By Thomas Sellers Jr.
For most teams across the state of Tennessee, the 2020 playoffs begin Friday night. With some school systems and teams not playing because of the global pandemic, a few squads have First Round byes.
Below is a breakdown of the West 10 Media coverage area’s playoff teams.
Tickets for local games will be available starting Monday at https://gofan.co/search
Once you are on the site, search playoffs and the name of your team to purchase tickets. For playoff games this will be the only way to obtain tickets at $8.
Pay attention to the dates of the games, some area teams won’t hit the field until Nov. 13. The rest will start this Friday.
CLASS 3A
Second Round Nov. 13
No. 3 Covington (Region 7-3A) @ No. 1 Milan (Region 7-3A)
In a battle of two of the best Class 3A West Tennessee teams, the Chargers of Covington will travel to Milan for a rematch with the Bulldogs. Milan went 9-1 this season and unbeaten in Region play. That includes a 14-7 win at Covington. This game is too close to call with the Chargers 8-2 on the season. Covington’s only defeats came by a combined 8 points to Milan and South Gibson. With the game at Milan, give the bulldogs a slight edge.
CHANCE OF WINNING: Covington 48%, Milan 52%
CLASS 4A
First Round Nov. 6
No. 3 Dyersburg (Region 7-4A) @ No. 2 Millington (Region 8-4A)
In the battle of black and gold Trojans, Dyersburg will travel down to Shelby County for the showdown in the First Round. Dyersburg’s offense is clicking just in time for the playoff game. The Trojans of Dyer County have scored a combined 90 points in wins over Liberty and Crockett County. Meanwhile only giving up 20 points. Millington has been competitive in most games this year playing a variety of teams with a make-shift schedule. The Trojans of Shelby County have looked impressive in their three victories averaging 35 points. Both Trojans have a pair of opponents in common with Ripley and Crockett County. Millington went 0-2 while Dyersburg split their games putting up 44 in a defeat to Ripley.
CHANCE OF WINNING: Dyersburg 58%, Millington 42%
CLASS 5A
First Round Nov. 6
No. 3 Dyer County (Region 7-5A) @ No. 2 Brighton (Region 8-5A)
The Dyer County Choctaws are traveling to Tipton County to take on the Brighton Cardinals in Round One of the Class 5A playoffs. The Choctaws are 4-2 in Region play and compiled a 7-4 record overall. Dyer County has a solid offense led by Josh Stewart. But the Choctaws suffered a 35-21 loss to the Munford Cougars in October. When Brighton played those same Cougars for the Region 8-5A title back on Sept. 18, it was a thriller with Munford edging the Cardinals 39-34. Brighton’s offense has the ability to put big numbers. But the schemes by Covington and Dyersburg did shut the Cardinals out.
CHANCE OF WINNING: Dyer County 59%, Brighton 41%
No. 4 Clarksville (Region 7-5A) @ No. 1 Munford (Region 8-5A)
The 7-3 Munford Cougars have impressive wins over playoff bound teams like Brighton, Millington, and Dyer County. But their regular season finale at ECS ended with a 28-6 decision in the L column. Head Coach Slade Calhoun has hit opponents with a more balance attack of passing and running as the season progressed. The Cougars have the weapons to keep Clarksville guessing all night in Munford. The Wildcats are 4-5 entering the playoffs but Clarksville is 3-0 down the stretch. Wildcats have averaged 42.3 points in those games.
CHANCE OF WINNING: Clarksville 44%, Munford 56%
CLASS 6A
Second Round Nov. 13
No. 3 Houston (Region 7-6A) @ No. 1 Bartlett (Region 7-6A)
Who are the real Houston Mustangs? Are they the team that took losses to Bartlett, Collierville and Lausanne? Or on Nov. 13, will the Houston team that beat ECS and Arlington show up in Bartlett. The rematch from Oct. 2, will give Houston a chance to avenge the 38-20 defeat. The Panthers have been rolling since a 42-16 loss to CPA in the season opener. After a 22-19 upset of Christian Brothers, Bartlett has scored no less than 27 points the rest of the season to earn the No. 1 seed.
CHANCE OF WINNING: Houston 44%, Bartlett 56%
No. 4 Arlington (Region 7-6A) @ No. 2 Collierville (Region 7-6A)
COVID-19 ended the season two weeks early for the Arlington Tigers. Either the Tigers will be rusty or well-rested by Round Two to play the Collierville Dragons. In on-the-field action, the Tigers have rolled up totals of 50, 49 and 42 points in wins. But Arlington has given up 43, 35, 36 points in defeats. The Dragons have played a tough schedule featuring teams from all across the Mid-South. Collierville has a tough defense and offense capable of matching a team score for score. The Dragons just missed out on the Region title losing to Bartlett 34-28.
CHANCE OF WINNING: Arlington 38%, Collierville 62%
DIVISION II-2A
No. 5 FRA (Middle Region) @ No. 1 ECS (West Region)
The defending State champs have snatched a No. 1 seed in the playoffs and will take on Franklin Road Academy in Round One. With a powerful running game behind a solid line, ECS can game manage if need be. The Eagles defense is solid holding five on-the-field opponents under 20 points. The FRA Panthers have one win over White House by 6 points. But the rest of the games the Panthers played were blowout defeats.
CHANCE OF WINNING: FRA 28%, ECS 72%
No. 5 St. George’s (West Region) @ No. 1 Lipcomb Academy (Middle Region)
The St. George’s Gryphon have seen limit action in 2020 with a 2-2 record. St. George’s earned wins over FACS and Northpoint and played ECS to a 17-14 decision. The Lipcomb Academy Mustangs meanwhile went 8-2 winning 8 in a row. In a six game stretch, Lipcomb averaged 46.3 points including a 61-0 win over FRA.
CHANCE OF WINNING: St. George’s 21%, Lipcomb 79%
