Christ Presbyterian Academy will set its own 10-game football schedule in 2027 and 2028 and will not compete for a TSSAA state title either season.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Christ Presbyterian Academy will play an independent football schedule in 2027 and 2028 and will not compete for a TSSAA state title either season, the school announced Tuesday.
The Lions will set their own 10-game regular-season slate and will not play in a region. That makes them ineligible for the TSSAA playoffs. The school said it may play in a postseason bowl and intends to work with other schools on a separate postseason option.
The move takes effect with the 2027-28 school year, when a new TSSAA classification cycle begins. CPA expects to be placed in Division II-AAA, the highest private-school football class in the state.
The school listed three reasons: competitive integrity, mission accountability and student safety.
“Our highest priority is the educational mission of CPA,” Head of School Nate Morrow said in a news release. “Rather than following the gravitational pull of the current state of high school football, we are doubling down on our commitment to education-based, relationship-driven football that, above all, facilitates the authentic maturation of boys into men.”
Athletic director and football coach Ingle Martin called high school football “at an inflection point.”
“Our job is to give boys the chance to be challenged, grow through the game, and belong to something bigger than themselves,” Martin said. “We believe this is the moment to protect what makes the high school game special.”
CPA was moved from Division II-AA to Division II-AAA in 2025 under a success-factor rule used to keep 12 schools in the top private-school class. CPA was the only school forced up. The TSSAA later dropped that success factor, but current rules still project CPA into Division II-AAA because of enrollment. The Lions have 517 students, 11th among Division II football schools.
The Lions won the Division II-AA state title in 2024, then went 4-9 in their first season in Division II-AAA and reached the state semifinals. They are 0-5 this season. CPA has played in 12 TSSAA championship games since 2000 and has won seven state titles.
The school said it will send the decision to the TSSAA before a Sept. 29 deadline and would reconsider if classification rules change.
