The Christ Presbyterian Academy Lions football team executed a statement win over the Independence Eagles 42-24 on Friday night by running the ball at will to defend home field. 

"This was a big win for our team," said CPA senior quarterback Thomas Vaccaro. "People are not expecting a lot from us, so it was a good confidence boost. Obviously, Coach (Ingle) Martin was not here, but Coach (Scott) Haywood did a really good job." 

Martin was in Williamsport, Pa. attending the Little League World Series game in which his son was playing for Nolensville. 

"It means a lot," said CPA junior running back Crews Law. "It feels good to show what we can do and play a great team game."

"I think there is a lot we can build on," said Independence head coach Scott Stidham. "They (CPA) are a good football program, not just a football team. We did not play as well as we are capable of, but we showed flashes of being a good football team. Everything is correctable that we did today."

Independence got on the board first with six minutes left in the first quarter on a 27-yard field goal by sophomore Landric Mayeski to take a 3-0 lead.

With three minutes remaining in the opening quarter, CPA quarterback Thomas Vaccaro threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Vanderbilt commit and senior wide receiver London Humphreys to grab the advantage 7-3.

The Eagles answered the score with 13 seconds left on a fourth-and-goal rushing touchdown by senior running back Tre' Hartwell to retake the lead 10-7.

Momentum swung back to the Lions with a little under ten minutes in the second quarter when Crews Law smashed his way into the endzone on a three-yard rushing touchdown 14-10.

By Charlie Bateman