Can you believe this is the final week of the regular season?
The final week brings some intriguing match-ups as well as a win and get in game for our teams, and also brings some Thursday night games to the county.
It will be a fun couple of nights for fans as teams gear up for the playoffs.
The Slate
Thursday games
Northview Academy at Elizabethton, 7:30
Hampton at Cumberland Gap, 7:30
Friday’s game
Happy Valley at South Greene, 7:30
Midway at Unaka, 7:30
Editor’s note: Unaka moved their game to Friday night from Thursday night. We apologize for any inconvenience.
The Breakdown
Northview Academy (5-4) at Elizabethton (8-1)
For the majority of the season, this game was shaping up as a conference championship bout. However, the Cougars were upended by Johnson County and Unicoi County the last two weeks, and the Cyclones captured the Region 1-3A crown last week.
Now the first-year varsity team runs into a Cyclone squad that has won eight straight games, including by a score 97-6 in the past two game. Elizabethton has outscored region opponents 267-51 this season.
Playoff Scenarios:
Elizabethton – Has clinched the Region 1-3A title as well as the No. 1 spot.
Northview – Must win as well as hope for a Johnson County loss to secure the No. 4 spot. If Johnson County wins or Northview loses, the Cougars will be eliminated from playoff contention.
Midway (4-5) at Unaka (2-7)
The Rangers broke back into the win column with a big win over Hancock County last week as John Ramsey threw two touchdowns in the win. The Green Wave, who defeated Unaka in their last meeting in 2013, have had a 4-5 season to this point including a 49-27 win over Sunbright last week.
Unaka will have to keep the offense in a groove against the Green Wave. The Rangers will look to the offensive line to take control of the game against a defense that has allowed just over 25 points per game.
Playoff Scenarios:
Unaka – Has clinched the No. 3 seed from Region 1-A. Will travel to Harriman for the first-round of playoffs.
Midway – Has been eliminated from playoff contention.
Hampton (9-0) at Cumberland Gap (0-9)
On paper, this is a definite mismatch, but anything can happen when you play the games.
The Bulldogs – to put it simply – are rolling. Hampton is averaging over 50 points per game, despite starters only playing in the second half four times this season.
The Panthers are on the other end of the spectrum as they have struggled this season by allowing an average of 49 points per game while scoring 13 points per game.
Playoff Scenarios:
Hampton – Clinched the Region 1-2A title and the No. 1 seed. Will host Sweetwater in the first round.
Cumberland Gap – Has been eliminated from playoff contention.
Happy Valley (5-4) at South Greene (3-6) (FRIDAY)
It comes down to one game.
The final playoff spot is up for grabs with the winner of this match-up advancing to the playoffs. Happy Valley, for the most part, has been in playoff mode since last week was a must win game. The Warriors responded with a statement as they took a 72-8 victory over Cumberland Gap.
The Rebels have lost two straight games – and went 2-4 in their last six games. South Greene has allowed 24 points per game this season. However, you can throw all the stats out in this type of game.
Playoff Scenarios:
Happy Valley – Must win to take No. 4 seed from Region 1-2A.
South Greene – Must win to take No. 4 seed from Region 1-2A.
