Playoffs feature exciting matchups
Central-Cordova leads Top 10 1st-round games
GAME OF THE WEEK Central (7-2) at Cordova (7-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m. Cordova has put up 34 points or more six times. Central has held opponents under 10 points five times. The matchup in the trenches will be very important in this 6A game. Each team has a three-star lineman heading to a DI school. Cordova offensive tackle Matthew Bedford is committed to Indiana, and Central defensive tackle Trevis Hopper is committed to Memphis. The winner plays the winner of Germantown-Arlington.
McNairy Central (8-2) at Raleigh-Egypt (7-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m. McNairy Central has an accurate quarterback in Cole Kirk, who has completed 58 percent of his passes and thrown just three interceptions, and a productive running back in Austin Scott, who has scored 15 touchdowns. The defense has pulled its weight, too, shutting out its last two opponents. Raleigh-Egypt has given up just 36 points in its last five games. The Pharaoh offense scored 38 points in last week's win over Trezevant.
Gibson Co. (7-3) at Fairley (8-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m. Since its 40-6 loss to Central on Sept. 21, Fairley has been on a roll. The Bulldogs have beaten their last four opponents 214-46, including last week's 60-12 win over Douglass. Gibson County is 2-2 in its last four games.
St. Benedict (7-3) at Briarcrest (7-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m. This is a rematch of last Friday's region finale. Briarcrest won 42-5 behind a strong performance from Jabari Small, who rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown. He also ran back a kick for a touchdown. St. Benedict has lost three of its last five games after starting the season 5-0. Can Elijah Mills and the Eagle offense muster more than five points against the Saints this time?
MASE (7-3) at Greenfield (7-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m. MASE bounced back from its
shorthanded loss to Freedom Prep with a 27-6 win over B.T. Washington. The Phoenix are led by quarterback Sir Oliver Everett, who is committed to UNLV. A MASE win could mean a potential rematch with Freedom Prep in the next round. But first, MASE must get past Greenfield, which has won five of its last six games.
Collierville (5-5) at Whitehaven (7-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m. Whitehaven lost to Germantown 37-19 last week, the first time since 2006 that the Tigers lost three times in a regular season.The Tigers have several FBS commitments in Cormontae Hamilton (Ohio State), Keveon Mullins (South Carolina) and Devin Boddie (Vanderbilt). Collierville has playmakers in wide reciever Justin Stonework and defensive end CJ Barnes. The winner plays the winner of Houston-White Station.
South Gibson (5-5) at Wooddale (7-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m. Wooddale is coming off of its first close game since its Sept 14 win against Raleigh-Egypt. The Cardinals blew out Sheffield and MLK Prep and were blown out by Christian Brothers and Collierville over that stretch. South Gibson has lost three of its last four.
Harding Academy (6-4) at St. George's (4-6)
When: Friday, 7 p.m. Harding Academy got a big game last week from Tyler Moore, who ran an interception back for a touchdown and caught a 71-yard touchdown pass. The Lions have won four of their last five. St. George's quarterback Spencer Smith threw for 255 yards last week.
Arlington (5-5) at Germantown (10-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m. Germantown finished its second straight perfect regular season with a big win over Whitehaven. Last year the Red Devils lost in the second round. Can they get over the hump and make a deep run this year with Memphis commitment Cameron Baker leading the way? Arlington has lost three in a row, including last week's 28-27 loss to Collierville. An Arlington win would be a huge upset. When: Friday, 7 p.m. Kirby is a very balanced team. Quarterback Jaden Johnson is committed to Louisville. Running back Marshun Douglas has been productive on the ground. The defense is leading the region, giving up just 132 points. Kenwood is coming off a 63-7 loss to Dyer County.