Columbia Academy Bulldogs football can leave Division I on top

Columbia Academy is gearing up for its final football season in the TSSAA’s predominantly public school Division I, providing the small private school in Maury County the opportunity to “go out on top.”

The Bulldogs aren’t thinking about that, though. But then again, they sort of are.

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“If I said that was the motivating factor I would be lying because we’re going to want to do the same things in Division II,” Columbia Academy coach Charlie Lansdell said. “But I would also be lying to you if I told you it wasn’t somewhere in the back of our minds.

“It would be really nice to go out on top, and that’s what we’re shooting for.”

It’s certainly within the realm of possibility.

Though still searching for its first state football championship, Columbia Academy has reached the state quarterfinals in each of the last five seasons, advancing the 2017 semifinals in their first season after moving up to Class 2A.

“It’s on your mind a little bit, but I try not to focus on that,” senior defensive end Davis Cofer said. “With us being seniors, it’s our last chance to win it anyway. Coach Lansdell always says we’ve been knocking on the door. I think this year it’s time to bust it down.”

The Bulldogs graduated just eight players while welcoming back one of their largest and most experienced senior classes.

“It’s definitely on our minds,” said senior safety Rush Lansdell, the son of the Bulldogs coach. “With our senior class being so big, we definitely want to go out on top and show everybody our school can compete in Division II.”

Rush Lansdell, who has hauled in seven career interceptions, is one of three TSWA All-State selections returning, joining running back Tre Davidson and linebacker Joshua Cook.

Davidson, a 5-foot-9, 200-pound senior, rushed for 1,812 yards and 18 touchdowns, while the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Cook tallied a team-leading 98 tackles and four sacks.

 “We return I think 15 seniors, so we have a lot of leadership and guys that have been playing since they were freshmen and sophomores,” Charlie Lansdell said. “There are still a few pieces we’re looking at to complete the puzzle, but we definitely feel like we have a real chance.”

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