Game of the Week: Summit vs Centennial

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The Summit High School football team, marching from field to field this year and leaving nearly nothing but vanquished behind them, might just have finally grown into its nickname.

The Spartans (7-1, 5-0 5A-R5) next target, the Centennial Cougars (3-5, 3-1 in 6A-R6), better be ready for what’s coming, or else their season could continue slipping away.

Despite losing five games, going into last week the Cougars held first place in their district, since for the playoff qualification only teams’ district record matters, with overall records used to break ties. So, the 50-10 blowout loss against Hillsboro the last time Centennial played did not change their 3-1 district record. However, they did drop from first to third in the district, considering tiebreakers, as now four teams are tied atop the district with 3-1 records. The remaining two teams in 6A Region 6, Franklin and Dickson County, are 0-4.  So, really, the Cougars already clinched a playoff berth, and all that can change now is seeding in their district.

So what are the Spartans, who have already clinched their first-ever district title, playing for? How about revenge.

After all, celebrities in movies say all the time that it tastes best served cold.

Well, the twin losses to Centennial in 2014 and 2015 have been in the back of the freezer with a random bag of four-year old frozen peas, for long enough. It was not an even contest back then.

In 2013, the first-ever meeting of the two schools, Centennial came and casually blew Summit out 28-7.

The next year, when Summit went to Centennial, the Cougars reminded them whose house exactly that the Spartans had come to by providing them kindly with a 50-20 loss. Not the sort of defeat to forget easily, even three years later.

On Friday, the Spartans might just feel a bit like besting the 50-10 score Hillsboro put on the Cougars.

Because, even though this one will not affect the post-season, a true Spartan seeks only glory.