BY MIKE BLACKERBY
Week 8 of the high school football season is at hand as the Big Preview takes a gander at some of the key matchups this week in the 5Star Preps coverage area.
It’s time to sort out the contenders from the pretenders in region play.
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The Gibbs Eagles took on the Halls Red Devils in a non-region game on Dinzle ‘Dink’ Adams Field on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Gibbs won 28-22 in overtime. (Photo by Danny Parker)
GIBBS (6-0, 2-0)
at CARTER (3-4, 1-1)
Moving forward, region-defining games are the rule rather than the exception as we head into the stretch run of the regular season.
Friday’s Region 2-4A tilt in Strawberry Plains is a prime example.
Gibbs hopes to hold serve against Carter as the Eagles point to an Oct. 25 region showdown in Corryton against highly regarded Anderson County (6-0, 3-0).
Gibbs also closes out regular-season play with a challenging test at Fulton on Oct. 31.
But first the Eagles have to get by a dangerous Carter team Friday.
“You’ve got Carter, Anderson County and Fulton coming up – that’s three really good region games,” said Gibbs coach Brad Turner.
“This will really tell us where we’re going to wind up come playoff time.”
Turner said the Eagles can’t afford to look past the Hornets.
“They’ve got some athletes and they’re very explosive,” he said.
“The explosive plays are something we need to limit or eliminate.”
Gibbs looks to have perhaps its best chance in years at closing out regular-season play strong and then making a real push in the 4A playoffs.
Translated, the Eagles control their own destiny perhaps more than ever, according to Turner.
“The key is us showing up and playing regardless of who we play,” said Turner.
ROCKWOOD (3-4, 3-1)
at HARRIMAN (4-3, 2-2)
Third place in the Region 2-1A standings is up for grabs in this ancient Roane County rivalry.
“Obviously, the Rockwood-Harriman game is about as big as it gets over the years,” said Rockwood coach John Webb.
“It’s the longest-continuous game in the state of Tennessee – I think this is Game 106 – and we’ve played every year since 1924.”
The current pecking order in the region has Oliver Springs (6-1, 5-0) in first followed by Coalfield (6-1, 4-0), Rockwood and Harriman.
The Tigers pulled out a 37-36 win over the Blue Devils last year, but Webb said he’d like to avoid another shootout if possible.
“We’ve got to make the game physical and put them back in the huddle,” offered Webb.
“Last year it seemed like they were running up and down the field and scoring on every first down.”
Rockwood will try and slow down shifty Harriman running back Grayson Kreis, who has already gone over 1,000 yards rushing for the season.
“Kreis is a scat-back type who is going to make you miss,” said Webb.
“He can get vertical on you in a hurry.”
Meanwhile, Rockwood features a running back-by-committee offense, but Tigers sophomore Adrian Darby is coming off a career night last week.
Darby scored twice and rushed for 202 yards on 15 carries in a 46-12 win over Greenback.
“We have a three-back offense that doesn’t rely on any one back week in and week out,” explained Webb.
“Last Friday we had one back out and A.J. (Darby) did a great job.”
Tyreek King of the Knoxville Catholic Fighting Irish. (Photo by Danny Parker)
BRENTWOOD ACADEMY (4-3, 0-2)
at CATHOLIC (3-3, 0-1)
This attractive Division II-3A East Region contest is drawing even more attention than usual as Brentwood Academy features four-star Tennessee commitment George MacIntyre at quarterback.
Catholic coach Philip Shadowens gives the 6-foot-6, 190-pound MacIntyre rave reviews.
“I think he’s special,” said Shadowens.
“I haven’t played against a better quarterback in my 30-something years of coaching. He (MacIntyre) has so many tools in his tool belt. He’s a special thrower of the football.”
Shadowens said MacIntyre combines great arm talent with superior intellect, and for such a tall quarterback he has surprising athletic ability.
“His RPO ball comes out so quickly and with great accuracy,” said Shadowens.
“He can see (the field) really well because he has so much height and he’s a good athlete who moves well and is able to avoid pressure. He’s not a statue back there.”
Shadowens said MacIntyre’s deep ball is superior.
“He can probably throw it 70 yards if needed.”
Shadowens said the Irish have to find a way defensively to keep MacIntyre off his game, which is easier said than done.
“We’ve got to mix up our looks and bring pressure at times to get him off his spots.”
SEVIER COUNTY (6-0, 2-0)
at MORRISTOWN WEST (2-3, 2-0)
Heading into Friday’s schedule Sevier County and Morristown West are in a three-way logjam atop Region 1-5A with David Crockett (4-1, 2-0).
Sevier County has outscored its opposition 267-56 and the Smoky Bears have yet to be seriously challenged.
Still, SC coach Todd Loveday said his team can’t look past the rival Trojans.
“We’ve become very familiar with Morristown West the last few years,” said Loveday.
“Richards (running back Cam Richards) is a good ball player and they’re big up front. Their scheme is good up front on both sides of the ball.”
Loveday said the Smoky Bears will once again be without standout running back Tegan Avera (leg injury), who has been sidelined the last few weeks.
“We’re shooting for him to return for the playoffs,” said Loveday.
“We’re taking it one day at a time and one week at a time. The team has responded well (without Avera), but he is definitely motivated to get back.”
Loveday said the Smoky Bears continue to get tremendous across-the-board play.
One player who is coming on strong is 6-5, 200-pound sophomore wide receiver/outside linebacker Parker Newman.
“He’s playing real well right now at outside linebacker and he’s made steps in the right direction at wide receiver,” said Loveday.