2012 High School football breakdown

Friday, August 17, 2012

Whether it's a historic rivalry or a key game to determine playoff position, the atmosphere and anticipation surrounding high school football Friday nights make the game special. Here is the complete list of games involving area teams this season, as well as our picks for the weekly top matchups. (All times 7:30 Eastern unless noted).

WEEK 0

Aug. 17

OUR PICK: Signal Mountain at East Hamilton

So much for easing into the season for these two teams. Signal's Eagles are the preseason pick to win District 7-AA and are one of the state favorites in Class 4A, while the Hurricanes are predicted to win District 6-AA after last year's run to the playoffs. Several college prospects will be on the field for both teams.

OTHER NOTABLE GAMES

Friday, Aug. 17

• Baylor at Soddy-Daisy

• Boyd-Buchanan at Chattanooga Christian

• Bradley Central at Polk County

• Cumberland County at Bledsoe County, 8

• Grace Academy at Notre Dame

• Grundy County at Marion County, 8

• Howard at Franklin County, 8

• Lookout Valley at Midway

• McMinn County at McMinn Central

• Meigs County at Upperman

• Ooltewah at Brainerd

• Rhea County at Powell

• Sequatchie County at York Institute, 8

• Silverdale Baptist at Clay County

• Walker Valley at East Ridge

• Whitwell at Copper Basin


WEEK 1

Aug. 24

OUR PICK: Bradley Central at Baylor

Two of the area's top passers will be on display with four-year starter Bryce Copeland leading the Bears against Baylor's Canadian transfer Michael O'Conner. O'Conner, a junior, already has several FBS offers, including from Michigan State, and has 6-foot-7 all-state receiver Reggie Upshaw to throw to. Both teams expect to make deep runs into their respective classifications' playoffs, Bradley in 6A and Baylor in Division II-AA.

OTHER NOTABLE GAMES

Thursday, Aug. 23

• Soddy-Daisy at Red Bank

Friday, Aug. 24

• Brainerd at Rhea County

• Cannon County at Grace Academy

• Central at Polk County

• Chattanooga Christian at Lookout Valley

• Unionville Community at Silverdale Baptist

• East Ridge at Boyd-Buchanan

• Marion County at Bledsoe County, 8

• McCallie at McMinn County

• McMinn Central at Notre Dame

• Midway at Whitwell, 8

• Ooltewah at East Hamilton

• Signal Mountain at Tyner

• Sequatchie County at Meigs County

• South Pittsburg at Grundy County, 8

• Walker Valley at Hixson

GEORGIA

• Dalton at Ringgold


WEEK 2

Aug. 31

OUR PICK: Ridgeland at Calhoun

Last year's Class AA Georgia state champion, perennial power Calhoun, has reloaded for another big year. Among the college prospects on the Yellow Jackets roster is quarterback Taylor Lamb and defensive end Sebastian Willer. Ridgeland not only returns All-America safety Vonn Bell and speedy Darrell Bridges but also will trot out several key transfers, including Shaqualm McCoy, who rushed for more than 1,300 yards at Notre Dame last year.

OTHER NOTABLE GAMES

Thursday, Aug. 30

• Rhea County at McMinn County

ALABAMA

• Fort Payne at North Jackson, 8

Friday, Aug. 31

• Bledsoe County at Signal Mountain, 7

• Boyd-Buchanan at Silverdale Baptist

• Bradley Central at Soddy-Daisy

• Brainerd at Tyner

• Cleveland at Ooltewah

• Polk County at McMinn Central

• East Hamilton at Central

• East Ridge at Red Bank

• Ensworth at McCallie

• Father Ryan at Baylor

• Grace Academy at Sweetwater

• Howard at Hixson

• Notre Dame at Chattanooga Christian

• Sequatchie County at Grundy County, 8

• Sequoyah at Meigs County

• South Pittsburg at Lookout Valley

• Whitwell at Marion County, 8

GEORGIA

• Heritage at Ringgold

• Northwest Whitfield at Pepperell

• Southeast Whitfield at North Murray

• Coahulla Creek at Murray County

• Lakeview-F.O. at Gordon Lee

• Coosa at Gordon Central

• Pickens County at Sonoraville

• East Hall at Chattooga

• Dade County at North Sand Mountain

• Christian Heritage at Model

• Trion at Armuchee

ALABAMA

• Addison at Ider, 8

• Scottsboro at Buckhorn, 8


WEEK 3

Sept. 7

OUR PICK: Calhoun at Dalton

It may mean back-to-back weeks of watching Calhoun, but this has developed into one of the top rivalries in the area. Besides the talent on the field, any game at Dalton is worth the drive just for the atmosphere that begins with tailgating outside the stadium equal to some colleges. Four of the last six meetings have been decided by 10 points or less, including three by less than a touchdown.

OTHER NOTABLE GAMES

Friday, Sept. 7

• Bearden at Rhea County

• Blackman at Signal Mountain, 7

• Cleveland at Central

• East Hamilton at Bradley Central

• Grundy County at Whitwell, 8

• Howard at Boyd-Buchanan

• Lookout Valley at Grace Academy

• Marion County at Hixson

• McMinn Central at Loudon

• McMinn County at Farragut

• Montgomery Bell Academy at Baylor

• Polk County at Chattanooga Christian

• Red Bank at Walker Valley

• Siegel at Ooltewah

• Silverdale Baptist at Meigs County

• South Pittsburg at Sequatchie County, 8

• Tyner at McCallie

GEORGIA

• Lakeview-F.O. at Heritage

• Trion at LaFayette

• Southeast Whitfield at Gordon Central

• Gordon Lee at Coahulla Creek

• North Murray at Dade County

• Gilmer County at Sonoraville

• Chattooga at Heard County

• Murray County at Christian Heritage

ALABAMA

• Arab at Scottsboro, 8

• North Jackson at Madison County, 8

• North Sand Mountain at Section, 8

• West End at Ider, 8


WEEK 4

Sept. 14

OUR PICK: McMinn County at Ooltewah

McMinn's Cherokees are the pick to win District 5-AAA, but if Ooltewah's talented but young offensive skill players are beginning to hit their stride by the midway point, this could be the game that decides the top spot in the league.

OTHER NOTABLE GAMES

Friday, Sept. 14

• Baylor at Ensworth, 8

• Bledsoe County at Notre Dame

• Chattanooga Christian at Sequatchie County, 8

• Copper Basin at Silverdale Baptist

• East Hamilton at Brainerd

• East Ridge at Tyner

• Grace Baptist at Boyd-Buchanan

• Hixson at Red Bank

• Howard at Central

• Marion County at South Pittsburg, 8

• Meigs County at McMinn Central

• McCallie at Father Ryan, 8:30

• Soddy-Daisy at Rhea County

• Signal Mountain at Grundy County, 8

• Sweetwater at Polk County

• Whitwell at Lookout Valley

GEORGIA

• Heritage at Cass

• LaFayette at Cedartown

• River Ridge at Ridgeland

• Northwest Whitfield at Pickens County

• Gilmer County at Southeast Whitfield

• Christian Heritage at Coahulla Creek

• Dade County at Lakeview-F.O.

• Ringgold at Central, Carroll

• Gordon Central at Murray County

• North Murray at Johnson, Gainesville

• Sonoraville at Model

• Darlington at Chattooga

• Carrollton at Calhoun

• Armuchee at Gordon Lee

ALABAMA

• Ardmore at North Jackson, 8

• Ider at Westbrook Chrisitan, 8

• Sand Rock at North Sand Mountain, 8

• Scottsboro at Southside, 8


WEEK 5

Sept. 21

OUR PICKS: Baylor vs. McCallie at Finley Stadium / Signal Mountain at South PIttsburg, 8

Chattanooga's best rivalry gets an added jolt with the return of Ralph Potter to the McCallie sideline. This game typically fills Finley and has produced some very dramatic finishes in the past decade, and Baylor's Red Raiders own a four-game win streak in the series. While the Signal Mountain/South Pittsburg series is no longer a district game, it matches two of the area's top programs and both again are loaded for runs at state titles. The last time these teams met at South Pitt, it produced a back-and-forth thriller, with the visiting Eagles claiming a four-point win.

OTHER NOTABLE GAMES

Friday, Sept. 21

• Austin-East at Brainerd

• Blackman at Bradley Central

• Bledsoe County at McMinn Central

• Central at Soddy-Daisy

• Donelson Christian at Boyd-Buchanan

• East Ridge at Ooltewah

• Fulton at Rhea County

• Greater Atlanta Christian at Howard

• Hixson at DeKalb County, 8

• Marion County at Sequatchie County, 8

• Notre Dame at Lookout Valley

• Polk County at Walker Valley

• Red Bank at Cleveland

• Silverdale Baptist at Whitwell, 8

• Tellico Plains at Meigs County

• Tullahoma at Tyner, 8

GEORGIA

• Dalton at Gilmer County

• Pickens County at Heritage

• LaFayette at River Ridge

• Cedartown at Ridgeland

• Cass at Northwest Whitfield

• Coahulla Creek at Sonoraville

• Adairsville at Lakeview-F.O.

• Ringgold at Gordon Central

• Cartersville at North Murray

• Model at Chattooga

• Calhoun at Dade County

• Murray County at Armuchee

• Christian Heritage at Fellowship Christian

• SW Atlanta Christian at Gordon Lee

• Trion at Mt. Paran Christian

ALABAMA

• Boaz at Scottsboro, 8

• Ider at Fyffe, 8

• North Jackson at DAR, 8

• North Sand Mountain at Gaston, 8


WEEK 6

Sept. 28

OUR PICKS: Scottsboro at North Jackson, 8 / Sequatchie County at Bledsoe County, 8

Two border rivalries at outlying schools headline this week. Huge crowds, averaging nearly 10,000, typically turn out for the cross-county game between Scottsboro and North Jackson. While it is no longer a region game, both teams expect to compete for the playoffs, and there is no love lost between the two communities and programs. The same can be said for the bordering county schools at Sequatchie and Bledsoe, where the last six meetings have been decided by six points or less.

OTHER NOTABLE GAMES

Friday, Sept. 28

• Battle Ground Academy at McCallie

• Brainerd at Howard

• Brentwood Academy at Baylor

• East Ridge at East Hamilton

• Grace Academy at Copper Basin

• Grundy County at Chattanooga Christian

• Hixson at Tyner

• Lookout Valley at Marion County, 8

• Meigs County at Sweetwater

• McMinn Central at Sequoyah

• Red Bank at Central

• Rhea County at Bradley Central

• Sequatchie County at Bledsoe County, 8

• Signal Mountain at Notre Dame

• Silverdale Baptist at Lancaster Christian, 8

• Soddy-Daisy at Ooltewah

• South Pittsburg at Whitwell, 8

• Walker Valley at McMinn County

GEORGIA

• Cass at Dalton

• Gilmer County at LaFayette

• Ridgeland at Pickens County

• Northwest Whitfield at River Ridge

• Southeast Whitfield at Cedartown

• Cartersville at Coahulla Creek

• Gordon Central at Lakeview-F.O.

• Ringgold at Adairsville

• North Murray at Sonoraville

• Murray County at Chattooga

• Calhoun at Coosa

• Dade County at Pepperell

• Mt. Zion, Carroll at Christian Heritage

• Christian Heritage at Whitefield Academy

• Darlington at Trion

ALABAMA

• Ider at Cherokee County, 8

• Scottsboro at North Jackson, 8

• Sylvania at North Sand Mountain, 8


WEEK 7

Oct. 5

OUR PICK: Rigeland at Dalton

While it took several tries to finally snap the losing streak to Dalton's Catamounts, the Panthers have won the last two meetings. These two teams are expected to battle for the top spot in the region, with Ridgeland now playing the role of favorite while Dalton looks to rebound from the disappointment of last year's losing record.

OTHER NOTABLE GAMES

Friday, Oct. 5

• Bledsoe County at York Institute, 8

• Central at Tyner

• Chattanooga Christian at Silverdale Baptist

• Hixson at East Hamilton

• Howard at East Ridge

• Arlington Christian at South Pittburg, 8

• Marion County at Grace Academy

• McMinn Central at Kingston

• McMinn County at Cleveland

• Meigs County at Cannon County

• Ooltewah at Bradley Central

• Polk County at Signal Mountain, 7

• Red Bank at Brainerd

• Soddy-Daisy at Walker Valley

• Unaka at Boyd-Buchanan

• Upperman at Grundy County

• Whitwell at Sequatchie County, 8

GEORGIA

• Dalton at Ridgeland

• Heritage at Northwest Whitfield

• LaFayette at Southeast Whitfield

• Coahulla Creek at Gordon Central

• Lakeview-F.O. at Cartersville

• Sonoraville at Ringgold

• Adairsville at North Murray

• Gordon Lee at Christian Heritage

• Trion at Glascock County

ALABAMA

• North Jackson at Butler, 8

• North Sand Mountain at West End, 8

• Scottsboro at Etowah, 8

• Section at Ider, 8


WEEK 8

Oct. 12

OUR PICK: Boyd-Buchanan at South Pittsburg, 8

When the first Tennessee polls are released, these two teams could both be ranked No. 1 in their classes. The Buccaneers are a favorite in 2A, while the Pirates are again the team to beat in 1A. This has long been the best rivalry among the area's small-school programs, with the teams splitting the last 10 meetings.

OTHER NOTABLE GAMES

Friday, Oct. 12

• Baylor at Columbia Central

• Bledsoe County at Grundy County, 8

• Bradley Central at Walker Valley

• Central at Brainerd

• Copper Basin at Marion County, 8

• Cleveland at Soddy-Daisy

• Grace Academy at Harriman

• Lookout Valley at Silverdale Baptist

• McCallie at Pope John Paul II, 8

• McMinn Central at Sweetwater

• Meigs County at McMinn County

• Notre Dame at Sequatchie County

• Ooltewah at Rhea County

• Red Bank at Howard

• Sequoyah at Polk County

• Tyner at East Hamilton

GEORGIA

• Northwest Whitfield at Dalton

• Heritage at LaFayette

• Ridgeland at Southeast Whitfield

• Chattooga at Armuchee

• Pepperell at Calhoun

• Coosa at Dade County

• Model at Murray County

• Christian Heritage at Darlington

• Gordon Lee at Mt. Zion, Carroll

ALABAMA

• Brewer at Scottsboro, 8

• Ider at North Sand Mountain, 8

• Randolph at North Jackson, 8


WEEK 9

Oct. 19

OUR PICK: Cleveland at Bradley Central

Less than 10 miles separate these rivals, and while Bradley's Bears have the upper hand now, new Blue Raiders coach Ron Crawford is expected to turn things around quickly at Cleveland. While it is no longer a district game, a playoff atmosphere definitely will be in the air.

OTHER NOTABLE GAMES

Friday, Oct. 19

• Baylor at Pope John Paul II, 8

• Brainerd at Hixson

• Central at East Ridge

• Chattanooga Christian at Marion County, 8

• Copper Basin at Lookout Valley

• East Hamilton at Red Bank

• Grundy County at Grace Academy

• Maplewood at Boyd-Buchanan

• McCallie at MBA, 8

• McMinn County at Soddy-Daisy

• Notre Dame at Whitwell, 8

• South Pittsburg at Polk County, 8

• Stone Memorial at McMinn Central

• Sweetwater at Bledsoe County, 8

• Tyner at Howard

• Walker Valley at Rhea County

GEORGIA

• Dalton at LaFayette

• Southeast Whitfield at Heritage

• Ridgeland at Northwest Whitfield

• Lakeview-F.O. at Coahulla Creek

• North Murray at Ringgold

• Gordon Central at Cartersville

• Sonoraville at Adairsville

• Chattooga at Coosa

• Murray County at Calhoun

• Armuchee at Dade County

• Gordon Lee at Darlington

• SW Atlanta Christian at Trion

ALABAMA

• Fyffe at North Sand Mountain, 8

• Gaston at Ider, 8

• North Jackson at J.O. Johnson, 8

• Scottsboro at Columbia, 8


WEEK 10

Oct. 26

OUR PICKS: Brentwood Academy at McCallie / Bradley Central at McMinn County

Blue Tornado coach Ralph Potter returns to his alma mater this year after five seasons as BA's coach. The familiarity with a loaded Eagles team should help him prepare for a huge Division II matchup. Meanwhile, Bradley must come down from the emotional high of playing its crosstown rival for a huge District 5-AAA game that could establish the top spot and a home playoff game.

OTHER NOTABLE GAMES

Thursday, Oct. 25

ALABAMA

• Pope John Paul II at North Jackson, 8

Friday, Oct. 26

• Baylor at Battle Ground Academy, 8

• Central at Hixson

• Chattanooga Christian at Bledsoe County, 8

• Copper Basin at Boyd-Buchanan

• East Hamilton at Howard

• Grundy County at Notre Dame

• Knoxville Grace at South Pittsburg, 8

• Ooltewah at Walker Valley

• Polk County at Meigs County

• Rhea County at Cleveland

• Sequatchie County at Signal Mountain, 7

• Silverdale Baptist at Grace Academy

• Soddy-Daisy at Warren County, 8

• Tyner at Red Bank

• Whitwell at Tellico Plains

GEORGIA

• Heritage at Dalton

• LaFayette at Ridgeland

• Southeast Whitfield at Northwest Whitfield

• Coahulla Creek at Ringgold

• Lakeview-F.O. at North Murray

• Sonoraville at Gordon Central

• Pepperell at Chattooga

• Calhoun at Armuchee

• Dade County at Murray County

• Christian Heritage at SW Atlanta Christian

• Gordon Lee at Trion

ALABAMA

• Fort Payne at Scottsboro, 8

• Ider at Sand Rock, 8

• North Sand Mountain at Westbrook Christian, 8