Here are the top eight Knoxville area high school footballgames for Week 8 of the 2026 TSSAA football season, with our predictions.
Game of the Week
No. 8 Sevier County (5-1) at No. 6 Grace Christian (6-0)
When: 7 p.m., Oct. 8
Grace Christian faces its first significant test of the 2026 TSSAA football season against Sevier County. The Rams pulled off the upset win over the Smoky Bears in Sevierville in 2025 — a 33-31 result — without all-around athlete Terrion Thomas. Sevier County's defense found few answers for receiver Taren Claridy in their 49-21 loss to Greeneville, and Grace's offense presents another challenge with a full receiver room headlined by Thomas, Army football commit Kaden Webber and freshman Braylen Mathis.
Prediction: Grace Christian 41, Sevier County 37
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Knoxville area's top remaining games
Karns (2-5) at Morristown East (1-6)
When: 7 p.m., Oct. 8
Since beating South Greene in the first game of the season, Morristown East has struggled to find another win. The Hurricanes will have to deal with Karns' running back Demarcus Jones, who has scored seven total touchdowns in the Beavers' two wins this season.
Prediction: Karns 28, Morristown East 21
No 23 Austin-East (4-2) at Gatlinburg-Pittman (4-3)
When: 7 p.m., Oct. 9
Gatlinburg-Pittman turned its season around after a 1-3 start with three consecutive wins. The Highlanders' offense is powered by running back Marshal Gay, who rushed for 235 yards and five touchdowns in their Week 7 win over West Greene. Austin-East, though, is no stranger to powerful rushing attacks. The Roadrunners withstood a 159-yard rushing performance from Mason Simpson in their win against Kingston, though Sweetwater's Ty Fitch eclipsed 200 yards in Austin-East's 49-20 loss.
Prediction: Austin-East 28, Gatlinburg-Pittman 25
No. 16 Seymour (6-1, 3-1 in Region 1-4A) at Northview Academy (4-3, 2-2)
When: 7 p.m., Oct. 9
After a big loss to Greeneville, Seymour has rebounded with a three-game win streak that included two one-score victories. Northview is also on an upswing, coming off a 32-30 win over Volunteer after a previous loss to Elizabethton. The Cougars' defense has done well in their wins by holding opponents to 22 points per game.
Prediction: Seymour 33, Northview Academy 27
McMinn Central (4-2) at Sequoyah (2-5)
When: 7 p.m., Oct. 9
McMinn Central has two non-region games before finishing the season against potential playoff teams, Sweetwater and Austin-East. The Chargers have an opportunity to rebuild from their 27-13 loss to Kingston in Week 7 against a Sequoyah offense that has been limited to one score in five games, including two shutouts.
Prediction: McMinn Central 28, Sequoyah 14
Campbell County (0-7) at No. 18 Sweetwater (5-1)
When: 7 p.m., Oct. 9
Sweetwater's dynamic running tandem of Ty Fitch and Ashton Johnkins combined for 347 yards and five touchdowns in the Wildcats' win against Austin-East. They'll likely find similar success against the Campbell County defense that has allowed more than 40 points in each game this season.
Prediction: Sweetwater 45, Campbell County 21
Unaka (0-7, 0-4 in Region 1-1A) at No. 19 Jellico (7-0, 4-0)
When: 7 p.m., Oct. 9
Jellico continues to stamp itself as one of the top teams in Class 1A. The Blue Devils are ranked No. 7 in the TSWA statewide football poll and could be on their way to an undefeated season. Unaka, meanwhile, has yet to grab its first win of the 2026 season.
Prediction: Jellico 44, Unaka 23
Scott (4-2, 0-2 in Region 2-3A at No. 22 Kingston (5-2, 1-2)
When: 7 p.m., Oct. 9
This game has significant playoff implications for Scott in Region 2-3A. The Highlanders have only three remaining region games left and two against the current top teams in the region, Meigs County and Sweetwater. Kingston is rolling after its first region win over McMinn Central and can solidify a playoff spot with a win.
Prediction: Kingston 29, Scott 26
Overall prediction record: 45-11
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: Predicting top 10 TSSAA football showdown between Grace Christian-Sevier County, top games
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