Eagles Storm Back to Defeat Goodpasture

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jackson Christian struggled in the 1st half but stayed engaged throughout to pull off a 4th quarter win to improve to 3-0 and keep their early season momentum alive. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On a beautiful Friday night, under the lights, Jackson Christian and Goodpasture played one of the better games I've seen yet from the 2023 season as both these private schools went blow for blow until the very end where the road Eagles came from behind to defeat the Cougars, 28-20.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was a tale of two halves as the home Cougars commanded and owned the 1st half, going into the locker room with a 20-7 lead but when the 2nd half started up, Jackson Christian woke up and began to put Goodpasture on its heels.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From the start of the game, you could feel the excitement as both teams came in at 2-0 and feeling good about themselves but this battle would test each other's character and toughness that will end up going by way of the Eagles. Goodpasture came out on fire, especially with their defense that was flying around everywhere and making things uneasy for the Jackson Christian offense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CSmithScout/status/1697764972195991879?s=20","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/CSmithScout/status/1697764972195991879?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cougars senior safety <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605380' first='Braxton' last='Lawrence'] </strong>was a force the entire night for Goodpasture as he was flying around everywhere, especially in the 1st half where he either made the tackle or was around the ball enough to cause havoc. This guy is a recruiting riser that should pick up more interest over the coming months due to his height, length and range.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lawrence and his fellow Goodpasture defensive teammates kept the Eagles offense in check for most of the 1st half. Jackson Christian scored first early in the 1st half but after that, they were non-existent headed into the locker room.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming back on the field after I'm sure some conversations were had in the locker room, the Eagles immediately showed some urgency as their defense made the Goodpasture “O” go three and out then proceeded to march down the field to bring the score back to within six at 20-14. A long pass from junior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390711' first='Austin' last='Kelley'] </strong>to star athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219345' first='Jaylen' last='Mosley'] </strong>set up the Eagles in the red zone then sophomore back <strong>Deuce Lawrence </strong>finished things out with the seven yard touchdown run.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CSmithScout/status/1697783674140344464?s=20","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/CSmithScout/status/1697783674140344464?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The momentum would continue for Jackson Christian as their defense finally woke up and began slowing down <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219411' first='J.D.' last='Mastin'] </strong>and his Cougars offense. Goodpasture's junior quarterback in Mastin produced two rushing touchdowns in the first half and did a good job of commanding his offense but the Eagles keyed on him in the 2nd half and basically forced the Cougars to throw the ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Making Goodpasture spin it through the air, allowed the Eagles defense to get off the field and get the ball back into the hands of Kelley and his offense. The 4th quarter is where big time players show up and produce and that's exactly what Mosley did.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles star junior made several tough catches in the 4th to put his Eagles offense in place for success, including multiple big 3rd down receptions to keep drives alive. Mosley was near unguardable and a major reason why Jackson Christian came back to win this game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Late in the 4th quarter, the Eagles would take the lead at 21-20 then maintain that lead throughout the duration of the game. Goodpasture did receive one last shot at tying things up but a 4th down heave from Mastin was picked off by Mosley, which sealed the victory for the road team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson Christian tacked on one more score to close the game and push their record to 3-0. It was a gritty performance from the Eagles, who trailed most of the night but pulled things together in the 2nd half to surge back for the win.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the home team, Goodpasture should be just fine as they continue to develop and roll through their schedule. They are a well coached team that competes hard with some veterans that should keep the rest of the team in check.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson Christian on the other hand, pushed their stock higher as a team that can compete for the D2-Class A title but they must continue working. The 3-0 start for the Eagles is outstanding but they must not get complacent and continue striving to become the best team they can be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player of the Game </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["219345"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe unquestioned top college prospect on the field Friday evening, Mosley was dynamic, producing big plays in a variety of ways while coming up big in clutch situations. What this West Tennessee talent showed me on Friday night was that he is a legit Power Five prospect with a well built frame that will continue to develop on the next level. I am still unsure as to what position Mosley plays in the college game but it doesn't matter to me as the Eagles junior is a natural athlete and playmaker that simply needs to be on the field and when he is, the Power Five offered prospect takes over. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f35ea54a760"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Top Performers …..</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>‘25 (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390711' first='Austin' last='Kelley'] </strong>- JCS: Consistent and steady throughout the night, Kelley had a solid showing as he stayed poised till the end, leading his team to victory. The Eagles junior is a mobile guy too who handles the pocket well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(OL/DL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='372280' first='Ethan' last='Floyd'] </strong>- Goodpasture: The emotional leader of the Cougars team, Floyd stayed engaged the entire game, playing a physical brand of football on the line that helped keep his team in the game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>‘25 (LB) <strong>Kai Wyatt </strong>- JCS: Wyatt was all over the field last night against the Cougars, making tackles from sideline to sideline as well as making several key stops against the run during critical times of the contest.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CSmithScout/status/1697767403222925447?s=20","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/CSmithScout/status/1697767403222925447?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>‘25 (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219411' first='J.D.' last='Mastin'] </strong>- Goodpasture: Mastin had a strong night of play against the Eagles where he produced two rushing touchdowns as well as remained poised behind center when things weren't going the Cougars way. His command of the offense was impressive.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>‘26 (RB) <strong>Deuce Lawrence </strong>- JCS: This is a sophomore talent to keep an eye on moving forward. Lawrence is a tall guy who runs with good balance as well as the strength to bounce off tacklers and keep pushing ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":979769,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/20230901_211820.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-979769" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->