Nolensville Staves Off Page For Overtime Win

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2>The home Knights took the region lead in one of the best games of the Mid-Tennessee area thus far against Page and set themselves up big time as a top seed come postseason play!</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest game in the state for Week Eight did not disappoint as we had to head to overtime to figure out a winner when the home Knights of Nolensville came back to defeat region foe Page, 27-21 and basically wrap up the region title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was an outstanding game from start to finish where both teams took physical blows from each other with some big plays spread in between but it was the Knights that withstood everything to find a way to win and remain undefeated on the season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Early on in the 1st quarter, it was all about feeling each other out and gaining an idea of how each team would go about their business. The scoring did not start until the 2nd quarter when Patriots quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='305696' first='Colin' last='Hurd'] </strong>found receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='203835' first='Boyce' last='Smith'] </strong>on the slant that the senior playmaker took to the endzone.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nolensville would answer right back when quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295457' first='Coby' last='Walton'] </strong>and recent Georgia Southern commit found an open <strong>Dylan Northcutt </strong>down the field and the senior wideout raced to paydirt to tie the game at 7-7. Page would re-take the lead at 14-7 after an <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277796' first='Ethan' last='Cunningham'] </strong>rushing touchdown and that would be the score headed into halftime.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third quarter was much like the 1st where both teams had to feel each other before they started to gain ground and it kicked off with Nolensville tying to game back up at 14-14.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It remained tied until we headed into the fourth where Page would regain control after a great pass on 3rd and long from Hurd to junior wideout <strong>Henry Cason</strong>, where it put the Patriots up 21-14 with less than ten minutes to go.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a couple of punts, the Knights offense finally woke back up late when they drove the ball 16 plays down the field to tie the game at 21 a piece and eventually put this game into overtime.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The best game of the week that was billed as a would be classic turned out to be just that but it wasn't over as overtime loomed and you thought it would go to multiple possessions, however it didn't.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Page took the ball first and got it down to the three yard line before going for it on 4th down. The Patriots decided to run the ball on the right to pick up the 1st but the Knights were ready for it as junior linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='316783' first='Joseph' last='Carano'] </strong>blitzed the backfield and stopped Cunningham in his tracks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/MaxHerzTalks/status/1578608038944309248?s=20u0026t=4Ut5HfXZuA-lhB7RTxov6Q","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MaxHerzTalks/status/1578608038944309248?s=20u0026t=4Ut5HfXZuA-lhB7RTxov6Q </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nolensville kept the Patriots off the board and had the win in their sights. The Knights sealed that win with a three yard run from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102259' first='Samson' last='Johnson'] </strong>and the undefeated season would remain as the home squad had to come from behind and go to overtime to defeat a talented Page football team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was the biggest win of the year for Nolensville but they must enjoy it tonight and forget about tomorrow as plenty of season remains. A showdown with Page again in the playoffs is very likely as both these teams will be two of the favorites to come out of 5A and make it down to Chattanooga.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Friday night though, it was an outstanding atmosphere and a great game between two very good teams that saw the home Knights come out as the victor!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Edge Defenders Shined on Friday Night</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Both Nolensville and Page sport two of the best edge linebackers in the state with senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150365' first='Taylor' last='Wein'] </strong>and stud sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219439' first='Eric' last='Hazzard']</strong>. Both of these guys shined big time on Friday night with both causing issues for the opposing quarterbacks and constantly putting pressure in the backfield on a consistent basis.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wein was moved around into multiple roles within the Knights front seven against the Patriots where he was able to find creases in the O-line to get after Hurd and either sack him and move him off his spot. Recently offered by Charlotte, Ga Southern and few others, expect to see more schools to get involved with this Middle Tennessee edge rusher very soon.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hazzard is a future star that has been playing strong football this season and has really been coming into his own over the past few weeks. On Friday night, the Pats sophomore edge rusher had one of his best games yet, producing 2 ½ sacks, several tackles for loss while also chasing after Walton, giving him problems all night long.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was a physical, line of scrimmage game that needed their defensive stars to come up big and they did just that with outstanding performances that continue to build their stocks as college recruits.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fitzgerald is a Power Five Prospect&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- I have been following Nolensville receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102226' first='Chance' last='Fitzgerald']</strong> for some time now and especially been paying attention to him throughout the offseason and until his senior year and after extensive studying, I truly believe this is a Power Five wideout waiting to be found.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Against the Patriots on Friday night, I was able to really pay attention to Fitzgerald and see how legit he is and the guy has all the tools to compete on the biggest stage of college football. He is big and long with a wide radius but can also run too. Fitzgerald is a big guy that moves very well and can take on tacklers and bounce right off, keeping his feet moving down field.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fitzgerald is also a great competitor that does all the little things right on top of being a dynamic pass catcher and ultimate team 1st guy.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He does need to keep putting on a little more weight but the overall skill set and upside is there. Look for more schools, including Power Five programs to start paying more attention to this guy over the next few months.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/cspulliam/status/1578568038953242624?s=20u0026t=4Ut5HfXZuA-lhB7RTxov6Q","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/cspulliam/status/1578568038953242624?s=20u0026t=4Ut5HfXZuA-lhB7RTxov6Q </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5A Championship Runs Through Nolensville&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- As of right now, Nolensville will receive a #1 seed and home field advantage in the playoffs, barring any big setbacks over the next three weeks. This is a big deal because the 5A ranks is full of talented teams who are capable of running the table and taking the title, so having the advantage to be at home throughout the playoffs is huge for the Knights.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One team that Nolensville might have to see again is Page and I have a feeling the Patriots would be ready for the rematch. Both of these teams are 5A favorites but they aren't the only contenders as Daniel Boone, Knox. West, Munford and a few others have a great shot at making it to Chattanooga as well, so it will be a tough path for the Knights but they appear more than capable for any challenge thrown their way.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, if Nolensville falters early in the playoffs or Page is able to defeat them, the table opens up for the Patriots or somebody else to make it out of the West and take on a good team out of the East but for now, the path looks to go through the Knights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":470984,"width":438,"height":287,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/cwalton-crop-1639x1076-1665210953.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-470984" width="438" height="287" /><figcaption>Photo: stateoftennesseehsfb.com</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->