Blue Cross Blue Shield Bowl D2
by. Palmer Thombs (D1 – Intern)
Saturday’s Division II BlueCross Bowl games wrap up the Tennessee high school football season. The day kicks off at Tucker Stadium on the campus of Tennessee Tech at 11:00 with Friendship Christian (12-0) taking on Donelson Christian Academy (9-3), followed by Lausanne (12-0) and Notre Dame (11-1) at 3:00, capped off at 7:00 by Brentwood Academy (11-0) and Montgomery Bell Academy (10-2). Here are a few notes about each game.
Friendship Christian Commanders vs. DCA Wildcats
MTCS v. Friendship Christian
How They Got Here: Friendship Christian came from behind to defeat Nashville Christian 27-23 in the semifinals. DCA knocked off previously unbeaten Davidson Academy 27-21 in the semifinals.
Previous Meeting: These two teams met in Week 5, a 47-27 win for the Commanders. DCA has won six of seven since then.
Players to Watch: For Friendship Christian, watch out for the powerful running game with Jajuan Foutch and Justin Seagraves. They have combined for over 2,000 yards and 37 touchdowns on the year. The Wildcats are led by senior quarterback Henry Mosley and senior running back Houston Troup. Troup rushed for 228 yards in the semifinals and sent the Wildcats to their first State Championship game since 2004.
Lausanne Lynx vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
FRA V. Lausanne
How They Got Here: Lausanne defeated Battle Ground Academy 42-21 in the semifinals while the Irish took down Christ Presbyterian Academy 42-20. Notre Dame lost their season opener against Baylor and has not been defeated since. Lausanne comes into the game winners of their last 26.
Previous Meeting: None
Players to Watch: This is a matchup between two of Division II – AA’s three Mr. Football finalists. Lausanne’s Eric Gray took home the honor while Notre Dame’s Tennessee commit, Cameron Wynn, was a finalist. Lausanne won the Division II – A championship last season and will look to make it two in a row for Memphis’ lone BlueCross Bowl representative.
Brentwood Academy Eagles vs. Montgomery Bell Academy Big Red
How They Got Here: Brentwood Academy defeated McCallie 28-6, while the Big Red knocked off previously undefeated Christian Brothers 14-7 in the semifinals.
Previous Meeting: These two Middle Tennessee powerhouses met in Week 10 and Brentwood Academy came away with a 29-0 victory. MBA, missing three starters in that game, has since gotten healthy and seeks revenge for BlueCross Bowl losses at the hands of the Eagles the past two seasons.
Players to Watch: Brentwood Academy is led by a pair of Class of 2018 Vanderbilt commits in quarterback Gavin Shoenwald, a Mr. Football semifinalist, and wide receiver/safety Camron Johnson, a Mr. Football finalist. The stout Eagle defense is spearheaded by Washington commit, linebacker Jackson Sirmon, and Navy commit, cornerback Daniel Taylor. MBA counters the Eagles with quarterback Ty Allen and running back Michael McGuire, a backfield that averaged 27.5 points per game this season. Defensively, the Pollock twins, Gordon and Fenner, man the Big Red secondary with last year’s BlueCross Bowl Defensive MVP, Nick German.
