Written By: Tripp Vistica
Sept. 27, 2021
A week after CBHS (Christian Brothers High School) suffered a tough overtime loss to the Saints of Briarcrest Christian High School, the Brothers bounced back with a win over the P.UR.E. Youth Athletics Alliance football team.
Friday night’s game against P.U.R.E. inside Tom Nix Stadium on the campus of CBHS, was more than just a game, especially to me. It was less intense game the previous week when CBHS hosted their second biggest rival, only behind MUS (Memphis University School), Briarcrest. However, it was the people I talked to and the people I met on sideline during this game that made it so special to me.
The CBHS football team approached both games with equal intensity, but inside Tom Nix Stadium there were not as many fans in the CBHS stands while P.U.R.E. might’ve had a little more than two dozen fans on their sideline. It was not as loud throughout the game, and it was much less emotional than the Brothers previous game against Briarcrest for other faculty members, coaches of other sports, alumni, and especially for myself covering this game.
In the first half it was a back-and-forth contest, and it seemed as though the winner of the game might come down to whichever team had the ball last. After receiving the Brothers received the first half kickoff, they scored on a Dallan Hayden run. P.U.R.E. also scored on their first possession but was unable to tie the game when CBHS blocked the extra point attempt.
Both CBHS and P.U.R.E. scored two touchdowns in the first half, yet CBHS took 13-12 into halftime due to CBHS missing an extra point wide right. P.U.R.E. struggled mightily on their attempts, as they attempted an extra point after their first touchdown that was easily blocked by CBHS. After P.U.R.E.’s second touchdown to cut the CBHS lead to one point, they decided to go for two after how easily the Brothers blocked the previous extra-point attempt. Nevertheless, CBHS stopped P.U.R.E.’s two-point conversion attempt keeping the Brothers ahead by one point. CBHS was unable to score again before halftime due to little time left in the first half.
However, the Brothers made significant adjustments on defense during halftime that led to CBHS getting a turnover deep in P.U.R.E. territory on the first drive of the second half which the Brothers quickly took advantage of and scoring on another Dallan Hayden rushing touchdown making the score 20-12. The Brothers defense caused multiple turnovers for P.U.R.E. in the second half, and they capitalized on all of them.
Whatever adjustments that were made by CBHS at halftime were without a doubt the difference in the game, as P.U.R.E. struggled to do much of anything on offense for most of the second half after having an explosive offense in the first half filled with highlight caliber plays. The adjustments made by the Brothers allowed CBHS to control most of the second half, as CBHS would dominate on both sides of the ball and quickly build a sizable lead.
The Brothers were able to build 27-12 lead heading into the fourth quarter, although P.U.R.E. was driving. P.U.R.E scored their only touchdown of the second half and converted on their two-point conversion less than a minute into the fourth quarter to cut the Brothers lead 27-20.
After P.U.R.E cut the Brothers lead down to seven with just over 11 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, and the P.U.R.E. defense forced a CBHS punt. However, the Brothers intercepted a pass by P.U.R.E. at the P.U.R.E 36 yard-line which led to CBHS capitalizing on the turnover with touchdown pass from CBHS Junior quarterback, Jack Mclaughlin, to CBHS Junior Wide Receiver, Jaxson Hammond, to give the Brothers another two score lead of 34-20.
With under five minutes left in the game, Dallan Hayden rushed for another touchdown to extend the CBHS to 41-20. After the Brothers got another defensive stop, Dallan Hayden rushed for another touchdown only three minutes later giving CBHS a 48-20 lead with two minutes remaining in the game. This would be the last points scored in the game, as CBHS finished the game strong winning by the final score of 48-20.
Had the Brothers not made the adjustments on defense that caused multiple turnovers for P.U.R.E., this would’ve been a completely different football game. The Brothers could have easily lost this game if they hadn’t stepped up their defense in the second half, however the defense stepped up and took control of the game from the very beginning of the third quarter.
My opinion on the game is that the defensive adjustments made by the CBHS coaching staff and the execution on defense by the Brothers in the second half are the reasons the Brothers won this football, and not only won the game but won easily.
The CBHS football team approached both games with equal intensity, but inside Tom Nix Stadium there were not as many fans in the CBHS stands while P.U.R.E. might’ve had a little more than two dozen fans on their sideline. It was not as loud throughout the game, and it was much less emotional than the Brothers previous game against Briarcrest for other faculty members, coaches of other sports, alumni, and especially for myself covering this game.
Due to the lower attendance numbers compared to the week before and the lessen in the intensity of the game that I mentioned earlier, it was still an incredible night to be on the CBHS sideline. With less intensity, I got to talk more with the CBHS faculty, other coaches that were not coaching the game, CBHS Athletic Director, Coach Mike Kelly, and alumni both older and younger than myself. However, the best part of the night, other than CBHS getting the victory, was meeting the new Head Baseball Coach and former Closing Pitcher, Jason Motte, of the 2011 World Series Champions St. Louis Cardinals.
This was not the first time I’ve met Jason Motte, but this was the first time I got to have an actual one-on-one conversation with him. While, talking to him, I realized that his personality incorporates perfectly with the CBHS community. Just like the other head coaches, teachers, and faculty members at CBHS, he remembered who I was from a couple years ago when I covered the University of Memphis (UofM) Tigers Baseball team while he oversaw Player Development for the UofM Tigers Baseball Club.
While I was trying to not be completely star-struck by Coach Motte, he said that it was nice to see me again, and great to formally meet. This is just the most recent example of unforgettable memories for me inside Tom Nix Stadium and everywhere else on the CBHS campus, and I guarantee that it will not be the last.
That’s just one example of the magic created by the CBHS community since there seems to be something memorable that happens every Friday night on the CBHS sideline, and that’s what makes the CBHS community exceptionally special and being Brother’s Boy one of the biggest blessings of my life.
The Brothers will travel to Nashville to take on Brentwood Academy next in an what I believe to be a must win game. The Brothers record sits at 4-2 but are 0-2 in the division heading into Brentwood who is 3-3 with a 0-1 divisional record. Both CBHS losses came from divisional opponents, Nashville’s Ensworth and last week to Briarcrest. However, the Brothers bounced back in spectacular fashion against White Station after their first loss of the season to Ensworth, so hopefully they bounce back again this week against Brentwood Academy with another CBHS victory.
Both teams need this win, so I expect a hard-fought game between two teams that will undoubtably be well prepared to play their best due to the importance of this game for both Brentwood Academy and the Brothers of CBHS.
To the entire CBHS community, lets’ hope the Brothers win this big game against Brentwood Academy in Nashville this Friday night, and return home safely with their first division win and an overall record of 5-2 on the season before CBHS heads into their bye week.
GO BROTHERS!
Tripp Vistica 