CPA, Roman bracing for showdown vs. Goodpasture

At Christ Presbyterian Academy, there will probably be many more tricks than treats doled out tonight. For sure, it will be no Roman holiday.

Red-hot CPA (6-3) will meet Goodpasture (6-3) for the Region 5-2A championship, and the contestants are no strangers to the surroundings. For the third straight year, this Week 10 matchup is for the region title.

Both teams are 4-0 in the region. The winner claims first, the loser falls to second. Both have guaranteed themselves first-round home playoff games Nov. 7.

The game showcases two of Nashville’s hottest teams. Since a blowout loss to Ryan in late September, CPA has won four straight, outscoring foes 156-28. Goodpasture has won four of its last five, falling only to the state’s top-ranked 3A team, Lipscomb.

Goodpasture has beaten CPA in Week 10 three straight years and has ended CPA’s season all three years. Last year, the Cougars won a Week 10 decision, following up with a 47-41 overtime win in the first playoff round.

CPA junior quarterback Luke Roman has passed for 1,714 yards and 17 TDs. And his 61 percent completion rate (127-of-208) is one of the best in Nashville.

“I’ve got some outstanding receivers, it makes my job a lot easier,’’ said Roman, who has come on like gangbusters in recent weeks. “When you have a 6-5 guy like Z (Zaccheus Mason) to throw to, he can just out-leap defenders.’’

“The completion rate is something I’ve very proud of,’’ he said. “And the yardage after catch is something you have to credit our receivers for.’’

The likeable 6-2, 175-pound Roman is the latest of top-flight QBs who have come along the pike at CPA.

“When Connor Lowery (Lion QB last year) was a junior, I was a freshman, and he really helped me in my developmental process,’’ Roman said. “He was so helpful, something I really appreciated.’’

“We run a spread offense, which I love,’’ said Mason, who has six TD receptions. “I think recently, we’ve really come together, we’re all on the same page. Goodpasture will be a tough game, but I think we’re ready.’’

“Luke is a special talent,’’ said coach Jay Mathews. “He’s so easy-going. Our guys adapt to him. And he has some musical talents, too.’’

Off the field, Roman is an accomplished piano and guitar player.

“One of my teachers calls me Billy Joel,’’ Roman said, laughing. “I really like music.’’

But tonight, his focus is on football and taking on the Cougars.

“They have a really good defense,’’ Roman said. “We’ll have to cut down turnovers, eliminate mistakes.’’

“Their (TB) Benjamin Cunningham (953 yards rushing) is an outstanding player on both offense and defense, but they have a lot more besides him,’’ Mathews said. “Goodpasture is very good year after year in special teams.’’

A significant key in CPA’s resurgence is the return of key players from injury, none more significant than junior free safety Trent Fisher.

“When I went out with the knee injury, I was afraid it was an ACL injury and my season was over,’’ said Fisher, son of Titans coach Jeff. “When I found it was just a slight tear in the meniscus, I was back in two weeks, thanks to a lot of prayer and quick recovery.’’

Tonight’s area prep schedule

Brentwood at Northeast

Brentwood Acad. at Ryan, Greer Stadium

Centennial at Franklin

Columbia at Independence

East Robertson at FRA

Ezell-Harding at DCA

Goodpasture at CPA

McCallie at MBA

NCS at Clarksville Academy

Ravenwood at Dickson County

Tipton-Rosemark at Davidson Ac.