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Donelson Christian looks to improve playoff spot




Donelson Christian head coach Paul Wade gives instructions to his team from the sidelines during a recent game.BRAD JONES-FILE

Donelson Christian head coach Paul Wade gives instructions to his team from the sidelines during a recent game.BRAD JONES-FILE

Donelson Christian Academy looks to move up in the region ranks and possibly play host to a first-round playoff opponent with three games left in the regular season. 

The Wildcats (5-2, 3-1) are currently ranked third in the Division II-A East region. Donelson Christian’s lone region loss came in Week 3 to Friendship Christian School, which currently sits atop the region standings. 

The Wildcats are coming off a bye week after a 42-0 shutout against Memphis and will face King’s Academy (4-4, 4-1), which is currently second in the region, on Friday in Seymour. 

Donelson Christian head coach Paul Wade said a win Friday would be huge for the Wildcats. 

“I think, just from a glimpse, we could be anywhere from two to four, depending on how things play out,” Wade said. “We could possibly even be five if the ball bounces the wrong way. King’s Academy is a very talented team. Their individual talent is phenomenal. That doesn’t always mean that the team is great, but they have some great individual players…Based on the standings in the TSSAA, it can change a whole lot, depending on who wins this week.”

 

 

After Friday night’s matchup with King’s Academy, the Wildcats will face Grace Franklin (0-7, 0-4) at home for senior night and end the season on the road at Mt. Juliet Christian Academy (3-3, 3-1). 

“Grace Franklin, first-year program in Division II, they are struggling a little bit,” Wade said. “We finish up with Mt. Juliet Christian. For us, where we are located, that’s a huge rivalry. It’s kind of funny, because the last time that I was at DCA, from ’92-’99, Mt. Juliet Christian was the new kid on the block and didn’t have a whole lot of success. Me coming back full circle, in the last few years, they’ve had some pretty good teams. 

“They’ve got some good players in out there, and it’s a big challenge for us, simply because they beat us last year. If I am not mistaken, it may be the first time in school history DCA lost to them. The kids know that, and that’s a big deal to them.”

Wade said he plans to not take anything for granted as the regular season winds down for the Wildcats. 

“Depending on how we do this week at King’s, [the Mt. Juliet Christian] game could have a lot of implications on where people finish two through six and get a playoff nod,” Wade said. 

According to Wade, the team has done well, especially coming off a 2018 winless season. 

“We are really about six or seven plays away from being 7-0,” Wade said. “…The way we have responded on both sides of the ball has really been incredible, not only for our kids, but also for our community.” 

The Wildcats second loss of the season came against Franklin Road Academy, 42-32, in Week 5. Donelson Christian has wins against Silverdale Academy, Webb School, Middle Tennessee Christian and Grace Baptist so far this season. 

Donelson Christian and King’s Academy kick off Friday night at 7:30 p.m. EST in Seymour. 

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