Dominating State Title Victory for CPA

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Behind a stellar game from the Lions star running back, CPA earned their second straight state championship after a commanding win over region foe, BGA. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A rematch from early this season here in the D2-Class AA title game between CPA and BGA proved to be the “<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1335216' first='Rawls' last='Patterson']” </strong>show as the junior back ran all over the Wildcats defense on the way to a 38-26 championship win.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Early on it looked like BGA would make this a game as they onside kicked the opening kickoff, recovered then scored the opening touchdown to go up 7-0. It was a great start for the Wildcats but the positivity would end soon and Patterson would take over.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Immediately after the Wildcats opening score, CPA answered quickly with a short field goal then after a defensive stop, the Lions took the lead with Patterson's first touchdown of the day.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading 10-7, CPA would never look back the rest of the way. The Lions defense started to get a good feel for the BGA offense by the 2nd quarter and began to impose their will. The line of scrimmage proved to be a difference maker in this game where the Lions owned the trenches.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next Lions drive ended in points with Patterson adding his 2nd touchdown of the game, putting the Lions up 17-7. At this point in the contest, it felt like CPA was about to run away with everything but BGA put together a solid drive to end the first half with a short yard field goal. Going into the break, it was 17-10 CPA but it honestly didn't feel that close and that was due to the ball controlled offense supplied in the 1st half by the Lions.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1573552,"width":"361px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_6956.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1573552" style="width:361px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Opportunity was still there for BGA going into the second half to come from behind and win. The Wildcats put together a nice opening drive with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1002764' first='Arnett' last='Hayes, Jr'] </strong>showing out anytime the ball touched his hands. His work helped put the Cats into position for a short yard field goal that was good, making the game 17-13.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That would be as close as the game would be the rest of the way as Patterson absolutely took over! The Lions junior ball carrier was a man among boys where he could not be stopped. His power running led to three more rushing touchdowns that pretty much broke the game away from BGA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After those three scores from Patterson, the Lions commanded a 38-13 lead going late into the 4th quarter with the end result basically sealed up. The Wildcats weren't ready to quit however as they put on a late surge to bring the score to a respectable 38-26. That would be the final score and CPA would come out as back to back state champs and win their 3rd state title in the last five years.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was an impressive showing from this Lions team as they owned the line of scrimmage and had the best player on the field in Patterson, who won game MVP after his 336 yard rushing day.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions are moving up next year to the D2-Class AAA level, so it was nice for them to end their lives in the AA ranks with a state championship and continue their culture as one of the better football programs from the Volunteer State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1573551,"width":"373px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_7448.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1573551" style="width:373px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</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":["1335216"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67526c74ef2cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This junior running back was without question the game MVP after his 300 plus, four touchdown rushing day. Patterson hit the ground running early in the 1st quarter and didn't tone down his motor till the final whistle. The BGA defense had no answers for the Lions ball carrier, especially within their front seven that was manhandled by the CPA offensive line. Patterson had a stellar junior year but this game and performance showed me upside for the college level, potentially on the D1 playing field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Runner-Up MVP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1002764"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67526c74ef330"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If it wasn't for the play of Patterson, this senior wideout would have been the game MVP as Hayes, Jr set a Blue Cross Bowl receiving record by hauling in 15 passes for 260 yards and 1 touchdown. Nobody from the Lions secondary could handle the Cats pass catcher. Hayes, Jr got open with ease then used his athleticism and speed to create yards after the catch. Throughout the playoffs, Hayes, Jr has been on another level, showing why he is one of the best available offensive prospects left from our #TN2025 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Helmet Stickers&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(G/C) [player_tooltip player_id='323140' first='Brady' last='Smith'] - CPA:&nbsp; </strong>The middle of the Lions O-line was purely dominant in this contest where they shoved the Cats D-line off the ball all game long with Smith being a major contributor to the cause. The Lions senior center was clean and efficient throughout while showing excellent physicality and lateral movements. Smith was “the” best O-lineman from both teams in this championship matchup.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1405419' first='Ethan' last='Kellum'] - BGA:&nbsp; </strong>Scoring the team's first touchdown of the day, Kellum had a solid championship showing where he carried the ball 11 times for 71 yards and that one score. This junior ball carrier was able to provide balance to the Cats offense and a nice compliment alongside Hayes dynamic performance at receiver.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1566274' first='Preston' last='Patterson'] - CPA:&nbsp; </strong>The Lions received a strong defensive performance from the front seven in this matchup with Patterson leading the way 8 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss and one sack in the team's win over BGA. Patterson was a beast in this game as he played with his hair on fire, constantly looking for Wildcats to tackle. This title matchup was one of Patterson's better overall performances from his junior season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1158911' first='Isaiah' last='Bryant'] - CPA:&nbsp; </strong>Joining Smith from the Lions O-line is this sophomore big man that mauled over Wildcats defenders for the majority of the day. I thought this was a coming out party for Bryant, who was near dominant with his run blocking while flashing the occasional pass block. This is the next great CPA O-lineman that has a bright future ahead of him, potentially on the Power Four level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1573549,"width":"352px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_7180.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1573549" style="width:352px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->