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The CPA Lions' Massive Leap: 5 Shocking Facts About Christ Presbyterian Academy Football's Toughest Season Yet

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Nashville, TN's high school football landscape is in a state of seismic shift as of late 2025, and the Christ Presbyterian Academy (CPA) Lions are at the epicenter. The program, a perennial powerhouse and two-time defending state champion, has voluntarily moved up in class, setting the stage for a dramatic and brutal 2025-2026 season that has fans and analysts buzzing. This article dives into the freshest updates, the brutal new schedule, and the key players who will define the Lions' new era in the state's top private school division.

The "CPA football Nashville TN" keyword points directly to one of Tennessee's most successful and respected high school athletic programs, the Christ Presbyterian Academy Lions. After dominating the Division II-Class AA (DII-AA) ranks, the team is now facing a gauntlet in Division II-Class AAA (DII-AAA), a move that guarantees an unprecedented level of competition every single week. This is the latest on the program's monumental challenge and its storied history.

CPA Lions Football: The Latest Program & Coach Profile

The Christ Presbyterian Academy Lions, located in Nashville, Tennessee, have long been synonymous with excellence in high school football. Their program boasts multiple TSSAA State Championships and a culture of consistent high performance. The stability and success of the program are largely credited to its long-serving leadership.

  • School Name: Christ Presbyterian Academy (CPA)
  • Location: Nashville, TN (Davidson County)
  • Team Mascot: Lions
  • Current Division (2025-26): Division II-Class AAA (DII-AAA)
  • Previous Division: Division II-Class AA (DII-AA)
  • Notable Achievements: Multiple TSSAA State Championships (including 2020 and capping a DII-AA reign)
  • Head Coach: Ingle Martin
  • Head Coach Tenure: Martin has been the guiding force for the Lions for over a decade, establishing one of the most respected programs in the state.
  • Key Staff Entities: Brian Epps (Assistant Coach), Steve Lenger (Assistant Coach), Jim Roberts (Statistician).

Head Coach Ingle Martin, a former NFL quarterback, has built the CPA program into a model of consistency and discipline. His leadership is now being tested like never before, as he guides the Lions through the most significant divisional change in recent memory. The move to DII-AAA is a statement of intent, signaling the academy's desire to compete at the absolute highest level of private school football in Tennessee.

The Defining Challenge: CPA's Move to DII-AAA

The biggest news surrounding CPA football is their self-imposed promotion from DII-AA to DII-AAA, effective for the 2025-2026 season. This is not a simple administrative change; it is a direct challenge to the state's elite programs and has immediately made the CPA Lions' 2025 slate one of the "hardest schedules" in the entire Nashville area.

A New Level of Competition

In DII-AA, CPA was the two-time defending champion, consistently reaching the BlueCross Bowl. The move to DII-AAA thrusts them into a region that includes traditional powerhouses and perennial state title contenders. This decision has been widely discussed among high school football analysts, with many immediately placing CPA as a potential top-five team in the new, tougher division.

  • The Gauntlet: The DII-AAA class is home to some of Tennessee's most dominant private school programs, including McCallie, Brentwood Academy, and MBA (Montgomery Bell Academy). CPA's schedule now features mandatory matchups against these titans.
  • The Impact: This change means the Lions will face playoff-caliber teams almost every week. The margin for error is drastically reduced, requiring peak performance from the opening kickoff of the season. The difficulty is so extreme that their first six games of the 2025 season were labeled as particularly brutal.
  • Early 2025 Results: The 2025 season has already seen the Lions in high-stakes battles, including a thrilling victory over MBA and a tough loss to Brentwood Academy in the DII-AAA semifinals, proving they can compete immediately in the new division.

This divisional shift is a crucial entity for anyone tracking CPA football, as it completely redefines their season goals and their path to a state championship. It proves the CPA program, under Ingle Martin, is committed to facing the toughest competition available, rather than resting on their DII-AA laurels.

Key Players and Rising Stars: The 2025 CPA Roster

For the Lions to navigate their new, challenging DII-AAA schedule, they will rely on a core group of proven veterans and promising young talent. The success of the 2025 campaign hinges on the performance of several key entities on both sides of the ball. The roster is deep, but a few names are consistently highlighted in local Nashville sports reports.

The Offensive Cornerstones

The CPA offense is designed to be physical and balanced, and the following players have been instrumental in their recent success and are vital for the DII-AAA transition:

Rawls Patterson (Running Back): Patterson has proven to be a clutch performer, most notably powering the Lions to a critical victory over MBA in a high-stakes 2025 game, scoring the game-winning touchdown. His ability to control the clock and punch the ball into the endzone will be critical in the tighter DII-AAA contests.

Isaiah Bryant (Offensive Lineman): A junior standout, Bryant is mentioned as one of the 35 returning offensive linemen to watch in the 2025 Nashville area. He represents the next generation of great Lions linemen, providing the necessary protection and run-blocking power against the larger, more powerful defensive fronts in DII-AAA. The strength of the line will dictate the success of the entire offense.

David Gabriel-Georges (Star Athlete): Often highlighted in game recaps, Gabriel-Georges is a versatile, star athlete who has made significant plays throughout the 2025 season. His performance, including a notable 7-yard run in a late-November 2025 game, showcases his importance as a playmaker the Lions will lean on. His presence on the field creates mismatches and keeps opposing defenses honest.

Topical Authority: The Lions' Legacy of Success

The CPA Lions' move to DII-AAA is a testament to the program's deep-rooted legacy. They are not just a successful team; they are a championship program. Their history includes monumental wins like the 2020 DII-AA State Championship victory over rival Lipscomb Academy. Furthermore, they capped their reign in DII-AA with another state title, defeating BGA (Battle Ground Academy), a fierce rival, 38-26.

This history of winning gives the team a psychological edge, even when facing the toughest schedule in the state. The expectation at CPA is not just to compete, but to win state championships, a standard set by Coach Martin and upheld by the players. The move to DII-AAA is the ultimate test of that legacy, challenging the current team to prove they are worthy of being mentioned alongside the program's greatest teams.

What the Future Holds for CPA Football

As the Christ Presbyterian Academy Lions settle into their new Division II-Class AAA home, the attention from college recruiters and local media has intensified. The high level of competition on their schedule serves as a live proving ground for their top prospects. Playing against teams like Brentwood Academy and McCallie gives players like Isaiah Bryant and David Gabriel-Georges maximum exposure.

The 2025 season, with its brutal schedule, is a transitional year, but the goal remains the same: a trip to the BlueCross Bowl. The early success in reaching the DII-AAA semifinals shows that the Lions are already a force to be reckoned with. For Nashville high school football fans, the CPA Lions' journey in DII-AAA is arguably the most compelling storyline in the state, promising high-stakes games and potential upsets every week. The Lions are ready to roar in the big leagues.

The CPA Lions' Massive Leap: 5 Shocking Facts About Christ Presbyterian Academy Football's Toughest Season Yet
cpa football nashville tn
cpa football nashville tn

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