Season kicks off this week
Top 10 area high school games for Week 1, and predictions.
The Tennessee high school football season kicks off this week.
Here are 10 must-see games for Week 1, along with Commercial Appeal prep writer Khari Thompson’s predictions for who will win.
Game of the Week Germantown at Christian Brothers
When: 7 p.m., Saturday
Four members of the Commercial Appeal’s Dandy Dozen — CBHS running back Dallan Hayden and defensive lineman Patrick Kutas; Germantown athlete Kody Jones and receiver Tahj Shabazz — will be in this game.
Christian Brothers returns an ex
perienced offense including Hayden, the reigning DII-AAA Mr. Football, and quarterback Ashton Strother, a three-year starter. Germantown, which did not play football in 2020, will play its first game under new coach Gene Robinson.
Thompson’s prediction: Christian Brothers 35, Germantown 21
Central at Cordova
When: 7 p.m., Friday
These teams opened the season against each other in 2019 with a 13-12 victory for Central. The Warriors have since dropped to Class 5A but return one of the area's most dynamic athletes in Yale commitment Quincy Briggs. Something to watch for is how Cordova's offense fares under new offensive coordinator Terrance Ayers, who spent the past two seasons as KIPP'S head coach.
Thompson’s prediction: Cordova 21, Central 14
PURE at Bartlett
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Memphis quarterback commitment Tevin Carter begins his senior season with a test against Bartlett, which made last year's Class 6A semifinals. The Panthers have graduated a number of key players but have been much improved since third-year coach Lance Tucker took over.
Thompson’s prediction: Bartlett 28, PURE 21
Melrose at White Station
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Melrose, which moved up to the redesigned Region 8-4A, opens the season at Class 6A White Station. The Golden Wildcats have an experienced running back in Deqwan Bevill, who started for Cordova in 2019. White Station features one of the area's top quarterback prospects in Braylen Ragland.
Thompson’s prediction: White Station 42, Melrose 14
Covington at Munford
A Tipton-county rivalry matchup to kick off the new season. Covington beat the Cougars 41-6 last year. Munford returns Region 8-5A defensive player of the year Icarius Hodgkin. Covington's AC Mason-young is a junior with a Tennessee offer.
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Thompson’s prediction: Covington 42, Munford 21
Arlington at MUS
When: 7 p.m., Friday
MUS, which finished as state runnerup in DII-AAA last year, opens the season with Arlington which will play its first game under new coach Vic Shivers. First-team all-metro receiver Clarkson Shoaf returns for MUS, along with allstate Davidson commitment Kyler Herring on the offensive line.
Thompson’s prediction: MUS 28, Arlington 14
MAHS vs. MASE
When: 7 p.m., Thursday
Tennessee receiver commitment Cameron Miller kicks off his senior season. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound standout is the son of MAHS coach Cedric Miller. MASE, which was 8-5 in 2019, looks to pick up where it left off.
Thompson’s prediction: MAHS 35,
MASE 28
Ridgeway at Houston
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Houston returns several all-region selections, including twins Ben and Will Stegall, and linebacker Christian Crew. Ridgeway returns a pair of starters from 2019 in running back Quintarrius Ayers and lineman Adrian Willis.
Thompson’s prediction: Houston 38, Ridgeway 14
St. Benedict at Brighton
It's the first game for former Memphis tight end Joey Magnifico as a high school football head coach. The Eagles take on Brighton, which made the second round of last year's Class 5A playoffs.
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Thompson’s prediction: Brighton 28, St. Benedict 14
Wooddale at Collierville
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Wooddale, which was 11-3 the last time it played in 2019, travels to Class 6A quarterfinalist Collierville. Collierville returns running back Troy Martin, receiver Tyler Collier, and kicker Hudson Hollenbeck, among others.
Thompson’s prediction: Collierville 35, Wooddale 21