HARDIN VALLEY AT SCIENCE HILL
Friday, November 6, 2026 — Steve Spurrier Field at Kermit Tipton Stadium, Johnson City, TN
TSSAA Class 6A playoffs, first round.
Science Hill hosts as the Region 1 No. 2 seed at 7-2, and Hardin Valley arrives as the Region 2 No. 3 seed at 7-3, back in the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
The Hilltoppers are a ball-control, run-first team, and that identity held even in defeat last week. In the 42-21 loss at Dobyns-Bennett, backups Knox Necessary and Sage Milhorn each topped 130 rushing yards. The big question is junior back Kiantai Harris, who set a school record with 367 rushing yards against Morristown West on August 28 and totaled 1,135 yards and 19 touchdowns through six games, but did not play on October 30, and his status for Friday is unclear.
Quarterback Pearson Harrison is the other swing piece. He threw five touchdowns at West Ridge on October 23, then had three second-half turnovers against Dobyns-Bennett. A clean, efficient night from him matters against a Hardin Valley offense that closed the regular season with a 58-22 win over Ooltewah in which eight different Hawks scored.
The common opponents tell a similar story: both teams beat West Ridge and Bearden, and both lost to Maryville. The last meeting found between these two was Science Hill 48, Hardin Valley 21, on September 4, 2020.
The winner advances to the second round on Friday, November 13.