Top Midstate prep football games for Week 3

Here’s a look at the top high school football matchups with predictions for Week 3 of the regular season:

Last week’s record: 9-1, .900

Season record: 18-2, .900

GAME OF THE WEEK

CANE RIDGE (2-0, 0-0 6-5A) AT HENDERSONVILLE (2-0, 0-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Thanks to a pair of dominating defensive efforts, Cane Ridge, under the direction of first-year coach Eddie Woods, is off to its best start in program history. The Ravens, who’ve outscored their first two opponents a combined 47-0, even notched a pair of defensive touchdowns in last week’s 27-point triumph over Mt. Juliet. This week’s opponent, Hendersonville, will be their toughest test to date, though. The Commandos, led by running backs Terrell Carter and Mike Harris, have been nearly unstoppable on the ground, averaging more than 350 yards rushing in wins over McGavock and Siegel, and they’ll likely look to do the same in this week’s Region 6-5A opener. Hendersonville 28, Cane Ridge 21.

RIVERDALE (1-1, 0-0 2-6A) AT BLACKMAN (1-1, 0-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

The early season has been a bit of roller coaster for both of these Rutherford County schools. Riverdale, which grinded out a 9-5 season-opening win at Ooltewah, took a big step backward in its 34-20 Week 2 loss at Franklin, which featured four Warrior turnovers and 13 penalties for 109 yards. Meanwhile, Blackman, ranked seventh in this week’s Tennessean Midstate Top 10, was throttled by nationally ranked Clay Chalkville (Ala.) in Week 1 before bouncing back to beat a solid McCallie squad, 44-42, on a last-second field goal. Both “Super 32” schools are guaranteed a postseason berth, but whichever one can secure a Week 3 win will have a leg up in the Region 2-6A race. Blackman 24, Riverdale 17.

DONELSON CHRISTIAN (2-0) AT FRANKLIN ROAD ACADEMY (2-0)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

There won’t be any district implications on the line in this long-running rivalry, but both sides will be aiming to improve upon unbeaten starts to the season. DCA, which has won 16 of the last 17 meetings between the two schools, racked up close to 300 yards in last week’s 34-14 win over Jackson Christian. FRA, coming off a thrilling 42-41 triumph over Columbia Academy, also rode its ground game to victory a week ago as Panther running backs Sam Harvin and Thomas Fortune churned out a combined 217 yards and three scores in the double-overtime win. DCA 21, Franklin Road Academy 14.

OVERTON (1-1, 0-0 3-6A) AT FRANKLIN (1-1, 0-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Both of these Region 3-6A schools endured less than stellar starts to the season, but both rebounded with impressive Week 2 wins. Overton struggled offensively in its Week 1 loss at Stewarts Creek, managing just 200 yards in a 16-8 defeat, but the Bobcats were much improved a week ago, racking up 460 yards and five touchdowns on the ground en route to a thrilling 42-41 win over Marshall County. Likewise, Franklin’s offense was basically non-existent in the team’s 20-0 season-opening loss to Centennial, but the Rebels got back on track last week, tallying 34 points and nearly 300 yards in a two-touchdown win over Riverdale. Overton 17, Franklin 10.

BAYLOR (2-0, 0-0 DII-AA E/M) AT ENSWORTH (1-1, 0-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Ensworth received a reality check during its Week 1 trip to 23-time Kentucky state champion Trinity — a 45-0 defeat — but the private school power bounced back beautifully in Week 2, thumping defending Alabama Class 3A champion Madison Academy 28-7. This week, the Tigers will get their first taste of in-state competition as region foe Baylor visits from Chattanooga. Baylor, coming off a 48-7 win over Red Bank, is off to a 2-0 start for the seventh consecutive season, but the Red Raiders have beaten Ensworth just once in eight tries. Ensworth 31, Baylor 21.

LA VERGNE (1-1, 0-0 5-5A) AT COLUMBIA (2-0, 0-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

La Vergne running back Nick Jones has been on an early season tear, racking up 377 yards and three TDs through two weeks, and the 5-foot-9, 198-pounder will look to continue his dominance in Friday’s Region 5-5A opener. Columbia, coming off a seven-point win over Dickson County, did most of its damage through the air as quarterback Colby Delk completed 12 of 21 pass attempts for 182 yards and three touchdowns. Friday’s matchup will mark the first meeting between the two schools since 2006. La Vergne 28, Columbia 25.

CENTENNIAL (1-1, 0-0 7-5A) AT DICKSON COUNTY (1-1, 0-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Centennial, which rolled to an impressive 20-0 season-opening win over rival Franklin, was brought back down to Earth last week, suffering a lopsided 49-6 loss to former district foe Independence. This week, fifth-year coach Brian Rector’s squad will look to regroup as it travels to Dickson County for both teams’ Region 7-5A opener. Dickson County is coming off a 28-21 loss to Columbia despite quarterback Jacob Murphree’s 274-yard, three-touchdown effort. Centennial 21, Dickson County 14.

MAPLEWOOD (1-1, 0-0 5-4A) VS SPRINGFIELD (1-1, 0-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m. (at Vanderbilt)

Friday’s second-annual Back Yard Burger Bowl between Maplewood and Springfield will mark the third high school football game played at Vanderbilt Stadium in as many weeks. Maplewood, led by sixth-year coach Arcentae Broome, stumbled in its season opener, suffering a 6-0 setback to rival Stratford, but the Panthers appear to have gotten back on track after topping East Nashville 26-8. Springfield, led by running back Isiah Bigbee, rolled to a 41-6 Week 1 win over Greenbrier before being edged by Gallatin 27-21. Bigbee, a 5-foot-7, 170-pound senior, has piled up 372 yards and four touchdowns. Springfield 27, Maplewood 16.

STATION CAMP (0-2, 0-0 6-5A) AT HILLSBORO (1-1, 0-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Station Camp doesn’t yet have a win, but don’t let team’s 0-2 record fool you. The Bison, led by junior quarterback Tyler Thompson, have suffered back-to-back one-point losses, including last week’s 21-20 setback to Wilson Central, which was decided by a failed two-point conversion attempt in the final minutes. Hillsboro, ranked No. 10 in this week’s Tennessean Midstate Top 10, probably feels like it let one slip away last week, too. The Burros jumped out to an early two-touchdown lead over Oakland but were outscored 38-14 in the final three quarters. Hillsboro 34, Station Camp 24

EAST NASHVILLE (0-2, 0-0 5-3A) AT STRATFORD (2-0, 0-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Stratford, under the direction of first-year coach Maurice Fitzgerald, is off to its best start since 2011, having captured a pair of non-region wins over Maplewood and Glencliff. Spartans senior running back Corey Simmons has been a big part of the team’s success, tallying 323 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns. East Nashville, on the other hand, which is coming off a 26-8 defeat to Maplewood, is looking to avoid its first 0-3 start since the Eagles restarted the program in 2008. Stratford 16, East Nashville 14

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.