KSR Game of the Week: Christian Academy-Louisville vs. Lexington Christian Academy

After traveling to northern Kentucky last Friday, the KSR Game of the Week is sticking in Lexington for a battle between the Christian Academies.

KSR will make the short trip over to Lexington Christian Academy this Friday where the No. 22-ranked Eagles (1-2) will host the No. 7 Christian Academy of Louisville Centurions (3-0) for a 7:30 p.m. EST kickoff. The last time these two teams met was in 2022 when CAL came out with a convincing 49-14 win. According to Riherds, LCA holds an 8-6 record against CAL dating back to 2001.

Christian Academy-Louisville has been ranked among KSR’s Top 10 since the preseason. The Centurions have only risen in the standings ever since with convincing wins over Owensboro, Heritage Hills (IN), and North Hardin. Lexington Christian Academy, on the other hand, has faced a tougher schedule to start the season. The Eagles have played two ranked opponents, losing to top-ranked Boyle County and No. 14 Franklin County before bouncing back with a big win over Pikeville last week.

On3’s Massey Ratings predict a very tight matchup, giving LCA the slight edge with a 35-34 final score. Both teams have been given a 50 percent chance to win. We could be in for a good one. Here’s everything else you need to know heading into Friday’s primetime showdown.

No. 7 CAL Centurions (3-0)

The Christian Academy of Louisville is led by head coach Hunter Cantwell, who has been in charge since 2019. He led the Centurions to 3A state championship victories in 2022 and 2023. CAL is once again among the favorites to win 3A, if not already the clear-cut frontrunner.

For good reason, too. CAL has won its first three games by a combined score of 111-24, including a 49-0 shutout win over North Hardin last week.

The Centurions are led by three-star QB Connor Hodge, a senior who is committed to play college ball at East Carolina. He’s already racked up 655 yards and nine touchdowns (two interceptions) through the air with a completion rate of 72.2 percent. Hodge has tacked on another 170 yards and three touchdowns with his legs. Playing behind his brother Cole Hodge (also at East Carolina) for the last two seasons, Connor has a great understanding of what it takes to play for a championship contender. Connor primarily played wide receiver last season but has quickly transitioned into the quarterback role without much issue. He also splits time as a defensive back for the Centurions.

Taking on LCA this Friday will be his first major test.

Hodge should have plenty of help though. Sophomore running back Garyon Hobbs has rushed for 163 yards and three touchdowns on just 22 carries. He also pitches in on defense at linebacker, contributing 11 tackles (one for loss) through three games. Hobbs is one of five CAL players with double-digit tackle numbers.

At wide receiver are two primary threats: Senior Darwin “Trey” Cotton and sophomore Ja’Hyde Brown. Both have over 220 receiving yards so far and have combined for eight touchdown receptions. Kentucky offered Brown back in May. Cotton also lines up at safety. He’s already pulled in an interception to go along with nine tackles (two for loss) and a sack.

CAL will roll out several college-caliber players on defense. Junior Jackson Settle leads the team with 19 tackles (three for loss) and one sack while freshman Kellan Hall (15 tackles), junior Jason Hilliard (12 tackles), and junior Stone Perkins (10 tackles) have all made significant contributions. Others such as freshman Man Robinson (eight tackles, one interception) and junior Chapman Russell (seven tackles) will be defensive players to keep an eye on.

No. 22 LCA Eagles (1-2)

It hasn’t been a smooth start to the year for Lexington Christian Academy, but Eagles head coach Doug Charles can thank a tough early-season schedule for that. Opening the season at Western Kentucky University against No. 1 Boyle County — which is now considered a Top 25 team in the nation by multiple outlets — was not an easy draw. Following that up with a neutral matchup against a ranked Franklin County team only made matters worse.

Granted, LCA held its own. The Eagles played Boyle County close in the first half before falling apart in the second half and closing on a 35-13 loss. Franklin County had to escape with a narrow 39-33 victory. Pikeville was a preseason Top 25 team by KSR, but LCA had little trouble taking care of the Panthers last week, winning 40-26.

Cutter Boley might not be walking through that door anymore, but Lexington Christian still has plenty of juice.

Taking over for Boley at quarterback is senior Saxton Howard, who has thrown for 323 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He’s completed 25 of his 38 passing attempts, but LCA leans heavily on its run game, which is spearheaded by Howard. He’s also run up 269 yards and four more touchdowns on the ground. Senior running back Leland Edwards isn’t far behind with 231 rushing yards and five touchdowns. LCA has three more rushers with at least 50 rushing yards.

There’s plenty of talent on defense too. Junior Mac Darland (30) and senior Hunter Adams (29) have combined for 59 tackles, including three tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. Sophomore Daven Hood (18) and junior Jamey Patterson (17) aren’t far behind in tackles while senior Trefor Thomas (13 tackles, four for loss, one fumble recovery) and freshman Thomas Sizemore (12 tackles, one for loss) also make regular contributions on that end. Sizemore was offered by Kentucky in June.