Thursday Night Lights seems to be the theme this week, as Hurricane Delta has forced the majority of a short slate of Week 8 games to move from Friday.
With much of the area observing fall break, along with a couple of pandemic-related cancellations, there are only four games – for the second straight week — currently scheduled for Mostradamus to consider.
Perhaps fewer games will result in a clearer picture for the turbaned prognosticator. Let’s take a look.
Loretto (4-2) at Mt. Pleasant (0-5), Thursday, 7 p.m.: The Mustangs are surging with consecutive victories in Region 5-2A play, defeating Summertown 12-7 for the Pegasus Cup on Sept. 25 and following with a 45-16 win at Community last week. Mt. Pleasant, meanwhile, continues to battle for that elusive initial win of the season. Since coming out of a COVID pause that cost them a Region 5-1A matchup with Cornersville, the Tigers have fallen to McEwen and Huntland, the latter in league play. A young offensive unit has yet to score more than 20 points in a game thus far this fall, though RBs Keevan Cooper (251 rushing yards, three TDs) and Zavier Davidson (230 yards, one TD) have shown promise. Loretto 23, Mt. Pleasant 17.
Spring Hill (1-4) at Richland (2-3), Thursday, 7 p.m.: With both teams having experienced COVID pauses earlier this season, both sets of Raiders decided to take advantage of an open date and schedule this game on the fly. Originally slated to be played at Buford Gladney Stadium, the site had to be switched when inclement weather threatened the matchup, as the Spring Hill soccer team is set to play a district tournament game at home. Both teams are coming off victories: Richland outgunned host Zion Christian 41-27 as RB Austin Seals and QB Sam Edwards combined for five TDs, while Spring Hill blanked visiting Maplewood 35-0 for its first win of the season (and in Region 4-4A play). RBs Mac Richie and Landen Secrest teamed for 120 rushing yards in a revamped attack. Despite their Class 1A status, the hosts feature an offensive scheme that could cause Spring Hill some problems and keep this game close, at the least. Spring Hill 31, Richland 27.
Summit (6-1, 2-0) at Franklin Co. (2-4, 1-1), Thursday, 7 p.m.: Last week’s win over visiting Columbia Central kept Franklin County in the Region 5-5A postseason conversation; another this week over the reigning state runner-up would create even more buzz around the Rebel program. But while Summit has played only once in three weeks, the Spartan offense – led by QB Destin Wade (1,218 offensive yards, 16 total TDs) — has averaged 33 points in five on-field contests and could get a lift this week from the return of RB Keaten Wade from a foot injury. Barring some help in the way of turnovers, Franklin County may have a tough time matching that type output. Summit 38, Franklin Co. 20.
Columbia Acad. (0-4, 0-2) at Trinity Chr. (4-2, 3-1), Friday, 7 p.m.: In the only game involving an area team that’s still slated for Friday night, the Bulldogs come off a COVID pause with an eye on their first victory of the year. Trinity came at the right time for CA last season, with the ‘Dawgs extending their win streak to two after losing five in a row to open the schedule. This time, they’re in a very similar situation and will be without senior RB Franklin Walker for the remainder of the campaign following a season-ending knee injury. Trinity, meanwhile, has defeated Clarksville Academy and Tipton-Rosemark in successive weeks, the latter in a decisive 48-19 outcome. CA is set to return to its Wing-T roots, and while it may catch the hosts off-guard, it may not be enough. Trinity Chr. 21, Columbia Acad. 13.
Last week: 3-1 (.750)
Season: 31-10 (.756)