Montgomery Bell Academy Big Red (DII-AA) at Ensworth Tigers (DII-AA)
Friday at 7:00 pm, East/Middle Region
Montgomery Bell Academy (8-1, 5-0) broke open a close game with 21 unanswered fourth quarter points to pull away from Baylor 31-10. Running back, Ty Chandler, rushed for 141 yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns and defensive back, Fenner Pollock, put the finishing touches on Baylor with a 72-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. MBA will feature a heavy dose of Ty Chandler out of their Multiple I offense and line up in a 4-2-5 on defense.
3 Keys for Montgomery Bell Academy
1. Find a way to get Ty Chandler involved in passing game & in space
2. Limit the Tigers running game & force the Tigers to throw the ball downfield
3. Win the battle up front & control the physicality of the game
Ensworth (6-3, 3-2) used a steady offense and stifling defense to defeat Father Ryan on the road 23-7. Running back, Tim Covington, led the Tigers with 131 yards rushing on 20 carries and a touchdown and also added a 20-yard touchdown reception. Quarterback, Jaylon King, had an efficient night through the air completing 8-13 passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns. The Tigers will be multiple on offense with a steady dose of zone read and play a 3-4 on defense.
3 Keys for Ensworth
1. Play gap control defense, stay square to the line of scrimmage, & do not run up field
2. Put the Big Red in 3rd & long situations on offense; force them to beat you through the air
3. Clean up special teams mistakes & miscues
“Coach Speak” Forecast:
This is a young, budding rivalry in the state of Tennessee that continues to get better and better. MBA has solidified the number one seed in the East/Middle Region while Ensworth is still battling for a possible two seed. MBA features one of the best players in the country in Ty Chandler, a physical offensive line, and an underrated defense. Ensworth will trot out one of the most undervalued prospects in the state in running back Nicky Clifton and a plethora of play-makers on both sides of the ball. MBA needs to load the box on defense and force Ensworth to beat them through the air, find creative ways to get Ty Chandler the ball, and win the battle in the trenches. Ensworth needs to hand the Big Red a steady dose of Nicky Clifton, force Ty Chandler to run east and west, and avoid costly turnovers to pull the upset. Look for Ensworth to control the line of scrimmage on offense, hit big plays over the top of the MBA defense, and make just enough plays defensively to pull the upset Friday night!
Prediction: Ensworth 24, Montgomery Bell Academy 23
Players Worth the Price of Admission
1. Ty Chandler – #44 RB – MBA – (4 Star 2017 #5 prospect TN, 247Sports) – Tennessee Commit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZlhRczizOI
2. Brett Starr – #3 – LB – MBA
3. Montgomery Owen – #2 – WR/DB – MBA
4. Jackson Lampley – #75 – OL – MBA
5. Rodney Owens – #2 – FS/WR – Ensworth – (3 Star 2017 #30 prospect TN, 247Sports) – Louisville Commit
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/2751184/57d43f23f6170817bcd2d98d
6. Nicky Clifton – #23 – RB/LB – Ensworth
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4041916/57fbb87bbd752117c0ace40e
7. Jaylon King – #7 – QB/CB – Ensworth – (3 star, 2018 #13 prospect TN, 247Sports)
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4041899/57d568f87bddf8682498c708
8. Wesley Walker – #3 – CB/WR – Ensworth – (4 star, 2019 #7 prospect TN, 247Sports)
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/5457179/57f928d111fa7f2ad864d040
Marshall County Tigers (4A) at Page Patriots (4A)
Friday at 7:00 pm, Region 4-4A
Marshall County (8-1, 4-0) used a massive second and third quarter to build a 32-0 lead and ultimately defeated Maplewood 39-16. Sophomore quarterback, Bryce Wallace, went 19-28 for 231 yards and five touchdowns. Wide receiver, Tre Crutcher, was Mr. Wallace’s favorite target, hauling in seven receptions for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Marshall County will run a Spread, no huddle offense and feature a 3-4 alignment on defense.
3 Keys for Marshall County
1. Protect quarterback Bryce Wallace & give him time to find receivers
2. Play with great eye discipline & do your job on defense against Page’s dual threat quarterback
3. Avoid costly turnovers & penalties
Page (6-2, 4-0) jumped out to a 35-0 halftime lead and cruised to victory over White House 38-20. Freshman running back, Bubba Johnson, rushed for 158 yards and three touchdowns and quarterback, Jacob Van Landingham, added 101 yards passing and two touchdowns. Page features a 4-4 defense and will have a steady mix of run and pass out of the Spread formation on offense.
3 Keys for Page
1. Manufacture pressure on quarterback Bryce Wallace
2. Establish the running game with Bubba Johnson & quarterback designed runs
3. Tackle well in space against explosive Tigers play-makers
“Coach Speak” Forecast:
It is hard to think of a better way to end the last week of the regular season than to have two teams battling for a Region championship and a number one seed in the playoffs. Page has rattled off five straight wins after dropping two early season contests, while Marshall County’s only blemish on its resume is a loss to an undefeated Stratford. The Patriots need to establish the running game early, limit the Tigers offensive possessions, and use their superior kicker to their advantage on special teams. The Tigers have to force the Patriots to be one-dimensional on offense, get their play-makers the ball in space, and protect the football. Marshall County is one of the most talented teams in the state of Tennessee and will put that talent on display Friday night. Watch for Bryce Wallace and a bevy of explosive athletes to carve up the Patriots secondary en route to the victory and a Region championship!
Prediction: Marshall County 38, Page 24
Players Worth the Price of Admission
1. Bryce Wallace – #12 – QB – Marshall Co.
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/5425617/57e18328688ec47e2c1e1b8a
2. Cain McWilliams – #2 – LB/RB – Marshall Co. – (3 star 2017 #29 prospect TN, 247Sports) – MTSU Commit
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3824483/57e1460c3bd81416340fcbd1
3. Tre Crutcher – #10 – WR/DB – Marshall Co. http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4166532/57e1592d90f99430cc82bf9a
4. Jay Howard – #4 – WR – Marshall Co.
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/2939723/57e147fa688ec26ba0765efd
5. Jacob Van Landingham – #6 –QB – Page
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4119846/57cf72647bd2f55b6478a517
6. Donald “Bubba” Johnson – #3 – RB/LB – Page
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/7601401/57e26052bd752024b8baccf0
7. Brent Cimaglia – #30 – K/P – Page – (3 star, 2017 #46 prospect TN, 247Sports) – Tennessee Commit
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/924906/5721cfcee984d413d4188ec8
Harpeth Indians (3A) at Fairview Yellowjackets (3A)
Friday at 7:00 pm, Region 6-3A
Harpeth (8-1, 4-1) kept pace with Fairview in the Region 6-3A standings with a 42-30 victory over Cheatham County. Connor Barber led the Indians with 82 yards rushing on 12 carries and four touchdowns and added 11 tackles and a sack on defense. Quarterback, Walker Weatherly, added 180 yards of total offense and two touchdowns. Harpeth is an I formation team that will show multiple formations out of Pro/Twins on offense and line up in a 4-3 on defense.
3 Keys for Harpeth
1. Play physical on both lines of scrimmage
2. Avoid huge mistakes on special teams
3. Control the ball on offense; limit the Yellowjackets offensive possessions
Fairview (9-0, 5-0) got a huge road victory over Camden 28-14 to stay unbeaten. The running back tandem of Hunter Caldwell and Jake Beathard combined for 178 yards rushing and three touchdowns to lead the Yellowjackets. Josh Ortiz put the Yellowjackets defense on the board and the game out of reach with a 14-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in the third quarter. Fairview will show various looks out of the I-Formation and line up in a 40 front on defense.
3 Keys for Fairview
1. Get 3rd down stops on defense & maximize offensive possessions
2. Establish a new line of scrimmage on defense
3. Continue to establish the running game & hit 20+ yard throws downfield
“Coach Speak” Forecast:
Harpeth is looking to not only spoil Fairview’s undefeated regular season but also win the Region title out-right with a victory Friday night. Fairview has some impressive victories on its resume over the likes of Page and Waverly Central, while Harpeth has reeled off five straight victories after a week five loss to Camden. Harpeth has to find a way to slow down the Yellowjackets running game, control time of possession on offense, and avoid turning the ball over to pull the upset. Fairview needs to win on 3rd down defensively, hammer the two-headed monster of Hunter Caldwell and Jake Beathard at the Indians defense, and hit timely play-action passes over the top of the defense. Fairview is on a mission to finish the regular season un-blemished and will defeat the Indians Friday night for the Region championship in impressive fashion!
Prediction: Fairview 31, Harpeth 20
Players Worth the Price of Admission
1. Connor Barber – #24 – RB/LB – Harpeth
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3355429/580cd3613bd8146864cab571
2. Walker Weatherly – #3 – QB/DB – Harpeth http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3130446/57e59904ed57ee46d85f1c02
3. Drake Fullum – #22 – WR/RB/DB – Harpeth
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4143362/57d96bdd11fa7f71d849d790
4. Jake Beathard – #4 – RB – Fairview
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4205886/57d4925cf6170817bcd3176f
5. Hunter Caldwell – #23 – LB/RB – Fairview
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/6691202/580b1b287bddf74b1465f8cf
6. Sam Sanborn – #28 – WR/OLB – Fairview
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4988238/580cbe8e688ec51b1808d5a9
“Coach Speak” Season Record: 18-12 (60%)
Contact Kevin at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @K_Smith33
