With Fall Break looming for much of Middle Tennessee school systems, Week 7 games become more important for teams to go into their breaks with momentum as the final few weeks of the TSSAA football regular season comes into view.
Here's a look at the top games in Nashville area for Oct. 1-2.
Game of the week
Riverdale (5-1, 3-0 in Region 3-6A) at Smyrna (4-2, 3-0)
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Oct. 1
Has there been a more heart-stopping team than Smyrna this season? The Bulldogs just find a way to make Friday night's a cardiac event. But Riverdale is used to dispensing with all the drama. The Warriors have emphatically put teams away during its five-game win streak. Maybe Smyrna's luck has run its course.
Tom Kreager's prediction: Riverdale 42, Smyrna 28
Tyler Palmateer's prediction: Riverdale 28, Smyrna 21
George Robinson's prediction:
Riverdale 35, Smyrna 21
Jack Williams' prediction: Smyrna 28, Riverdale 21
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Pearl-Cohn (3-3) at Bartlett (3-3)
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Oct. 2
It's rare trip out west for Pearl-Cohn. The last time the Firebirds made a regular-season trek in, or near, Memphis was 2018 when they faced Cordova, winning in a 62-52 shootout. This likely won't have the same score-line, but it's another difficult test for a Firebirds team that has grown used to challenges. Their win over Springfield in Week 6 was a good barometer for who it will approach November and the playoffs. Bartlett running back Aiden Jackson is its main threat with 574 yards rushing and four TDs.
Kreager's prediction: Pearl-Cohn 27, Bartlett 21
Palmateer's prediction: Pearl-Cohn 31, Bartlett 28
Robinson's prediction: Pearl-Cohn 27, Bartlett 24
Williams' prediction: Pearl-Cohn 35, Bartlett 24
Oakland (5-1, 2-1 in 3-6A) at Rockvale (4-2, 2-2)
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Oct. 1
Sometimes just a small course-correction is all that's needed to find your footing. Oakland coach Kevin Creasy undoubtedly made the necessary adjustments after his rare regular-season region loss to Smyrna on Sept. 4. Since then, the Patriots have won. Now it faces Rockvale, which has lost back-to-back games. The Rockets will get a steady diet of Creasy's run game. Donte Cameron and Jacob Vaughn have combined for 1,051 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.
Kreager's prediction: Oakland 42, Rockvale 21
Palmateer's prediction: Oakland 27, Rockvale 23
Robinson's prediction: Oakland 38, Rockvale 17
Williams' prediction: Oakland 35, Rockvale 20
Montgomery Bell Academy (5-1, 0-1 in DII-AAA East) at Christ Presbyterian Academy (0-6, 0-1)
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Oct. 2
Put aside Baylor's 45-17 dismantling of MBA on Sept. 25 because the Red Raiders are overwhelming favorites to win the DII-AAA state title, again. But pay attention to the Big Red. If Brentwood Academy is a favorite to meet Baylor in that title game, MBA could have something to say about it. MBA dominated Knox Catholic in Week 5, despite Catholic's roster full of major college recruits.
Kreager's prediction: MBA 20, CPA 10
Palmateer's prediction: MBA 35, CPA 17
Robinson's prediction: MBA 35, CPA 14
Williams' prediction: MBA 31, CPA 28
Station Camp (2-4, 0-0 in 6-5A) at Beech (5-1, 1-0)
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Oct. 2
A win for Station Camp would feel like a season-saver. After a 2-1 start, the Bison have lost three straight. And with a game vs. Hendersonville (Oct. 16) on the horizon, this will be crucial if Station Camp wants to make a serious 5A run.
Kreager's prediction: Beech 35, Station Camp 28
Palmateer's prediction: Beech 42, Station Camp 41
Robinson's prediction: Beech 28, Station Camp 14
Williams' prediction: Beech 35, Station Camp 14
Franklin Road Academy (4-2, 2-1 in DII-AA Middle) at Goodpasture (6-0, 3-0)
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Oct. 2
FRA's first half against BGA was nearly flawless in Week 6. But the second half was anything but. Yet the Panthers had arguably the state's best DII-AA school on the ropes for two quarters. It's some confidence that could carry over against a unbeaten Goodpasture team who's only issue is that it has not played a team with a winning record through six weeks (an 8-27 combined).
Kreager's prediction: FRA 28, Goodpasture 14
Palmateer's prediction: FRA 45, Goodpasture 21
Robinson's prediction: FRA 38, Goodpasture 20
Williams' prediction: FRA 42, Goodpasture 28
Hillsboro (4-2, 0-0 in 5-5A) at Nolensville (6-0, 1-0)
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Oct. 2
Nolensville coach Scott Stidham has his team ahead of schedule this season and its remaining schedule shapes up nicely for a possible No. 1 seed coming out of region. Page will factor heavily into that discussion as the two teams will end the regular season head-to-head. But Hillsboro is also ahead of schedule in Jamaal Stewart's first year as coach.
Kreager's prediction: Nolensville 34, Hillsboro 13
Palmateer's prediction: Nolensville 28, Hillsboro 7
Robinson's prediction: Nolensville 35, Hillsboro 7
Williams' prediction: Nolensville 28, Hillsboro 10
Brentwood Academy (4-2, 1-0 in DII-AAA West) at Memphis University School (3-3, 0-2)
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Oct. 2
Brentwood Academy has some injury concerns, most notably the possible absence of South Carolina football commit Judah Lancaster at tight end. Lancaster injured his knee in BA's 24-0 win over Ensworth on Sept. 25 and left the field on crutches. Running back Larry Sanders II had only a handful of carries after he was subbed out in the first quarter with a shoulder issue. The Eagles should have four-star WR, and Tennessee commit, Kesean Bowman back after missing last week's game.
Kreager's prediction: Brentwood Academy 35, MUS 17
Palmateer's prediction: Brentwood Academy 45, MUS 10
Robinson's prediction: Brentwood Academy 42, MUS 14
Williams' prediction: Brentwood Academy 45, MUS 10
Ensworth (3-3, 1-0 in DII-AAA East) at Knoxville Catholic (5-1, 0-1)
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Oct. 2
Tigers running back EJ Gibson sat out of the loss to Brentwood Academy with a concussion. He could be back against Knoxville Catholic who is coming off a 20-17 win against Hoover (Alabama). Ensworth will need Gibson's production (799 yards rushing, eight TDs) and clock management to beat the Irish.
Kreager's prediction: Knoxville Catholic 27, Ensworth 14
Palmateer's prediction: Knoxville Catholic 24, Ensworth 21
Robinson's prediction: Knoxville Catholic 28, Ensworth 23
Williams' prediction: Knoxville Catholic 21, Ensworth 17
Liberty Creek (5-1, 1-0 in 6-4A) at Springfield (5-1, 0-1)
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Oct. 2
Springfield's setback against Pearl-Cohn on Sept. 25 was not entirely surprising. The Firebirds have been through a tough schedule that has prepped them for good opponents. Springfield's schedule will have the same effect and that continues in Week 7 against Liberty Creek led by quarterback Barrett O'Brien who has 546 yards passing with six TDs and two interceptions.
Kreager's prediction: Springfield 24, Liberty Creek 14
Palmateer's prediction: Springfield 35, Liberty Creek 20
Robinson's prediction: Springfield 35, Liberty Creek 24
Williams' prediction: Springfield 42, Liberty Creek 21
Last week: Kreager (8-2), Palmateer (8-2), Robinson (9-1), Williams (7-3).
Season: Kreager 39-21 (.650); Palmateer 35-25 (.583); Robinson 40-20 (.666); Williams 7-3 (.700).
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: Rivalry games punctuate TSSAA football's top games in Nashville area for Week 7
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