THE POST ROUTE

A look at Madison County’s games this week

North Side (2-4) at JCM (1-4)

Location: South Side

Players to watch: North Side WR Javonte Smith; JCM DL Deterius Douglas

Most recent meeting: 2015 – North Side 47, JCM 0

What to know: It’s JCM’s pseudo-homecoming this week at South Side, so the Cougars have a lot to play for in terms of bragging rights and making homecoming a happy time. Also, the Commissioners’ Cup is in play as JCM is 1-1, and the Indians are 1-0. North Side is coming off a valiant effort that came up short to hand Dyersburg its first loss last week. The Cougars are trying to stop their losing streak that started in Week 2.

Common opponents: Liberty – North Side won 54-8; JCM won 31-0

Trivia: This will be the second week in a row that South Side’s stadium will have hosted a homecoming game after the Haws celebrated Homecoming this past week.

FACS (5-0, 1-0 Division II-A West) at Jackson Christian (6-0, 2-0)

Player to watch: Jackson Christian OL Ty Smith

Most recent meeting: 2022 – Jackson Christian 49, FACS 3

What to know: Jackson Christian has been in this situation plenty of times, even against an unbeaten opponent in the region last week. FACS’ opponents have won 25 percent of their games so far. JCS’ opponents’ winning percentage is 53. While the offense has gotten a lot of the attention for Jackson Christian this season, the defense has stepped up in recent games, holding TRA to 70 yards in a shutout last week and recording two shutouts in their last three games.

Common opponents: None

Trivia: Jackson Christian is undefeated, and this is the Eagles’ seventh game of the season. This is the fifth game in which the other team is also undefeated.

USJ (4-2, 1-0 Division II-AA West) at Northpoint Christian (4-2, 1-0)

Player to watch: USJ DB Justin Parker

Most recent meeting: 2018 – USJ 28, Northpoint 0

What to know: This could be the most important game for USJ in the regular season. Northpoint was the projected by many to compete for the region championship. USJ started well and looked like a contender before dropping two in a row. The Bruins opened region play with a win last week. A win here would not only keep them unbeaten in league play but would give them the win over a contender.

Common opponents: Jackson Christian – USJ lost 41-0; Northpoint lost 21-14

Trivia: USJ traveled to Mississippi to take on Northpoint in the 2015 state semifinals, which was the final game for longtime coach Mickey Marley leading the Bruins.

South Side (2-4) at Bolivar (3-3)

Player to watch: South Side OL Alexander Elder

Most recent meeting: 2018 – South Side 24, Bolivar 12

What to know: South Side is getting outscored each week by an average of 23-15.7. Bolivar ‘s average final score in its games is a tie 34.8-34.8, meaning the Tigers have scored 209 points in their six games and allowed their opponents to score the same number. Bolivar’s games are generally higher scoring affairs, so the Hawks will try to shorten the game as much as possible with their run game. The most points South Side has scored this year is 36, just above Bolivar’s average.

Common opponents: Ripley – South Side lost 22-9; Bolivar lost 45-38

Trivia: These teams are playing for the first time after a four-year hiatus. They played each other every year going back to at least 2004.

TCA (3-2, 1-0 Division II-A West) at Harding Aca. (2-3, 0-2)

Player to watch: TCA WR Kaleb Williams

Most recent meeting: 2022 – TCA 51, Harding Aca. 7

What to know: On paper, TCA looks like it should win this game, but Harding Academy is 0-2 and needs a win in a big way if it wants to make the playoffs. Just like TCA was able to shock a favored opponent last week and nearly won, the Lions could find themselves on the other side of that coin this week if they’re not careful. But the Lions have shown they can win in the air or on the ground as they have options that are equally effective.

Common opponents: None

Trivia: Neither of the teams Harding Academy has beaten has won a game yet this season.

Compiled by Brandon Shields