Tennessee high school football fans can expect this being the final week of scant TSSAA games because of fall break and open dates.
The following week will see a full return to action, but Week 9 does provide some intriguing region games and the race to the TSSAA playoffs heats up.
Here's a look at the top 10 games in the Nashville area for Week 9.
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Game of the week
Green Hill (5-2, 1-1 in 4-6A) at Lebanon (6-1, 2-0)
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Oct. 16
Lebanon has won six straight games and and Gyan Ezeta has been the catalyst for an impressive offense this season. He had 241 yards rushing and four TDs in a 34-0 win over Wilson Central in Week 7 and will test Green Hill's defense.
The Hawks have traditionally had a stout defensive unit and has won four of its last five games this season. How it slows down Ezeta would be a springboard for the playoffs with winnable region games against Wilson Central and rival Mt. Juliet to close out the regular season.
Tom Kreager's prediction: Green Hill 20, Lebanon 14
Tyler Palmateer's prediction: Lebanon 21, Green Hill 17
George Robinson's prediction: Lebanon 24, Green Hill 17
Jack Williams' prediction: Lebanon 35, Green Hill 31
Franklin Grace Christian (6-1, 2-1 in DII-AA Middle Region) at Goodpasture (6-1, 3-1)
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Oct. 15
Both teams are coming off an open week in which they lost the previous week. It was the first lost for both. Goodpasture features on of Middle Tennessee's top players in Tennessee football commit Slim Leavell while Grace Christian quarterback Carter Pray is among the top passers in the Nashville area with 1,804 yards and 15 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Kreager's prediction: Franklin Grace 28, Goodpasture 21
Palmateer's prediction: Goodpasture 34, Franklin Grace 31
Robinson's prediction: Franklin Grace 38, Goodpasture 31
Williams' prediction: Franklin Grace 42, Goodpasture 34
Beech (6-1) at Gallatin (6-1)
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Oct. 16
Gallatin has been quietly putting together one of the more impressive seasons in Middle Tennessee despite losing some key players from last year's 6-4 team. Wins against Green Hill and Station Camp in consecutive weeks stand out. Now it faces its toughest opponent to date in the Bucs who have won six straight games.
Kreager's prediction: Beech 35, Gallatin 14
Palmateer's prediction: Gallatin 28, Beech 27
Robinson's prediction: Beech 35, Gallatin 21
Williams' prediction: Beech 21, Gallatin 17
Blackman (4-3, 2-2 in 3-6A) at Smyrna (4-3, 3-1)
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Oct. 16
Blackman would love nothing more than to re-establish itself as a major player in region. That reputation has taken a hit as of late as the Blaze have lost three of its last five games, including two in region ... albeit against Oakland and Riverdale. Smyrna has already played a wild 2026 schedule that includes a win against the Patriots. The Bulldogs are battle-tested.
Kreager's prediction: Blackman 27, Smyrna 21
Palmateer's prediction: Smyrna 28, Blackman 14
Robinson's prediction: Smyrna 24, Blackman 20
Williams' prediction: Smyrna 28, Blackman 21
Columbia (6-1, 2-0 in 4-5A) at Lincoln County (6-0, 1-0)
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Oct. 16
This may be the best game of Week 9 in Middle Tennessee. Columbia's only loss was to Class 6A's No. 1 ranked Riverdale. But it faces Lincoln County, a game that will essentially be the for the region title. Columbia ends its region schedule vs Tullahoma while Lincoln County faces Lawrence and Franklin counties. Columbia has already beaten the latter two.
Kreager's prediction: Lincoln County 27, Columbia 21
Palmateer's prediction: Columbia 34, Lincoln County 28
Robinson's prediction: Columbia 28, Lincoln County 21
Williams' prediction: Columbia 35, Lincoln County 24
Battle Ground Academy (6-1, 3-0 in DII-AA Middle) at Pope John Paul II (2-5, 2-2)
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Oct. 16
It's been a struggle this season for JPII and that gets no easier in a matchup with the defending Division II-AA state champion Wildcats. BGA continues to put teams away with ease as Bo Bryan puts up big numbers (1,806 yards passing, 28 TDs, three interceptions). BGA should cruise again.
Kreager's prediction: BGA 42, Pope John Paul II 14
Palmateer's prediction: BGA 45, Pope John Paul II 3
Robinson's prediction: BGA 48, Pope John Paul II 17
Williams' prediction: BGA 52, Pope John Paul II 6
Christian Brothers (4-3, 0-2 in DII-AAA West) at Lipscomb Academy (5-2, 2-0)
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Oct. 16
If Lipscomb Academy, under coach Trent Dilfer, is a year away from making a big splash in DII-AAA, it doesn't feel like it. The Mustangs have two losses by a combined four points. It should take care of Christian Brothers setting up big region showdowns with Briarcrest (Oct. 23) and Brentwood Academy (Oct. 30) to finish the regular season.
Kreager's prediction: Lipscomb 28, Christian Brothers 14
Palmateer's prediction: Lipscomb Academy 35, Christian Brothers 14
Robinson's prediction: Lipscomb Academy 28, Christian Brothers 10
Williams' prediction: Lipscomb Academy 21, Christian Brothers 17
Hickman County (4-3, 1-1 in 6-2A) at East Nashville (4-3, 1-1)
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Oct. 16
East Nashville comes into Week 9 with one of the more balanced offenses in the Nashville area. The Eagles have 1,373 yards passing and 1,407 yards rushing and are led by Western Kentucky commitment Dallas Covington who owns the passing statistics and has added 632 yards rushing. He has as combined 20 touchdowns.
Kreager's prediction: East Nashville 35, Hickman County 7
Palmateer's prediction: East Nashville 41, Hickman County 14
Robinson's prediction: East Nashville 32, Hickman County 14
Williams' prediction: East Nashville 42, Hickman County 13
Franklin Christian (3-4, 1-3 in DII-A Middle) at Friendship Christian (6-1, 3-0)
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Oct. 16
Ryder Wolcott has more than 600 rushing yards to lead a ground attack that has put up more than 1,400 yards this season, but Friendship Christian's defense has been the show. The Commanders have a pair of shutouts and held DCA to just 14 points on Oct. 2.
Kreager's prediction: Friendship Christian 48, Franklin Christian 12
Palmateer's prediction: Friendship Christian 31, Franklin Christian 17
Robinson's prediction: Friendship Christian 35, Franklin Christian 7
Williams' prediction: Friendship Christian 49, Franklin Christian 6
Hendersonville (5-2, 2-0 in 6-5A) at Station Camp (2-5, 0-1)
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Oct. 16
The wheels have fallen off for Station Camp. The Bison have lost four straight. In its defense, Station Camp has played Springfield, Lebanon, Gallatin and Beech — which have a combined 25-4 record. Hendersonville has won four straight, but those four games have been against teams who are a combined 8-21.
Kreager's prediction: Hendersonville 31, Station Camp 21
Palmateer's prediction: Station Camp 41, Hendersonville 21
Robinson's prediction: Station Camp 30, Hendersonville 27
Williams' prediction: Station Camp 35, Hendersonville 28
Last week: Kreager (7-3), Palmateer (7-3), Robinson (8-2), Williams (7-3).
Season: Kreager 56-24 (.700); Palmateer 52-28 (.650); Robinson 58-22 (.725); Williams 23-7 (.766).
Reach The Tennessean's high school sports editor, George Robinson, at georgerobinsontheleafchronicle.com and on the X platform (formerly Twitter) @Cville_Sports.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TSSAA football playoff races heat up entering Week 9's predictions in Nashville area
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