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BY MIKE BLACKERBY
It’s time for the TSSAA state high school football playoff quarterfinals.
Or in other words, call it rematch Friday.
Four games this week feature teams that met during the regular season.
Redemption certainly could figure into the equation as several teams well familiar with each other vie for a spot in next week’s semifinals.
Of course the ultimate goal is to get to the 2023 BlueCross Bowl Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga.
Here’s a look at all of the quarterfinal games involving teams in the 5Star Preps coverage area Friday:
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The Powell Panthers faced the Knoxville West Rebels in the TSSAA Region 2-5A championship on Bill Wilson Field on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, in Knoxville, Tennessee. West won 24-23 in overtime. (Photo by Danny Parker)
POWELL (9-3)
At WEST (11-1)
Most figured these two powerhouse teams would meet again in the quarterfinals, and here they are.
West, the defending Class 5A state champion, pulled out a dramatic 24-23 regular-season overtime win over Powell.
The difference between these two teams is razor thin, with the winner advancing to take on Clinton or Walker Valley in the semifinals.
“This game is everything good about high school football,” said Panthers coach Matt Lowe.
“These two teams the last three season have really gone after each other. Overall I don’t think the game plan changes for either team. Both teams know each other really well and I think it’s going to be another classic football game.”
Lowe and West coach Lamar Brown agree that there are no secrets where these two teams are concerned.
“Thirteen weeks into the season you are what you are, philosophy wise,” said Brown, whose Rebels are 61-8 over the past five seasons.
“We’re going to do what we do and they are going to do what they do,” continued Brown.
“History says it’s going to be a big football game. Both teams just go out and do what they do best.”
Brown said the team that finds an edge anywhere will likely emerge as the winner.
“Last game it was special teams that was the difference,” said Brown.
“All three phases of the game are going to be really important. One mistake will be really amplified because of everything at stake in the game.”
Lowe said a big key for his team this time is taking advantage of any scoring opportunities that come their way.
“We left some points on the board against them last time,” said Lowe.
“Their defense is very good, but when we get in the red zone we’ve got to come away with points.”
Nick Moog (18) and the Anderson County Mavericks knocked off Greeneville, 38-7, in the Class 4A state quarterfinals on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, in Clinton, Tenn. (Photo by Tanner Walker)
ANDERSON COUNTY (8-4)
at GREENEVILLE (10-0)
The Mavericks finally got past the Greene Devils in 2022 on their way to the state 4A championship.
After suffering a 38-7 setback to Anderson County in last year’s quarterfinals, Greeneville no doubt has been pointing to this possible matchup all season.
“It isn’t the state championship, but it’s a state-championship-type game,” said Greene Devils coach Eddie Spradlen.
The game pits Anderson County’s high-scoring offense against Greeneville’s rugged defense.
Quarterback Izaiah Hall and running back Nick Moog are two big reasons the Mavericks have won eight of their last nine games.
The Greene Devils counter with a stingy defense that allows just 6.9 points per game.
Defensive ends Bryson Myers and Zac Chrisman along with linebacker Amanuel Dickson lead the Greene Devils on defense.
“Moog is as physical a runner as you’re going to see in East Tennessee,” said Spradlen.
“He does a lot of things for them and also gets involved in passing plays.”
Spradlen said the Mavericks are versatile on offense – and hard to defend.
“We’ve got to be able to get off the field on third downs and prevent big plays. We’ve also got to make sure we get good pressure on Hall.”
On offense, Greeneville features junior 1,000-yard rusher Carson Quillen, who will line up at running back and receiver as needed.
“We’ve got to be able to establish our running game,” said Spradlen.
“We’ve got to get Carson the ball in space and let him make something happen. He has really stepped up for us.”
The Greeneville-AC winner advances to the semifinals and will play the winner of the Macon County-Upperman game.
The Knoxville Catholic Fighting Irish faced the McCallie Blue Tornado in a TSSAA Division II-AAA East Region game on Hollin Field at Dorman Blaine Stadium on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Parker)
CATHOLIC (7-5)
at BAYLOR (10-2)
Baylor whipped Catholic 42-0 in the regular-season finale, but Irish coach Steve Matthews has high hopes for his team in the rematch. Many Catholic starters did not play in that Week 11 tilt against Baylor.
The Division II-AAA semifinal game is Friday in Chattanooga.
“We have to bring our A game, but we’re on a little bit of a roll now,” said Matthews.
“Baylor is an outstanding team and they’ve got Power 5 players all over the field, but the last game against them we had three to five starters out. The (playoff seedings) were already set and we didn’t want to take any chances (with injuries).”
Catholic offensive standouts Tyreek King and Braylon Harmon both played sparingly the first time against the Red Raiders.
Matthews said junior quarterback Jayden Neal will be counted on heavily as the Irish try and pull off the upset.
Neal has upped the ante in recent weeks.
“Jayden was 34 of 40 for over 300 yards last week against MUS,” said Matthews.
“That’s the way he has got to play this week, and he’s capable of it. The last three or four games he’s at like 75-percent completions.”
After an up-and-down season, Matthews said the Irish are ready to play their best game of the year against a formidable foe.
“I think we’ll have a lot better showing this time.”
BEARDEN (9-3) at
BRADLEY CENTRAL (12-0)
The Bears blitzed the Bulldogs 46-14 in the regular season. The winner advances to host either Oakland or Riverdale in the 6A semifinals.
WALKER VALLEY (10-2)
at CLINTON (6-6)
The Dragons pulled off one of the upsets of the playoffs thus far last week as they knocked off favored Oak Ridge. Up next for the victor is either West or Powell in the 5A semifinals.
ALCOA (10-1) at
GATLINBURG-PITTMAN (11-1)
The Tornadoes have eliminated the Highlanders from the playoffs the last four seasons by an average score of 48-9. The winner advances to the 3A semifinals against the Giles County-Meigs County winner.
OLIVER SPRINGS (9-3)
at COALFIELD (11-1)
The Bobcats pushed Coalfield to the limit in the regular season before falling 20-13. The winner will host either South Pittsburg or Gordonsville in the 1A semifinals.
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