Lions roar
Revitalized program makes the TSSAA playoffs
For the first time in school history the program earned a playoff spot — as Eastern Region No. 3 — after winning 49-13 at Chattanooga Grace Friday, Oct. 31.
Quite an accomplishment for a team that starts six freshman and an eighth-grader on offense with only two senior starters.
“I think we’re got a young talented group of players that are growing up together,” head coach Steve Matthews said, as the Lions finished the regular season 6-4.
Matthews praised his offensive line with providing leadership throughout the season.
Freshman quarterback Kohbe Ward completed 13 of 19 passes for 177 yards and one touchdown last Friday. He also ran 11 times for 218 yards and two touchdowns.
Freshman running back Maurice Smith ran 19 times for 175 yards and three scores.
Freshmen receiver Dasani Moulden had six catches for one touchdown and 207 all-purposed yards.
For the regular season, Ward completed 100 of 160 pass attempts for 18 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He ran 81 times for 547 yards and scored four times.
Smith finished the regular season with 1,006 rushing yards.
The Lions were close to
region championship-leading Providence Christian and No. 2 region finisher MTCS in the fourth quarters before losing both games.
CCS will travel to West Region No. 3 seed Jackson Christian, who beat Division II-AAA Ensworth during the regular season, and features one of the best quarterbacks in the nation in Jared Curtis, a Georgia commit.
