Top 10 Nashville area high school football games for Week 9

Tom Kreager
The Tennessean

Here’s a look at the top 10 Nashville area high school football matchups for Week 9 of the 2019 season. 

GAME OF THE WEEK

Brentwood (6-1, 3-0 Region 6-6A) at Franklin (3-4, 1-2)

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Brentwood can clinch the top seed in Region 6-6A with a win over the Rebels. The Bruins have won two straight games in the rivalry. Brentwood quarterback Cade Granzow has thrown for 1,204 yards, giving Franklin linebacker John Kirkpatrick the task of slowing him down. Kirkpatrick has a team-high 47 tackles and three sacks. 

Kreager's pick: Brentwood 27, Franklin 14

Stratford (5-2, 2-1 Region 5-3A) at East Nashville (6-1, 2-1)

When: 7 p.m. Thursday.

Stratford senior James Moore leads Metro Nashville with 1,291 rushing yards and 21 total touchdowns this season. He'll need another big game for the Spartans here in a region game that should determine second place in 5-3A. East Nashville is coming off a 14-0 loss to Pearl-Cohn, the Eagles' first shutout loss since 2017.

Kreager's pick: East Nashville 20, Stratford 14

Hillsboro (3-4) at Cane Ridge (5-2)

When: 7 p.m. Thursday.

Cane Ridge has won five straight since the Ravens' offense settled down with quarterback Xayvion Clemmons, who missed the first two weeks with a knee injury. He is averaging 229 passing yards a game since he returned to the lineup. Hillsboro missed running back Brian Covington (two ankle sprains) in a 35-21 loss to Beech on Oct. 4. His return is critical for the Burros' chances against the Ravens and the postseason.

Kreager's pick: Cane Ridge 28, Hillsboro 21

Page (6-1, 2-0 Region 5-5A) at Columbia (5-2, 2-1)

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Cade Walker and Bubba Johnson have led Page to the region lead with three league games remaining. Walker has thrown for 1,154 yards. Johnson, who played at Spring Hill last season, has rushed for 656 yards with 11 rushing touchdowns. They face a Columbia defense that gives up 18 points a game.

Kreager's pick: Page 24, Columbia 14 

Stewarts Creek (6-1) at Lebanon (4-3)

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Amari Jelks has rushed for 1,171 yards for No. 10 Stewarts Creek, which is ranked in the Associated Press' Class 6A statewide poll for the first time in school history. The Red Hawks are off to their best start in school history and face a Lebanon squad tied for second in Region 4-6A.

Kreager's pick: Stewarts Creek 21, Lebanon 20

DOWNLOAD THE APP:Get high school sports news from The Tennessean on your mobile device

Riverdale (5-2, 3-1 Region 3-6A) at Oakland (7-0, 4-0)

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

The Battle of the 'Boro hasn't been much of a battle recently. Oakland has won seven straight in the biggest rivalry game in Rutherford County. Riverdale must get Drew Smith on track with the ground game for the Warriors to be successful. Smith averages 108.7 rushing yards a game with 13 touchdowns. But Oakland's defense gives up 6.4 points a game.

Kreager's pick: Oakland 34, Riverdale 14

Portland (4-4, 3-1 Region 5-4A) at Springfield (4-3, 2-1)

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Portland quarterback Caleb Mandrell didn't play the second half in a loss to Trousdale County last week. His status is crucial for the Panthers' chances against a Springfield squad coming off a 13-10 loss to Montgomery Central. Springfield linebacker Mikie Neal leads the Yellow Jackets on defense with 73 tackles.

Kreager's pick: Springfield 20, Portland 7

Summit (7-1, 2-1 Region 5-5A) at Shelbyville (6-1, 1-1)

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Both Summit and Shelbyville remain in contention for a Class 5A playoff game. The loser, though, faces an uphill battle to host a postseason game. The game features two of the three top quarterbacks in 5-5A. Summit's Destin Wade averages 134.6 passing yards a game with 12 touchdowns. Shelbyville's Kade Cunningham averages 178.6 passing yards with 11 touchdowns.

Kreager's pick: Summit 28, Shelbyville 21

Maplewood (3-5, 2-1 Region 4-4A) at Nolensville (7-0, 3-0)

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Nolensville should face one of its toughest tests of the season against Maplewood, which was the region champion a year ago. Nolensville has won by 18 or more points in all by one game this season. Tim Coutras has been Nolensville's top player, picking off six passes on defense and having 493 receiving yards and seven touchdowns at receiver.

Kreager's pick: Nolensville 28, Maplewood 27

Waverly (4-3, 3-0 Region 6-2A) at Houston Co. (7-0, 3-0)

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Houston County hasn't had an undefeated regular season since 1977. Noah Black, who averages 89.9 rushing yards a game, will be key on keeping the Irish's streak alive.

Kreager's pick: Houston Co. 21, Waverly 17

Last week: 5-5. Season: 56-24 (.700).

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.

Want to stay informed on the latest high school sports news? A Tennessean subscription gets you unlimited access to the best inside information and updates on local high school sports, and the ability to tap into sports news from throughout the USA TODAY Network's 109 local sites.