Chris Parson vs. Marcel Reed: MBA-Ravenwood highlights Week 1 Nashville area games
Week 1 of the TSSAA high school football season is here.
Here's a look at some of the action set to take place in the Nashville area on the first Thursday and Friday night of the 2022 Tennessee high school football season.
Game of the Week
MBA at Ravenwood
When: 7 p.m., Friday
It's Chris Parson vs. Marcel Reed one last time.
In a matchup of a pair of four-star quarterbacks, the state's No. 10 player in Parson hosts the No. 9 player in Reed and the Big Red for a second consecutive season opener between the schools.
MBA cruised to the 56-28 win last season as the Raptors turned ball over six times.
Kreager’s prediction: MBA 35, Ravenwood 28
Spears’ prediction: MBA 31, Ravenwood 27
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Independence at CPA
When: 7 p.m., Friday
There will be a lot of new faces in this matchup compared to last year's 48-21 CPA win.
The Eagles have a new coach in Scott Stidham and also have a new quarterback in rising junior Cody Pagach. CPA also is breaking in a new full-time starter at quarterback with Thomas Vaccaro, but Vaccaro did start in last year's game.
There will also be several familiar faces, including CPA receiver and three-star Vanderbilt commitment London Humphreys and the Eagles long-time starter at running back Tre Hartwell.
Kreager’s prediction: CPA 24, Independence 21
Spears’ prediction: CPA 28, Independence 24
Blackman at Brentwood
When: 7 p.m., Friday
First team to 40 wins?
Blackman had one of the most prolific offenses in the state last season, averaging 33.6 points thanks to weapons like three-star Mississippi State commitment Justin Brown and three-star tight end Ben Marshall.
Defense plagued the Blaze, though. They allowed an average of 37.2 points.
Brentwood lost last year's game 38-35 and will have several new questions for the new year, including trying to find who their go-to players on offense will be.
Kreager’s prediction: Blackman 45, Brentwood 42
Spears’ prediction: Blackman 45, Brentwood 35
Father Ryan at East Nashville
When: 7 p.m., Friday
The Irish crushed Eagles 35-6 last season, holding them to 107 total yards and zero yards rushing.
East Nashville lost a lot from its Class 3A runner up team but return senior quarterback Zack Beard and his top target in fellow senior Frank Gordon.
Defense will be the strong suit for Father Ryan again in 2022, led by Purdue commitment Drake Carlson, but rising junior receiver Charlie Becker provides a constant weapon on offense.
Kreager’s prediction: Father Ryan 31, East Nashville 15
Spears’ prediction: Father Ryan 28, East Nashville 14
Cane Ridge at Pearl-Cohn
When: 7 p.m., Thursday
The Firebirds had no issues in this game last season, despite Barion Brown not playing, as they crushed the Ravens 38-19.
Malachi Cromwell ran for 231 yards with three touchdowns in that win and again will pace their offense. Cane Ridge will have to find a way to crack the Firebirds' experienced defense.
Kreager’s prediction: Pearl-Cohn 42, Cane Ridge 21
Spears’ prediction: Pearl-Cohn 33, Cane Ridge 17
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Hendersonville at Oakland
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Oakland enters the season with back-to-back Class 6A championships and riding a 30-game winning streak.
Players like Jordan James and Isaiah Horton are gone, leaving massive holes, but the Patriots have plenty of depth and players like Khalil James, CJ Puckett, Jeremiah Collins and T.T. Hill ready to fill their void.
The Patriots crushed Hendersonville 42-7 last season.
Kreager’s prediction: Oakland 42, Hendersonville 14
Spears’ prediction: Oakland 31, Hendersonville 13
Mt. Juliet at Gallatin
When: 7 p.m., Friday
How do the Golden Bears rebound from last season's dreadful end and will Gallatin take the next step?
Mt. Juliet won last season's 34-13 and returns several key players, including three-star Tennessee commitment Ayden Bussell and three-star Vanderbilt commitment Ethan Crisp.
Gallatin has several questions but found a star midway through the season in junior back Jahiem Merriweather.
Kreager’s prediction: Gallatin 17, Mt. Juliet 14
Spears’ prediction: Mt. Juliet 27, Gallatin 14
Springfield at Greenbrier
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Springfield cruised when these teams played in their Week 1 game last season. winning 44-0.
The Yellow Jackets will lean heavily on Lamarious Daniels and Devon Crenshaw on offense while Tennessee commitment Nathan Robinson leads the Bobcats' defense for a final season.
Kreager’s prediction: Springfield 28, Greenbrier 7
Spears’ prediction: Springfield 30, Greenbrier 13
Page at Fairview
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Colin Hurd excelled in last year's game against Fairview, passing for 147 yards with three touchdowns in the 28-20 win.
Hurd likely will be the Patriots' starting quarterback this season tasked with leading the Patriots past the Yellow Jackets for a second straight season in the Battle of 840.
Kreager’s prediction: Page 20, Fairview 13
Spears’ prediction: Page 21, Fairview 17
MTCS at DCA
When: 7 p.m., Friday
How does DCA follow up last season's state championship?
The 2021 season started with a 48-16 win over MTCS and ended with the Cougars lifting the gold ball. Several key players from that team are gone, but junior back Ashton Jones, who ran for 1,771 yards and 25 touchdowns, is back.
Kreager’s Prediction: DCA 21, MTCS 7
Spears’ Prediction: DCA 35, MTCS 17
Reach Joe Spears at jspears2@gannett.com. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @joe_spears7.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Predictions for Nashville high school football's best Week 1 games
