Top 10 Nashville area high school football games for Week 6
Here’s a look at the top 10 Nashville area high school football matchups for Week 6 of the 2019 season.
Game of the Week
East Nashville (5-0) at BGA (4-1)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
How is this for defensive dominance: East Nashville has shut out four of its first five opponents. And offensively, the Eagles have three wins by 42 points or more. However, that all will be tested this week at BGA with its aerial attack. Bucknell commitment Nick Semptimphelter has thrown for 1,189 passing yards despite for being held to a season-low 86 yards in a loss to CPA.
Kreager's pick: East Nashville 20, BGA 17
Ensworth (4-1) at MBA (2-3)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
MBA's Marcel Reed, the son of Tennessee State coach Rod Reed, threw for 206 yards in an upset win over Memphis University School a week ago. He'll need to continue that trend against the Tigers, who are coming off a loss to McCallie, the Division II-AAA top-ranked team in the Associated Press statewide poll. Toleo Malone leads Ensworth's defense with 39 tackles.
Kreager's pick: Ensworth 21, MBA 14
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Blackman (2-3, 2-0 3-6A) at Riverdale (4-1, 2-0)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
The winner likely gets a Class 6A home playoff game. Blackman enters with an eight-game win streak against Riverdale, which last beat the Blaze in 2011 when the Warriors won in both the regular and postseason. Riverdale's Drew Smith has run for 588 yards with 11 rushing touchdowns.
Kreager's pick: Blackman 20, Riverdale 14
CPA (1-4) at Brentwood (4-1)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
CPA's defense faces against another talented quarterback in Brentwood junior Cade Granzow, who led the Bruins to a 25-14 win over previously undefeated Ravenwood a week ago with a 272-yard passing performance. Granzow is 76-of-136 passing for 871 yards and eight TDs. He also has six rushing TDs. CPA sophomore Langston Patterson, younger brother of Clemson freshman Kane Patterson, leads the Lions with 54 tackles.
Kreager's pick: Brentwood 20, CPA 16
Gallatin (5-0) at Wilson Central (4-1)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Spencer Briggs, the Nashville area's leading rusher, ran just nine times for 108 yards in Gallatin's 42-0 rout of Hillwood. However, Isaiah Briscoe came up big in the air, tossing a season-best 215 passing yards with three touchdowns. Wilson Central is coming off a 42-17 loss to rival Mt. Juliet.
Kreager's pick: Gallatin 35, Wilson Central 14
Beech (5-0) at Lebanon (3-2)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Beech's Ja'sean Parks, the team's leading rusher, should be fresh after getting just 13 carries in a rout of Hunters Lane last week. Parks leads the Buccaneers with 456 rushing yards and seven rushing TDs. The Blue Devils edged Hendersonville 21-20 a week ago.
Kreager's pick: Beech 28, Lebanon 27
Columbia (4-1) at Nolensville (4-0)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Two-way starter Tim Coutras, a Liberty commitment, has helped lead the Knights to an undefeated start. Coutras has been Ryder Galardi's favorite target. Galardi is 48-of-73 passing for 632 yards with 11 touchdowns and an interception. Coutras has a team-high 17 catches with 314 yards and five TD catches. Columbia's Keelan Littlejohn will need to continue his strong play to slow down the Knights. Littlejohn had six tackles and two sacks in a 20-7 win over Lincoln County last week.
Kreager's pick: Nolensville 34, Columbia 21
Marshall County (4-1) at Springfield (4-1)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Sophomore Bryson Hammons is off to a hot start for the Tigers with 821 passing yards and seven touchdowns with only one interception. He will challenge Kamrin Garrett and a Springfield defense that is giving up 25.4 points a game entering Springfield's homecoming. Garrett has five sacks.
Kreager's pick: Marshall County 28, Springfield 14
Livingston Academy (5-0) at Smith County (3-1)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
First-year coach Scott Murray has the Owls off to a strong start thanks in part to the play of quarterback Cameron Spivey, who is 29-of-51 passing for 603 yards. However, Livingston Academy thrives in the passing game even more. Will McDonald is 82-of-118 passing for 1,142 yards with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Kreager's pick: Livingston Academy 35, Smith County 14
Hillsboro (3-2) vs. Pearl-Cohn (5-0)
When: 5 p.m., Saturday at Tennessee State
This marks the programs' first meeting since the Firebirds beat Hillsboro 9-7 at Vanderbilt to kick off the 2016 season. Pearl-Cohn picked up an extra open week after RePublic forfeited their Region 5-3A game last week. Cedric Watson (342 receiving yards) and Barion Brown (252 receiving yards) have been quarterback Martino Owens' top targets. Brian Covington leads Hillsboro's offense with 609 rushing yards and seven TDs.
Kreager's pick: Pearl-Cohn 42, Hillsboro 21
Last week: 4-6. Season: 35-15 (.700).
Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.