The Northview Academy Cougars will take on the Volunteer Falcons at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Northview Academy has given up an average of 30.8 points per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Northview Academy is headed into the matchup out to prove that what happened against Elizabethton on Friday (when they were outscored in every quarter) was just a minor bump in the road. The Cougars took a blow against the Fighting Cyclones, falling 34-7. The Cougars have struggled against the Fighting Cyclones recently, as the game was their fifth consecutive lost matchup.
Despite the defeat, Northview Academy saw an underclassman step up: sophomore Keaton Phipps rushed for 114 yards and one touchdown.
Meanwhile, it was a Battle of the Birds when Volunteer took on Seymour last Friday. The Falcons came out on top against the Eagles by a score of 41-31.
Volunteer's win came from a few key players Northview Academy will need to keep an eye on. One of the most notable was Lincoln Wilson, who threw for 313 yards and three TDs, and also rushed for 38 yards. Amarion Graves was Wilson's top target, picking up 128 receiving yards and a pair of scores.
Volunteer was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 214 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 193 rushing yards in three consecutive contests.
Volunteer's defensive line made their presence known, laying out Madden Guffey four times. Seymour's QB won't forget Owen Fleenor anytime soon given he sacked him twice.
Northview Academy's loss dropped their record down to 2-4. As for Volunteer, their victory bumped their record up to 4-1.
Friday's game might be decided on the ground. Northview Academy has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 151.8 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Volunteer struggles in that department as they've been averaging 201 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's matchup turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Northview Academy beat Volunteer 46-38 in their previous meeting back in September of 2024. Do the Cougars have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Falcons turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
