High school football: Top 10 games involving Knoxville area teams in Week 9
Aaron TorresHere's a look at the top high school football games involving Knoxville area teams in Week 9.
GAME OF THE WEEK
West (7-0, 3-0 3-5A) at Powell (7-0, 4-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The winner probably will secure the No. 1 seed for the playoffs. Powell's offense, led by quarterback Walker Trusley, running back Bailor Hughes and wide receiver Adarius Redmond, has averaged more than 42 points a game this season. West, led by Arkansas commitments Tyrece Edwards (defensive end) and Drew Francis (linebacker), has limited opponents to fewer than 11 points a game.
Torres' prediction: Powell 31, West 23
Catholic (5-2, 1-2 DII-AAA) at Baylor (6-1, 2-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Catholic has averaged more than 46 points a game in its past three games. Running back Keondre Jarmon has rushed for a team-high 519 yards and is second on the team with six rushing touchdowns. Baylor is led by Tennessee commitment Elijah Howard, who transferred to Baylor from Webb in the offseason. Baylor's only loss is to McCallie in Week 7.
Torres' prediction: Catholic 33, Baylor 31
Bearden (2-5, 2-1 1-6A) at Farragut (3-4, 2-1)
When: 7 p.m. Thursday.
Both teams have had tough seasons and also have dealt with injuries. Bearden was without quarterback Collin Ironside for two games because of an ankle injury he suffered against Maryville in Week 2. Farragut has been without starting running back Matt White since he suffered a shoulder injury in Week 4 against Oak Ridge. Farragut coach Eddie Courtney said White is still out and won't play against Bearden. Bearden has won two straight games and is still in the playoff picture. Farragut is coming off a 38-13 loss to Dobyns-Bennett. The winner will move into third place in the region.
Torres' prediction: Bearden 27, Farragut 26
Greeneville (6-1, 3-0 1-4A) at Elizabethton (7-0, 3-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Greeneville has outscored its past three opponents 168-28 and beat region rival Sullivan South 49-0 last week. The Greene Devils have been led by running back Mason Gudger, who rushed for 131 yards and three touchdowns against Sullivan South. The winner will take over first place in the region. Elizabethton has held opponents to 11 points a game.
Torres' prediction: Greeneville 32, Elizabethton 23
Halls (5-2, 2-1 2-5A) at South-Doyle (5-2, 3-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
South-Doyle running back Elijah Young will play after the TSSAA granted the school's appeal for a targeting penalty against Seymour. Young, a Missouri commitment who has rushed for 1,045 yards and 23 touchdowns, had been ejected in the first quarter of the Cherokees' 7-3 loss to Seymour in Week 7. Halls has lost two straight games – to Powell and Central – and has been outscored 94-3 in those games.
Torres' prediction: South-Doyle 33, Halls 21
Meigs County (6-1, 2-0 2-2A) at Oneida (6-2, 3-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Oneida is coming off a 28-21 win over The King's Academy. Running back Kolby Morgan has been Oneida's leading rusher this season, with 966 yards and 15 touchdowns. The winner will be in the driver's seat for a No. 1 seed in the playoffs. Meigs County has held opponents to fewer than nine points a game.
Torres' prediction: Oneida 29, Meigs County 20
Sweetwater (5-2, 2-1 3-3A) at Loudon (7-0, 3-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Loudon has won more than twice the number of games it won in 2018 (three). Loudon is averaging more than 43 points a game and has been led by quarterback Keaton Harig, who has passed for 1,007 yards and 17 touchdowns, and running back Drew Jackson, who has rushed for 700 yards and 12 touchdowns. Sweetwater is coming off a 43-0 win over Polk County, the Wildcats' most lopsided win of the season.
Torres' prediction: Loudon 44, Sweetwater 30
Donelson Christian Academy (5-2, 3-1 DII-A East) at The King's Academy (4-4, 4-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The King's Academy coach Jonathan Sellers has the Lions in second place in the region in his first full season as coach — he was named the interim coach for the final four games of 2018. The Lions' only region loss is to Friendship Christian in Week 6. The Lions have averaged more than 47 points a game in five region games but lost last week to Oneida 28-21 in overtime. DCA has shut out its past two opponents.
Torres' prediction: The King's Academy 38, DCA 33
Boyd-Buchanan (6-1, 2-1 DII-AA East) at CAK (6-1, 2-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
CAK and Boyd-Buchanan are tied for third place in the region. CAK won three total games and two region games in 2018 but has had a bounce-back season in 2019. The Warriors' offense has been led by quarterback Ryan Degges, who has passed for 1,324 yards and 13 touchdowns. Boyd-Buchanan is coming off a 55-0 win against Lookout Valley.
Torres' prediction: CAK 28, Boyd-Buchanan 24
Kingston (5-2, 2-1 2-3A) at Alcoa (6-1, 4-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
In its last game, a 60-0 win over Northview Academy, Alcoa held the Cougars to minus-3 yards of offense. The Tornadoes also didn't allow a completion. Alcoa has shut out all of its region opponents this season and has averaged more than 50 points in those games. Kingston has won four straight games.
Torres' prediction: Alcoa 42, Kingston 7
Torres' record last week: 9-1 (.900)
Torres' season record: 61-19 (.763)