SPORTS

TCA set for final home game

Brandon Shields
bjshields@jacksonsun.com

The last time Trinity Christian Academy’s football team played at home, it was Week 11 of the regular season and Senior Night against Jackson Christian Academy.

A lot of the Lions’ fans were prepared for that game to be the final home game since TCA was headed for the playoffs with a low seeding, but things have worked out in TCA’s favor that they get one more home game – and maybe the one they need the most.

Not only is this one more home game this season, but this is the first time in school history the Lions host a state semifinal game. The first two were at McKenzie in 2010 and Adamsville in 2013.

“It’s an honor to still be playing, and playing at home adds a little more to it,” said TCA head coach Blake Butler. “The fact that we’re the only game in Jackson and the only one actually being played in West Tennessee probably means we’ll have a really big crowd. That’s an environment we’re looking forward to playing in.”

There are not even any games in Memphis Friday night, so the closest game to Jackson after the TCA-Trezevant game is the 5A semifinal between Centennial and Independence, which is on Interstate 840 just before you get to Interstate 65.

One question many have wanted to know after last week’s win over McKenzie is how is TCA’s starting quarterback Andrew Goldsmith. The first game against McKenzie was the only loss for TCA in the last nine games, and he tweaked the same knee again in eerily similar fashion to the first game.

“It happened at almost the same time in the game and almost the exact same spot on the field at McKenzie,” Butler said. “But fortunately he was able to go back in and help keep things going.”

Butler said the challenge Trezevant brings to TCA this week is similar to one the Lions faced two years ago in the state quarterfinals from Mitchell, who’s another Memphis school that had dropped from 4A to 2A that year.

“They were athletic and had a lot of speed just like Trezevant does,” Butler said. “What makes Trezevant different is they have a solid running back.”

Cordarrian Henderson has rushed for more than 1,500 yards for Trezevant and already has multiple NCAA FBS offers as a junior.

“Our defense will need to be ready to play disciplined and be ready to stop the run,” Butler said. “We’ve been a better defensive team the last few weeks, and hopefully we’ll continue that.”

Brandon Shields, 425-9751

Today’s game

What: Trezevant at TCA

When: 7 p.m.

Admission: $8

Radio: WHPP-FM 105.3