Week 9 Preview: Several Match-ups Have Region, Playoff Implications
Week 8 proved to be the lightest of the season for not only teams throughout the Upper Cumberland, but all across Tennessee. That changes drastically in Week 9, with a number of important games that could crown Region Champions and drastically affect playoff races throughout the state. The Upper Cumberland will have several games with playoff implications this Friday night, including a pair of games that could determine Region Champions.
Here is this week’s slate of games, and what’s at stake in each match-up:
(6-1) #7 Upperman
at (5-2) DeKalb Co.
What’s at Stake: Should Upperman win, they will claim the Region 4-4A Championship and will be the top seed out of the Region for the upcoming State Playoffs. A DeKalb County win could thrust the Region race into turmoil.
(5-2) Stone Memorial
at (5-2) Macon Co.
What’s at Stake: Whoever wins this game, at the very least, keeps their hat in the ring for a shot at a home playoff game. If DeKalb County beats Upperman, the winner of this game still has a shot at the Region 4-4A Championship. A Stone Memorial loss guarantees they will travel in Round One of the playoffs.
(5-2) Monterey
at (5-2) Oneida
What’s at Stake: For Monterey, the outright Region 2-2A Championship. A win for Oneida would put them into first place, but if the Indians, Monterey, and Rockwood all end up tied in the final standings, tiebreakers would be used to determine the Region Champ.
(1-6) Cookeville
at (3-4) Coffee Co.
What’s at Stake: A Cookeville win clinches a playoff berth for the Cavaliers, and gives them a long shot to finish as high as second place. They would need to beat Shelbyville in Week 11 and have Warren County lose their last two games for that to happen. The Cavs’ only focus right now is getting a win on Friday. A loss leaves Cookeville’s playoff hopes hanging by a thread. The only way they would make it in with a Friday loss is by having Warren County beat Shelbyville this week, then beating Shelbyville themselves in Week 11. Coffee County clinches a playoff berth with a win Friday night.
(3-3) Jackson Co.
at (3-4) Smith Co.
What’s at Stake: A Jackson County win keeps the Blue Devils in contention for a home playoff game, while a Smith County win sets the Owls up to play East Nashville for the Region 5-3A Championship in Week 11. Both teams have already clinched a playoff berth.
(2-5) Shelbyville
at (1-4) Warren Co.
What’s at Stake: Playoff positioning, and potentially a home playoff game. Warren County still has a sliver of hope to win the Region 3-6A Championship, but needs a win in this game and to beat Lebanon in Week 11. They would also need Shelbyville to lose to Cookeville in Week 11, which would set up a head-to-head tiebreaker with Lebanon. A long shot, to say the least, but still possible. A Shelbyville win Friday night locks them into the number-two spot and a first round home playoff game.
(1-5) Grundy Co.
at (7-0) #5 Clay Co.
GCHS: Class 3A/CCHS: Class 1A
What’s at Stake: Clay County’s main goals – both this week and next against York Institute – is to keep playing well and not get anyone hurt. The Bulldogs have a massive Region match-up with Gordonsville in Week 11, so staying focused and healthy is of utmost importance.
(3-4) Gibbs
at (3-4) York Institute
Gibbs: Class 4A/York: Class 2A
What’s at Stake: Nothing, in terms of playoff implications, outside one of these two teams beefing up their overall record. For York, their focus will be on playing well coming out of the bye week, with tough games against Clay County and Rockwood looming.
BYE: Livingston Academy, White Co., Cumberland Co.
