CPA completes unbeaten season by winning second-consecutive DII-AA state title

The Christ Presbyterian Academy Lions ran all over the Battle Ground Academy Wildcats in the Division II-AA state championship game in Chattanooga on Thursday on their way to capturing the program's seventh TSSAA state title.

CPA (14-0) head coach Ingle Martin talked about winning consecutive state championships, three out of the last five, and how this team’s commitment to the relationships they built this year carried them to the title.

“The only thing we could do this year, in 2024, was to get the most out of the kids we possibly could get,” Martin said. “I feel like our coaches and our kids gave everything they had. Some years you win the last game, and some years you don’t, but it doesn’t make it any less successful or any less rewarding.

"We really believe that the relationships that the kids build with each other, and the coaches build with the kids, and that all of us build together, are what high school football should be about. By God’s grace we got some really good players and coaches. We stayed relatively healthy this year, and that is when championships happen.”

One of those players, junior running back and All-Middle Region performer Rawls Patterson, ripped the Wildcats defense for 336 yards and four touchdowns on 27 carries. He was named the game's MVP. 

BGA (11-3) started fast recovering the opening kickoff and scoring on the ensuing drive, thanks to a 9-yard Ethan Kellum touchdown run put them up 7-0.

CPA answered with a John West field goal on its next drive, and the CPA defense forced a punt to get the Lions the ball back.

Then, Patterson went to work. He reeled off seven straight carries, including a long second-down rush deep into BGA territory, ending on a 5-yard touchdown run to put the Lions up 10-7,with 1:25 left to play in the first quarter.

Later, in the second quarter, Patterson carried on seven of eight plays on the Lions’ next scoring drive, which ended with a 3-yard touchdown run to make the score 17-7 with just 41 seconds left to play in the half.

Patterson finished the half with 166 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns.

“He would be the first want to tell you that those guys up front did a great job. He just got to be Rawls today,” Martin said. “And Rawls is one of the best running backs in the state. And the guy got a chance to show everybody what he is capable of. He’s just an unbelievable talent.”

But BGA used its high-powered offense, and a 40-yard reception by receiver Arnett Hayes Jr., to set up a 33-yard field goal by Syrus Harr as time expired on the half, making the score 17-10.

The Wildcats added a field goal to open the half and pull within four, but Patterson proved to be too much for BGA. He orchestrated a four-play drive, which included two long runs, and ended with a 35-yard touchdown run. 

CPA's defense forced a turnover on downs, which led to an Owen Cabell touchdown early in the fourth quarter to make the score 31-13.

On the next drive, Patterson reeled off a 64-yard run, which he paid off five plays later with a 12-yard touchdown run with 4:22 left to play in the game.

BGA did not go quietly. Fletcher Fields and Hayes reeled in two touchdowns from Junior quarterback and Division II-AA Middle Region offensive MVP Kaedyn Marable 18 seconds apart following a brilliant onside kick recovery in between the two scores.

Hayes’ touchdown capped a record-setting performance for the senior. He finished with 15 catches for a record-breaking 260 yards and the touchdown in the loss.

Patterson’s performance did not set a record, but it came close to former Beech High School and Tennessee standout Jalen Hurd's mark of 394 yards. Although it didn't break the record, it will be remembered at CPA for a long time.

Rawls' twin brother, Preston, also had a big day, notching seven tackles, including 2.5 for loss, and a sack on defense.

Martin marveled at the perseverance of his team, led by 18 seniors who guided the way to the undefeated season and victory in Chattanooga Thursday afternoon.

“I think the biggest thing is those kids believed,” Martin said. “They practiced hard, they played hard, and the best football team won the game today. I think those kids proved that. That’s a great thing about football, it’s a game about four quarters, not just one. Not just one player, it’s about 11 players on the field.

"We just had an unbelievable group of kids this year that all bought in, that all believed in each other and went out there and proved that they are the best team.”

Division II-A: Nashville Christian 49 Columbia Academy 21

In the second championship match of the day, Nashville Christian (12-1) earned the second state title in program history — the first since 2015 — with a 49-21 win over Columbia Academy (10-4) in the Division II-A game.

5-star junior quarterback Jared Curtis was named the game's MVP after passing 8-16 for 158 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 60 yards and four scores for six total touchdowns. He even had a 31-yard punt.

After being tied at 14-14 at halftime, the Eagles reeled off 28 consecutive points in the second half to build a 42-14 lead with 5:19 left to play.

Javin Drewelow and Zane Crampton caught Nashville Christian's two passing touchdowns. 

Curtis was later awarded the Gatorade Tennessee Player of the Year. He is the first player from a Nashville school to win in 10 years, since former Pearl-Cohn and Vanderbilt standout and Super Bowl winner Ke'Shawn Vaughn.