TSSAA football predictions for Week 7: FRA, Davidson Academy put unbeaten records on the line
The Tennessee high school football season has entered Week 7. Here is a look at the top-10 games in the area for Week 6 with predictions from Tennessean sports writers Tyler Palmateer and George Robinson and high school sports editor Tom Kreager.
Game of the week
Davidson Academy (6-0, 2-0 in DII-AA Middle) at FRA (6-0, 2-0)
Time: 7 p.m. When: Friday
These two teams have been on a collision course since the start of the season, and Davidson Academy remembers the 35-7 thumping it took last season to FRA. However, the Bears have controlled the series with five wins in the past seven seasons. In those wins, Davidson Academy has averaged 41.2 points and come into this one with quarterback Knox Roberts on fire. Roberts threw for 160 yards and two TDs last week and has 1,460 through six games. Its defense will have to slow down Logan Kinnard and Ty Clark who have been equally impressive.
More: Watch Davidson Academy vs. FRA live on NFHSnetwork.com
Kreager's prediction: FRA 28, Davidson Academy 21
Robinson's prediction: FRA 35, Davidson Academy 32
Palmateer's prediction: FRA 35, Davidson Academy 28
Oakland (5-1, 2-0 in 3-6A) at Siegel (4-2, 1-1)
Time: 7 p.m. When: Thursday
This is Siegel's best six-game stretch in a decade but the Stars have dropped two straight, both one-score games. Their task doesn't get easier, facing Oakland, ranked No. 3 in the USA Today Sports Network Super 25 poll and No. 2 in the Associated Press Class 6A poll. Duane Morris has run for 682 yards and Ashton Jones has 714 rushing yards. And the Patriots have won 11 straight, dating back to 2013.
More: Watch Oakland vs. Siegel on NFHSnetwork.com
Kreager's prediction: Oakland 42, Siegel 6
Robinson's prediction: Oakland 35, Siegel 7
Palmateer's prediction: Oakland 45, Siegel 21
Cane Ridge (1-5) at Riverdale (4-2)
Time: 7 p.m. When: Thursday
The Ravens had their lowest offensive output of the season last week, and lowest in two years. But coach Eddie Woods will take the 3-0 win, the team's first this season. This will be only the fourth time Cane Ridge has played Riverdale. The Warriors won two of the three games from 2012-14 and shut out Cane Ridge in both wins. The Ravens are suffering through their worst season since 2011. Riverdale has won two straight led by quarterback Braden Graham (1,434 yards passing, 18 TDs) and wideout Brock Montgomery (496 yards, six TDs).
More: Watch Cane Ridge vs. Riverdale live on NFHSnetwork.com
Kreager's prediction: Riverdale 35, Cane Ridge 6
Robinson's prediction: Riverdale 48, Cane Ridge 0
Palmateer's prediction: Riverdale 35, Cane Ridge 10
Brentwood (6-0, 2-0 in 6-6A) at Franklin (0-6, 0-2)
Time: 7 p.m. When: Friday
The Bruins have won seven straight against Franklin and the last few seasons have been one to forget for the Admirals. Franklin comes into Friday's game on a 20-game losing streak. Its last win came in September 2021 (against McGavock). This game is a mismatch as Brentwood is 6-0 for the first time since 2012.
Kreager's prediction: Brentwood 49, Franklin 10
Robinson's prediction: Brentwood 48, Franklin 7
Palmateer's prediction: Brentwood 35, Franklin 13
Hillsboro (5-1, 1-0 in 6-5A) at Nolensville (5-1, 1-1)
Time: 7 p.m. When: Friday
Nolensville fell out of the ranks of the undefeated with a 17-14 loss to Centennial last Friday. Zion Tamaska carried the load offensively with 89 yards on 20 carries last week and Hillsboro's defense will be on alert. The Burros may be feeling 2014 vibes when the program went 14-1, reaching the Class 5A state championship game.
More: Watch Hillsboro vs. Nolensville live on NFHSnetwork.com
Kreager's prediction: Nolensville 24, Hillsboro 20
Robinson's prediction: Hillsboro 20, Nolensville 17
Palmateer's prediction: Nolensville 34, Hillsboro 31
Pope John Paul II (2-4, 2-2 in DII-AA Middle) at BGA (3-3, 0-2)
Time: 7 p.m. When: Friday
BGA's defense will focus on Pope John Paul II's Elijah Robb, who ran for 204 yards and a touchdown last week. Robb has 1,004 yards rushing this season and is averaging 167 yards a game. The Wildcats snapped a two-game slide, dropping Hunters Lane 51-0 last week.
Kreager's prediction: Pope John Paul II 28, BGA 21
Robinson's prediction: BGA 24, Pope John Paul II 21
Palmateer's prediction: BGA 28, Pope John Paul II 21
MUS (5-1, 1-0 In DII-AAA West) at Father Ryan (3-2, 0-1)
Time: 7 p.m. When: Friday
As quickly as Father Ryan stormed through the first half of the season, the Irish have fallen down to earth just as quickly. Father Ryan's loss to MBA and Briarcrest Christian in consecutive weeks. That has taken some of the shine off of the Irish's season. But quarterback JoJo Crump continues to impress. He had 330 yards passing with three touchdowns last week. MUS is coming off a 19-14 win over Ensworth.
Kreager's prediction: MUS 31, Father Ryan 28
Robinson's prediction: MUS 27, Father Ryan 21
Palmateer's prediction: Father Ryan 28, MUS 27
Knoxville Catholic (4-1, 0-0 in DII-AAA East) at MBA (1-5, 0-1)
Time: 7 p.m. When: Friday
The Big Red have never lost to Knoxville Catholic but have only played four times. This should be the first win for Catholic, which put up 49 points against Briarcrest two weeks ago and face an MBA team that is having its worst season since it went 4-6 in 2006. The last time MBA suffered a one-win season was 1960.
Kreager's prediction: MBA 20, Knoxville Catholic 17
Robinson's prediction: Knoxville Catholic 38, MBA 14
Palmateer's prediction: Knoxville Catholic 28, MBA 14
RAVENWOOD How Mississippi State QB Chris Parson's tips helping new Ravenwood starter Femi Babalola
CENTENNIAL Three moments that prove Jamaal Stewart's impact on Centennial football is paying off
Mt. Juliet (6-0) at Antioch (3-3)
Time: 7 p.m. When: Friday
Antioch, which hadn't won a game the previous two seasons and has only two wins in the last six seasons, is in first place in Region 5-6A. The Bears have won two straight, including last week's 34-27 win over Stewarts Creek, and have won three of its last four games. Antioch hasn't won two straight since 2016 and is looking for its first three-game win streak since 2013. But that will be a tall order against Mt. Juliet, led by quarterback Tyler Travers.
Kreager's prediction: Mt. Juliet 38, Antioch 16
Robinson's prediction: Mt. Juliet 45, Antioch 13
Palmateer's prediction: Mt. Juliet 35, Antioch 17
DCA (4-2) at Mt. Pleasant (5-1)
Time: 7 p.m. When: Friday
The only time these two teams met was in 2004, a 42-7 win for DCA. Through six games, Wildcats quarterback Mitchell Carey has thrown for 1,478 yards and 20 touchdowns after a four-TD performance in last week's 54-0 win over Mt. Juliet Christian. But Mt. Pleasant's defense has played well, outside of giving up 43 points to Lewis County last week.
Kreager's prediction: DCA 35, Mt. Pleasant 21
Robinson's prediction: DCA 24, Mt. Pleasant 17
Palmateer's prediction: Mt. Pleasant 31, DCA 30
Last week: Robinson (8-2), Kreager (7-3), Palmateer (7-3).
Season: Robinson (45-15, .750); Kreager (40-20, .666); Palmateer (29-9, .763)
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com and on the X platform (formerly Twitter) @Cville_Sports.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TSSAA football predictions: FRA, Davidson Academy take center stage in Week 7
