Gibson County rivalry between Milan, Peabody highlights top week 1 Jackson area games
Week 1 of the TSSAA high school football season is here.
Here's a look at some the action set to take place in the Jackson area on the first Thursday and Friday night of the 2022 Tennessee high school football season.
Game of the Week
Peabody at Milan
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
This annual rivalry features a pair of teams with plenty of questions entering the new season.
Peabody returns quarterback Sam Driggers but has to replace several key starters on both sides of the ball, including two-time Mr. Football winner Khalik Ganaway. New Milan coach Derek Carr also has several holes to fill but takes over a team that averaged 29.9 points per game last season.
The Golden Tide has won five straight in this series, including last year's game 35-25.
Prediction: Peabody 27, Milan 24
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McKenzie at Huntingdon
When: 7 p.m. Friday
The Rebels enter the season as one of the favorites in Class 1A thanks to returning stars such as Jackson Cassidy and three-star running back Marquez Taylor. Gray Eubanks had a breakout freshman season for the Mustangs, but they have to find other weapons offensively.
McKenzie's run to the Class 1A championship game last season started with a 46-28 win over Huntingdon.
Prediction: McKenzie 38. Huntingdon, 21
Dresden at Westview
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Westview has arguably the biggest spot to fill in West Tennessee as it looks for Alabama signee Ty Simpson's replacement. The Chargers also have to replace top receiver Garner Anderson but should have a stout defense.
The Chargers dominated this game last season, winning 48-13, but long-time Lions starting quarterback Tatum Oliver should be able to keep this game close.
Prediction: Westview 27, Dresden 17
Jackson Central-Merry at Liberty Creek
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Will Liberty Creek win its first ever varsity game or will Jackson Central-Merry win its first varsity game since coming back after a seven-year absence?
The Cougars will travel nearly two and a half hours for a game that pits two programs playing their first varsity games. Liberty Creek boasts one of the best new football stadiums and indoor facilities in the entire state.
Prediction: Liberty Creek 27, Jackson Central-Merry 24
North Side at Hardin County
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Who becomes Carter Smith's top target this season?
Smith no longer has standouts at receiver like Mississippi State signee Kaydin Pope and Seth Garner, who accounted for 1,648 of the Tigers' receiving yards last season. Replacing Jacob Harrison's production in the rushing game also will be a priority.
A matchup with a North Side team they beat 33-14 last year could provide an opportunity for younger players to stand out.
Prediction: Hardin County 24, North Side 16
South Gibson at Lexington
When: 7 p.m. Friday
The Hornets travel for the first game of the post-Scott Stidham era and will have plenty of questions they'll try to answer.
Lexington struggled in 2021 but if their offensive line can rebound, Isiah McClaine could find himself in the mix to reclaim his title as West Tennessee's leading rusher.
Prediction: South Gibson 28, Lexington 20
Adamsville at TCA
When: 7 p.m. Friday
This was one of the most exciting Week 1 matchups last season with Adamsville hanging on for the 20-19 win.
AJ Finley scored two touchdowns in that game and will likely be leaned on heavily again while the Lions will have to try to replace the production of Needham Goodwin, who ran for 289 yards and three touchdowns against the Cardinals.
Prediction: Adamsville 23, TCA 21
Ripley at South Side
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Can the Hawks find a way to limit Omarion Pitts?
Pitts ran for 119 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries last season as the Tigers held on to beat the Hawks 20-18.
Prediction: Ripley 24, South Side 13
Union City at Lake County
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Slowing down the Golden Tornadoes' ground game will be the Falcons' biggest challenge as Keaton Brown and Kyrell Littleton ran for 288 yards and three touchdowns in a 30-24 win.
Prediction: Union County 24, Lake County 16
Jackson Christian at Northpoint Christian
When: 7 p.m. Friday
This was one of the most exciting games in West Tennessee last season as the Eagles scored 22 points in the fourth quarter to beat the Trojans 55-45.
Kam Boyd had a massive impact in the game — rushing for 259 yards and five touchdowns — and he will likely be relied upon heavily in this matchup.
Prediction: Jackson Christian 38, Northpoint Christian 34
Reach Joe Spears at jspears2@gannett.com. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @joe_spears7.
This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: TSSAA football: Top Jackson area high school games for Week 1
