Columbia area high school football top games: Columbia Academy faces Nashville Christian, Jared Curtis

A good quarterback duel and a matchup that could already solidify a playoff spot are among the Columbia area top high school football games in Week 8.

Here’s a look at the best of this week’s schedule.

Game of the week

Columbia Academy (4-3, 2-0 Division II-A Middle Region) at Nashville Christian (3-3, 2-0)

Time: 7 p.m. When: Friday

The region's top teams square off. Both quarterbacks had huge Week 7 games. Columbia Academy played without star running back Montae Baldwin, but Connor Rosson was 14-of-24 passing for 246 yards and a touchdown in a 38-7 win against Clarksville Academy. He also rushed for 48 yards and a TD.

Nashville Christian five-star prospect Jared Curtis — the No. 1-ranked sophomore quarterback in the 2026 class, per the 247Sports Composite — was 14-of-22 passing for 208 yards in a 31-30 victory against Goodpasture, including the tying TD and winning two-point conversion. He finished with two rushing scores, a passing TD and two interceptions.

Palmateer’s prediction: Columbia Academy 35, Nashville Christian 28

Columbia (4-3, 2-2 Region 5-5A) at Franklin County (1-6, 1-2)

Time: 7 p.m. When: Friday

Columbia’s Kayden McCoy rushed for the tying touchdown and go-ahead score in overtime in last week’s 20-17 win over rival Spring Hill. The Lions bounced back from a 34-14 loss to Tullahoma to stay among the region’s top four teams. Franklin County beat Tullahoma 17-16 last month for its only win.

Palmateer’s prediction: Columbia 21, Franklin County 14

Fairview (5-2, 2-0 Region 6-3A) at Independence (4-3, 2-1 Region 6-6A)

Time: 7 p.m. When: Friday

It’s a non-region Large vs. Small class matchup. Three of Independence’s four home games have been played within three points. Fairview is its region’s top team. Independence quarterback Luke McNeilly rushed for 92 yards and two scores in last week’s 35-0 win against Overton. Clay Davis added two short TDs.

Palmateer’s prediction: Independence 27, Fairview 17

Giles County (4-2, 1-0 Region 4-3A) at Grundy County (4-2, 1-0)

Time: 7 p.m. When: Friday

These are two of the region’s remaining unbeatens, both of which still have to play the other undefeated team Sequatchie County. Giles County’s Kamauri Turner rushed for 205 yards and four TDs on 11 carries in a 50-34 win at Watertown. He also caught a touchdown. X’Zorion Randolph rushed for 104 yards and two scores, plus a 61-yard kickoff return for a TD.

Palmateer’s prediction: Giles County 40, Grundy County 14

Summit (2-5, 1-2 Region 6-6A) at Overton (1-6, 0-3)

Time: 7 p.m. When: Thursday

Summit would clinch a playoff berth with a win, combined with a Ravenwood win over Franklin. The Spartans were hurt by four turnovers in a 24-7 loss at Ravenwood. Dominick Hollis rushed for 163 yards and Summit’s only touchdown.

Palmateer’s prediction: Summit 34, Overton 10

Reach sports writer Tyler Palmateer at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, formerly Twitter, @tpalmateer83.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: High school football: Columbia Academy vs. NCS is area's top game