers A’zavier and Jordan Blackwell. That was something Northwest Whitfield could not do a week ago against Pickens, which kept the Bruins in third-and-long throughout the game. The Dragons are led by QB C.J. Streicher, a dual threat who has rushed for 731 yards, passed for 951 and accounted for a combined 28 touchdowns this year. He has plenty of weapons around him, led by RB Robert Davis and WR Zach Goss Jr., who have combined for 16 TDs. Ridgeland has to get WRs Terrance Roberts and Stephon Walker involved early and keep mistakes to a minimum.
RINGGOLD TIGERS (3-4, 2-3) HARALSON COUNTY REBELS (6-1, 4-1) AT
Storyline: The Tigers have gotten back into the playoff chase in Region 6-AAA with consecutive league wins, but now they must face what has been an unstoppable force so far this season. Haralson RB Treylon Sheppard is on pace to surpass the 3,000-yard rushing mark. The state’s leading rusher has 2,244 yards and 25 TDs and is coming off a 412-yard, four-TD performance during an upset win against North Murray in which the Rebels did not attempt a pass. Ringgold’s offense has yet to get on track for a full game, but it is capable of big things behind QB Cole Kibler (999 yards, nine TDs), who is healthy after missing a game with a sore shoulder, and WRs Pete Brower and Andre Tarver. Can the Tigers’ improved defense handle an offensive front that features 300-pounders Beau Chaffin and Donnie Coffman?
SONORAVILLE PHOENIX (3-4, 2-3) LAKEVIEW-FORT OGLETHORPE AT WARRIORS (5-2, 4-1)
Storyline: Sonoraville kept its playoff hopes alive in Region 6-AAA with a 14-10 win over Adairsville last week, an impressive defensive showing that bodes well for the team’s chances tonight. The Phoenix offense, however, has struggled most of the season, ranking last in the region in yards. QB Cole Godfrey has passed for 719 yards but also seven interceptions to just four touchdowns. He has a pair of big targets in 6-foot-4, 195-pound Ben Burns and Wes McCormick (6-0, 170). LFO’s ground-oriented offense is led by senior RB Nathan Williams — who is coming off a 181-yard, three-TD performance against Coahulla Creek — QB Malachi Powell (680 combined yards, 11 TDs) and the versatile K.K. Rowe. Each defense is led by aggressive LB duos — Sonoraville’s Tyler Capps and Colton Richards and LFO’s James Beddington and Todd Thornburg.