Dickson Post
DICKSON WEATHER

PICK ‘EM: Joel’s Week 9 Robertson County-area Predictions




Junior wide receiver Taylor Groves may have to will his team to victory Friday night as the Indians need a win to make the playoffs.FILE/KEN HERNDON

Junior wide receiver Taylor Groves may have to will his team to victory Friday night as the Indians need a win to make the playoffs.FILE/KEN HERNDON

2020 Record: 27-9

We have three weeks left in the season, so soak up all the football you can safely! There are only three games on the docket this week, but all of them are region matchups.

I went a perfect 4-0 last week, and I’m looking to continue the perfect-week streak.

Let’s go:

East Robertson (2-5, 1-2) at Westmoreland (1-5, 1-2)

It is do-or-die time for the Indians of East Robertson. They sit with a district record of 1-2 after losing to Jackson County and Trousdale County. Other than Westmoreland, the only region opponent is Watertown, who sits atop the standings.

They need to pick up a second district win to make the playoffs, and if they do not get it here, it most likely won’t happen.

East Robertson had a bye week to prepare for the big matchup against Westmoreland. The week before was a nightmare, losing to Trousdale County 49-6. Both the defense and the offense will need to execute better if they want to repeat their 27-6 victory from last season. 

The Eagles have only won one game all season, but that win came against Jackson County, who, as mentioned earlier, already defeated the Indians this year.

It’s going to be a fascinating matchup that is sure to have postseason implications for both teams. If the Indians can play like they did against Jo Byrns, they could pick up their second region win and be headed to the playoffs for the third straight year.

If their offense struggles to move the ball and the defense cannot stop their opponents, Atlee Pond will miss the playoffs for the first time in his young East Robertson coaching career.

This game is a toss-up to me, but I hope the Indians can pull it out.

Pick: East Robertson 20, Westmoreland 14

White House (2-5, 1-2) at Creek Wood (7-0, 3-0)

White House is coming off of a heartbreaking loss against White House Heritage. The Blue Devils held a 27-21 lead at halftime before their offense shut down. Jackson Mapes ran all over the defense, and that may only get worse this week.

Creek Wood has a potent ground attack but an even more dangerous defense. The Red Hawks have shut out two of their three region opponents this season. They also got their offense rolling before their bye week, scoring 35 points on White House Heritage.

Junior Ranen Blackburn left the game against Heritage in the fourth quarter with an injury, and not having him on the field would be a devastating loss. Montrel Black has plenty of talent himself in the backfield, but Creek Wood’s defense will be able to lock down on him if he is the only weapon.

White House can only afford one more district loss, and it looks as if it will have to be used this week.

Pick: Creek Wood 35, White House 7

Springfield (6-1, 3-0) at Portland (2-6, 0-4)

These two teams are on opposite ends of the region standings. Springfield is enjoying its place atop the standings with Creek Wood and will play for a district championship against the Red Hawks in Week 11 barring catastrophe.

Portland has lost all four of its region games this season but by a total of 23 points. Two were one-point losses, including the overtime heartbreaker to White House. The Panthers will not make the playoffs and have to face the only undefeated teams in the region to close out the year.

Springfield has everything to play for: a region championship, a deep playoff run and a return to Cookeville. Portland has nothing to play for but pride. Stranger things have happened, but the Yellow Jackets should make quick work of the Panthers to get one step closer to their goals.

Pick: Springfield 35, Portland 6

Leave a Reply