CPA boys tied for lead in state golf

Christ Presbyterian Academy is tied for the boys team lead after the first day of play Tuesday in the TSSAA state golf tournament at Old Fort Park in Murfreesboro. The Lions quartet fired a collective 303, good for a tie for the lead with DeKalb County, heading into today’s final day of play.

CPA was led by senior Taylor Denning and sophomore Blake Burgett, who each shot a 73, good for a fifth place tie, six shots behind leader Payne Denman of DeKalb. Denman holds a commanding four-stroke lead.

Donelson Christian Academy was holding down a disappointing fifth in the girls team play at 167, 10 shots behind leader University School of Jackson. Region medalist Blake Childress of Hume-Fogg fired a 73 and is in second place and two strokes behind leader Shelby Gilbert of Notre Dame. Freshman Sarah Harris led DCA by firing a 76, good for fifth place. Final rounds are today.

HUNTERS LANE READY FOR OVERTON: Hunters Lane is one of the big surprises in Nashville area football at 5-0, but Warriors coach Richard Campbell isn’t celebrating yet.

“We’re pleased, of course,” Campbell said. “But we haven’t put a complete game together yet.”

The Warriors take on Overton on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Hunters Lane. Even though Overton is 1-4, Campbell says the Bobcats are dangerous.

“Any team Terry Anderson puts on the field will be sound,” Campbell said. “Their passing attack is probably the best we’ve seen since Stratford.”

But turnovers have been a problem for the Warriors. Campbell said his team’s motto has been “not beating Hunters Lane.”

“We want to make somebody else beat Hunters Lane,” Campbell said.

Defense has been a major strength for the Warriors in recent years. Hunters Lane is giving up 16 points per game and Campbell, a former defensive coordinator himself, says he doesn’t have to even worry about coaching the defensive side of the ball.

“I am lucky to have the coaching staff I have,” Campbell said. “With the guys I have …I stay out of the way.”

A big key to the defensive effort is defensive coordinator Dennis Moreno, which Campbell calls “the best-kept secret around.”

“[He’s] an excellent teacher of the game. He’s like a professor of defense.”