Predicting travel plans for TSSAA gold balls

Who is going to win state football championships?It's a good thing they don't play on paper because the playoffs would be over after this column was published.But here are picks for which teams will grab the gold ball in 2021.Class 6A — MaryvilleOakland is favored, and the Patriots wore the Rebels out in last year's semifinals. But Maryville has won two of the last three meetings.Darkhorse: Like Oakland, Summit is defending its state title. And although moving up from Class 5A to 6A can be a big step, the Spartans are a good bet to reach the title game.Class 5A — PowellIt's hard to get past what the Panthers showed against Science Hill. This is a loaded team with a great chance to win it all, but they likely will have to beat Knoxville West to do it.Darkhorse: Green Hill. Some team is coming out of the west to face the favored east side, and the Hawks look like the top threat.Class 4A — GreenevilleThere's too much speed for any team in the state to handle for four quarters. Elizabethton has the experience and the titles, but the Greene Devils proved to be the better team in the first meeting.Darkhorse: Pearl-Cohn. The Firebirds lost to Tullahoma by three points, but a state quarterfinal rematch could tilt the other way.Class 3A — AlcoaSix titles in a row is all the evidence needed.Darkhorse: There really isn't one, but Covington has the best history and played Alcoa tough twice in 2018 and 2017 title games.Class 2A — Meigs CountyThis would be the "Finally!" title. The Tigers have lost just seven games over the last six years, but have no titles. They finished runner-up in each of the last two seasons.Darkhorse: Decatur County Riverside has a reasonable path to get to the championship game.Class 1A — PeabodyThe Golden Tide might not have what it would have taken to win a fourth straight Class 2A title, but one division lower it will be a beast to remove from the bracket.Darkhorse: South Pittsburg wouldn't have to play Peabody until the finals, but would have to beat undefeated and top-ranked McKenzie. That wouldn't be the toughest team the Pirates have faced this year because one of their losses came against Class 6A power Oakland.SCIENCE HILL LOSSESThe Hilltoppers enter the Class 6A playoffs with three losses, but they came against state-title contending teams.If the postseason wasn't geographically limited — it isn't in basketball or baseball, where teams from the same district can play for a state title — an argument could be made that all three teams would be favored to at least play for a championship.Elizabethton defeated the Hilltoppers 34-15 in the season opener. If the Cyclones and Greeneville could meet in the Class 4A state title game, instead of the quarterfinals, it's reasonable to think they would.Powell beat the Hilltoppers 42-14 in Week 4. It can be argued that Powell versus Knoxville West would make the best Class 5A title game.And Maryville topped the Hilltoppers 41-17 in Week 6. If Maryville and Oakland could meet in the finals, instead of the semifinals, it would match expectations for these talented teams.BOLD PREDICTIONSBefore the season started, our staff came up with some picks for the 2021 football season.It looks like we had some strong hits.Hilltoppers history?Science Hill will come up with a historic win in the playoffs. (This is still in play. Reaching the quarterfinals would qualify because that's the deepest postseason penetration the Hilltoppers have ever had).Indians incline?Even though this is a clear rebuilding year, Dobyns-Bennett will still have a solid season. (The Indians didn't finish the way they wanted, but 7-3 is very respectable).Wolves winning?West Ridge will win a playoff game. (The Wolves earned a home game, giving this pick a better chance of coming through).Trailblazers tough?The Trailblazers will hold up nicely against a tough schedule. (After a rough start, Boone did indeed hold up and won the Region 1-5A title).Pioneers pride?Sans some of the big names from recent past, the Pioneers will still make noise. (A playoff win is probably needed to make this pick come through, but Crockett is at home).Cyclones continuing?The postseason could be more impressive than the regular season for Elizabethton. (Cyclones' fans are hoping this comes true because it would take a win over Greeneville).Blue Devils bold?Unicoi County will win the Region 1-3A championship. (Been there, done that. Nice season for Unicoi County).Bulldogs biting?Hampton will win the Region 1-2A title and make an impressive postseason run. (This first part missed the mark, but only by six points as the Bulldogs fell to South Greene. Part II is still in play).Ranger rumbles?Unaka asserts itself as a playoff presence. (The Rangers took care of this one by earning a home playoff game. Unaka may be a slight underdog, but no longer an afterthought in the postseason).STATE RANKINGSHere are the Region 1 football teams that received votes from the Press/Times News this week:Class 6A: 9. Science HillClass 5A: NoneClass 4A: 1. Greeneville, 2. ElizabethtonClass 3A: 7. Unicoi CountyClass 2A: 6. South Greene, 10. HamptonClass 1A: 6. CloudlandGAMES OF THE WEEKSince all playoff games are important, here's a look at who is favored in games involving Region 1 teams.Class 6AScience Hill by 7 over FarragutWest Ridge by 3 over ClevelandMaryville by 24 over Dobyns-BennettBradley Central by 21 over Jefferson CountyClass 5AHalls by 1 over Daniel BooneDavid Crockett by 3 over Sevier CountyKnox Central by 17 over Tennessee HighKnox West by 27 over Morristown WestClass 4AElizabethton by 17 over CarterGreeneville by 21 over South-DoyleFulton by 21 over VolunteerAnderson County by 21 over SeymourClass 3AUnicoi County by 17 over Austin-EastAlcoa def. Johnson County by forfeitPigeon Forge by 16 over West GreeneGatlinburg-Pittman by 12 over Chuckey-DoakClass 2AHampton by 15 over MontereyRockwood by 27 over Happy ValleySouth Greene by 28 over York InstituteOneida by 18 over Cumberland GapClass 1ACloudland by 12 over GreenbackMidway by 4 over UnakaOakdale by 28 over JellicoCoalfield by 36 over North GreeneTHE TOP 10Cloudland, Unicoi County and Daniel Boone each move up a spot in the final rankings of the season.Team W-L Prv1. Elizabethton 8-1 12. Science Hill 7-3 23. Dobyns-Bennett 7-3 34. West Ridge 8-2 45. Cloudland 9-1 66. Unicoi County 9-1 77. Daniel Boone 4-5 88. David Crockett 6-4 99. Hampton 7-2 510. Volunteer 6-4 10Top playerLevon Montgomery, Tennessee HighWith a Class 5A playoff berth on the line, the senior running back turned in a heart-warming performance.Montgomery rushed for 202 of the team's 252 yards on the ground and scored three touchdowns to lead his team to a 30-10 victory over Cherokee. After the game, Montgomery said he was motivated by his brother, Micah, who died on Sept. 12 in a drowning accident.Defensive unitScience Hill HilltoppersIt was one of the better defensive performances for Science Hill in recent memory.In a 21-3 victory over Dobyns-Bennett, the Hilltoppers held the Indians to 179 yards of total offense — including only two yards per rushing attempt (58 on 29 carries). They came up with a fumble recovery, picked off two passes, and recorded two sacks.The Hogs AwardUnicoi County Blue DevilsClosing their season with a 58-21 win over Johnson County, the Blue Hogs worked in harmony throughout the contest.They blocked the way for 197 yards rushing on just 22 attempts (an average of nine yards per carry). And the pass protection was nearly perfect, allowing six completions in seven attempts.