Herbert Booker of Oak Ridge. (Photo by Danny Parker)
THURSDAY
Fulton (8-1) at Oak Ridge (8-1): A region-championship game in Week 11 between two of the more storied programs in the Greater Knoxville Area? Yes, please. That’s the way it should be at this time of the year.
So however that game got scheduled, it doesn’t matter.
It’s here.
Both teams pack stubborn defenses. Both teams have big-play guys on offense. Oak Ridge took this game a season ago, but Fulton is playing its best football of the season right now. Fulton 23, Oak Ridge 21.
HVA linebacker Jaylen Moore. (Photo by Danny Parker)
FRIDAY
Hardin Valley Academy (6-3) at Farragut (8-1): Two weeks have passed since Farragut last played, and the Admirals’ last taste of live-game action was its 17-13 loss at arch-rival Bearden. Meanwhile, Hardin Valley has ascended into a position where it could win a Region 1-6A championship with a win over Farragut.
HVA running back Kelton Gunn has become a problem for his opponents, and HVA QB Grayson Vaughn has had two great games, back-to-back. But let’s lean toward a full body of work on this matchup and home-field advantage. Farragut 30, Hardin Valley 24.
Alcoa (9-0) at Austin-East (7-2): The Roadrunners showed well in two meetings against Alcoa a season ago. And they’re on top of their game right now. But Alcoa’s defense is on fire right now, having posted three consecutive shutouts and four in the last five games.
This game could have major implications on Mr. Football voting in Class 3A, as well, as quarterback Walker Russell (Alcoa), linebacker Chris Stevenson (Austin-East) and quarterback Trey Foster (Austin-East) have each had a Mr. Football worthy season. Alcoa 38, Austin-East 6.
In other games:
Central over Gibbs
Bearden over Morristown West
CAK over Boyd-Buchanan
Maryville over Bradley Central
Brainerd over McMinn Central
West over Campbell County
Cleveland over McMinn County
Karns over Clinton
Hampton over Cosby
Rockwood over Cumberland Gap
Dobyns-Bennett over Jefferson County
Greeneville over Sullivan East
Jellico over Berea (Ky.)
Gatlinburg-Pittman over Kingston
Grace Christian over Chattanooga Christian
Catholic over Lenoir City
Red Bank over Loudon
Oliver Springs over Midway
David Crockett over Morristown East
Claiborne over North Greene
Oneida over Coalfield
Ooltewah over Heritage
Scott over Pigeon Forge
Anderson County over Sequoyah
Sevier County over Carter
Halls over Seymour
Signal Mountain over Sweetwater
Webb over Silverdale
Powell over South-Doyle
Sunbright over Unaka
Bledsoe County over Tellico Plains
Grainger over Union County
Cocke County over Volunteer
Meigs over Wartburg
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