Ensworth opens defense of its back-to-back Division II-AA championships when Memphis University School rolls into town -- and the lights will be a little brighter than usual for the Tigers.
The matchup will be aired across the Southeast on CSS, marking the first of consecutive telecasts for Ensworth. The Tigers' contest on Aug. 25 at Lexington Catholic will be shown on ESPNU.
Before a national audience gets to see heavily recruited tailback/defensive back Corn Elder, regional viewers will do so. They won't likely be disappointed. Ensworth 24, MUS 14.
Brentwood Acad. at Trinity (Ky.): Still stinging from last year's 45-7 homefield loss, Brentwood Academy is well aware of what it's facing. Trinity is ranked 13th by USA Today and is on a 25-game winning streak. Despite the arrival of BA first-year coach Cody White, the streak continues. Trinity 31, Brentwood Acad. 21.
Wayne Co. at Moore Co.: Defending Class 1A champion Wayne County's roster was depleted by graduation, and Moore County has aspirations of making its own title run. Moore County senior quarterback J.P. Evans leads a team with a talented bunch of skill-position players that should be able to put up some points. Moore Co. 26, Wayne Co. 20.
CPA at Goodpasture: A 24-22 win against Goodpasture in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs helped propel CPA to within one victory of a championship game berth. While CPA is looking to build on that momentum behind quarterback Albert Mitchell, a Samford commitment, Goodpasture may be in a rebuilding phase. CPA 27, Goodpasture 17.
Friendship at DCA: Coming off a Class 2A championship, Friendship will likely feature a pass-driving offense with the arrival of former Pennsylvania prep quarterback A.J. Long, who had 4,600-plus total yards and 63 TDs as a sophomore last fall. DCA will have its hands full. Friendship 24, DCA 17.
Siegel at Franklin: Siegel, a 35-30 winner last fall, boasts one of the area's top passing combos. QB Brent Stockstill was a 1,000-yard passer last year despite a midseason injury, and WR Tae Martin caught 35 balls for 731 yards and seven TDs as the Stars went 8-4. Franklin, in Donnie Webb's first season as coach, will be hard pressed to match last year's 8-4 finish. Siegel 31, Franklin 14.
Blackman at Independence: After riding its defense to an 8-3 record and a District 11-AAA title, Independence may have picked up some offensive firepower in ex-CPA gamebreaker Vic Wharton. Blackman has yet to establish a consistent running-game threat after going 8-4 behind Ole Miss signee I'Tavius Mathers. Independence 23, Blackman 17.
Riverdale at Brighton: After absorbing a 49-6 loss to Riverdale in last season's opener, Brighton ran off 10 straight wins before a loss in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs. The Cardinals will likely struggle again this time, as the Warriors return most of their skill-position players from their state semifinal squad, including QB Dillon Woodruff. Riverdale 34, Brighton 14.
Hunters Lane at Maplewood: Hunters Lane is still looking to give second-year coach William Darnell his first victory, following an 0-10 finish last season. Maplewood comes off an appearance in the Class 4A final and an 11-4 record. Maplewood will look to set the tone defensively, with CB Cortez Adams leading the way. Maplewood 21, Hunters Lane 8.
Overton at Father Ryan: Last year's 21-3 win was the third for Father Ryan in the last five meetings. Overton will look to swing the series back in its favor behind RB Willis Word, who rushed for 975 yards as a junior. Father Ryan returns a solid defensive nucleus, including LBs Chris Kelly, Max Stoffer and Aaron McLeod. Father Ryan 17, Overton 13.
Last season: 627-210, .749.
Other picks:
St. Andrew's-Sewanee over Tenn. School for the Deaf
Hendersonville over Station Camp
Trousdale Co. over Greenwood, Ky.
Silverdale over Clay Co.
Webb School over Lighthouse
Watertown over Cannon Co.
Harriman over Monterey
Mt. Juliet over Lebanon
Antioch over La Vergne
Hillsboro over Hillwood
Tullahoma over McGavock
Glencliff over Sycamore
Columbia over Lawrence Co.
Pearl-Cohn over Cane Ridge
Gallatin over Wilson Central
Shelbyville over Coffee Co.
Forrest over Perry Co.
Houston Co. over Richland
Eagleville over Westmoreland
Mt. Pleasant over Cascade
Loretto over East Hickman
Columbia Acad. over Ezell-Harding
Davidson Acad. over White House-Heritage
Rossview over Whites Creek
St. George's over FRA
McEwen over Zion
Community over Mt. Juliet Chr.
Northwest over Summit
Fairview over Cheatham Co.
Waverly over Hickman Co.
Giles Co. over Lincoln Co.
Oakland over Arlington
Macon Road over Pleasant View
Beech over Portland
Red Boiling Springs over Pickett Co.
Meigs Co. over Upperman
Sequatchie Co. over York
Livingston Acad. over Stone Memorial
Smith Co. over White Co.
DeKalb Co. over Warren Co.
Hendersonville Chr. over Chr. Community
Fort Campbell over Clarksville
Springfield over Greenbrier
Pope John Paul II over Stratford
MBA over Kingsbury
Cumberland Co. over Bledsoe Co.
Howard over Franklin Co.
Jackson Co. over Sunbright
Brentwood over Cookeville
Nashville Chr. over Middle Tenn. Chr.
Kenwood over Page
Dickson Co. over Creek Wood
Stewart Co. over East Robertson
Clarksville Acad. over Montgomery Central
Henry Co. over Liberty Tech
Northeast over Jackson North Side
Smyrna over BGA
Jo Byrns over Macon Co.
South Haven over Evangel
Middle Tenn. Heat over Sacred Heart
Franklin Chr. over McClain
Camden over Lipscomb
