TSSAA football playoffs: Knoxville area high school state quarterfinals preview

Here's a look at the top high school football games involving Knoxville area teams in the quarterfinals. 

GAME OF THE WEEK

West (11-1) at Powell (12-0)

When: 7 p.m., Friday. 

In Week 9, Powell defeated West 21-20 in overtime. After West scored a touchdown in overtime, the Rebels attempted a two-point conversion as they went for the win. Powell stopped West running back Isaiah Mattress short of the end zone. West turned the ball over four times. Since the loss, West has outscored its four opponents 143-28. Powell is averaging 47 points through two playoff games. If Powell wins, it will be the Panthers' first appearance in the semifinals since 2012. For West, it would be its first appearance in the semifinals under coach Lamar Brown and for the first time since 2014 — when the Rebels won the Class 5A state championship. The winner plays at the winner of Central-South-Doyle in the Class 5A semifinals. 

Torres' prediction: Powell 26, West 24

Central (10-2) at South-Doyle (9-3)

When: 7 p.m., Friday. 

South-Doyle ended Central's 21-game win streak in Week 10, winning 38-10, with running back Elijah Young, a Missouri commitment and a finalist for the Class 5A Mr. Football award, rushing for 252 yards and five touchdowns. South-Doyle didn't attempt a pass in the win. But the Cherokees have starting quarterback Mason Brang back, after he had missed the previous nine games with a broken leg. Central hasn't allowed more than 14 points through the first two playoff games. 

Torres' prediction: South-Doyle 23, Central 20

Austin-East (9-3) at Alcoa (11-1)

When: 7 p.m., Friday. 

These two have played the last two seasons in the quarterfinals. Alcoa has won both — 34-14 in 2017 and 24-6 in 2018. Alcoa won this matchup 42-0 in Week 2. But the Roadrunners have averaged over 42 points in their last 10 games and have scored at least 40 in four straight. Austin-East has been led by Trey Foster, who has passed for 2,243 yards and 23 touchdowns and rushed for 1,516 and 18. Alcoa didn't allow a point to a region opponent in the regular season and shut out Gatlinburg-Pittman 58-0 last week. The winner hosts the winner of Red Bank-Loudon in the Class 3A semifinals. 

Torres' prediction: Alcoa 32, Austin-East 28

Red Bank (10-1) at Loudon (12-0)

When: 7 p.m., Friday. 

Loudon beat Red Bank 24-7 in the last week of the regular season. Loudon scored 21 unanswered points in the second half, and it shut out Red Bank in the second half. Loudon's 24 points were a season-low, but it is averaging 45 points through its first two playoff games. Red Bank has scored 21 points in each of its first two playoff games. 

Torres' prediction: Loudon 29, Red Bank 18

Greeneville (10-2) at Elizabethton (12-0)

When: 7 p.m., Friday. 

Elizabethon defeated Greeneville 24-21 in Week 9, drilling a field goal as time expired. But Greeneville has outscored its last four opponents 173-29. Last week, Greeneville held Anderson County, which had averaged over 42 points, to a season-low in its 24-7 win. Greeneville also has linebacker Ty Youngblood, a Furman commitment and a finalist for the Mr. Football award in Class 4A, who has recorded 118 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss and has rushed for 13 touchdowns. Elizabethton has outscored its two playoff opponents 93-15. The winner hosts the winner of DeKalb County-Nolensville in the Class 4A semifinals. 

Torres' prediction: Greeneville 27, Elizabethton 17

Maryville (12-0) at Dobyns-Bennett (10-2)

When: 7 p.m., Friday. 

Maryville is in the quarterfinals for the 22nd straight season, having beaten Farragut 42-0 last week. The Rebels have outscored their first two playoff opponents 84-0. Maryville also has running back Tee Hodge, a Tennessee commitment, fully healthy and he's rushed for five touchdowns in the first two playoff games. Dobyns-Bennett lost its final two regular-season games but has outscored its two playoff opponents 63-21. The winner hosts the winner of Blackman-Oakland in the Class 6A semifinals. 

Torres' prediction: Maryville 38, Dobyns-Bennett 6

Oliver Springs (10-2) at Greenback (10-2)

When: 7 p.m., Friday. 

Greenback has scored at least 51 points in its last three games. Greenback shut out Oliver Springs 50-0 in Week 5, with Braden Carnes passing for 322 yards and six touchdowns. Four of his touchdown passes went to wide receiver Holden Willis, who is a Mr. Football finalist for Class 1A and has 1,336 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns. Oliver Springs has held its last six opponents to at least seven points and hasn't allowed more than six points in the playoffs. The winner hosts the winner of Gordonsville-South Pittsburg in the Class 1A semifinals. 

Torres' prediction: Greenback 42, Oliver Springs 7

Oneida (8-4) at Meigs County (11-1)

When: 7 p.m., Friday. 

Meigs County held Oneida to a season-low in its 24-3 win in Week 10. Oneida squeaked by Hampton 14-12 last week. Meigs County has held opponents to at least seven points in its last five games and is averaging 46 points in that span. Oneida hasn't reached the semifinals since 2008. The winner hosts the winner of Trousdale County-Watertown in the Class 2A semifinals. 

Torres' prediction: Meigs County 28, Oneida 24

Torres' record last week: 5-5 (.500)

Torres' season record: 91-39 (.700)