Photo By: Brian Hill –www.brianhillphotography.smugmug.com
By: Amber Pennycuff
All in good company, a long prayer officially set off CPA’s sixth game of the season against Milan High School. The Lions are currently undefeated thanks to tonight’s 24-7 win against Milan.
CPA took on the Bulldogs at the Vanderbilt Commodores Stadium in Nashville this evening. The staff thought it would be a unique and great experience for the players to be able to experience a game on an SEC field.
The kick-off was set off with a perfect 77-degree clear evening with the wind blowing the Lions way.
With 10:18 left in the first, CPA did not waste a moment. QB Zack Weatherly sailed a pass across the field to junior JR Osborn to land at the 40-yard line. However, the Bulldogs were not going to let them into the end zone that easily.
CPA moved down the field yard-by-yard. At 7:46 it was fourth down with two to go, and the Lions had managed to make it down to the 6-yard line. Junior Jay Hockaday made it into the endzone for a CPA first TD of the night. Osborn followed with a FG to top off the Lions with a 7-0 lead and 5:45 left in the first.
Senior Max Pressley had an impressive night and gained some yardage on the field for the Lions. Pressley was on the carry for a first down with only 3:04 to go before the second quarter. Osborn made contact with Weatherly’s pass with just a little over two minutes left. However, with the Lions closing in on the end zone, the Bulldogs were on the prowl.
Milan intercepted the ball to take possession to close in on the second.
Both teams were scoreless throughout the majority of the second. The winds certainly changed for CPA as senior Thomas Richard intercepted a pass to take possession of the ball for the Lions.
With 3:30 to go till half-time, Weatherly’s pass to senior Andrew Manuel was complete for a 13-yard gain and a first down for the Lions. Only 2:11 remaining, Hockaday ran one right in with another TD for CPA. Osborn’s kick sealed the deal with a 14-0 lead.
The players made sure to let the folks in the stands know, it wasn’t over just yet.
The Bulldogs tiptoed into the Lions defense as they looked for a way to gain yardage on the field. Richard’s intercepted the ball with just seconds left to take it down to the CPA 40-yard line for a first down and 19-yards to go.
CPA’s JR Osborn completed a field-goal attempt to bring in a 17-0 advantage leading into the second half.
At half-time, Stratford’s band took center stage and blew every single fan in the crowd away with its rendition that included Robin Thicke’s, “Blurred Lines”, track.
Back into it, a scoreless third quarter for both teams pushed them over into the final minutes of the game.
9:12 into the fourth, CPA scored its final touchdown of the night to take a 24-0 lead over Milan. The Bulldogs made sure they got the last word in as they took the ball into the end zone with 34 seconds left into the game to finalize a 7-24 score.
Head coach Ingle Martin says this is the type of team and game that his players have to win. “Well we scheduled these guys because clearly they’ve beat us twice in the past,” noted Martin, “they are a physical football team and that’s what we need to be tested on.”
Now 1-5, Martin thinks Milan’s record would be inverse playing in Middle Tennessee. “I think West Tennessee plays really good football,” stated Martin. “If these guys were in Middle Tennessee, their record would be the inverse; they are a really good team”
And it doesn’t seem to be the last time that the Lions will see them on the field. Falling to Milan last year in the Class 3A Semifinals, Martin expects to see them again.
“They’ve played some great teams over there, and we will probably see them again in November.”
An excellent note on CPA’s Football Facebook before the game stated:
“We are excited about tonight! It’s not about paybacks…It’s not about revenge. It’s about a great opportunity to get better as a team by playing a very good football team.”
The duly-noted quote was a humble reminder of what tonight’s game was really all about: The experience of a lifetime.
The Williamson Source will keep you updated throughout CPA’s season these next few weeks. Keep a look out on our Football Central Homepage for all the latest updates, scores, and news on your favorite teams!
