Week 9 left no doubt. To me, this was easily the most fascinating week we’ve seen in Williamson County to this point. A heavy favorite in 5A handled, close inter-county matchups, and an undefeated season ended on senior night. Here’s who I’m buying and selling heading into week 10 of football here in Willco.
Stock up: Brentwood: A four touchdown victory in a district game is the recipe to stay on top of my stock up section, and subsequently at the top of 6A region 6 standings. I think this Bruins team is poised to make noise in the playoffs, and I think they get it done against Ravenwood in this year’s edition of “The Battle of the Woods” matchup against Ravenwood.
Stock up: Page: Did not see that coming. A two-touchdown victory over one of the more talented teams in 5A in the Centennial Cougars. I see this as a show out type of performance from the Patriots, who have cemented themselves as a contender yet again in a crowded 5A bracket. I’ll be tuned in to see how they finish against a one loss Nolensville team. I think they will get it done Friday, so with that I’m buying into the Page Patriots.
Stock down: Centennial: I think we might be seeing this team crumble. After the loss to Brentwood the Cougars seemed to have taken a turn for the worse. I could see Hillsboro sticking around in their matchup Friday. That might turn out to be closer than some think. I’m down on Centennial for now, as I viewed them as a contender in 5A earlier this year. I don’t see that anymore.
Stock down: Nolensville: I just haven’t been overly inspired by the performances I’ve seen from Nolensville. I don’t think they’ve had as tough a schedule as some others, and their one true test against Centennial they couldn’t get it done. I’m not buying into Nolensville and think they’ll be handled by Page this week.
Surprise of the week: Franklin: It’s too late into the season for me to say I’m buying into the Admirals, as they are eliminated from playoff contention. However, this team deserves their flowers, and they have my unwavering respect. This season has been a tailspin into nowhere for a group of guys who are dedicated to their work beyond reproach. It’s rare to see a midseason coaching change, and this group experienced that and never wavered. Having probably the hardest schedule in the county, going through a coaching change, being stuck in an abysmal 22 game losing streak, and then on top of that staring down the barrel of an 8-0 Mount Juliet team that was probably looking at this as a tune up game for the playoffs. I’m a senior at Franklin, I’ve watched all twenty-two consecutive losses. This team came out on senior night, honoring their fallen brother William Cherry, who would’ve been a senior this year, and they took it to Mount Juliet. This was a gritty, physical win that was won on the line of scrimmage. This team came out and punched an 8-0 team in the mouth, and quite frankly dominated this game. This game was a life lesson on turf, with nothing to lose, playing for something bigger than themselves, these guys got it done. Congratulations to the Franklin Admirals. They have earned every bit of respect and gratitude I’ve got.