by STEVE WILMOTH
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TriCitiesSports.com
October 13, 2021
All six Region 1 football titles could be decided when action concludes after week nine of action this weekend.
Already, Greeneville has grabbed the top spot in Region 1-4A, South Greene is the champion in Region 1-2A and Cloudland has sewn up the top spot in Region 1-1A.
Jefferson County, David Crockett and Unicoi County could secure the crowns in Region 1-6A, Region 1-5A and Region 1-3A on Friday night.
Here’s how each race is shaping up heading into the week nine matchups:
CLASS 6A
Region 1
Dobyns-Bennett at William Blount
Morristown East at West Ridge
Jefferson County at Science Hill
Jefferson County wins the Big East Conference and top seed out of Region 1 with a victory at Science Hill. A Patriot win also means West Ridge can finish no higher than fourth and sets up a battle between Science Hill and Dobyns-Bennett in two weeks for the second and third positions. However, a Science Hill victory sets up a very interesting final week. William Blount is eliminated with a loss to Dobyns-Bennett as is Morristown East with a defeat at West Ridge.
Region 2
Cleveland at Bearden
Bradley Central at Farragut
Maryville can finish no lower the second owning tie-breakers over Cleveland, Farragut and Bearden. A Bradley Central win at Farragut sets up a winner-take-all contest between the the Bears and Maryville for the region title.
Playoff Matchups
Region 1 No. 4 at Region 2 No. 1
Region 1 No. 3 at Region 2 No. 2
Region 2 No. 3 at Region 1 No, 2
Region 2 No. 4 at Region 1 No. 1
CLASS 5A
Region 1
Tennessee High at Daniel Boone
Cherokee at Morristown West
David Crockett is off this week, but the Pioneers claim the number one seed if Boone loses to Tennessee High. If the ‘Blazers get the win, the Musket Bowl next week will determine the region title. A Viking win over Boone also gives Tennessee High the number two seed.
Region 2
Knox West at Cocke County
Heritage at Sevier County
Two key games are on the schedule, but none of the four seeds will be finalized by the outcomes or will any of the six teams be eliminated by the results.
Playoff Matchups
Region 1 No. 4 at Region 2 No. 1
Region 1 No. 3 at Region 2 No. 2
Region 2 No. 3 at Region 1 No, 2
Region 2 No. 4 at Region 1 No. 1
CLASS 4A
Region 1
Seymour at Grainger
Sullivan East at Greeneville
Elizabethton at Volunteer
Greeneville has locked up the region crown and top seed. Elizabethton earns the second seed with a win over Volunteer. Sullivan East needs a win over Greeneville or Volunteer to stay in the mix. Grainger has been eliminated
Region 2
Fulton at Scott
Anderson County will be the top seed, but little else has been decided and little will be decided as only one region game is on the docket this week. That contest could eliminate Scott however if the Highlanders are unable to get the win against Fulton.
Playoff Matchups
Region 1 No. 4 at Region 2 No. 1 (Anderson County)
Region 1 No. 3 at Region 2 No. 2
Region 2 No. 3 at Region 1 No, 2
Region 2 No. 4 at Region 1 No. 1 (Greeneville)
CLASS 3A
Region 1
Chuckey-Doak at Claiborne
West Greene at Unicoi County
Unicoi County takes the region title with a win over West Greene, but the Buffaloes would still have work to do against Chuckey-Doak in two weeks to claim the crown. Claiborne is eliminated with a loss to Chuckey-Doak.
Region 2
Union County at Alcoa
Pigeon Forge at Austin-East
Gatlinburg-Pittman at Northview Academy
A unique possibility exists in Region 2 has Pigeon Forge is still alive for the top spot despite being unable to play Alcoa because of Covid issues. Should the Tigers beat Austin-East and Gatlinburg-Pittman, Pigeon Forge could claim the top spot, but would need a mammoth upset of Alcoa by Austin-East or Union County.
Mathematically, Northview Academy and Union County have not yet been eliminated, but would be with a loss to Gatlinburg-Pittman and Alcoa respectively.
Playoff Matchups
Region 1 No. 4 at Region 2 No. 1
Region 1 No. 3 at Region 2 No. 2
Region 2 No. 3 at Region 1 No, 2
Region 2 No. 4 at Region 1 No. 1
CLASS 2A
Region 1
Hampton at Cumberland Gap
South Greene has secured the top seed and Friday’s game between Hampton and Cumberland Gap will determine the second and third spots. Happy Valley will be fourth as all four teams in the region will qualify for the playoffs.
Region 2
Monterey at Oneida
Rockwood at Wartburg
Monterey wins the region with a victory over Oneida Friday while an Oneida win sets up a potential three-way tie for first but would give the Indians a boost in the second tier total overall wins tie-breaker. A Wartburg Central loss to Rockwood would eliminate the Bulldogs from playoff contention.
Playoff Matchups
Region 1 No. 4 (Happy Valley) at Region 2 No. 1
Region 1 No. 3 (Hampton – Cumberland Gap loser) at Region 2 No. 2
Region 2 No. 3 at Region 1 No, 2 (Hampton – Cumberland Gap winner)
Region 2 No. 4 at Region 1 No. 1 (South Greene)
CLASS 1A
Region 1
Unaka at Cosby
Region 1-1A has already been decided. Cloudland will be the one seed with Unaka second, Jellico third and North Greene fourth.
Region 2
Greenback at Harriman
Oliver Springs at Oakdale
Midway at Sunbright
Region 2-1A leader Coalfield has the week off, but could earn the top seed if Oliver Springs upends Oakdale. Oakdale is also unbeaten in the region at 2-0, but didn’t play Coalfield because of Covid issues. Six of the seven teams still have playoff aspirations and four of the seven still have three region games remaining.
Playoff Matchups
Region 1 No. 4 (North Greene) at Region 2 No. 1
Region 1 No. 3 (Jellico) at Region 2 No. 2
Region 2 No. 3 at Region 1 No, 2 (Unaka)
Region 2 No. 4 at Region 1 No. 1 (Cloudland)