Here are the top eight Knoxville area high school football games for Week 5 of the 2026 TSSAA football season, with our predictions.
Game of the Week
No. 6 Grace Christian (3-0, 2-0 in DII-AA East) at Webb (0-4, 0-2)
When: 7 p.m., Sept. 18
Former Farragut quarterback Corbin Hobson has fit seamlessly into Grace Christian's offense through their first three games. He's tossed 12 touchdowns and spread the wealth as four of his receivers have over 100 receiving yards. Webb is still searching for its first victory, and played Lakeway well before the Lions took off the in the second half of their 41-7 win in Week 4.
Prediction: Grace 40, Webb 21
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Knoxville area's top remaining games
No. 13 Hardin Valley (3-1, 0-1 in Region 2-6A) at Bearden (0-4, 0-1)
When: 7 p.m., Sept. 17
The Bearden offense hasn't
scored in the last two weeks. It'll be tough to keep up with Hardin Valley, who's put up 40 points in every game this season. The Hawks shouldn't look ahead, but a Region 2-6A win over Bearden would be crucial before heading into a major game at Maryville in Week 6.
Prediction: Hardin Valley 42, Bearden 13
No. 12 Gibbs (3-1, 1-1 in 2-4A) at No. 16 South-Doyle (4-0, 2-0)
When: 7 p.m., Sept. 18
South-Doyle continues to be one of the surprises of the 2026 TSSAA football season. The Cherokees, under first-year coach Zack Gibson, have breezed through the first quarter of their schedule with four straight double-digit wins. They'll face their first test of the season against a Gibbs team that is shooting for a home playoff game.
Prediction: Gibbs 28, South-Doyle 24
No. 2 Catholic (4-0) at Montgomery Bell (4-0)
When: 7 p.m., Sept. 18
Three of Catholic's four wins have gone down to the wire, decided by one score. The Irish hope to take their luck to Nashville against Montgomery Bell in their first Division II-AAA matchup of the 2026 season. Last year, MBA escaped Knoxville with a 13-10 victory. Catholic can counter with an improved backfield, ample wide receiver options and a stringent defense that has not allowed more than three scores in a single game.
Prediction: Catholic 17, MBA 14
No. 18 Kingston (4-0) at No. 24 Sweetwater (3-0)
When: 7 p.m., Sept. 18
The title for the best Class 3A team in the Knoxville area is up for debate, and this game might deliver the answer. Kingston opened the season with three consecutive 40-point performances, then shutout Cumberland County in Week 4 with a 35-0 victory. Meanwhile, Sweetwater has outscored opponents 127-6 to start the season.
Prediction: Kingston 24, Sweetwater 21
Silverdale (2-2, 1-1 in DII-AA East) at No. 11 CAK (4-0, 1-0)
When: 7 p.m., Sept. 18
CAK is off to its best start since its undefeated regular season in 2020. The Warriors' ground game has taken off with over 180 rushing yards and multiple touchdowns in each outing. Silverdale allowed 336 rushing yards to Grace in its 55-24 loss in Week 4, which CAK could exploit.
Prediction: CAK 35, Silverdale 24
Halls (0-4, 0-1 in 2-5A) at William Blount (0-4, 0-2)
When: 7 p.m., Sept. 18
Concord Christian pulled off maybe its biggest win in its early program history by beating Halls, 30-23. While the Red Devils fell into an 0-4 hole, they can claw back to 1-1 in Region 2-5A with a win over William Blount. Halls turned its season around in 2025 with a clutch win over the Governors. They'll bank on that strategy again in 2026.
Prediction: Halls 29, William Blount 21
No. 23 Greenback (4-0, 2-0 in 2-1A) at Oliver Springs (1-3, 1-1)
When: 7 p.m., Sept. 18
Greenback's offense reached above 50 points in its last two wins. The Cherokees could pose a legitimate challenge against Coalfield in Region 2-1A if they maintain momentum, starting against Oliver Springs
Prediction: Greenback 38, Oliver Springs 28
Overall prediction record: 28-4
Wynton Jackson covers high school sports for Knox News. Email: wynton.jackson@knoxnews.com
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Class 3A supremacy on the line in top Knoxville area Week 5 top games, predictions
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