Tipton County’s four high school football teams head into Week 5 with plenty on the line.

Munford carries an unbeaten record into a home matchup with high-scoring Haywood, while Brighton and Covington both open region play on the road against unbeaten opponents. Tipton-Rosemark Academy, fresh off its first win of the season, looks to build on that momentum at Evangelical Christian School.

Here’s a closer look at all four matchups.

Unbeaten Munford hosts high-scoring Haywood

Munford’s unbeaten start will face another test Friday night when Haywood visits Dr. Sid Witherington Field.

The Cougars enter the Week 5 matchup at 3-0 after holding off Woodford County, Kentucky, 34-30. Haywood arrives from Brownsville at 3-1 with three consecutive victories, including a 64-50 win over Lakeland Prep last week.

Friday’s game is a nonregion contest between teams averaging more than 47 points per game.

Munford won last year’s meeting 51-28 in Brownsville.

Starks carries Cougars through first close test

Munford opened the season with two running-clock victories, shutting out Memphis Business Academy 58-0 and Millington 61-0.

Woodford County presented a much different challenge.

The Cougars needed four quarters to protect their unbeaten record, and junior running back Tay Starks carried the offense. Starks rushed 36 times for 204 yards and three touchdowns, scoring on runs of 1, 2 and 45 yards.

His performance helped Munford finish with 309 rushing yards and complete a two-year sweep of Woodford County. The Cougars won last season’s meeting 49-35 in Kentucky.

Starks has been Munford’s most important offensive player through the opening month. After rushing for more than 1,600 yards as a sophomore, he has remained the focal point of an offense built around physicality and ball control.

Munford has rushed for at least 300 yards in each of its first three games. The Cougars produced 309 against Memphis Business Academy, 397 against Millington and 309 against Woodford County.

Coach Slade Calhoun’s team has scored 153 points, an average of 51 per game.

Haywood brings explosive ground game

Haywood has responded with three consecutive victories since losing its opener to Henry County, 31-28.

The Tomcats defeated Covington 36-14, shut out Craigmont 61-0 and outlasted Lakeland Prep in last week’s 64-50 shootout.

Haywood rushed for 493 yards against Lakeland Prep. Junior running back Braden Harvey led the way with 198 yards and four touchdowns on nine carries.

Harvey has rushed for 491 yards through four games, averaging more than seven yards per carry. He also ran for 166 yards and three touchdowns in Haywood’s win over Covington.

Senior Jaden Butler gives the Tomcats another proven scoring threat. Butler has accounted for 12 total touchdowns while also contributing defensively with three interceptions.

Haywood has scored 189 points through four games. The Tomcats have topped 60 points in consecutive games and scored 161 during their three-game winning streak.

Matchup dynamics

• Starks against Haywood’s front: Starks carried the ball 36 times last week, showing he can handle a heavy workload in a close game. Haywood must slow him on early downs and force Munford away from its preferred pace.
• Containing Harvey: Harvey needed only nine carries to produce 198 yards and four touchdowns against Lakeland Prep. Munford’s defense cannot allow him to reach the open field.
• Limiting explosive plays: Both offenses have shown they can score quickly. Missed tackles or poor pursuit angles could turn routine runs into touchdowns.
• Defensive response: Munford surrendered its first points of the season against Woodford County after opening with consecutive shutouts. Haywood allowed 50 points and 484 total yards against Lakeland Prep.
• Possession and field position: With two productive rushing attacks, long drives and extra possessions will matter. Turnovers, penalties and special-teams mistakes could decide which offense controls the game.

Friday is Munford’s fourth consecutive home game to begin the season. The Cougars host Whitehaven next week before opening Region 8-5A play against Kingsbury on Oct. 2.

Haywood returns to Region 8-4A competition next week with a road game at Fayette-Ware.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Dr. Sid Witherington Field in Munford.

Brighton opens region play against unbeaten Memphis Central

Brighton begins Region 8-5A play Friday night with one of the league’s most difficult assignments.

The Cardinals travel to Memphis Central to face a Warriors team that is 4-0 and has outscored its opponents 163-15. Brighton enters the matchup at 2-2 after last week’s 26-7 loss at Covington.

Friday’s game begins a four-game region schedule for both teams. Memphis Central won last year’s meeting 28-21 in Brighton on its way to the Region 8-5A championship.

Cardinals look to regain early-season form

Brighton opened the season with consecutive close victories, edging PURE Academy 23-22 and holding off Dyersburg 32-28.

The Cardinals have since dropped back-to-back games against Jackson Central-Merry and Covington.

Brighton was held to 12 points and 143 total yards in a 28-12 loss to Jackson Central-Merry. Last week, the Cardinals finished with 156 yards in the loss to Covington and did not score until the fourth quarter.

Senior running back Ja’Karion Burrell remains the centerpiece of Brighton’s offense. Burrell is averaging 117 rushing yards per game and has scored six touchdowns.

The Cardinals were most effective offensively in their win over Dyersburg, rushing for 401 yards. Reestablishing that ground game will be critical against a Memphis Central defense that has not allowed more than eight points in a game this season.

Nasir Hill gave Brighton another productive option last week, rushing for 100 yards on 12 carries against Covington. His performance accounted for most of the Cardinals’ 120 rushing yards.

For coach Keith Setler’s team, the challenge is turning that production into sustained drives and points. Brighton has scored 19 points over its past two games after scoring 55 in its first two.

Warriors unbeaten through four games

Memphis Central has controlled each of its first four opponents.

The Warriors shut out Melrose 42-0 and Bolton 44-0 before beating White Station 35-7. They followed those wins with a 42-8 victory over PURE Academy last week.

Junior quarterback Brooks Wright leads a balanced Central offense. Wright has thrown for 530 yards and eight touchdowns, giving the Warriors a passing threat Brighton did not consistently see during its nonregion schedule.

Senior running back Derreon Martin has rushed for 342 yards. He also showed his big-play ability against PURE Academy, scoring on an 87-yard kickoff return, a 49-yard run and a 57-yard reception while finishing with 240 all-purpose yards.

Junior receiver Bobby Calvin III leads Central at 59 receiving yards per game. The combination of Wright, Martin and Calvin allows the Warriors to attack through the air, on the ground and in the return game.

Central has been equally effective defensively. Senior lineman Joshua Lane leads the Warriors with 7.3 tackles per game and two sacks.

The Warriors have recorded two shutouts and allowed only one touchdown in each of their past two games.

Matchup dynamics

• Getting Burrell established: Brighton needs Burrell involved early and often. Consistent gains from its leading rusher would help the Cardinals control the clock and keep Central’s offense off the field.
• Finishing drives: Brighton moved the ball at times against Jackson Central-Merry and Covington but scored only 19 combined points. The Cardinals cannot afford empty possessions against a team averaging more than 40 points.
• Containing Martin: Central can use Martin as a runner, receiver and returner. Brighton must maintain its pursuit angles and avoid giving him open space.
• Protecting against the pass: Wright has thrown eight touchdown passes through four games. Brighton’s secondary will need to limit explosive completions without creating running lanes for Martin.
• Field position and turnovers: Central has allowed only 15 points all season. Brighton’s best opportunities may come from short fields created by takeaways or special teams.

Friday’s result will provide immediate positioning in a five-team region that also includes Munford, Overton and Kingsbury.

Brighton returns home next week to face Kingsbury in another region matchup. Memphis Central hosts Germantown in nonregion play.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Memphis Central High School.

Covington opens region play Friday at Obion County

Covington’s path through Region 7-3A begins Friday night in Troy.

The Chargers travel to Obion County Central for a matchup between teams carrying identical 3-1 records but coming off very different Week 4 results. Covington enters on a two-game winning streak after beating Brighton 26-7, while Obion County is looking to regroup following a 69-7 loss to Westview.

Friday’s game is Covington’s region opener and Obion County’s second league contest. The Chargers won last year’s meeting 63-8 at George Pinner Stadium.

Chargers enter region play with momentum

Covington has found its footing since a 36-14 loss to Haywood in Week 2.

The Chargers answered with a 67-14 win over Frederick Douglass, then controlled last week’s county rivalry against Brighton. Covington carried a 20-0 lead into the fourth quarter and held the Cardinals to one late touchdown in the 26-7 victory.

The back-to-back wins have featured the formula coach J.R. Kirby’s teams have traditionally relied on: a physical running game, sustained drives and a defense that keeps opponents from finding a rhythm.

Senior quarterback Colby Labermeier directs a backfield with several options. He rushed for 132 yards in the season-opening win over Lakeland Prep, while junior Nic’kylan Murray added 101 yards and four touchdowns.

Senior Makaviyon McKinnie led Covington with 92 rushing yards against Haywood. Freshman Cordarius Byars added 88 yards in that game, while senior Collen Winfrey and junior Mac Wilson provide the Chargers with additional options.

Covington has scored 154 points through four games. The Chargers have allowed 70, with more than half of that total coming in the loss to Haywood.

Rebels look to bounce back

Obion County opened the season with three convincing nonregion wins.

The Rebels beat Lake County 41-20, Gibson County 36-6 and Gleason 37-8, scoring at least 36 points in each game. That unbeaten start ended abruptly last week when Westview handed Obion County a 69-7 loss in the Rebels’ region opener.

Obion County has been most dangerous through the air. Quarterback Landon Nichols threw for 561 yards through the Rebels’ first three games, including 284 yards in the win over Gleason.

Junior receiver Chace Jenkins emerged as Nichols’ top target with 256 receiving yards and five total touchdowns during that stretch. Senior running back Tyler Stork gives the Rebels balance on the ground.

The Rebels also generated pressure defensively during their unbeaten start. Senior Deacon Bentley recorded five sacks through three games, while junior linebacker Andre Miller led the team in tackles per game.

For Covington, limiting big plays from Nichols and Jenkins will be one of the night’s most important assignments. The Chargers will want to keep the Rebels in long-yardage situations and prevent their passing game from building early confidence.

Matchup dynamics

• Starting fast: Obion County will be looking for an immediate response after last week’s loss. An early Covington score or defensive stop could place additional pressure on the Rebels.
• Controlling the clock: Covington’s best path is through its running game. Long drives would wear down the Obion County defense while keeping Nichols and the Rebels’ passing attack on the sideline.
• Defending explosive plays: Obion County has shown it can move the ball quickly through the air. Covington’s secondary must keep receivers in front of it and tackle well in space.
• Region positioning: Obion County is already 0-1 in league play, while Covington has an opportunity to begin its region schedule with a road victory. Westview, Dyersburg and Bolivar Central each won their region openers last week.

Friday begins an important three-game stretch for Covington. After traveling to Obion County, the Chargers return to George Pinner Stadium to host Ripley on Sept. 25 and Bolivar Central on Oct. 2.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Obion County Central High School in Troy.

Rosemark looks to build on first win at ECS

Tipton-Rosemark Academy will try to carry the momentum from its first victory of the season into Friday night’s road game at Evangelical Christian School.

The Rebels enter the nonregion matchup at 1-3 after defeating First Assembly Christian School (FACS) 42-6 last week. ECS is 2-2 following a 49-22 victory over Memphis Middle College.

Friday is a rematch of last season’s game in Rosemark, where ECS defeated the Rebels 55-21.

Rebels break through behind ground game

Rosemark’s first three games produced three losses, but the Rebels showed signs of progress before breaking through last week.

After losses to Donelson Christian Academy and Halls, Rosemark held Harding Academy to two touchdowns in a 14-8 district loss. The Rebels carried that defensive improvement into their game against FACS and paired it with their best offensive performance of the season.

Rosemark rushed for 317 yards and scored six touchdowns in the 42-6 victory.

Sophomore running back Reggie Holmes has emerged as the Rebels’ most consistent offensive producer. Holmes is averaging 94.5 rushing yards per game and ran for 131 yards and a touchdown against Harding Academy.

Junior Neyland Ezell has been Rosemark’s most productive scoring threat, accounting for four total touchdowns. His ability to contribute as a runner and receiver gives the Rebels another option alongside Holmes.

The Rebels have done most of their damage on the ground. They attempted only a handful of passes last week, relying instead on their offensive line and running game to control possession.

Sophomore linebacker Duncan Hughes leads the defense with 8.8 tackles per game. Rosemark will need another disciplined performance from Hughes and the rest of the front seven against an ECS offense coming off its best rushing game of the season.

ECS finds offensive rhythm

Evangelical Christian has alternated wins and losses through its first four games.

The Eagles opened with a 44-7 loss to Briarcrest before defeating University School of Jackson 14-10. They then lost 31-21 at Jackson Christian and responded with last week’s 49-22 win over Memphis Middle College.

ECS rushed for 309 yards in the victory while adding 76 yards through the air.

Freshman Cole Bray leads the Eagles in rushing at 52.3 yards per game. Junior Sammy Owens has scored three touchdowns, while sophomore Hutton Howard leads the team in receiving and has recorded two sacks defensively.

ECS has scored 70 points over its past two games after managing 21 in its first two. The Eagles’ defense has been less consistent, allowing at least 22 points in three of their four contests.

Matchup dynamics

• Keeping Holmes involved: Holmes has been Rosemark’s most reliable ball carrier. Establishing him early would allow the Rebels to control the clock and keep the ECS offense on the sideline.
• Building on last week’s blocking: Rosemark’s 317 rushing yards against FACS represented its best offensive performance of the season. Repeating that success begins with winning the line of scrimmage.
• Stopping the ECS run: The Eagles are coming off a 309-yard rushing performance. Rosemark must maintain gap discipline and force ECS into passing situations.
• Avoiding explosive plays: Last year’s meeting got away from the Rebels in a 55-21 loss. Rosemark must prevent short gains from becoming long touchdowns and avoid giving ECS short fields.
• Carrying momentum on the road: Rosemark earned its first win convincingly, but Friday begins a stretch of four consecutive road games. A strong start would help the Rebels settle into their first nonregion road game of the season.

Friday provides Rosemark with a chance to reach the midpoint of its schedule with consecutive wins before returning to Division II-A West competition.

The Rebels travel to Jackson Christian next week, followed by a district road game at Fayette Academy. ECS stays home to face Hardin County.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Evangelical Christian School in Cordova.