Here are the top eight Knoxville area high school football games for Week 9 of the 2026 TSSAA football season, with our predictions.
Game of the Week
No. 10 CAK (7-0, 4-0 in Division II-AA East Region) at No. 5 Grace Christian (7-0, 4-0)
When: 7 p.m., Oct. 15
The winner between CAK and Grace Christian will likely secure the DII-AA East region title. CAK enters the matchup after an open schedule in Week 8, while Grace took down Sevier County in one of the highest-scoring games of the season, 50-48. The Warriors lean heavily on their running game between sophomore back Isaac Kannah and dual-threat quarterback Seaton Moffett, who has 592 rushing yards and seven touchdowns this season. Grace's offense, though, hasn't had a game with less than 40 points.
Prediction: Grace Christian 45, CAK 35
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FOOTBALL: A top team slips again in Knoxville area Super 25 Football Rankings for Week 9
Knoxville area's top remaining games
No. 8 Oak Ridge (6-1, 2-1 in 2-6A) at No. 13 Hardin Valley (5-2, 2-2)
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 16
The playoff pressure couldn't be higher for either side of the Region 2-6A matchup. Oak Ridge stumbled earlier in the season against Cleveland and still has a looming season finale against Maryville on the docket. Hardin Valley is currently on the outside looking in at the top four seeds in the region with consecutive games against Oak Ridge and Cleveland.
Prediction: Oak Ridge 37, Hardin Valley 30
Halls (3-4, 3-1 in 2-5A) at No. 7 Central (6-1, 3-1)
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 16
Halls is doing it again. The Red Devils are on a three-game win streak after starting the season 0-4. In 2025, they lost their first three games, then ended up in the Class 5A TSSAA playoff semifinals. During their win streak, the defense has only allowed 24 total points, although Central's offense poses a tougher test. The winner of this game will likely finish as a top team in Region 2-5A and host a playoff game.
Prediction: Central 33, Halls 30
No. 6 Powell (7-0) at Jefferson County (3-4)
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 16
Jefferson County has had a turbulent season, particularly on defense. The Patriots allowed 150 points in a three-game losing streak that they snapped with a 42-0 win over Daniel Boone in Week 8. Powell, coming off the open week, has hit 40 or more points in its last four games.
Prediction: Powell 38, Jefferson County 24
Fulton (3-4, 2-2 in 2-4A) at No. 11 Gibbs (6-1, 3-1)
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 16
Fulton, like Hardin Valley, is sitting outside of its playoff picture as the No. 5 seed in Region 2-4A. The Falcons' offense erupted against Carter before the open week, 55-26, and its strong rushing approach could give Gibbs trouble. The Eagles, though, also have a good running game with an efficient, explosive passing attack led by quarterback Keith Jones Jr.
Prediction: Gibbs 34, Fulton 24
No. 3 Catholic (6-1, 1-1 in DII-AAA East) at McCallie (3-4, 0-2)
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 16
Catholic football coach Philip Shadowens relished in owning the line of scrimmage in the Irish's win over Ensworth, a team that had historically "bullied" them. That revenge tour could travel to Chattanooga against a McCallie team that isn't as potent as usual. Catholic's defense has kept them competitive in all but one game this season, and its offense seems to find just enough points to pull through close contests.
Prediction: Catholic 24, McCallie 20
No. 21 South-Doyle (5-2) at Clinton (3-4)
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 16
South-Doyle began the 2026 season with a roaring 4-0 start. Losses to Gibbs and Alcoa slowed the Cherokees momentum down, but they can pick it back up with a non-region win against a Clinton team that mustered just three points in a loss to West.
Prediction: South-Doyle 30, Clinton 17
Carter (1-6) at No. 23 Austin-East (5-2)
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 16
Austin-East earned a historic fifth win in Week 8 against Gatlinburg-Pittman and can bump their record up to 6-2 against Carter. The Hornets' offense has had trouble keeping up with opposing teams like the Roadrunners, who put up 50 points in their win against the Highlanders.
Prediction: Austin-East 38, Carter 17
Overall prediction record: 53-11
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: Undefeated Grace Christian, CAK collide in Knoxville's TSSAA football Week 9 predictions
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