There are plenty of opportunities to see good games around Nashville as the TSSAA playoffs continue.
I ranked the top 10 quarterfinal and semifinal games involving Midstate teams. They aren’t all exactly drivable from Nashville, but many are local. Kickoffs listed are 7 p.m. local time.
1. Page (10-2) at Nolensville (12-1), Class 5A quarterfinals: A rematch of last year’s Class 5A quarterfinal between the region rivals. Page owned the series last year en route to the state title game. While the Patriots have been known for passing, they can run the ball (245 yards rushing in Round 1). Nolensville got a heavy dose of that last week against White County and running back Malaki Dowell.
2. Baylor (9-2) at Brentwood Academy (9-2), Division II-AAA semifinals: He may be highly touted as the 247Sports' No. 2 quarterback in the 2025 class. But what a story it would be if Brentwood Academy sophomore George MacIntyre quarterbacked the Eagles into the state finals in his first year as the starter. To help facilitate that, BA will have to limit Baylor dynamic duo Whit Muschamp — son of former Florida coach Will Muschamp — and receiver Amari Johnson, who is a Tennessee baseball commitment. Those two were dominant in an eight-point loss at Montgomery Bell Academy.
3. McCallie (10-2) at MBA (11-0), Division II-AAA semifinals: A rematch of last year’s Division II-AAA state finals. MBA slipped by McCallie earlier this season 23-20 on the road. The Big Red are loaded with seniors who aren’t used to losing at home ever since Ole Miss commitment Marcel Reed became the starting quarterback as a freshman.
4. Beech (11-1) at Cane Ridge (11-1), Class 6A quarterfinals: Can Cane Ridge break into the semifinals? A lot will depend on its front seven players. Beech has racked up 273 yards rushing per game. Mose Phillips III (536 yards receiving, 12 TDs) may not have numbers that jump off the screen, but he’s probably the best Nashville-area player you haven’t heard about. He holds an offer from Virginia, averages over 17 yards per catch and is a stout safety, with 48 tackles and three interceptions.
5. CPA (7-5) at Chattanooga Christian (10-2), Division II-AA semifinals:Â Chattanooga Christian has been without highly touted prospect Boo Carter but keeps winning anyway. CPA seems to get a little better each week and is grooving with its first three-game win streak this year. Vanderbilt commitment London Humphreys gives CPA arguably the most lethal speed threat in the area since Kentucky freshman Barion Brown played at Pearl-Cohn.
6. USJ (10-1) at Friendship Christian (11-0), Division II-A semifinals: Friendship Christian beat Donelson Christian in overtime last week on a blocked field goal, giving us one of the great playoff finishes of 2022 so far. If you haven’t been able to, go see quarterback Garrett Weekly and receiver Brock Montgomery. Montgomery (1,052 yards receiving, 12 TDs) by himself is a highlight reel worth seeing in person.
7. Springfield (10-2) at Henry County (10-2), Class 5A quarterfinals:Â You know the background. Henry County won at Springfield earlier this year on a trick play in overtime. Will there be another wacky ending? Springfield can return the favor on the road. Quarterback Devon Crenshaw is getting it done with his arm (1,464 yards passing, 16 TDs) and legs (901 yards rushing, 18 TDs).
8. East Nashville (10-2) at Smith County (11-1), Class 3A quarterfinals:Â Smith County won this game for the Region 5-3A title last month, but East Nashville has adjusted to some offensive line changes since then, and is averaging 40.5 points since back-to-back losses to end the season. Senior quarterback Zacc Beard threw for 324 yards and four touchdowns in a 40-34 win at Waverly. Senior receiver Frank Gordon is a menace for secondaries.
9. Jackson Christian (10-1) at Nashville Christian (9-2), Division II-A semifinals: NCS has won the last five meetings between the two. Freshman quarterback Jared Curtis is worth the price of admission. He’s completed 59% of his passes for 1,794 yards, 21 touchdowns and five interceptions. But the Eagles have a seasoned cast of skill players around him in Jayden Satterfield, Cameron Carden and James Warmbrod, among others. And how about this nugget dropped by Jeff Brothers on the Main Street Preps This Week podcast: NCS receivers have a 98% catch rate this season.
10. Blackman (10-2) at Oakland (11-1), Class 6A quarterfinals: Blackman has the experienced offense it wants in the matchup, with quarterback Jack Risner (2,428 yards, 27 TDs, 6 INTs) throwing to Mississippi State commitment Justin Brown and Cal commitment Ben Marshall. Is that enough to dethrone two-time defending champion Oakland? The Patriots’ 41-7 win over a good Lebanon team last week was a solid statement.Â
