Final Friday Night Of The Regular Season

We changed up the format this week as we decided to do games versus individual teams with it being the final week of the year. With that being said, here we go!

White County @ Livingston Academy- It was a classic, in that it came down to a final play from the 12 yard line with .7 seconds left, and the Wildcats trailing 14-7. The pass into the endzone was incomplete and the Warriors walked away victorious. This was a battle for the fifth spot in the region, so it wasn’t for a playoff game, but both teams wanted to win on a high note. Both teams did that in all honesty. The warriors get a win and prove they probably are in the playoffs if Tripp Pinion were healthy. The wildcats won three more games this year than they had the two years previous combined and competed late into every ball game but Macon County.

DeKalb @ Upperman- This game was a weird one because both teams were  already in the playoffs, and had their seeds guaranteed. Therefore, the Bees were only playing for an undefeated record, and the tigers were playing for pride. It was a game for awhile in the first half, just 7-0 Upperman. Ultimately the Bees ran away 26-7 after cleaning up some early penalty issues. The Bees will host a round one playoff game against East Ridge Friday night, while DeKalb must go on the road and face Red Bank.

Stone @ Macon- One of the games of the night. Stone Memorial led 14-7 late in the fourth quarter. Macon scored a very late touchdown and lined up for the extra point to try to send it to overtime. The ensuing snap sailed over the Macon county holders head, their kicker picked it up, and in a panic and a scramble drill, he found the endzone to score a two point conversion and win the game for Macon 15-14. This was a two/three seed battle, meaning Stone has to travel thanks to the loss. they go on the road to Hixon Friday night, while Macon gets to stay home and host Loudon.

Clay County @ Gordonsville- What ended up being the game of the night, and why wouldn’t it be considering it was a region title game. Both teams were guaranteed to host round one, but someone was gonna be the one seed and somebody the two. It took two overtimes, and came down to one play that sent Gordonsville to a 42-41 victory. Clay County head coach Bruce Lamb was proud nonetheless saying his team finally played four quarters, and a little extra. The Bulldogs will host Sale Creek, while Gordonsville welcomes Chattanooga Prep to town.

Cookeville @ Wilson Central- A game that Cookeville was expected to win, but still a lot to love about the game. The Cavs won the game going away with over 300 yards of offense, held them to under 200 defensively, and finish the season on a five game winning streak. Thanks to wins by Green Hill and Gallatin, and wins over those teams during the streak, Cookeville gets to host a round one playoff game this Friday night against Siegel.

Monterey @ Smith County- The Wildcats, it turns out, entered the week almost guaranteed they would make the playoffs thanks to tie breakers. That being said, winning would not have hurt. Unfortunately, Smith County was undefeated, and remained undefeated in a 31-7 win. Wildcats head coach Scott Hughes feels his team played a really good game though, considering the opponent, and had opportunities to make this game closer. Monterey, thanks to the tiebreakers not only make the playoff but are the three seed and travel to Fayetteville.

Polk County @ York- The Dragons were looking to make this year just the third undefeated regular season in program history. They did just that. A runaway 40-12 win. Head Coach Derwin Wright revealed the offense had struggled for weeks because of a shoulder issue for Miles Leffew, but last night he was fully healthy, he showed it, and the dragons rolled to the win. They earned the right to host Eagleton on Friday night.

Sequoyah @ Cumberland County- The Jets came into the game limping having won two games all year and they came in the first four weeks. Trying to stop a 5 game losing streak, they do just that and end the season on a high note with a 17-0 win and a third win on the year. Huge for a team who lost their starting QB two weeks before the season to transfer.

The final three teams, seasons they thought would go differently, did not. Last Friday night, was a reflection of that. Not much to say as Picket County falls to Grundy County 42-16, Jackson County is out done by East Robertson 62-14, Warren County goes private and is defeated by Father Ryan 49-16.

Picket in their first full season of varsity action did get one win on the year, and Warren, an extremely young team, may have won more than their one game, had senior QB Alex Van Vuuren not missed close to half the year with a broken collar bone.

As for Jackson County, they did get three wins on the year, but found themselves on the outside looking in at the playoffs. Another young team, who only had between 20-24 guys dressing when fully healthy, they will look to get their numbers up and get back to being a force in the region next year.