Division I Class 3A First Round
REGION 8 No. 3 Raleigh-Egypt (5-4) @ REGION 7 No. 2 Covington (7-2)
One of the best two-loss teams in the state is Covington. The Chargers started 5-0 using their three-headed monster in the backfield to crush opponents. But the last four games of the regular season have exposed Covington with Dyersburg and Haywood coming out on top.
The Pharaohs on the other hand started the season 0-3, not scoring twice against MUS and Collierville. Then Raleigh-Egypt found a groove winning five games in a row with four of its foes not registering a point.
CHANCE OF WINNING: Raleigh-Egypt 30%, Covington 70%
REGION 7 No. 3 Millington (5-4) @ REGION 8 No. 2 Trezevant (6-3)
Millington has won 5 of their last 7 games. With a 3-1 record in Region play the Trojans have displayed an improving interior defense. The running game is good enough to keep opposing defenses honest for quarterback McCoy Pugh to attack with the passing game. The Bears have a good defense with two shutouts. Trezevant’s offense has scored over 30 points three times.
CHANCE OF WINNING: Millington 53%, Trezevant 47%
Division I Class 5A First Round
REGION 8 No. 4 Brighton (6-4) @ REGION 7 No. 1 Springfield (8-2)
The Yellow Jackets are the class of Region 7-5A winning shootouts and defensive battles. Springfield beat Henry County 6-3 in an old-fashioned battle. Then the Yellow Jackets racked up a 47-0 win over Kenwood and destroyed Clarksville Northwest 48-0. The Cardinals from Tipton County are used to shootouts. Brighton beat Northpoint 74-69 on Aug. 27. Then Dyer County took a game in regulation from the Cardinals 61-50. Brighton’s defense has to improve soon to have a chance in this game.
CHANCE OF WINNING: Brighton 31%, Springfield 69%
REGION 7 No. 4 Portland (4-6) @ REGION 8 No. 1 Munford (8-2)
The Munford Cougars went unbeaten in league play. Their only two losses this season came to Covington and Dyersburg (two West Tennessee powers). The running game and development of sophomore quarterback Jordan Bell will have the Cougars poised for a playoff run. The Panthers will make the trip to Tipton County coming off a 35-14 loss to Springfield and 56-0 defeat courtesy of Henry County.
CHANCE OF WINNING: Portland 29%, Munford 71%
Division I Class 6A First Round
REGION 8 No. 4 Houston (6-4) @ REGION 7 No. 1 Summit (10-0)
The Mustangs are riding high entering the playoffs with wins of 42-13 and 49-6 over Arlington and White Station respectively. Houston has the offense and creativity from Head Coach James Thomas will put a scare into Summit. The Spartans are unbeaten, dominating their Region and teams like Henry County and Beech. The trip to Spring Hill will be tough for Houston.
CHANCE OF WINNING: Houston 25%, Summit 75%
REGION 7 No. 3 Brentwood (6-4) @ REGION 8 No. 2 Germantown (8-2)
The Brentwood Bruins started 0-3. Then the 2020 State finalists rolled off 5 in a row to close out the season. The Germantown Red Devils are back. The only two defeats for Germantown came at the hands of CBHS and Collierville. The Red Devils have wins over MUS, Whitehaven and Houston (all playoff teams).
CHANCE OF WINNING: Brentwood 37%, Germantown 63%
REGION 7 No. 4 Independence (4-6) @ REGION 7 No. 1 Collierville (10-0)
The Collierville Dragons are an impressive unbeaten team. In the regular-season finale against Arlington, the Tigers were the first team to score more than 10 points against the Dragons Doomsday Defense. Collierville’s offense has held its own in 2021 scoring 22 or more points the entire time.
The Eagles come to town and will try to pull off the upset. Independence has endured a roller coaster season with a pair of losses then a pair of wins.
CHANCE OF WINNING: Independence 22%, Collierville 78%
Division II Class A
WEST No. 4 Tipton-Rosemark Academy (6-3) @ EAST No. 3 Friendship Christian (6-4)
The Rebels closed out 2021 dominating Harding Academy and winning a showdown against rival FACS. With big-play ability from quarterback Payne Fullen, TRA will be dangerous in this game at Friendship Christian. The Commanders’ home base is Lebanon. After starting the season 2-3, Friendship hasn’t been friendly to the opposition winning 4 in a row scoring more than 38 points each time. Middle Tennessee Christian snapped the winning streak.
CHANCE OF WINNING: TRA 38%, Friendship Christian 62%
WEST No. 5 First Assembly Christian School (4-6) @ WEST No. 2 Jackson Christian (8-2)
The Eagles of Jackson Christian are a solid team on both sides of the ball. Jackson Christian has held their last four opponents under 10 points including First Round foe FACS. The Crusaders were beaten 47-6 hosting the Eagles. Now the vastly improved FACS team has to travel up to Jackson.
CHANCE OF WINNING: FACS 21%, Jackson Christian 79%
Division II Class AA
MIDDLE No. 4 Davidson Academy (6-4) @ WEST No. 2 ECS (6-3)
The ECS Eagles opened the year with a loss to Ensworth. Then the Eagles flew high with five wins in a row. Dropping two of the last three contests to close the 2021 campaign, the ECS are looking to right the ship with Davidson Academy coming to town. ECS has the running game to win a couple of games in the postseason. The Bears from Nashville have had a similar journey to ECS. Davidson Academy won their first 4 games in convincing fashion. Then three losses in a row slowed down the Bears. Davidson Academy are winners of 2 of its last 3 games.
CHANCE OF WINNING: Davidson Academy 48%, ECS 52%
Division II Class AAA
Briarcrest First Round Bye
EAST No. 5 Father Ryan (6-4) @ WEST No. 4 MUS (6-4)
After starting the season 2-0, the Father Ryan Fightin’ Irish started to alternate wins and losses. Father Ryan posted 21 points against powerful McCallie in a defeat. Then the Fightin’ Irish closed out the regular season with a 24-20 win over Baylor. Now Father Ryan has to travel from Nashville to the campus of Memphis University School. The Owl have an uncommon 4 losses on the season. But three of those defeats were by a combined 9 points to Germantown, Briarcrest and Brentwood Academy. The Owls 6 victories have been dominant.
CHANCE OF WINNING: Father Ryan 41%, MUS 59%
WEST No. 6 St. Benedict (0-9) @ EAST No. 3 Pope John Paul II (6-4)
Pope John Paul II enters the playoffs losing its last two games to Ravenwood and McCallie by a combined score of 114-55. But the Knights took on two of the best teams in the state. Pope John Paul II started the season 4-0 and has the offense to rack up a lot of points. The young Eagles of St. Benedict are winless but posted their best output of the season in a 56-21 decision vs. CBHS to close out the regular season. The trip to Hendersonville will be another good lesson for a developing St. Benedict program.
CHANCE OF WINNING: St. Benedict 15%, Pope John Paul II 85%
WEST No. 5 CBHS (6-4) @ EAST No. 4 Knoxville Catholic (5-4)
The CBHS Purple Wave have the ability for a playoff run with quality wins over Germantown and Pure Academy. But shake downs from Ensworth and Memphis Central are concerning. The Fighting Irish of Knoxville Catholic started the season hot with three blow wins. But Catholic dropped 4 of its last 6 games. These two teams are very similar and the edge might go to the home team because of the long travel.
CHANCE OF WINNING: CBHS 47%, Knoxville Catholic 53%
