Class 2A region final
Cambridge Christian (9-0) at Northside Christian (9-2), 7:30
Past meeting: In the 2015 Class 2A region semifinal, Cambridge Christian won 19-14.
Cambridge wins Friday if: The offense continues to play well. The Lancers average almost 49 points per game and are coming off a 38-14 win over Admiral Farragut. Northside Christian needed overtime to beat the Blue Jackets two weeks ago. Junior quarterback Jaylin Jackson is 23-1 as a starter, so experience at quarterback is an edge.
Northside wins if: The defense makes plays. The Mustangs have been able to move the ball all season thanks to experience at quarterback and the running of Marcus Hooks. But the defense has sometimes sputtered against high-powered offenses. If it becomes a shootout, that doesn’t favor Northside.
Key players: Cambridge Christian ‘ RB/LB Andrew Cunningham, Jr. (1,232 yards, 17 TDs); QB Jaylin Jackson, Jr. (1,189 passing yards, 614 rushing yards, 23 total touchdowns); SS/RB Aaron Pierre, Sr. (47 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions). Northside Christian ‘ QB Griffin Alstott, Sr. (1,968 passing yards, 26 touchdowns); RB Marcus Hooks, Jr. (809 yards, 10 TDs); WR Corey Yawn, Jr. (28 catches, 708 yards, nine TDs)
Audibles
“They have a high powered-offense and a good one-two punch (Cunningham and Jackson) so we have to limit the big plays. Defensively, we have to win in the trenches and our offensive line has to continue to play well.” – Northside Christian coach Mike Alstott
“I expect this to be a close game like it was last year. They’ve got 21 seniors and they’re very accurate in the passing game. I’m looking at this game and wondering, ‘How am I going to pull this one off?’ But we’re playing well, too, and we’re back to being healthy.” – Cambridge Christian coach Bob Dare
Predictions
Rodney Page: Cambridge Christian, 28-26
Bob Putnam: Cambridge Christian, 35-28
