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Mostradamus speaks: Week 11 predictions





Though a number of area teams are headed toward postseason play – and a few are not – Week 11 still holds some importance in terms of playoff seeding.

Or pride.

Because for the teams that will be finishing up their 2022 campaigns this weekend, going out with a win carries some weight.

Building some momentum, for either the offseason or the postseason, will be the goal for these squads, and for Mostradamus as well.

Let’s see what the final weekend looks like.

(Record, current Main Street Preps Top 25 ranking [where applicable] in parentheses.)

Cascade (5-4, 1-3) at Summertown (2-7, 0-4): In Region 5-2A, a tumultuous season draws to an end for the host Eagles. Cascade, meanwhile, can clinch a postseason berth with a victory or with a Mt. Pleasant win over Forrest. A Champions loss and a Rockets upset would leave Cascade on the outside looking in at the playoffs. But the Champs have won three of their last four games, all in shutout fashion, while Summertown has been outscored 89-7 in consecutive losses to Loretto, Mt. Pleasant and Lewis County. Cascade 28, Summertown 14.

Columbia Acad. (3-5, 1-3) at Grace Chr.-Franklin (5-4, 2-2): Given the stakes, the playoffs start here for CA and the Lions, as the winner advances as the fourth and final team from the Middle Region of Division II-A. The Bulldogs had a chance for some postseason breathing room, but came up short in their Week 10 matchup with visiting Clarksville Academy, an eventual 35-28 loss. Grace Christian won five of its first six games before the schedule turned, resulting in consecutive losses to Nashville Christian, Clarksville Academy and Donelson Christian. Giving Harrison Brownlee a start at quarterback resulted in a second running threat for Columbia Academy, to go with sophomore RB Montae Baldwin, while Brownlee also threw for 174 yards. That may be the two-pronged ground-game attack the ‘Dawgs need to seal a playoff berth. Columbia Academy 34, Grace Chr. 28.

Forrest (3-6, 1-3) at Mt. Pleasant (7-1, 4-0): Forrest gave Richland some trouble two weeks ago with its perimeter running game before eventually falling 42-41 – a loss that put the Rockets’ playoff chances in peril. That was one of four straight defeats, including last week’s 35-14 loss at East Robertson, that has put Forrest in position to possibly miss the postseason for the first time since 2008. And their speed on the edge offensively won’t likely be an advantage against a Mt. Pleasant team whose athleticism all over the field is one of their strengths. Defensively, the Tigers’ speed and strength at all three levels is a gamechanger, while QB Nick Brown (1,051 passing yards, 10 TDs) will be looking for a bounce-back game after going two straight outings without a passing TD. Mt. Pleasant already holds the top seed from Region 5-2A, and can claim the league title outright with a victory. Mt. Pleasant 35, Forrest 20.

Franklin (0-9, 0-4) at Summit (2-7, 0-4): In Region 7-6A, both the Admirals and the Spartans are facing their season finales. Franklin’s been victimized by a tough schedule and some close losses – three by one possession, including consecutive league defeats against Centennial and Brentwood. Each of Franklin’s five non-region foes remain in postseason contention. Summit stopped a six-game slide in dominant fashion, rolling up 410 offensive yards and scoring three touchdowns of 35-plus yards in a 48-0 Week 10 win over Shelbyville. The Spartan run game features three ballcarriers – RBs Dominick Hollis (626 yards, seven TDs) and Logan Frazier and QB Austin Harvey – with 275-plus yards. Though Summit’s string of six straight playoff appearances will end, the Spartans should take a victory into the offseason. Summit 27, Franklin 20.

Loretto (4-5, 3-1) at Richland (7-2, 3-1): Home field for the opening round of the playoffs is on the line in this Region 5-2A clash. Loretto features a 2,000-yard passer in junior Carter Daniel, with WR Clint Seymore and RB Caden Porter set to go over the 1,000-yard mark in receiving and rushing, respectively. The Mustangs have won two of their last three outings, including a 23-13 Week 9 win over Cascade, after a midseason three-game skid. Similarly, Richland rebounded from back-to-back losses with a pair of wins while displaying the versatility of Ethan Workman (678 rushing yards, 735 receiving yards, 23 offensive TDs). This will be a matchup of contrasting offensive approaches, but the Mustangs may have more firepower. Loretto 35, Richland 27.

Ravenwood (5-4, 3-1, No. 13) at Independence (5-4, 3-1): Both Region 7-6A squads have locked up postseason berths, but the winner will host a first-round contest and – depending on other outcomes – could earn the league title. Neither team has its Week 1 starting quarterback, as the Raptors are without Mississippi State commit Chris Parson and Indy is minus highly touted junior Cody Pagach. The Eagles relied on their defense in their last outing, though, surprisingly shutting out Page 13-0 while getting 75 yards and a pair of TDs from RB Tre Hartwell. That marked the second straight win for Independence, which downed Summit after pushing Brentwood to overtime on the road. Ravenwood lost its last two outings, at Centennial and Pope Prep. Expect this one to be a barnburner. Independence 24, Ravenwood 21.

Spring Hill (0-9, 0-4) at Columbia Central (2-7, 0-4): The “Backyard Bowl” is the Region 6-5A finale for both participants, with the host Lions missing out on an opportunity to play for a postseason berth following a 25-8 loss at Lincoln County in their last outing – their third straight defeat. Spring Hill, meanwhile, has been blanked in each of its last three games and looks for its first win over Central since 2003. That string of 16 straight losses includes a 34-0 decision a year ago. Columbia Central 19, Spring Hill 12.

Last week: 4-2 (.667)

Season: 52-11 (.825)

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