TSSAA football predictions for Week 8: Centennial vs Brentwood is latest unbeatens matchup
Here is a look at the Nashville area's top-10 games for Tennessee high school football Week 8 in the TSSAA season with predictions from Tennessean sports writers Tyler Palmateer and George Robinson and high school sports editor Tom Kreager.
Game of the week
Brentwood (7-0) at Centennial (7-0)
Time: 7 p.m. When: Friday
For the second time in three weeks Centennial plays a team, like itself, that has not lost. Brentwood played a sloppy first half and needed the heroics of Gavyn Nelson's 199 yards rushing to beat Franklin last week. Centennial's defense may not give up a 100-yard rusher and the Bruins are banged up. Wideout Matthew Manning missed last week's game and fellow wide receiver Clayton Merrill missed the second half. Brentwood at full strength is dangerous.
Kreager's prediction: Brentwood 27, Centennial 21
Robinson's prediction: Brentwood 24, Centennial 17
Palmateer's prediction: Brentwood 20, Centennial 17
Franklin (0-7, 0-3 in 6-6A) at Ravenwood (6-1, 3-0)
Time: 7 p.m. When: Thursday
Despite putting together its best football game this season when it played unbeaten Brentwood to a virtual standstill through three quarters last week, Franklin departed from its coach Alex Melton on Monday. The Bruins pulled away late to extend the Nashville area's longest current losing streak (21 games).
Kreager's prediction: Ravenwood 49, Franklin 10
Robinson's prediction: Ravenwood 38, Franklin 10
Palmateer's prediction: Ravenwood 31, Franklin 13
Antioch (3-4) at CPA (6-1)
Time: 7 p.m. When: Thursday
Antioch battled for over a quarter against Mt. Juliet before giving way to the Wilson County school. This has been the most successful season for Antioch since 2016 but it's been through the gauntlet with a brutal schedule. CPA represents another difficult challenge as the two teams meet for the first time.
Kreager's prediction: CPA 42, Antioch 14
Robinson's prediction: CPA 35, Antioch 14
Palmateer's prediction: CPA 38, Antioch 17
Trousdale County (3-3, 1-1 in 3-2A) at East Robertson (6-1, 2-1)
Time: 7 p.m. When: Thursday
East Robertson got back on track, albeit barely, beating Westmoreland 13-12. East Robertson has found the past few weeks to be a challenge as the competition has improved. Running back Isaiah Groves doesn't seem to be fazed after running for 156 yards and a touchdown last week. He has 1,388 rushing yards through seven games.
Kreager's prediction: East Robertson 20, Trousdale County 14
Robinson's prediction: East Robertson 28, Trousdale County 21
Palmateer's prediction: East Robertson 21, Trousdale County 20
Henry County (6-1, 3-0 in 7-5A) at Beech (3-3, 2-0)
Time: 7 p.m. When: Friday
This may be the game most fans have been waiting for in Region 7-5A since the TSSAA reclassified nearly a year ago. The Patriots and Bucs have only faced each other 11 times. Beech holds a 6-5 advantage and have won four straight against the Patriots. The two have a common opponent in Riverdale. While Henry County pulled out a 21-20 win over the Warriors, Beech lost 16-14.
Kreager's prediction: Henry County 28, Beech 21
Robinson's prediction: Henry County 23, Beech 20
Palmateer's prediction: Henry County 28, Beech 17
Lipscomb Academy (2-4, 0-1 in DII-AAA East) at MBA (2-5, 1-1)
Time: 7 p.m. When: Friday
Despite MBA's struggles this season, the Big Red continue to fight. Brooklen Davis had 34 carries for 221 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Knoxville Catholic last Friday. MBA has been playing with pride and Lipscomb Academy is coming off a loss to Christian Brothers (Missouri).
Kreager's prediction: Lipscomb Academy 24, MBA 14
Robinson's prediction: Lipscomb Academy 27, MBA 14
Palmateer's prediction: Lipscomb Academy 17, MBA 7
Page (6-1, 2-0 in 6-5A) at Hillsboro (5-2, 1-1)
Time: 7 p.m. When: Thursday
Page has won five straight. Its defense has been outstanding during the previous four games. Teams are averaging just 3.2 points in those four games, including two shutouts. The Burros had won three straight before losing to Nolensville last week. Hillsboro has never lost to Page in their three meetings.
Kreager's prediction: Page 17, Hillsboro 14
Robinson's prediction: Page 24, Hillsboro 14
Palmateer's prediction: Page 35, Hillsboro 21
Ensworth (5-2, 0-1 in DII-AAA West) at Father Ryan (3-3, 0-2)
Time: 7 p.m. When: Friday
Father Ryan won three straight games and looked poised for a deep playoff run. But the past three weeks have been the complete opposite. Father Ryan dropped its third straight, a 28-24 loss to MUS last week. The Irish haven't played Ensworth since 2020 when they snapped a 15-game losing streak to the Tigers. Ensworth lost two straight before last week's 42-2 win over Heritage Christian (Georgia).
Kreager's prediction: Ensworth 24, Father Ryan 21
Robinson's prediction: Ensworth 28, Father Ryan 21
Palmateer's prediction: Father Ryan 28, Ensworth 27
WEEK 7 STATS Nashville area high school football statistic leaders entering Week 7
Knoxville Catholic (4-2, 0-1 in DII-AAA East) at Brentwood Academy (1-6, 0-2)
Time: 7 p.m. When: Friday
Brentwood Academy has played better football the past two weeks, but it hasn't equaled wins. The Eagles are having their worst season since 1972 despite playing with five-star quarterback George MacIntyre, who threw for 310 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Clearwater International.
Kreager's prediction: Brentwood Academy 42, Knoxville Catholic 35
Robinson's prediction: Brentwood Academy 35, Knoxville Catholic 28
Palmateer's prediction: Brentwood Academy 28, Knoxville Catholic 24
BGA (3-4, 0-3 in DII-AA Middle) at FRA (7-0, 3-0)
Time: 7 p.m. When: Friday
FRA is showing no signs of slowing down, although its 34-point performance in last week's win over Davdison Academy was the lowest output of the season. Coach Justin Geisinger's offense has been clicking since Week 1, led by Ty Clark III, who has 1,029 yards rushing.
Kreager's prediction: FRA 31, BGA 21
Robinson's prediction: FRA 38, BGA 13
Palmateer's prediction: FRA 34, BGA 17
Last week: Kreager (9-1), Robinson (7-3), Palmateer (7-3).
Season: Robinson (52-18, .742); Kreager (49-21, .700); Palmateer (36-12, .750).
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: Brentwood, Centennial highlights Week 8
