Christ Presbyterian Academy football blanks Smyrna, proves again it can play with big boys

If last week’s win against Ensworth didn’t get the message across, Friday’s shutout victory over Smyrna certainly did the trick:

Christ Presbyterian Academy can play with the big boys.

For the second straight week, the former Class 3A power, now competing in Division II-AA, has knocked off a seemingly superior foe.

Unlike last week’s nail-biter at Ensworth, however, which was decided by a botched extra point in overtime, the Lions dominated from start to finish en route to Friday’s 28-0 win over the previously unbeaten Class 6A Bulldogs.

“We came out ready from the beginning,” CPA linebacker Kane Patterson said. “I was a little worried just because coming off of that Ensworth win we were all a little high. But we put it together and really brought it to them.”

“I love it,” added junior quarterback Ryan Eledge. “Going against great teams helps you. We’re not out here playing cupcakes, we’re out here playing really good teams every week.”

It took the Lions a mere three minutes to crack the scoreboard Friday, capping a six-play, 81-yard scoring drive with junior Sam West’s 31-yard touchdown run.

West, who had 84 of CPA’s 206 yards rushing on just six carries, also scored on a 12-yard second-quarter run, and Eledge tossed a pair of touchdown passes.

“We were really revved up for this one,” said Eledge, whose squad carried a 21-0 advantage into halftime. “We knew they were a really big school and were undefeated until now. We just came in and followed the game plan, executed pretty well and got the W.”

As efficient as CPA’s offense was, however, the defense ended up stealing the show.  

Despite bending on occasion — Smyrna (2-1) racked up close to 300 yards — the Lions never broke as the Bulldogs came up empty on four red zone trips, turning the ball over on downs three times while also having a field goal blocked.

Senior safety Griffin Sweat hauled in a second-quarter interception for the Lions (3-0).

“They had a good offense, but our defense outplayed them,” said Patterson, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound linebacker with offers from LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and others. “The defensive line played great tonight, the 'backers fit where they needed to fit and the safeties covered the pass and came up and stuck people.”

“It wasn’t a perfect game by any means, but when you have the opportunity to play goal-line defense and can stop people, that’s huge,” CPA coach Ingle Martin said. “Just proud of our team and our effort tonight, and our seniors really kind of bowed up on defense there.”  

Reach Michael Murphy at mfmurphy@tennessean.com, 615-259-8026 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.