A look at Madison County’s games this week
Division II-A
Jackson Christian (10-1) at Columbia Academy (7-3)
Player to watch: Jackson Christian LB Kai Wyatt
Most recent meeting: 2022 – Jackson Christian 49, Columbia Academy 14
What to know: The Eagles won’t have receiver Jay’Len Mosley to throw to. They didn’t have him last week, and they won by 30 points. The competition is tougher this week though. There are other options at receiver. There always have been, and quarterback Austin Kelley has used those options – Jack Collins, Trent Carrier, Deuce Lawrence and Daniel Green are just a few of those other options. The difference between now and two weeks ago is Kelley & Co. have had a couple weeks to get used to the current situation. And the Eagles’ defense will be needed to step up to slow Columba Academy’s offense down. Will they be able to put up numbers like they’ve put up in recent weeks, including just last week with negative rushing yards and double-digit total yards? Probably not. But to simply slow CA’s offense down will give Jackson Christian a better shot at a win.
Common opponents: Ezell-Harding – Jackson Christian beat them 37-7 last week and Columbia Academy beat them 55-28 on Sept. 22.
Trivia: While records show only two meetings between these two programs, this will actually be the third time for them to meet in the last 15 months. In addition to meeting in the playoffs the last two years, the teams also had a regular season game in Columbia last year that didn’t count in the standings because they weren’t able to finish it due to inclement weather.
Nashville Christian (5-6) at Trinity Christian (8-2)
Player to watch: TCA WR Brayden Waller
Most recent meeting: 2022 – Nashville Christian 42, TCA 7
What to know: Just because Nashville Christian’s record is below .500, don’t let that make you think they don’t have their usual group of highly-touted athletes on their roster. There are multiple players on this team with multiple Division I scholarship offers. TCA’s metamorphosis into a physical style team could be the very thing that gives the Lions their chance at a victory. One thing that helped them in their last win, which included a big comeback where they outscored their opponent by 24 points in the second half, was the way their offense controlled the clock after they got the lead. They will have to do that. The defense picking up five turnovers after halftime wouldn’t hurt either.
Common opponents: None, but they would’ve had one if TCA had gotten to play Grace Christian in Week 2, but that game got cancelled.
Trivia: While this is the fourth consecutive year for the Lions to play in the state quarterfinals, this will be the first time in a decade for TCA to host a quarterfinal game. The last time they hosted a quarterfinal game was in 2013 against Memphis Mitchell. They did host a semifinal game against Trezevant in 2015.
Division II-AA
University School of Jackson (7-4) at Christ Presbyterian Academy (10-1)
Player to watch: USJ WR Ryan Hutchison
Most recent meeting: 2018 – CPA 45, USJ 7
What to know: While many of CPA’s wins this season have been by a lot of points, the Lions’ strength is their defense. The Lions have given up less than 10 points per game this season – 108 total points in 11 games. According to USJ head coach Derrick Pritchard, CPA brings a lot of size and skill onto the field, and this could be the best team USJ has met all year including if they were to play two more games after this. The Bruins will have to put together a quality balanced offensive attack with all 11 guys doing their job to give themselves a chance at competing.
Common opponents: None
Trivia: The Bruins are lining up against another program they have a losing record against over the years. USJ has beaten CPA once, in a regular season game in 2002 20-10. But the Lions would get them in the playoffs later that season in the state semifinals, 14-0. The teams met four times in three seasons (2000-2002), met again in 2018 and will play for a sixth time this week.
Compiled by Brandon Shields
