CPA Plays Purple People Eaters, Advances To Title Game

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CPA Plays Purple People Eaters, Advances To Title Game

Against undefeated Liberty Tech, CPA blanked the Crusaders 21-0 to secure a return trip to Cookeville to face Alcoa in the 3A state championship game for the third consecutive year. Both teams struggled to get any offensive footing in the first quarter before CPA used their big play ability to open the scoring.

Defenses Dominate In Slugfest

Through the first 12 minutes of game play, both teams combined for 3 first downs and 6 punts. After forcing a third Liberty Tech punt, CPA drove the length of the field before Zack Weatherly would take the top off the defense and find his favorite target, Price Perdue, for a 55-yard touchdown pass to light the scoreboard for the first time on the night. Within a minute, Liberty Tech would fumble the ball on the attempted zone read to give the ball back to CPA at the Crusader 40-yard line. The stout Crusader defense would stop CPA on 4th and 1 to give the ball back to their IMG_1975offense. Liberty Tech would be unable to take advantage of the turnover on downs and be forced to punt. On the ensuing punt, Wallace Barrett would score his second special teams touchdown in as many weeks with a 64-yard punt return touchdown. Liberty Tech would be able to get into the redzone before the Lions defense would stiffen and force a field goal attempt. The Crusaders attempt would sail wide left and the teams would head to the locker room with CPA up 14-0.

Both teams would go three and out on their opening drives of the second half. Liberty Tech would force another CPA punt and take over in their own territory. On their second drive of the half, CPA’s Jacob Webster would pick off Crusader quarterback Corey Newble and return the ball to the 16-yard line. After the teams traded penalties, Chip Omer would run the ball in from 17 yards out to give the Lions the 21-0 lead. Liberty Tech would respond with their most successful drive of the game, but again Newble would be picked off, this time in the endzone by Spencer Hagan to end the scoring threat. CPA would kill some clock before being forced to punt. Liberty Tech would try to add points, but a Crusader fumble would be recovered by Weatherly. The Lions would get two first downs and kneel down to clinch their third consecutive state championship game appearance.

This Friday, CPA will face Alcoa for the third straight year. The two have split the previous two meetings, with Alcoa winning the state title in 2013 by a score of 25-7 over the Lions. CPA responded with a 7-0 victory over the Tornadoes in last year’s title game. Both teams are 13-1 on the season coming into Friday afternoon’s final chapter of their trilogy.

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