The Times Are A Changing.

It’s week 14 for High School Football in our state, better known as the quarterfinals of the playoffs. The continuing population shift toward the Middle Tennessee area is having a big impact on the playoffs. Here are the facts:

  • Of the 30 playoff games this week 13 will be played in Middle Tennessee
  • 6 other Middle Tennessee teams will travel to other parts of the state to play games.
  • The total number of teams still alive in the playoffs are Middle (29); East (19); West (12)
  • 48% of all teams remaining are from the Middle Tennessee area.

So, what is happening? As one of the fastest growing areas in the country and people moving to the Nashville area in record numbers the number of schools are growing just as fast. Hence, more schools equal more spots in the playoffs.

What will this mean as far as championships. Fortunately, great teams are in every corner of our state so I don’t think we will see big changes in the percentage of Middle Tennessee state championships but certainly the number making it deep into the playoffs will continue to increase just because of the sheer numbers involved. We will keep a track on it for you.

Below are the quarterfinal games by geographical regions this week. Pick you out a game and go enjoy. You can contact me at phil@prepweekly.com 

East Tennessee

Pigeon Forge at Alcoa
Coalfield at Cloudland
Elizabethton at Greeneville
Knoxville Central at Knoxville West
Giles Co. at Loudon
Farragut at Maryville
Pope John Paul at McCallie
Hampton at Oneida
Rhea Co. at Powell
Upperman at Red Bank
Gordonsville at South Pittsburg

Middle Tennessee

White House at East Nashville
McKenzie at Fayetteville
Riverside at Forrest
Page at Green Hill
Beech at Hendersonville
Oakland at Lebanon
Davidson Academy at Lipscomb Academy
Christian Brothers at MBA
Nashville Christian at MTCS
Henry Co. at Springfield
Ravenwood at Summit
Pearl Cohn at Tullahoma
Trousdale Co. at Watertown

West Tennessee

Covington at Dyersburg
South Gibson at Haywood
CPA at Lausanne
Lake Co. at Peabody
DCA at USJ
MAHS at Westview