Covington hosts Brighton in Week 4 county rivalry

Three high school football games light up Tipton County stadiums Friday night, from an intra-county rivalry to a rare interstate matchup and a critical district clash.

Covington hosts Brighton in Week 4 county rivalry

When parking lots fill up on South College Street Friday night, record books and classification labels will take a back seat. The Covington Chargers host the Brighton Cardinals in a Week 4 matchup that reignites an in-county rivalry, where familiarity runs deep and neighborhood bragging rights are on the line.

Both programs enter the matchup with matching 2-1 records. While Covington represents perennial Class 3A title-contending pedigree in the northern half of Tipton County, Brighton brings Class 5A depth and roster numbers from the middle of the county.

Covington leads the documented series 21–9 across 30 meetings dating to 1997. The Chargers won the first 11 games, including two meetings in 2003. Brighton’s longest run was five straight victories from 2007 through 2011, and the Cardinals later won four consecutive meetings from 2013 through 2016. Covington has controlled the series since then, winning nine straight from 2017 through 2025.

Reshaped Chargers find stride

Covington rebounded from a tough Week 2 setback against Haywood by putting up 67 points in a 67-14 rout of Douglass last Friday. With a new look in the backfield this fall, coach J.R. Kirby’s offense has relied on a versatile stable of rushers that tests defensive edges from multiple angles.

Senior quarterback Colby Labermeier directs the attack after establishing the tone in the season opener with 132 rushing yards at Lakeland Prep. Behind him, senior Nic’kylan Murray supplied four touchdowns in Week 1, while senior Makaviyon McKinnie (team-high 92 yards vs. Haywood) and senior Collen Winfrey provide veteran experience. The emergence of freshman Cordarius Byars, who posted 88 yards against Haywood, gives the Chargers an explosive downhill option behind an offensive line led by seniors Hunter Jones and Reid McMahan.

Through three contests, Covington is averaging 42.7 points per game, leaning on sustained drives that wear opponents down over four quarters.

Cardinals rely on size, late-game composure

Under coach Keith Setler, Brighton arrives in Covington having proven comfortable in tight, low-possession environments. The Cardinals opened the season with back-to-back fourth-quarter victories, edging PURE Academy 23-22 and holding off Dyersburg 32-28, before falling 28-12 at home to Jackson Central-Merry last week.

Brighton operates out of a physical, run-first spread concept designed to control the clock and shorten games. The Cardinals’ offense leans heavily on a downhill ground game, and complementary perimeter throws to open space.

Defensively, the challenge for Brighton is structural. Bringing typical Class 5A size and length up front, the Cardinals must maintain strict gap discipline to counter Covington’s misdirection and option looks. If Brighton’s interior unit can anchor without giving up consistent gains on first down, it limits Covington’s playbook and forces predictable passing situations.

Matchup dynamics

First-down efficiency: Covington’s run scheme is built to stay ahead of the chains. Rushing gains of 5 to 7 yards on early downs put immense pressure on an opposing front, while negative plays or holding penalties force the Chargers out of their rhythm.
Controlling tempo: Brighton’s clearest path to an upset is keeping the score low and limiting Covington’s offensive snaps. If the Cardinals can sustain long drives on the ground and chew the game clock, they prevent the Chargers from finding offensive rhythm.
Turnover and penalty discipline: High-emotion county rivalries often swing on self-inflicted mistakes. Pre-snap penalties and short fields will dictate momentum in front of an energetic crowd on South College Street.

Friday marks the final non-region tune-up for both teams. Covington opens Region 7-3A action on the road next week at Obion County Central, while Brighton travels to Memphis Central to begin Region 8-5A play.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at George Pinner Stadium in Covington.

Unbeaten Cougars host Woodford County in interstate rematch

Following an open date last Friday, the Munford Cougars return to McLaughlin Drive facing an unfamiliar out-of-state visitor with a familiar recent history. Munford welcomes the Woodford County Yellow Jackets, from Versailles, Kentucky, for the second meeting of a two-year interstate agreement.

The matchup features two undefeated squads looking to protect early-season momentum. Munford enters at 2-0, having outscored its first two opponents by a combined 119-0. Woodford County makes the nearly 350-mile journey from central Kentucky carrying a 3-0 record and a No. 14 statewide ranking in Kentucky Class 5A.

Last September, Munford made the trek to the Falling Springs Complex in Versailles, prevailing 49-35 in a high-scoring shootout. Friday’s game serves as the return leg of that agreement.

Dominant start on McLaughlin Drive

Munford has controlled every phase through its first two outings.

In the Aug. 20 season opener, the Cougars rolled to a 58-0 victory over Memphis Business Academy.
In the annual M&M Bowl on Aug. 28, Munford shut out rival Millington Central 61-0.

Senior Qua Bell and junior Tay Starks have led the backfield rotation. Bell rushed for 97 yards on five carries in Week 1, while Starks added 56 yards and two scores on four touches. Together with a starting defense that has not surrendered a point through eight quarters of play, the Cougars enter Friday rested and healthy.

Scouting the Yellow Jackets

Woodford County arrives in Tipton County averaging 44 points per game while allowing just 11 points defensively through its first three contests.

The Yellow Jackets present a physical challenge at the line of scrimmage, anchored by senior interior offensive lineman Justyn Perez, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 290 pounds, and senior defensive lineman Josiah McKee, at 6-foot-4, 245 pounds. In the secondary and linebacker corps, seniors Darrian Tomlin (6-foot-3, 211 pounds) and Jordan Holman (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) give Woodford County size and length on the perimeter.

Matchup dynamics

Line of scrimmage and depth: Woodford County brings size along both fronts. Munford’s ability to establish its ground game against a heavy defensive front will determine whether the Cougars can dictate the game clock.
Turnover margin: In last year’s 49-35 meeting, big plays and explosive scoring drives swung momentum back and forth. Limiting extra possessions in an unfamiliar matchup will be critical.
Sharp execution after the bye: After a week off from game action, avoiding early procedure penalties and missed assignments will allow Munford to settle into a rhythm before opening Region 8-5A play.

Friday’s game is Munford’s third consecutive home date to start the season. The Cougars host Haywood next Friday before beginning district competition.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Munford High School Football Stadium.

Rebels host FACS Friday in early Division II-A West district clash

Looking to shake off tough early stretches to open the 2026 campaign, the Tipton-Rosemark Academy Rebels return home Friday night to host the First Assembly Christian School Crusaders in the TSSAA Division II-A West district opener for FACS and the second league contest for the Rebels.

Both squads enter the Friday night matchup searching for their first victory of the season. Tipton-Rosemark sits at 0-3 following three non-district and league tests, while FACS makes the trip north from Cordova carrying an 0-2 record.

Friday’s game marks a rematch of last season’s district meeting, in which FACS prevailed 49-7 in Cordova.

Rebels seeking complete four-quarter performance

Led by head coach Shane O’Brien, Tipton-Rosemark has shown competitive flashes through three weeks against stiff competition.

The Rebels opened on Aug. 21 with a 42-7 loss to perennial private-school power Donelson Christian Academy.
In Week 2, TRA dropped a 28-17 decision to Class 1A Halls.
Last Thursday, the Rebels came up just short in a defensive district slugfest on the road, falling 14-8 at Harding Academy.

Defensively, the Rebels showed significant strides last week by holding Harding Academy to two scores. TRA will look to carry that defensive momentum onto its home turf, aiming to pair that stingy unit with more finishing power on offense.

Scouting the Crusaders

Under head coach Doug Abernathy, FACS arrives in northern Shelby County looking to rebound from a sluggish offensive start.

The Crusaders opened on Aug. 28 with a 31-18 non-league road loss to Walnut, Mississippi, before being shut out 42-0 by St. George’s last Friday. Through two games, the Crusaders have managed 18 total points while surrendering 73 defensively.

Friday presents a prime opportunity for both sidelines to wipe the early-season slate clean with a chance at a 1-0 mark in league play.

Matchup dynamics

Early district leverage: With both teams aiming to position themselves for the Division II-A state playoffs, securing a district win provides immediate footing in the league standings.
Finishing drives in the red zone: Tipton-Rosemark moved the ball effectively in its last two outings but managed only 25 combined points across those contests. Converting red-zone opportunities into touchdowns will be critical.
Winning the early downs: FACS has struggled to find offensive rhythm out of the gate. If the Rebels can control the line of scrimmage on first and second down, they can force the Crusaders into long third-down passing situations.

Friday’s contest begins a critical stretch for Tipton-Rosemark before the Rebels hit the road again next week.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Rebel Field in Rosemark.