CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Clarksville Academy kicked off the 2020 football season in Montgomery County Thursday at home against Grace Christian Academy.

Despite carrying a two-touchdown lead into the break, it was the Lions who roared back to take the lead in the second half.

GCA proceeded to rattle off 19 unanswered points, clawing their way to win number two on the year 26-21.

Obviously the end result is less than ideal for the Cougar faithful, but Clarksville Academy football coach John Crosby understands the season is a marathon and not a sprint.

“We just have to figure out what we didn’t do well and correct those mistakes,” Crosby said. “I don’t know how many turnovers we had. I’ll have to go back and see the film, but we had way too many. One is too many, so we have to correct those issues and find a way to get better starting tomorrow.”

In their season opener a week ago against Zion Christian Academy, Lions running back Blake Barton recorded four total touchdowns.

Barton would keep his legs churning once again this time to the tune of three more touchdowns on the ground.

Crosby discussed what it is about Barton that makes him such a special talent with the ball in his hands.

“We knew that was their dude coming in,” Crosby said. “He’s one of those backs that’s strong and tough. He’s not a 4.4 guy I don’t think, but he’s a guy that can run you over and break tackles. As the game went on and we got tired, he was hard to bring down.”

The Lions didn’t waste anytime getting on the board, as Maddux Lambert returned the opening kickoff 85-yards for a GCA touchdown.

On the very next drive, the Cougars cut the deficit to one point after quarterback Tristan Ladson found the end zone from nine-yards out.

With four minutes remaining in the game’s opening quarter, lightning was spotted in the area which resulted in an hour weather delay.

Once play resumed, many players were forced in out of the contest due to cramping.

 

The Cougars went out in front 8-7 after Grace Christian’s snapper sent the ball over the punter’s head and into the back of the end zone for a safety.

In the second quarter, birthday-boy Kyron Washington ripped off a 67-yard run for six points, extending the CA lead to 14-7.

One of the players for the Cougars who happened to battle cramps throughout was their prolific running back Bryan Longwell. The sophomore set up CA nicely before the break, punching it in for a goal-line score as the first-half play clock expired.

“He’s a very good football player,” Crosby said. “I mean there’s a reason that’s who we wanted to give the ball to the most. He had to come out several times due to cramping, but when he was in there, he was making a lot of noise. We need him in there as much as possible.”

As the rain began to come down steadily in the second half and the field conditions worsened, so did the play from CA.

They were called for numerous penalties and ball security was a glaring issue throughout during the rest of regulation.

Crosby understands the importance of getting both areas shored up moving forward.

“We’re going to have to go back to the basics in practice,” Crosby said. “Treat it like day one, practice like we never have before and just go from there.”

Barton inched the Lions closer with a rushing touchdown to pull GCA back within a score, heading into the final quarter of play.

On 2nd and goal from the Cougar five-yard line, Barton would find the end zone yet again. After the unsuccessful two-point attempt, Clarksville Academy clung to a one-point lead with eight minutes remaining.

On the very next possession, the Cougars coughed up the ball for the third time in the second half.

Barton’s third rushing touchdown of the game then put the Lions back in front for good.

Next week, the Cougars will hit the road for a district game against Fayette Academy on Friday, Sept. 4. Crosby shared what he hopes to see from his team in preparation for the Vikings.

“We gotta get healthy,” Crosby said. “We have to learn to protect the ball better and fix our cramping issues. Between now and then, we have to get in the best shape that we can, so we can hopefully get a win.”