Here’s a look at the Nashville area’s top 10 games for Week 4 of the Tennessee high school football season. Oakland vs. Ravenwood highlights this week’s slate of games in Middle Tennessee.
Oakland (3-0) at Ravenwood (2-1)
When: 7 p.m., Friday.
Is Ravenwood the team that finally ends Oakland’s winning streak at 33 games? Mississippi State Commitment Chris Parson and the Raptors enter this matchup off the back of a pair of wins over BGA and Franklin. Oakland won its first three games by an average of 38.7 points.
Matching the Patriots’ physicality early on and slowing down their multi-headed running game will be Ravenwood’s biggest challenge.
Kreager’s prediction: Oakland 42, Ravenwood 21
Spears prediction: Oakland 35, Ravenwood 24
WEEK 4 SCHEDULE: Tennessee high school football schedule for week 4 of the 2022 TSSAA season
AP RATINGS: Associated Press Tennessee High School Football Rankings Entering Week 4
WEEK 4 FOOTBALL RANKINGS: MBA ends McCallie’s winning streak
CPA (2-1) at MBA (3-0)
When: 7 p.m., Thursday
CPA coach Ingle Martin returns to his alma mater for the first time since coaching the Lions. The Lions must stop not only Ole Miss Marcel Reed’s commitment in the passing game, but also Johnothan Moore on the ground.
Kreager’s prediction: MBA 35, CPA 17
Spears prediction: MBA 31, CPA 16
Independence (2-1) to Pope John Paul II (3-0)
When: 7 p.m., Thursday
Outside of an interception late in the first half, Pitt’s commitment to Kenny Minchey was nearly perfect in a 49-35 win over Father Ryan, going 11-for-14 with 292 yards and five touchdowns.
The Knights defense will have to play better against an Independence offense that has quarterback Cody Pagach and four-star Alabama tight end Ty Lockwood back in the mix.
Kreager’s prediction: Pope John Paul II 49, Independence 21
Spears prediction: Pope John Paul II 42, Independence 24
GCA (2-0) at Christian Friendship (3-0)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
GCA will need to get off to a better start than it did last week if the show is to pull off an upset here. The Lions trailed Collinwood 14-0 and then scored 21 straight points before a lengthy lightning delay forced a no contest.
The trio of Garrett Weekly, Tyson Wolcott and Brock Montgomery has helped the Commanders outlast their first three opponents 152-20
Kreager’s prediction: Friendship 28, Grace Christian 14
Spears prediction: Friendship Christian 34, GCA 17
Fayetteville (3-0) at Upperman (3-0)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
KJ Jackson made his season debut catching three passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns in a 56-12 victory over Wayne County. The Tigers will need that kind of production and more from Jackson and Aljarea Johnson to match the production of Upperman’s Terrance Dedmon and Jaxson Rollins. Fayetteville won last season’s game 19-14, but the Bees haven’t lost a regular-season home game since 2019.
Kreager’s prediction: Fayetteville 28, Upperman 27
Spears prediction: Upperman 24, Fayetteville 21
Calvert Hall (Maryland) (1-1) at Lipscomb Academy (3-0)
When: 7 p.m., Saturday
Calvert Hall is the third out-of-state opponent the Mustangs have faced, but the first they will host. The Cardinals opened the season with a 35-point win, but suffered a seven-point loss last week. The school is the alma mater of ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.
The Mustangs crushed Goodpasture last week in a game that was canceled early due to lightning. Hank Brown had his best game against the Cougars with 21 of 33 passes for 240 yards and four touchdowns.
Kreager’s prediction: 49 Lipscomb Academy, Calvert Room 7
Spears prediction: 38 Lipscomb Academy, 16 Calvert Room
Henry County (2-1) at Brentwood (2-1)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Defense has been the Bruins’ strong point through the first three weeks, as they have allowed an average of eight points. The Bruins have struggled offensively though they only averaged 17 points.
This week they will have to find a way to slow down Henry County’s first rushing offense, which is averaging 211.7 rushing yards with Morgan Barrick carrying most of that load.
Kreager’s prediction: Henry County 21, Brentwood 14
Spears prediction: Henry County 23, Brentwood 17
Father Ryan (1-2) at Cane Ridge (3-0)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Father Ryan played in this game last season winning 48-0, but he should face a tougher challenge from a Ravens offense averaging 37.6 points.
JoJo Crump and Charlie Becker finally got the Irish offense to face Pope John Paul II by scoring a season-high 35 points in the loss. Reggie Goodloe has been a standout for the Ravens rushing for 380 yards and five touchdowns.
Kreager’s prediction: Father Ryan 24, Cane Ridge 21
Spears prediction: Father Ryan 31, Cane Ridge 28
Gallatin (2-1) at Station Camp (2-1)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Station Camp had no answer for Malaki Dowell, as the White County running back rushed for 346 yards and five touchdowns in the 27-point win. The Bison’s run defense will have no rest this week as they take on a run-laden Gallatin offense led by three-star junior Jaheim Merriweather. The Green Wave has also gotten some great production from Za’kyian Brinkley and Jay Ellis.
Kreager’s prediction: Galatine 35, Camp Station 14
Spears prediction: Galatine 24, Camp Station 20
Brentwood Academy (2-1) at Whitehaven (2-1)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Deuce Scott has been on a hot streak for Brentwood Academy over the past two weeks rushing for 403 yards and five touchdowns in wins over CPA and Briarcrest Christian. The Eagles won a low-scoring game 19-6 against the Tigers at home last season, but this will be the first road test for second-year quarterback George MacIntyre.
Kreager’s prediction: 28 Brentwood Academy, 14 Whitehaven
Spears prediction: 34 Brentwood Academy, 17 Whitehaven
In the past week: Kreager (8-2); Spears (8-2); Season: Kreager (20-10), Spears (20-10)
Contact Joe Spears at [email protected]. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @joe_spears7.
