Nashville area Small Class football rankings: Loretto, Moore County, York enter playoffs unbeaten
The 2023 TSSAA football playoffs are almost underway.
Are any schools in the Nashville area football Small Class rankings on upset alert in the first round? Here’s a look at where they stand.
Teams in consideration are from Classes 1A-3A and Division II-A.
1. MTCS (9-1): The top-seeded Cougars have a first-round bye in the Division II-A bracket. Eli Wilson rushed for 169 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries in MTCS’ 51-7 win over Ezell-Harding to close the regular season. Last week: No. 1. Next game: Nov. 10 vs. FACS/Grace Christian winner.
2. York Institute (10-0): Eagleton shouldn’t be a problem in the Class 2A playoffs first round. Myles Leffew had 22 carries for 197 yards and two touchdowns and was 7-of-9 passing for 86 yards with a touchdown and an interception to lead York in a 40-12 win over Polk County. Last week: No. 2. Next game: vs. Eagleton.
3. Smith County (8-2): A Smith County vs. East Robertson rematch in the Class 2A semifinals would be delightful. Riley Martin was 14-of-19 passing for 251 yards, four touchdowns and an interception for Smith County in a 31-7 win over Monterey. Last week: No. 3. Next game: vs. Forrest.
More: 347-yard, 4-TD passing performance among Nashville area Small Class boys athlete of week choices
4. East Robertson (9-1): If East Robertson wins this week, it could face unbeaten Marion County (10-0) next. Isaiah Groves rushed for 197 yards and two TDs on just six carries last week in a 62-14 win against Jackson County. Last week: No. 4. Next game: vs. Cascade.
5. East Nashville (8-2): Can East Nashville reach the Class 3A title game again? Keith Johnson rushed for 138 yards and two touchdowns, and the Eagles intercepted three passes in a 35-0 win over Stratford. Last week: No. 5. Next game: vs. Cheatham County.
6. Friendship Christian (8-2): Friendship Christian running back Tyson Wolcott put up his usual big numbers, rushing for 197 yards and four TDs on 12 carries in a 49-7 win over King’s Academy. Last week: No. 6. Next game: vs. Fayette Academy.
7. Loretto (10-0): The Mustangs won a 56-52 thriller over Mt. Pleasant. Mason Tidwell was 18-of-21 passing for 272 yards and four touchdowns for Loretto. If the teams advance, they’ll play again in the Class 2A second round. Last week: No. 7. Next game: vs. Peabody.
8. Lewis County (9-1): The Panthers’ first-round Class 2A playoff game against Milan is a good area matchup. Brycen McDonald was 10-of-16 for 211 yards passing and two touchdowns for Lewis County in a 48-13 win over Waverly. Last week: No. 8. Next game: vs. Milan
More: TSSAA football brackets for 2023 playoffs. See the first-round pairings here
9. Moore County (10-0): The Raiders could end up host defending Class A state champion McKenzie (9-1) in the quarterfinals. Dawson White was 14-of-19 for 227 yards and two touchdowns for Moore County in a 49-13 win over Richland. He also rushed for three TDs. Last week: No. 9. Next game: vs. Houston County.
10. Columbia Academy (7-3): The Bulldogs have a first-round bye in the DII-A playoffs. Their reward? Potentially seeing Jackson Christian (8-2) in the quarterfinals. Montae Baldwin rushed for 238 yards and two touchdowns for Columbia Academy in a 49-14 win over Grace Christian. Last week: No. 10. Next game: Nov. 10 vs. Jackson Christian/Ezell-Harding winner.
Reach sports writer Tyler Palmateer at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, formerly Twitter, @tpalmateer83.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TSSAA football: Nashville area Small Class football rankings
