Week 10 was full of big region games that helped narrow down the Region races and paint a better picture for the playoffs.While the playoff field has not been totally set, as some Week 11 games will play a factor, we have filled out the bracket with the possible options moving forward. Any team that is listed alone in bold font has guaranteed that playoff seed.
First looking at Class 1A:
West TN teams have pretty well solidified their spots in the 1A playoffs. Wayne Co. secured the Region championship with a Week 10 win over Huntingdon. Dresden, Union City and Peabody have also secured the top three spots in their region, respectively.
Week 11 will provide some very important results in 1A. Huntingdon and Bruceton will face off, with the winner securing a playoff home game. Humboldt and Lake Co. will play for an opportunity to extend their season into the playoffs. Meanwhile, Region 8-1A will have a pair of games that will set the seeding for that Region.
In Class 2A:
There is far less certainty for West TN teams in Class 2A. Adamsville is the only area team that has secured their playoff seed.
Jackson Christian and TCA will play for an opportunity to host a playoff game. Meanwhile McKenzie and Gibson Co. are fighting for the final playoff spot. Due to the head-to-head tie breaker, Gibson Co. needs to beat Adamsville and hope that Halls knocks off McKenzie in Week 11.
In Region 5-2A, all playoff spots are currently up in the air. Waverly and Riverside will face off for the Region championship in Week 11. However, Riverside can see themselves fall all the way to the 4 seed in this Region if they were to lose to Waverly, while Scotts Hill and Lewis Co. both pick up wins.
Scotts Hill can move no higher than 3rd in the Region standings, due to their loss to Riverside and Lewis Co.’s win total.
In Class 3A:
Class 3A only features one West TN team that would fall into the “3rd quadrant” of the playoff bracket. Camden has secured a playoff spot; but their situation is in flux, with the possibility of moving as high as 2nd in their Region and as low as 4th. The dream scenario for Camden is a win in Week 11, coupled with losses by Harpeth and Cheatham Co. This scenario would move the Lions into the 2 seed and would give them a home playoff game.
Liberty has been guaranteed the 1 seed in their Region since their Week 9 victory over South Gibson. The Crusaders will host either Covington or Fayette Ware (whichever is ranked the lowest). Dyersburg has also clinched a home playoff game, thanks to their Week 10 win over South Gibson.
Milan and South Gibson will play in Week 11 with the winner moving into the 3rd seed to take on Bolivar, while the loser will travel to Raleigh Egypt.
In Class 4A:
Haywood’s victory over North Side in Week 9 secured the Tomcats the 1 seed from Region 7-4A. The Tomcats are the only area team that has their place secured. Lexington’s Week 10 victory over Dyer Co. helped leave Region 7-4A up in the air. Currently, North Side, Hardin Co. and Lexington are in a three way tie for the 2nd spot. Thanks to total wins Lexington currently holds the 2nd spot. However, each team will need help in order to gain that highest remaining playoff spot.
In Class 5A:
Henry Co. is the only West TN team in Class 5A. The Patriots have been guaranteed a spot in the playoffs, they are just not sure where they will end up. Henry Co. can claim the Region championship with a win in Week 11 against Centennial. However, due to tie-breakers, a loss could possible move the Patriots as low as a 3 seed, which would force them to travel in Round 1.
In Division II-A:
Fayette Academy has secured their playoff match-up as they will have to travel to Nashville in Round 1 to take on DCA.
USJ has faced St. George’s in the final week of the regular season every year since 2013, with each time resulting in the winner claiming the Region title. This trend continues as the Gryphons will take on the Bruins in Week 11 for the Region title.
A win by USJ would cause them to host either ECS or Harding Academy in Round 1. A loss would send Friendship Christian into Jackson.
Based on our calculations, this is how the playoff field will be set in all West TN classifications. Congratulations to all of the area teams that have secured their playoff spot. Make sure you tune to 96.5 next week to find out how the regular season finishes out and where these remaining teams will land in the playoff field.