The end of the regular season is here. It’s become cliche to even say it, but it seems like only yesterday that the players were going through two-a-days and we were sweating in the sun at media day events at the high schools. Now we’re down to this. A number of games were played last night. Among them, Hampton defeated Cloudland 18-7 to wrap up the #1 seed in the 2A first quadrant (meaning they will have home field advantage through at least the quarterfinals, which could impact Oneida further down the line if the Indians advance that far), and Clinton defeated Anderson County 35-21 in a game that saw the Mavs play well enough to win but turn the ball over six times (to no turnovers for Clinton).
Tonight’s games worth watching in our area:
1.) Scott @ Stone Memorial: The playoffs are on the line when Scott travels to Crossville tonight for a central time zone start against Stone Memorial. The winner goes to the playoffs; the loser’s season is finished. With a win, Scott will earn its first playoff appearance since 1999, while Stone looks for its first ever playoff appearance. Already, the detractors have started saying that this playoff appearance wouldn’t mean as much since it’s only between these two teams, which enter with records of 4-5 and 2-7, respectively. But if you’re one of these two teams, a playoff appearance carries a lot of weight for your program. And, tonight, Scott is going to end their decade-long absence from the post-season. Prediction: Scott 27, Stone 14.
2.) Oneida @ Jellico: It would be nice to spin this as a competitive game. “If Jellico plays its best game and Oneida makes some mistakes . . .” Unfortunately, that seems highly unlikely. This one has lopsided written all over it. Oneida has had three district games end with the mercy rule in effect (against Oakdale, Coalfield and Sunbright). Two of those teams beat Jellico (Coalfield 23-6 and Sunbright 38-20). The Blue Devils did play Wartburg close two weeks ago, losing only 16-0, and last week they put up 46 against Oakdale. But, let’s be honest: This one should be in running clock territory by halftime. Prediction: Oneida 49, Jellico 0.
3.) Alcoa @ CAK: This is the premier matchup in the state tonight. Two undefeateds battling it out for a district championship in the final week of the regular season. CAK was the only team to hang with Alcoa last year, losing by only two touchdowns in the quarterfinals of the Class AA playoffs. Since that time, Warrior fans have had this one circled on their calendar. They think it’s their time to end the Tornadoes’ dominance in district play. But Coach Rankin has been around plenty of these games before, and he knows a little bit about coaching football. CAK has a chance to pull off what would be a minor upset, but I’m not ready to put them over the perennial state champs on my sheet. Prediction: Alcoa 28, CAK 24.
4.) Kingston @ Loudon: This has the potential to be a good game, but one that may not mean a whole lot (besides Loudon trying to keep its wildcard hopes alive). The Redskins have won the last two against Kingston, 38-24 in 2006 and 28-7 in 2005. They should be able to make it three straight tonight. Prediction: Loudon 28, Kingston 13.
5.) Smith County @ York Institute: Despite Smith County being seen as a powerhouse in Middle Tennessee, York has won three in a row in this series. In 2008, the Dragons defeated the Owls 22-9. In 2007, they defeated them 35-31 in the regular season and 28-14 in the playoffs. Prior to that, though, Smith County had won six straight against York, and they’ll be looking to return to their winning ways against the boys from Jamestown tonight. Smith’s only loss in the district was a 32-10 surprise against Cannon County. York is 1-3 in the district, but each loss has been by less than a touchdown, starting with a 20-14 setback against Cannon County after the Dragons had started the season 4-0. Home field means a lot in this series, and York pulls off the upset tonight. Prediction: York 20, Smith County 14.
6.) Cumberland County @ White County: The playoffs are on the line as the boys from Crossville drop off the Plateau to face the boys from Sparta (Oneida Coach John Brewster’s old team). Cumberland County ended a three-year skid to White County with a 21-14 win in Crossville last year. This year, they’ll be looking to beat ‘em when it means something: A trip to the post-season. It seems strange to be talking about the playoffs when one team is 2-7 and the other is 0-9, but just like with the Scott game, this one would be a huge advancement for Cumberland County, which hasn’t made the playoffs since 2002 (White County last went in 2005). Prediction: Cumberland County 33-7.