The rest of the BHC predictions 10/19

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The Rest of the Football Friday Predictions

 

By: BHC Sports Desk | TriCities.com

Published: October 19, 2012 Updated: October 19, 2012 - 1:28 AM

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Big Eight Conference

 

Tennessee High at Science Hill

 

Last meeting: Science Hill 35, Tennessee High 7 (Oct. 21, 2011 in Bristol, Tenn.)

 

It’s another Big Eight behemoth on the docket for the Vikings after they failed to hang with Dobyns-Bennett last week. … Science Hill (8-0, 5-0) is off to its best start to a season since starting 10-0 in 1979. The Hilltoppers haven’t had a game within single digits this year and their toughest test came back in August with a 27-16 decision over Elizabethton. … Tennessee High (5-3, 3-2) won in its only game at Kermit Tipton Stadium, which opened in 2010, dealing the Hilltoppers their first loss at their new stadium with a 31-28 decision in Sept. 2010. … The Vikings have held four teams to a touchdown or less this season, but have also given up more than 30 points on four occasions. Science Hill will make it five.

 

Prediction: Science Hill 51, Tennessee High 22

 

David Crockett at Sullivan Central

 

Last meeting: David Crockett 29, Sullivan Central 28 (Oct. 21, 2011 in Jonesborough, Tenn.)

 

Last year’s matchup between the Pioneers and the Cougars was the closest Central came to a win and was Crockett’s only victory. Both teams are improved this season, but are still in search of their first Big Eight win. … Central (3-5, 0-5) has lost 20 straight in the conference, while Crockett (2-6, 0-5) hasn’t beaten any Big Eight foe other than the Cougars since also topping Volunteer in 2009. … The five combined wins for Crockett and Central have come against teams with a combined mark of 6-33, although that counts Sullivan East’s 0-8 record twice as both teams picked up wins over the Patriots. … Look for the Central defense to regain some teeth tonight and boost the Cougars to their long-awaited conference triumph.

 

Prediction: Sullivan Central 28, David Crockett 14

 

Black Diamond District

 

Hurley at Haysi

 

Last meeting: Hurley 14, Haysi 8 (Oct. 21, 2011 in Hurley, Va.)

 

Haysi has won four straight and the Tigers are averaging 42.3 points per game in those victories … Tristan Yates (71 solo tackles) and Cody Yates (six sacks) have been difference-makers on D for the Tigers. … Hurley saw its four-game winning streak snapped last week with a humbling 49-6 defeat at the hands of Honaker. … A 52-yard interception return for a score in the third quarter by Billy Stacy sealed Hurley’s win over the Tigers last season. A defensive struggle is not on the agenda a year later.

 

Prediction: Haysi 33, Hurley 22

 

Clinch Mountain District

 

Lebanon at Lee

 

Last meeting: Lebanon 41, Lee 20 (Oct. 21, 2011 in Lebanon, Va.)

 

Last year’s game featured another jaw-dropping performance for Lee’s Tyler Graham, as the running back accounted for 313 yards rushing on 34 carries. Lebanon won behind Chris Belcher (106 yards rushing) and John Michael Duty (200 yards passing). ...Playing without running back Cody Haynes, Lee has managed a total of 13 points the past two weeks …Lebanon, which continues to battle through inexperience and injuries, averages just 13.1 points. Sophomores Ben Sexton (ankle) and Matt Hurd (concussion) were both injured last week against Abingdon but Duty passed for over 100 yards for the second time on the season. … Lebanon lineman Ryan Hubbard is one of the best players in Southwest Virginia while Lee’s sophomore quarterback Houston Sage is a rising star. … The last winning season for Lee came in 2007.

 

Prediction: Lebanon 16, Lee 14

 

Hogoheegee District

 

Holston at Rural Retreat

 

Last meeting: Rural Retreat 45, Holston 29 (Oct. 21, 2011 in Damascus, Va.)

 

This might be the most intriguing game on tonight’s schedule as Rural Retreat and Holston each sport 2-0 district records. … Holston has won four straight and the Cavaliers’ only two losses this season came to clubs that are a combined 13-2. … The running game has been a strength for Holston with the hard-nosed trio of Dakota Barlow, Shane Milhorne and Ricky Cannon racking up the yardage, while sophomore quarterback Seth Thomas has developed into a steady signal caller. …. The Cavaliers’ offensive line will have a challenge in slowing Rural Retreat defensive end Jordan Kelly who already has 14 tackles for loss to his credit this season. … Senior running back Tyler “T.C.†Caudill has been on a roll for Rural Retreat and has gained 1,028 yards and scored 11 touchdowns thus far for the Indians. … The winner could move closer to securing a possible home game in the first round of the playoffs, so a victory here is of the upmost importance.

 

Prediction: Rural Retreat 39, Holston 35

 

Southwest District

 

Carroll County at Tazewell

 

Last meeting: Carroll County 53, Tazewell 0 (Oct. 21 2011 in Hillsville, Va.)

 

Brooks Hash guided Carroll County past the Bulldogs last season with 112 yards rushing. It was another chapter to a dismal season for Tazewell, which had several players leave the team before the game. …After last week’s 38-18 setback to Marion, the losing streak reached 18 games for Tazewell. And with regular quarterback Cody McCann sidelined by injury, first-year coach Shane Allen turned to freshman Nick Elkins to run the offense. The Bulldogs still managed to complete 17 passes for 221 yards. … McCann has thrown for 820 yards on the season. Six-foot-one senior Jalen Jordan (26 receptions, 506 yards) and 5-foot-11 sophomore Jesse Mountain (12 receptions, 198 yards) are the primary targets. The 6-foot-1 Elkins has thrown for 275 yards. ….Tazewell allows 34 ppg. …Nine different players have scored touchdowns for the Cavs, who managed just 115 total yards against Richlands last week.

 

Prediction: Carroll County 21, Tazewell 7

 

Non-District

 

Rye Cove at Twin Valley

 

Last meeting: First meeting

 

This is believed to be the first matchup between these two small schools. … Both have struggled in 2012 as evidenced by the combined 2-12 record of the squads. … Rye Cove beat Hancock County (Tenn.), 26-14, on Sept. 7 for its lone victory, while Twin Valley’s one win came over Phelps (Ky.), 48-14, on Sept. 28. … Running back Patric Fritz (636 rushing yards, four touchdowns) and wide receiver Hunter McMahan (six catches, 128 yards, one touchdown) have been among the standouts for a young Rye Cove team. … One team will be able to claim its first victory over an in-state rival tonight. It should be a close one in Buchanan County.

 

Prediction: Rye Cove 12, Twin Valley 10

 

Thomas Walker at Castlewood

 

Last meeting: Castlewood 13, Thomas Walker 8 (Sept. 7, 2012 in Ewing, Va.)

 

A weird quirk in the scheduling caused by the closure of Ervinton High School resulted in Castlewood and Thomas Walker playing each other twice in 2012. … The first meeting between the schools counted as a Cumberland District game. The rematch does not. … A 6-yard touchdown run by Reid Edmonds late in the fourth quarter secured Castlewood’s victory over TW last month. Edmonds finished with 56 rushing yards and 109 receiving yards. …. The teams were whistled for a combined 22 penalties last time. … Thomas Walker’s defense has struggled and it will be hard for the Pioneers to stop the electric Edmonds from wreaking havoc and making plays.

 

Prediction: Castlewood 24, Thomas Walker 8

 

Johnson County at J.I. Burton

 

Last meeting: J.I. Burton 42, Johnson County 6 (Oct. 21, 2011 in Mountain City, Tenn.)

 

Johnson County is one of the most improved squads in Northeast Tennessee. The Longhorns snapped a 17-game losing streak earlier this season and are a respectable 4-4. Head coach Mike Atwood deserves some major credit for his reclamation project in Mountain City. … J.I. Burton hung with Clintwood for 2½ quarters last week but eventually got worn down and dropped a 41-16 decision. The Raiders are young and inexperienced on the offensive line and it showed against a physical Clintwood team. … Southwest Virginia schools are just 3-7 this season against teams from Tennessee. … Malik Miles scored two touchdowns for Burton last season against the Longhorns and the Raiders rolled to a laugher. Things will be much different in the rematch.

 

Prediction: Johnson County 24, J.I. Burton 19

 

Union at Gate City

 

Last meeting: Gate City 34, Union 20 (Oct. 21, 2011 in Big Stone Gap, Va.)

 

Gate City overpowered the Bears last season for 335 yards rushing. Derick Miller (146 yards) and Nick Bowen (102) set the pace. ... Gate City has a very young lineup, but linebacker Keith McMurray is a hitter on defense. …. Before this season, GC had won the Clinch Mountain District title every year since its formation while falling only to Lebanon in 2007. …While John Battle and Virginia High have been successful this season, the combined record for the other three CMD teams is 4-17. …Union features a power running game, but grinder Ben Baugh has been banged up and played only sparingly last week. … The Bears face an LPD showdown next week at J.I. Burton. … Cody Craft, Matt Morelock and running back Mekyah Davis are players to watch for Union, which lost only 32-30 at Richlands in week two.

 

Prediction: Union 21, Gate City 7

 

Non-conference

 

Sullivan East at Cloudland

 

Last meeting: Sullivan East 37, Cloudland 8 (Oct. 21, 2011 in Bluff City, Tenn.)

 

Cloudland has a sparkling record at 6-2, but the competition has been fairly weak and East (0-8) will be the first AA school the Highlanders have faced. … After scoring 22 points in their season opener, the Patriots have managed only 51 combined in their last seven games, including two shutouts. … With a matchup with Three Rivers Conference powerhouse Elizabethton looming next week to end the season, this is East’s last realistic chance for avoiding its second winless season in three years. Nothing in East’s three dismal games so far in the second half of the season indicate a win is forthcoming tonight.

 

Prediction: Cloudland 30, Sullivan East 7