A look at Madison County’s games this week
THURSDAY’S GAME
Liberty (0-2) at South Side (1-1)
Players to watch: Liberty LB Keenen Robinson; South Side OL Alexander Elder
Most recent meeting: 2022 – South Side 35, Liberty 6
What to know: The Hawks started their play for the Commissioners’ Cup last week with a victory, so a win this week would put them in position to bring the Cup back south of the Forked Deer. Speaking of last week’s win, the Hawks’ defense showed an ability to bend but not break as they needed a stop in the end on a crucial play to preserve a close win. They’ve also proven to be able to run the ball effectively in both their games. The Crusaders have had a hard time making anything happen on either side of the ball, and that starts with play up front. They’ll try to get better blocking for the backs.
Trivia: Liberty leads this series 19-8, but South Side is on a six-game winning streak. The Hawks and North Side are the only two schools Liberty has played every football season of the school’s existence.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
TCA (1-0) at USJ (2-0)
Players to watch: TCA LB Hank Miller; USJ RB Noah Spencer
Most recent meeting: 2022 – USJ 48, TCA 14
What to know: The Lions had a big come-from-behind win in Week 1 and wound up not playing last week because of lighting issues that led officials to cancel their Week 2 matchup. The Bruins had a come-from-behind win of their own in Week 2. Except for TCA not playing last week, the teams enter this game in similar situations – first-year coaches helping them overachieve so far compared to preseason expectations. Something will have to give in this game as the execution and resiliency of both teams will probably be tested in this one.
Trivia: This is the first time in 10 years the Lions and Bruins meet with perfect records. In 2013, they both opened the season with a win then met in Week 2. TCA won 35-0 en route to one of their most successful seasons ever – a 12-2 run to the state semifinals.
Camden (1-1) at JCM (1-1)
Location: Liberty Tech’s stadium
Player to watch: JCM DL Keshun Clark
Most recent meeting: 2012 playoffs – Camden 35, JCM 12
What to know: The Cougars proved in Week 1 they could score if given the chance. In Week 2, they proved they can compete with a tough opponent and take a tough game against a team from a bigger school into the fourth quarter and match them play for play. This week, their defense will be tested as the Lions have scored 50 and 53 points in their first two games. The good thing about that is they allowed 71 in a Week 1 loss.
Trivia: This is the first region game in Madison County high school football 2023.
North Side (1-1) at Obion Co. (2-0)
Player to watch: North Side RB Cortez Manley
Most recent meeting: 2022 – Obion Co. 24, North Side 0
What to know: The Indians scored early and often last week, and the good thing for that is no one got into the end zone more than once. They even had a lineman get into the endzone for a score. But the competition increases considerably this week. The Rebels are coming off a pair of impressive wins – the first one a rout of a smaller school not up to recent standards and last week edged out a possible state championship contender for a close win.
Trivia: Carson Graves had three touchdown passes for North Side last week. Eight of his teammates actually got into the endzone – Javonte Smith, Manley, Kylan Roberson, Davien Caruthers, Demingo Maupins, Kelyn Pittman, Willie Hych and Quinn Jenkins.
Jackson Christian (2-0) at Goodpasture (2-0)
Player to watch: Jackson Christian LB Brooks Goff
What to know: The Eagles take a long road trip to take on their second opponent of the season from Division II-AA. Both teams come in at 2-0, but their opponents’ combined record so far is 1-7. Jackson Christian has outscored its opponents by a combined score of 68-28 thanks to a close to dominant performance on the road last week. As far as our research could figure out, this is the first time for the teams from Church of Christ-based schools to meet on the football field. So there will probably be some denominational bragging rights on the line.
Trivia: Jackson Christian defensive coordinator Rob Phillips is a Goodpasture graduate (Class of 2007), whose father is a longtime Goodpasture coach who’s been a part of 12 state championship teams – three in football and nine in softball. This will be the first time for Phillips to coach against his alma mater.
Compiled by Brandon Shields
