Predictions for Clarksville-area TSSAA, KHSAA football first-round playoff games
After 11 weeks of regular season football, the TSSAA playoffs begin this week, as well as the KHSAA playoffs.
Five Clarksville-area teams have qualified for the postseason. Here's a breakdown of each of their matchups, along with predictions.
Game of the week
Collierville (7-3) at Clarksville (10-0) in Class 6A first round
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Clarksville's reward for a region title and first undefeated regular season since 1945 isn't much of one, considering that Collierville has spent time in the AP poll top 10 this season and would likely be hosting a first-round game in most other regions. The Dragons can boast a non-region win over Beech and a seven-point loss to undefeated Germantown.
Collierville is more talented than any other team the Wildcats have faced this season and are led by Missouri commit Aidan Glover (1,749 passing yards, 21 touchdowns) and three-star receiver Joakim Dodson. Clarksville will need to rely on Ahmoyre Galbreath and James Dalrymple to control the clock and tire out the Dragons' defense.
Prediction: Clarksville 28, Collierville 24
Bartlett (7-3) at Rossview (7-3) in Class 6A first round
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Like Collierville, Bartlett's three losses and No. 3 seed aren't indicative of how strong it is. The Panthers beat the Dragons in September, and also have wins over Lausanne (8-1) and Grenada, Mississippi (8-2). Last season, they made the Class 6A semifinals.
Led by running back Geron Johnson (1,680 yards, 20 touchdowns), Bartlett plays fast, averaging 61.2 plays per game, but has turned the ball over 20 times. Rossview, which has shut out five of its 10 opponents and plays at a much more deliberate pace on offense, will need to force mistakes on defense and look for DJ Young (1,141 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns) to take advantage.
Prediction: Bartlett 28, Rossview 17
Houston County (4-6) at Moore County (10-0) in Class 1A first round
When: 7 p.m., Friday
It's been four years since Houston County's last postseason appearance. While the Irish have had an impressive season, rebounding from two straight winless campaigns to earn the fourth seed in Region 6-1A, their playoff stay isn't likely to be a long one.
Moore County has been one of the most dominant teams in Tennessee, having won all its games by at least 17 points. Mr. Football candidate Dawson White has thrown for 1,514 yards, rushed for 1,310 and totaled 37 touchdowns.
Prediction: Moore County 56, Houston County 14
Murray (6-4) at Fort Campbell (5-5) in KHSAA Class 2A first round
When: 7 p.m., Thursday
Fort Campbell ended the regular season with a two-game losing streak, but set off some fireworks in the meanwhile. JP Perryman, who took over at quarterback midseason, threw for a school-record 578 yards in a 73-48 loss to Webster County last week. Now the Falcons turn their attention to their first home playoff game in a decade.
Murray also comes into the playoffs having lost its last two games. The Tigers' rushing attack was almost unstoppable in their most recent win over Caldwell County on Oct. 19. Kainoa Olive and Jeremiah Jones combined for 323 yards on the ground.
Prediction: Fort Campbell 38, Murray 35
West Creek (4-6) at Germantown (10-0) in Class 6A first round
When: 7 p.m., Friday
West Creek was jubilant after clinching the school's second-ever playoff berth in a 24-21 overtime win over Kirkwood, but coach Rob Gallowitz admitted that the Coyotes made too many mistakes against the Cobras. Against No. 2 Germantown, they can't afford to make any.
The Red Devils have a pair of Power Five commitments on their defensive line in Daniel Anderson (North Carolina) and DJ Allen (UCF). Germantown held White Station to 35 yards of offense last week and is outscoring opponents by an average of 35-9.
Prediction: Germantown 42, West Creek 7
Last week's picks: 4-1 (.800)
Season picks: 42-8 (.840)
Jacob Shames can be reached by email at jshames@gannett.com and on Twitter @Jacob_Shames.
This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: TSSAA football playoffs: Clarksville-area first round predictions
