TONIGHT’S AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL MATCHUPS
MCCALLIE BLUE TORNADO (0-0) KNOXVILLE WEBB SPARTANS (1-0) AT
After being shut down for two weeks due to an outbreak of COVID-19 on the team, McCallie returned to practice Monday to prepare for its season opener. The Blue Tornado have soundly beaten Webb each of the past three seasons, but they also face questions at some key positions, most notably QB, where juniors Austin Breedlove and William Riddle are still battling to determine who will become the starter. Having all-state WR Eric Rivers to throw to, allstate RB B.J. Harris to hand the ball to and a solid line will help whoever takes the snaps. The Spartans, who blasted Austin-East 48-14 last week, utilize an old-school wing-T offense that will rely heavily on the athletic ability of QB Joseph Moore and RBs Elijah Bane, Garrett Carnathan and Dominic Vance. McCallie’s prohibitive speed advantage should be a major factor.
MEIGS COUNTY TIGERS (1-0) GREENBACK CHEROKEES (0-1) AT
In a matchup of last year’s Class 2A state runner-up traveling to the 1A runner-up, the difference could be the experience the Tigers bring with them. Meigs has 12 starters back, and even the younger players made key contributions in last week’s impressive win over Sweetwater. In his debut as the Tigers’ starting QB, Logan Carroll ran for 77 yards and two touchdowns, while sophomore Cody Cawood ran for 120 yards and a score. Meanwhile, the Cherokees graduated 95% of their offensive production, are starting a freshman QB, have just three starters back on defense, and earlier this week, all-state OL Tyler Jeffries — who already has scholarship offers from Georgia Tech and Mississippi State — transferred to Alcoa. The Tigers held on for a seven-point win against Greenback last season.
TYNER RAMS (0-0) AT CENTRAL PURPLE POUNDERS (0-1)
Kickoff for this game has been moved up to 6:30 p.m. Tyner has won three straight meetings in the series, including the past two by a combined score of 101-10. The Rams have a bona fide backfield that will likely be the envy of a lot of opponents this year, a group that features senior Jeremiah Sawyer and sophomore Jersey Chubb as well as Anthony Bell and Melique Hambrick. Running behind a veteran line, they will try to wear down the Pounders’ defense. For Central to snap its series skid, the offense must avoid a repeat of last week’s performance that included five turnovers.
RHEA COUNTY EAGLES (1-0) AT JEFFERSON COUNTY PATRIOTS (0-1)
The Eagles scheduled this game last weekend after their original matchup with North Carolina’s Tuscola was canceled. Patriots RB Ayden Houston ran for 267 yards and two TDs last week, and he will be a focal point for Rhea’s defense, which was led by LB Austin Brackett’s 14 tackles in an overtime win at Carter in the opener. On offense, the Eagles must avoid a repeat of the 21 penalties and three turnovers they committed last week. Rhea senior RB Dalton Hampton, one of four offensive starters back from last season, had 150 total yards and two TDs against Carter and will be heavily counted on again.
BRAINERD PANTHERS (1-0) AT HOWARD HUSTLIN’ TIGERS (0-0)
Howard’s recipe for success in this nonregion matchup of late has been dominant defense — the Hustlin’ Tigers have won the past three meetings while outscoring Brainerd a combined 85-18. Senior LB Willie Owens leads the most experienced position group for coach John Starr’s team, which must replace players who provided more than 90% of its offensive production last season. Owens and Co. will try to contain Panthers senior QB Xiyeer Lattimore, who picked apart Hixson’s defense last week. Lattimore accounted for five TDs and sparked a 21-point first quarter in which he connected with 6-foot-5 sophomore WR Donivon Thomas for a score. They need that offensive momentum to carry over to win on the road again.
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN EAGLES (0-1) HIXSON WILDCATS (0-1) AT
Signal Mountain’s offensive line helped Braden Casner rush for 95 yards by halftime of last week’s opener. However, the Eagles could not capitalize on two opportunities in the red zone as East Hamilton went into the break with a 7-0 lead despite being outplayed in several areas. Freshman OLB Drew Williams and senior DL Nate Menzel provided a strong pass rush for the Eagles, who will have to go up against a talented rusher this week: Nyikee Logan had more than 100 yards against Brainerd. Parrish Pacetti is a two-way contributor for Hixson, which was outscored only 18-16 after the first quarter in its loss to the Panthers.