NCS Defeats Tyner Academy in Thriller (Game Recap/Top Performers)

<p>To continue my coverage of the week eight slate of high school football action in the state of Tennessee, I stopped by Nashville Christian School in Nashville to watch the Eagles take on the Tyner Academy Rams. Following the thrilling 49-42 victory for the Eagles, here's my full game recap as well as my top performers.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Performers</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Making an enourmous statement at the helm of the Eagles' offense was [player_tooltip player_id='402548' first='Jared' last='Curtis'], a quarterback at Nashville Christian School. Curtis is one of the most talented quarterbacks I've seen play, proving his ability to make huge plays in crucial moments. Curtis was tested all night by Tyner Academy's defense and really proved his ability to step up and make the big play. In addition to throwing for a number of impressive touchdown passes, Curtis capitalized in the final minute of the game, running in the game-winning score.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Catching my attention for the Rams was [player_tooltip player_id='1565851' first='Antonio' last='Edwards'], a defensive back/wide receiver at Tyner Academy. Edwards made a big difference at two different moments during the contest. First, Edwards helped get the Rams going offensively, hauling in an impressive touchdown pass in the second quarter. Edwards also caught my attention in the closing minutes of the first half, running a kickoff all the way to the endzone for another Tyner Academy touchdown.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Also making a difference for the home team was [player_tooltip player_id='1238919' first='T.J.' last='Ward'], a running back at Nashville Christian School. Ward came in clutch in the first half, proving his ability to withstand heavy defensive pressure at the goal line, punching in a touchdown to extend the Eagles' lead over the Rams. In addition to excellent size and speed for a running back, Ward impressed me with his ability to stay on his feet under pressure and fight for those extra yards.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Another playmaker to establish himself was [player_tooltip player_id='1549102' first='Javin' last='Drewelow'], a wide receiver at Nashville Christian School. Drewelow is one of the more talented playmakers on the Eagles' roster, hauling in not one, not two, but three touchdowns on the night. What made Drewelow so difficult to contain in the redzone was his physical edge as a receiver, showcasing his ability to withstand a physical defensive effort and haul in the touchdown pass.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Making the big play in a crucial moment was [player_tooltip player_id='1611612' first='Zane' last='Crampton'], a wide receiver at Nashville Christian School. Crampton caught my eye at the start of the third quarter, hauling in an outstanding touchdown pass to give the Eagles' offense some momentum in a very close game. In addition to his ability to get wide open for the clutch pass, Crampton impressed me with his ability to break tackles on his way to the house.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Another playmaker on the Rams' roster is Jamarion Dowdell, an athlete at Tyner Academy. Dowdell was extremely difficult to contain on the ground, proving his ability to break several tackles as he blasts into the endzone for the score. Dowdell marched into the house for a number of key touchdowns on the night, proving he was one of the more talented offensive weapons for the Rams.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Game Recap</h2>   <p>Nashville Christian struck late in the first quarter as [player_tooltip player_id='402548' first='Jared' last='Curtis'] found a wide open [player_tooltip player_id='1549102' first='Javin' last='Drewelow'] for the touchdown pass, giving the Eagles a 7-0 lead over the Rams with 2:48 on the clock. Tyner Academy's offense answered back at the top of the second quarter as Marcus Turner connected with [player_tooltip player_id='1565851' first='Antonio' last='Edwards'] for the clutch touchdown. The field goal was no good as Tyner Academy trailed Nashville Christian 7-6 with 11:41 left in the second quarter. The Eagles were back in prime scoring position before long as [player_tooltip player_id='1549102' first='Javin' last='Drewelow'] hauled in his second touchdown pass of the night to extend the lead over the Rams. Near the end of the second quarter, a great handoff from Curtis to [player_tooltip player_id='1238919' first='T.J.' last='Ward'] resulted in another NCS touchdown. The Rams weren't going down without a fight as Jamarion Dowdell blasted into the house for the touchdown. Tyner Academy was down 28-20. Nashville Christian rallied before halftime as Curtis connected with Drewelow for his third touchdown of the evening. Tyner Academy would lock in during the final seconds of the first half, scoring a touchdown and a two-point conversion. The Eagles held a 35-28 lead over the Rams at the half. Nashville Christian found a way back onto the scoreboard at the start of the third quarter as Curtis connected with [player_tooltip player_id='1611612' first='Zane' last='Crampton'] for the touchdown pass to give the Eagles a 42-28 lead over Tyner Academy. The Rams pushed their way back into enemy territory as Dowdell punched into the house for another touchdown to cut the home team's lead to 42-24 with 1:34 remaining in the third quarter. Tyner Academy's offense found their rythm in the final frame of action, running in another touchdown. The Rams went for the two-point conversion and Marcus Turner ran in the score to tie things up 42-42 with a few minutes left. After Curtis fumbled the ball, Tyner Academy had a shot to take the lead, but NCS would lock in defensively and stop the Rams from taking the lead. Nashville Christian closed things out in the final minutes as Curtis kept the ball to himself and ran in the game-winning touchdown. Nashville Christian won 49-42 over Tyner Academy as the Rams' offense were stopped by the Eagles' defense in the final seconds of regulation to secure the victory for the home team.</p>

To continue my coverage of the week eight slate of high school football action in the state of Tennessee, I stopped by Nashville Christian School in Nashville to watch the Eagles take on the Tyner Academy Rams. Following the thrilling 49-42 victory for the Eagles, here's my full game recap as well as my top performers.