We’re down to the elite eight in each of the state’s six playoff classifications as we head into tonight’s games; 64 teams vying for six gold balls, which will be handed out in just two more weeks. And here are the ones worth keeping an eye on in our area:

1.) Rockwood @ Hampton (2A): This is one of those games that makes you bitter to watch, because you know it should be your own team playing, but it doesn’t make it any less exciting. This one is a toss-up. The Tigers are coming off a 21-14 victory over Oneida, while Hampton defeated Tellico Plains, 26-12, to reach the quarterfinals. You have to wonder whether Rockwood will be able to put the emotions of last week behind them long enough to execute their gameplan to perfection . . . which they’ll need to do once again this week. Homefield advantage typically means about six points. When it’s a three-hour drive to get there, it can sometimes mean a little more. Give me the Bulldogs in this one. Prediction: Hampton 28, Rockwood 21.

2.) Cascade @ Boyd Buchanan (2A): Boyd brushed by what might be their toughest competition on this side of the state when they defeated Marion County last week, 28-6. Cascade struggled to get by Signal Mountain, 25-24. Those scores don’t indicate too much; Signal Mountain was a good team. But a score that might be a little more telling: One of Cascade’s three losses this year came against South Pittsburg, 57-14. Most consider South Pitt and BB to be fairly evenly matched; and, in fact, BB defeated South Pitt 20-12 earlier this season. Prediction: Boyd Buchanan 35, Cascade 13.

3.) Friendship Christian @ Trousdale County (2A): When these two district opponents met earlier this season, Friendship was the favored team. But Trousdale, the defending state champs from Class A, issued a statement with a 23-7 win in that game. Tonight, Friendship looks for revenge. The Commanders are coming off a commanding 56-12 win over East Robertson to reach the quarterfinals and haven’t been challenged since that Oct. 2 setback to Trousdale. The Yellow Jackets, likewise, haven’t been challenged, and are coming off a 38-16 win over White House Heritage last week. Both teams are playing good ball; either could upset Boyd Buchanan for the gold ball. But Friendship appears to be playing the better ball right now. Tonight’s game should be epic, and it’s one that could go either way. I picked Trousdale in the earlier meeting, but tonight I wouldn’t be surprised to see Friendship exact a little revenge. Prediction: Friendship Christian 24, Trousdale County 21.

4.) Harriman @ Grace Christian (1A): With Grace Christian and South Pittsburg on a highly-anticipated collision course for the semifinals, wouldn’t it be a shame if Harriman sprung an upset tonight and ruined that scenario? Yeah, that would be fun. But it isn’t likely to happen. Grace defeated the Blue Devils 35-6 earlier this season, and Harriman probably can’t come much closer than that. Prediction: Grace 42, Harriman 7.

5.) Gordonsville @ South Pittsburg (1A): The upset alert can’t be sounded here, either. Gordonsville wasn’t able to hang with the Class 2A title contenders this season, losing to Trousdale (49-19) and Friendship (42-6). Sure, 2A isn’t 1A, but South Pitt could hang with, if not surprise, either of those 2A teams. This one is all South Pitt tonight. Prediction: South Pittsburg 42, Gordonsville 13.

6.) Austin-East @ Elizabethton (3A): Going to Betsy Town is a tough task for any team this season; the home team is 8-2, nearly upset CAK here in late October, and is rolling, with a 36-0 win over Sullivan North last week. But A-E is also rolling, and destroyed a very good Gatlinburg-Pittman team last week, 64-0. Tonight, flip a coin. The teams are evenly matched. One big play or a turnover might make all the difference. Prediction: Austin-East 28, Elizabethton 21.

7.) Loudon @ Alcoa (3A): When these two teams met early in the regular season, Alcoa won 21-0. The Tornadoes blasted CAK last week, 31-10. Loudon is a fine team, but it’s tough to imagine an upset in this one. Prediction: Alcoa 35, Loudon 13.

8.) York Institute @ Smith County (3A): The road to the semifinals goes through Carthage tonight, as two District 7 foes match up in the quarterfinals. York got into the playoffs as a 7-seed by virtue of a 28-0 win over Smith County in the last week of the regular season. The venues are changed for this rematch, and that’s important; Jamestown is a tough place to play football. But will it be enough to enable Smith to overcome a second consecutive “upset” bid by the Dragons? I don’t think so. Prediction: York 28, Smith County 20.

9.) Whites Creek @ Maplewood (4A): We saw Scott go to Nashville in the first round of the postseason and give Maplewood all it wanted. If not for a couple of busted plays, the game would’ve been much closer than the final score (28-7) implicated. Tonight, the Cougars try to launch themselves into the semifinals, but they’ll have to beat an upset-minded Whites Creek team that came in as a 7-seed but has already defeated two higher-seeded teams by wide margins (White Station, 42-0; Livingston Academy, 32-10). Prediction: Maplewood’s strong running attack pulls them through. Maplewood 28, Whites Creek 21.

10.) Anderson County @ Columbia (5A): The Mavs made it to the quarterfinals by virtue of a 31-28 win over arch-rival Clinton last week. It was considered a surprising win for Coach Davey Gillum’s squad, but it earned them a trip to Columbia to face the top-seeded Lions, just the same. Columbia has lost just once this season, but didn’t exactly pull away from a not-so-good Hillsboro team last week, and nearly fell to a mediocre Cleveland team the week before. Tonight, their luck may run out. Prediction: Anderson County 35, Columbia 28.

11.) Farragut @ Maryville (6A): Here’s your game of the week. West Knoxville vs. Blount County. And a revenge opportunity for Farragut. The Admirals dominated Maryville for two quarters in their regular season meeting, building a commanding lead. But the Rebs stormed back to win that one, 35-32. Maryville gets here by virtue of wins over McMinn County (28-20) and Dobyns Bennett (41-0); Farragut made it by defeating Bearden (10-3) and Ooltewah (24-7). This one could be an upset, but I’m not confident enough to pick it. Prediction: Maryville 28, Farragut 24.