DCA gets past slump, now will play for Division II-A state title

Dean Fox

For The Tennessean

Donaldson Christian Academy's Houston Troup (22) celebrates after his team defeated Davidson 27-21, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.

Donelson Christian Academy came a long way in a short time to clinch a spot in Cookeville and a chance to play for a state championship.

DCA opened the season with three straight shutouts before going through a bit of a midseason slump. But the Wildcats now will play for its fourth state title and first since 2004 after upsetting previously unbeaten Davidson Academy 27-21 on Friday night in a Division II-A semifinal.

DCA (9-3) won its fifth straight game Friday night, taking the lead late in the first half and holding on for the win.

At one point this year, the Wildcats were only 4-3 after a 60-35 blowout loss to Middle Tennessee Christian.

DCA gave up 142 points in its three losses. That includes a 47-27 loss to Friendship Christian, the Wildcats opponent in the DII-A BlueCross Bowl. The two meet at 11 a.m. on Dec. 2 at Tennessee Tech's Tucker Stadium.

But the team was unfazed.

“After that loss,” senior Tyler Francis said, “we collected ourselves and we said, ‘We’re going to go 3-0 (to finish the regular season), and then we’re going to go 3-0 again (in the playoffs) and win state.”

Houston Troup sparked the latest victory with 228 rushing yards.

DCA was dominant to end the regular season and beat Fayette Academy 52-31 in its first playoff game, but Friday’s win was the most impressive thus far.

The Wildcats took control of a back-and-forth first half when Henry Mosley hit Mason Austin for a touchdown pass right before the end of the half, giving DCA a 20-14 lead. Mosley scored on a quarterback sneak moments into the fourth quarter for an insurance score.

Davidson Academy (11-1) didn’t quit. Despite an injury to Mr. Football finalist Da’Joun Hewitt (218 yards), the Bears rallied to make it a one-score game and were driving until a fourth-and-11 quarterback scramble came up two yards short.

The Wildcats then put the game away with Troup’s running.

“Our run game started out very well,” Troup said, “and I knew if we kept running the ball, good things would happen for us. It's fun getting the ball. Sometimes, we've run the ball five times and thrown 30 passes, but as long as we get the win, I'm happy.”