COOKEVILLE — Cade Law smiled Thursday afternoon, the state championship MVP plaque in his hand, his body sore from the physical play of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl.
© Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean
CPA players celebrate with fans after beating Lipscomb Academy in the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s smash-mouth style of play ate up 424 yards on the ground on 72 carries in the Lions’ 35-28 win over Lipscomb Academy.
“It was a very physical game,” Law said. “When it’s a game like that it’s about who wanted it more. We wanted it more and we brought the hitting to them.”
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Law rallied CPA (10-1) on one final drive with the game tied at 28 with 9:49 left. He methodically drove the Lions 76 yards on 15 plays, capping it with a 3-yard TD pass to Cade Reynolds with 2:22 left.
“Here is the thing, you have to earn championships. And they earned this championship,” Lipscomb Academy coach Trent Dilfer said. “We made them fight for it.
CPA players celebrate with fans after beating Lipscomb Academy in the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA holds their championship trophy after beating Lipscomb Academy in the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Brewer Myers (7) celebrates with fans after beating Lipscomb Academy in the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Langston Patterson (10) celebrates after Cade Law (11) was named the MVP after beating Lipscomb Academy in he Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy head coach Trent Dilfer congratulates CPA on their win in the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy’s Tate Taylor (8) and Eli Miller (15) console each other after losing to CPA in the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy players react after the team’s loss to CPA in the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Graham Roten (73) brings the championship trophy to the student section after beating Lipscomb Academy in the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA players hold up their trophy in front of the jumbotron after beating Lipscomb Academy during the TSSAA State Championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2020.
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.
CPA’s Cade Reynolds (17) is thrown up in the air by Graham Roten (73) after Reynolds scored a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Reid Williford (20) celebrates an interception late in the fourth quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA fans react to the interception late in the fourth quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy’s Alex Broome (20) runs in a touchdown past CPA’s Drew Aiken (6) during the fourth quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy’s Alex Broome (20) celebrates his touchdown with Daniel Green (7) during the fourth quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Cade Law (11) carries the ball and is tripped up by Lipscomb Academy’s Eli Miller (15) during the second half of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy’s Daniel Green (7) makes a catch defended by CPA’s Shelby Whiteside (18) during the second half of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy’s Ryan Young (82) celebrates his extra-point kick with Trip Morrow (35) during the second half of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Langston Patterson (10) pushes down the middle during the second half of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Langston Patterson (10) moves the ball defended by Lipscomb Academy’s Willie Berris (1) during the second half of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Reid Williford (20) carries the ball after a catch defended by Lipscomb Academy’s Willie Berris (1) during the second half of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Langston Patterson (10) celebrates a touchdown by Cade Law (11) during the third quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Langston Patterson (10) tries to get over the Lipscomb Academy defenders but falls short of the goal line during the third quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy’s Willie Berris (1) and CPA’s Cade Law (11) grab each other’s face masks during the third quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Langston Patterson (10) is brought down on the one-yard line during the third quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy’s Chazan Page (55) hoists up Alex Broome (20) after Broome’s touchdown during the third quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy head coach Trent Dilfer yells during the third quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Cade Law (11) battles Lipscomb Academy’s Tate Taylor (8) during the third quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Cade Law (11) gets away from Lipscomb Academy’s Jordan Jackson (6) during the third quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Shelby Whiteside (18) is hurt on the field during the second half of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Cade Law (11) is forced out of bounds by Lipscomb Academy’s Willie Berris (1) during the third quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Tyler Reid (4) runs the ball during the third quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy head coach Trent Dilfer yells during the third quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Tyler Reid (4) is stopped by Lipscomb Academy’s Jaden Lyles (2) as Lipscomb Academy’s Chase Allen (22) closes in during the third quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy’s Alex Broome (20) runs in a touchdown during the third quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game against CPA at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy’s Luther Richesson (5) runs for a first touchdown during the third quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy’s Luther Richesson (5) scrambles to get away from CPA’s Scott Shipman (19) during the third quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Langston Patterson (10) falls into the endzone for a touchdown during the second quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Langston Patterson (10) scores a touchdown during the second quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Langston Patterson (10) celebrates his touchdown during the second quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Langston Patterson (10) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Langston Patterson (10) is congratulated after his touchdown during the second quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Langston Patterson (10) celebrates his touchdown with Cade Law (11) during the second quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy’s Luther Richesson (5) passes during the second quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy’s Tate Taylor (8) brings down CPA’s Cade Law (11) as he advances on a keeper during the second quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy’s Beau Dawson (4) makes a catch over CPA’s Cade Reynolds (17) during the second quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy head coach Trent Dilfer watches during the third quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Langston Patterson (10) runs the ball to the 2-yard line defended by Lipscomb Academy’s Hunter High (33) during the second quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy’s Daniel Green (7) makes a touchdown catch over CPA’s Drew Aiken (6) during the second quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy’s Daniel Green (7) celebrates his touchdown with Justin Hughes (26) during the second quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy’s Daniel Green (7) makes a touchdown catch over CPA’s Drew Aiken (6) during the second quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy’s Chazan Page (55) lifts up Lipscomb Academy’s Daniel Green (7) after Green’s touchdown during the second quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Brewer Myers (7) stops Lipscomb Academy’s Beau Dawson (4) during the second quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Tyler Reid (4) escapes Lipscomb Academy’s Jordan Jackson (6) during the second quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Reid Williford (20) runs the ball as Lipscomb Academy’s Willie Berris (1) stops him and Lipscomb Academy’s Braden Ford (45) looks on during the TSSAA State Championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Reid Williford (20) makes a catch and is forced out of bouncs by Lipscomb Academy’s Willie Berris (1) during the second quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Cade Law (11) runs the ball and is stopped by Lipscomb Academy’s Tate Taylor (8) during the first half of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy’s Jaden Lyles (2) recovers a CPA fumble during the first quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Colin Stewart (57) sacks Lipscomb Academy’s Luther Richesson (5) during the first quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy fans cheer during the first quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game against CPA at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy’s Luther Richesson (5) sets up to throw during the first quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game against CPA at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Tyler Reid (4) pushes for extra yards during the first half of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game against Lipscomb Academy at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Langston Patterson (10) pushes past Lipscomb Academy’s Kaleb Beasley (5) for a touchdown during the first quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA fans celebrate a touchdown during first quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game against Lipscomb Academy at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Langston Patterson (10) scores the first touchdown of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy’s Alex Broome (20) is tackled by CPA’s Cade Reynolds (17) during the first quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Langston Patterson (10) leaps over Lipscomb Academy’s Jaden Lyles (2) during the first quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Cade Law (11) is stopped by Lipscomb Academy’s Eli Miller (15) on a first-down carry during the first quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Langston Patterson (10) gets stopped by Lipscomb Academy defenders during first quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Cade Law (11) advances on a keeper during first quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game against Lipscomb Academy at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA’s Langston Patterson (10) gets a first down against Lipscomb Academy during the first quarter of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy players take the field for the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game against CPA at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
CPA head coach Ingle Martin talks to his team before the start of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game against Lipscomb Academy at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy head coach Trent Dilfer watches warmups before the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game against CPA at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Fans watch warmups before the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game between Lipscomb Academy-CPA at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy students wait for the start of the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game against CPA at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy fans watch warmups before the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game against CPA at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Lipscomb Academy fans cheer during warmups before the Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl Football Championship game against CPA at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
78/78 SLIDES
“I think that’s got to go down as one of the great championship drives of all time,” Dilfer said.
Law had seven carries for 35 yards on the drive. Langston Patterson added six carries for 37 yards.
“Our offensive coordinator Steve Haywood has a saying that you don’t have a football play until you know it’s coming, they know it’s coming, everyone in the stands knows it’s coming and you still get four yards,” CPA coach Ingle Martin said. “Our kids believe in that.
“Our guys up front did a great job executing.”
CPA’s title is its second in three years and comes after losing to Evangelical Christian in the 2019 championship. Lipscomb Academy (10-3) was playing in its first championship since winning the 2007 Class 3A title.
Law finished with 25 carries for 168 yards. He was 5-of-6 passing for 36 yards and had two total touchdowns. Patterson added 34 carries for 191 yards.
Luther Richesson was 17-of-23 passing for 229 yards and two TDs for Lipscomb Academy. Beau Dawson had seven catches for 120 yards. And Alex Broom had seven carries for 27 yards and four catches for 43 yards and a score.
Reach Tom Kreager at [email protected] and on Twitter @Kreager.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: BlueCross Bowl: CPA’s smash-mouth style gives Lions Division II-AA football championship