Briarcrest kept its undefeated season alive winning a 29-28 thriller against Christian Brothers. The game of the week didn’t disappoint, and with the TSSAA football season nearing its climax, the Week 8 slate might be even more exciting.
With many schools across the Memphis area on fall break, several teams will not play this week. Fortunately, matchups such as Southwind at Whitehaven and Lausanne at Collierville give the region plenty of football to anticipate.
Game of the week
Southwind (5-1, 1-0 in Region 8-6A) at Whitehaven (5-1, 1-0)
When: 7 p.m. | Oct. 9
The No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the Week 8Memphis-area Super 15 rankings face off in a compelling Region 8-6A matchup. Both teams have stifled opponents all season with their physicality and explosiveness.
Whitehaven has won four straight games, including a 40-13 victory
over area powerhouse Munford, while Southwind bounced back from its only loss, which came against Briarcrest. This game is the definition of a coin flip.
Ryan Myers’ prediction: Southwind 27, Whitehaven 21 (OT)
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Lausanne (2-3) at Collierville (4-3)
When: 7 p.m. | Oct. 8
This Thursday night matchup should be an exciting one for both teams. The non-region showdown features some of the area’s top individual talent, including Dandy Dozen selections Lawrence Britt of Lausanne and Tae Walden Jr., Brayden Santibanez and Brayden Washington of Collierville.
Myers’ prediction: Collierville 37, Lausanne 24
Houston (3-4, 2-0 Region 7-6A) at Arlington (5-2, 0-2)
When: 7 p.m. | Oct. 8
Houston’s regular-season record has suffered because of a schedule designed to prepare the team for region play. Its four defeats have come against top area teams in Memphis and Mississippi. Arlington, meanwhile, has handled smaller non-region opponents but struggled against Collierville and Cordova in region play.
Myers’ prediction: Houston 40, Arlington 13
Memphis Overton (4-3, 0-1 Region 8-5A) at Munford (5-1, 1-0)
When: 7 p.m. | Oct. 9
Munford bounced back from its 40-13 loss to Whitehaven with a 68-0 victory over Kingsbury. Overton, meanwhile, struggled in its last game against Memphis Central and could face another difficult matchup.
Myers’ prediction: Munford 38, Overton 7
Cordova (3-3, 1-1 Region 7-6A) at Bartlett (3-4, 0-2)
When: 7 p.m. | Oct. 8
Bartlett has hit a rough patch, losing three straight games, including two in region play. Cordova ended its three-game skid with a 24-21 victory over Arlington in Week 7. Both teams would benefit tremendously from a region win.
Myers’ prediction: Bartlett 28, Cordova 18
Briarcrest (7-0, 2-0 DII-AAA West) at Brentwood Academy (5-2, 2-0)
When: 7 p.m. | Oct. 9
The No. 1 team in the Memphis area for several weeks will travel to Nashville to face Brentwood Academy. The winner will be in the driver’s seat for the top spot in the region standings, so the stakes will be high.
Myers’ prediction: Briarcrest 35, Brentwood Academy 28 (OT)
St. George’s (6-1, 1-0 DII-AA West) at St. Benedict (1-5, 0-1)
When: 7 p.m. | Oct. 9
St. Benedict’s season took a turn after it forfeited its first three games for using an ineligible player. Back-to-back losses to Briarcrest and Northpoint Christian mean the team will try to get back on track against a St. George’s squad that has won three straight games.
Myers’ prediction: St. George’s 35, St. Benedict 14
MASE (4-3, 4-0 Region 8-2A) at Bluff City (1-6, 1-3)
When: 7 p.m. | Oct. 9
Bluff City has endured a rough stretch, losing three straight games, but its offensive production has improved in recent weeks. The team scored 18 points against Memphis Business Academy and 26 against Westwood. MASE has been a daunting matchup for every region opponent so far.
Myers’ prediction: MASE 30, Bluff City 7
Kirby (3-4, 3-0 Region 8-4A) at Lakeland Prep (4-3, 3-1)
When: 7 p.m. | Oct. 8
This matchup will have major implications for the final Region 8-4A standings. Both teams need a win to keep pace with region leader Haywood, particularly Lakeland Prep, which lost 64-50 to Haywood earlier this season.
Myers’ prediction: Lakeland Prep 23, Kirby 14
Tupelo, Mississippi (6-0), at Southaven, Mississippi (1-3)
When: 7 p.m. | Oct. 9
Tupelo is one of Mississippi’s top programs and has dominated this season, defeating teams on both sides of the Mississippi-Tennessee state line. A region trip to Southaven will provide another test for the Golden Wave.
Myers’ prediction: Tupelo 40, Southaven 6
Season record: 36-14
Reach The Commercial Appeal's high school writer, Ryan Myers at ryan.myers@commercialappeal.com and on the X platform @RyanMyers_23.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Massive TSSAA football rivalry headlines Memphis area Week 8 predictions, top games
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