Football Preview: Independence travels to CPA with both hungry for first win

Many observers expected Week 2's matchup between host Christ Presbyterian Academy and Independence to be a battle of undefeated teams.

Very few observers expected both teams to be 0-1.

But that is the case, as the visiting Eagles and the Lions will each be looking for their first win of the season

“I think they are one of the best teams in the state,” said Independence head coach Scott Blade. “Coach (Ingle) Martin does a terrific job with his players. They got off to a rough start, like we did, but they will be fired up and ready to go.

“We’re both trying to regroup, and we’re already at a pivotal point in the season.”

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Blade said he believes he let his team get “too tight, press too hard,” in last week’s 34-15 loss to Summit, something that led to turnovers.

“We were ready, we just played too tight, and that’s my responsibility,” he said.

It was much the same story in Memphis, as the Lions fell to Evangelical Christian School, 30-6. CPA dug a hole early, trailing 17-0 after the first quarter, and could not dig out. They got a score late when King Henderson bulled over from 7 yards out.

The loss may have served as a wake-up call for the defending Division II-AA champions, who lost a load of seniors from last year’s team. Still, Blade says the Lions are loaded.

“They are a lot like our 2016 team (the year after Indy won the state Class 5A title); they lost a lot of starters, but the kids on the sidelines know how to win,” he said. 

Battle Ground Academy (1-0) at Farther Ryan (1-0)  

Just northeast of the Eagles-Lions game, BGA will visit a resurgent Father Ryan program.

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The Wildcats looked to be in midseason form under new head coach Jonas Rodriguez as they hung 48 points, including 34 in the first half, on Class 6A McGavock last week. The points came in every possible way: a 62-yard fumble return, a blocked punt for a touchdown and five aerial scores off the arm of senior Nick Semptimphelter with three going to Garnett Hollis Jr. and two spanning more than 50 yards. 

Father Ryan is coming off a big comeback win on Saturday against the Bowling Green Purples in the Rafferty Bowl at Western Kentucky University. Zach Wenofske nailed a 23-yard field goal to give the Irish a 24-21 win after quarterback D.C. Tabscott rallied the troops in the fourth quarter. It was the first time since 2006 that the Purples had lost a Rafferty Bowl contest.

Clarksville Academy (1-0) at Grace Christian Academy (0-1) 

Clarksville Academy visits a young Grace Christian Academy squad near Leiper’s Fork. In their opener, the Lions lost on the road at Zion Christian Academy while Clarksville Academy hammered RePublic High School, 48-8.

Brentwood Academy (1-0) vs. Clearwater Central Catholic (0-1) in Milton, Georgia

After opening the season with a strong 41-14 win at Florence High School in Alabama last Friday night, Brentwood Academy will play in Milton, Georgia, on Saturday afternoon against Florida's Clearwater Central Catholic. 

Emerging standout Jordan James rushed for 146 yards on 15 carries with touchdown runs of 83, 4, 13 and 6 in the Eagles win. 

The Marauders of Clearwater reached the Class 3A semifinals in Florida last season, but are coming off a season-opening loss last week. Clearwater dropped a 21-14 decision against Tampa's Berkley Prep – which lost both matchups against the Marauders last season, including a quarterfinal showdown.