Raiders, Spartans close regular season Oct. 30

Spring Hill and Summit each lost close region games on Oct. 23, and both get one more shot to right the ship before the TSSAA playoffs begin.

The Raiders (7-2, 2-1 in 4A Region 5) host Montgomery Central at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. The Spartans (3-6, 2-3 in 6A Region 6) travel to Independence at the same time. Both are region games.

Raiders look to rebound

Spring Hill's seven-game winning streak ended when Marshall County beat the Raiders 14-7 at home on Oct. 23, according to MaxPreps. The loss dropped Spring Hill to 2-1 in district play and second in the 4A Region 5 standings.

The Raiders had outscored opponents 272-94 through nine games. Marshall County's 14 points were the third-most Spring Hill allowed this season, behind Summit (21 in the Aug. 21 opener) and Battle Creek (20 on Oct. 16).

Running back Kasen White entered Week 10 averaging 102.5 rushing yards per game with 820 yards and eight touchdowns through eight games, according to Nashville-area statistics published by Yahoo Sports. Spring Hill will need that ground game against Montgomery Central, which lost to Creek Wood 42-22 in its own Week 10 region matchup.

Montgomery Central running back Malosi Laban ranked among the Nashville area's top rushers entering Week 10 with 1,309 yards and 20 touchdowns in seven games, per the same statistics report. The Raiders' defense will face a test containing him.

Spartans seek momentum at Independence

Summit fell to Franklin 24-21 at home on Oct. 23, the Spartans' third loss by a single score this season, according to MaxPreps. Summit also lost 17-14 to Nolensville on Aug. 28 and 14-7 to Hendersonville on Oct. 2.

Junior quarterback Davis Smith has thrown six touchdown passes this season, and senior wide receiver Micah Sally leads the Spartans with 39.4 receiving yards per game and three receiving touchdowns, according to MaxPreps team statistics.

The Spartans travel to an Independence squad that lost to Brentwood 28-10 on Oct. 23, according to Yahoo Sports. Independence receiver Brody Bullock entered Week 10 with 1,046 receiving yards and nine touchdowns through eight games, ranking among the Nashville area's top pass-catchers.

Summit picked up district wins over Shelbyville Central (20-19 on Sept. 25) and Coffee County Central (42-14 on Oct. 16) in recent weeks. A win at Independence would give the Spartans a 3-3 district mark heading into the postseason.