Week 5 takeaways: Independence QB makes smooth transition, MBA offense rolling, Warren County 5-0

We are now officially at midseason.

Here are five takeaways from Week 5 of the high school football season for Middle Tennessee teams.

Independence's Campbell made smooth transition to quarterback

Jaxson Campbell has this quarterback thing down.

The Independence quarterback, who was a standout receiver before taking over the Eagles' QB this year, continued his torrid offensive pace in a 21-7 win over Region 6-6A foe Franklin.

Campbell was 12-of-26 passing for 180 yards. He also ran the ball for 112 yards with two touchdowns for Independence (3-1, 2-0). It sets up a showdown with rival Brentwood (3-1, 1-0) in two weeks with the winner the frontrunner to be the region champion.

Campbell has thrown for 793 yards with eight touchdowns and just one interception. His top target Calvin Wilson had four catches for 117 yards with a touchdown and now has 331 yards entering Friday's game with Hendersonville.

Warren County on path to snap playoff drought

Playoff appearances are special at Warren County, which has made the postseason just nine times. The Pioneers have not reached the playoffs since 2016.

However, Warren County's 35-28 win over Blackman, which improved the Pioneers to 5-0 overall, 2-0 in Region 3-6A, is a big step in making the playoffs this season. The Pioneers travel to winless Siegel next week in a region game before hosting region foe Cookeville.

"This is the biggest win for us since the (1980) season," Warren County coach Matt Turner said.

Back then Jeff Womack was Warren County's star running back leading the Pioneers to the Class AAA semifinals before losing to Oak Ridge.

"Two years ago the powers that be in Warren County were trying to get us out of the region," Turner said. "We have trouble competing year in and year out. But this senior class is so special."

Quarterback C.J. Taylor rushed for season-best 309 yards on 33 carries and scored all five of Warren County's touchdowns in the win. Taylor already has 880 rushing yards on 100 carries.

"I don't know who could have stopped him (Friday)," Turner said. 

MBA offense keeps poppin'

Despite playing just its second game of the season, MBA's offense was rolling in a 30-27 win over Memphis University School.

The Big Red (2-0, 2-0 DII-AAA West) racked up 514 yards with two running backs surpassing 100 yards and quarterback Marcel Reed throwing for 163. 

Patrick Wilk had 18 carries for 236 yards and two TDs. Rhett Hayles added 133 yards on 11 carries and two more scores.

Davidson Academy win streak at 15

Two-time defending Division II-A state champion Davidson Academy gave up its first points of the year Friday. But the Bears kept winning.

Davidson Academy beat DII-AA foe FRA 40-28 to improve to 4-0. The Bears had outscored their first three opponents 121-0. Davidson Academy has won 15 straight games dating back to Sept. 13, 2019.

Jared Vetetoe was 16-of-28 passing for 303 yards and three TDs against FRA.

Mt. Juliet needs big defensive game

Mt. Juliet remained undefeated, but it wasn't easy.

The Bears (4-0) defeated Wilson Central 10-7, scoring more than 25 points below their season average. Mt. Juliet racked up just 213 yards of offense.

Conlin Baggott rushed for 122 yards on 21 carries and scored the Bears' lone TD — a 53-yard score.

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.