When CPA was last state champions in 2018, it was as a result of Kane Patterson, now at Clemson, who ran for 110 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Battleground Academy. 

© Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean
CPA’s Cade Law (11) hugs Sam Smith (8) after the win over Lipscomb Academy in the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.

Two years later, it was Kane’s younger brother, Langston Patterson, who was CPA’s top player, leading the Lions to their third straight appearance in the Division II-AA state championship. 

And it was Langston who led CPA to its fifth state championship on Thursday afternoon as CPA defeated Lipscomb Academy 35-28 in the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl at Tennessee Tech’s Tucker Stadium. 

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Patterson, a four-star recruit at linebacker according to the 247Sports Composite, spearheaded CPA’s rushing attack, running for 191 yards and three touchdowns, all of which came in the first half. 

CPA (10-1) avenged its 20-14 loss to Lipscomb Academy (10-3) in Week 11.

After Lipscomb Academy tied the game early in the fourth quarter, the Lions handed the ball off to Patterson six times as they marched down the field for a 15-play, 74-yard drive, trying to use up as much time as possible. Cade Law then passed to Cade Reynolds for a 3-yard touchdown pass with 2:31 left. 

Then, on the ensuing Lipscomb Academy drive, Reynolds intercepted a pass from Luther Richesson, sealing the CPA win. Law, who passed for 36 yards, one touchdown and rushed for 191 yards and a touchdown, was named the BlueCross Bowl MVP. 

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Lipscomb Academy, coached by Trent Dilfer, was in the state championship game for the first time since 2007. Dilfer, in his second year as coach, was hoping to lead the school to its fourth state championship. 

The Mustangs trailed 21-7 at halftime and 28-14 midway through the third quarter. Richesson, who passed for 229 yards and two touchdowns, then led back-to-back scoring drives to tie the game. 

But Lipscomb Academy was unable to stop CPA’s final drive.

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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Langston Patterson, Cade Law lead CPA past Lipscomb Academy in Division II-AA football championship