Friday night’s victory was a complete performance.
Henry County had explosive offense, opportunistic defense, and clutch special teams play. It was the type of statement win that tells the rest of the bracket they’re in trouble if they have to travel to Paris.
Spellings Leads the Way
Quarterback Ayden Spellings delivered one of his best all-around performances of the season. He threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns and added two more scores on the ground. He stretched the field vertically, worked efficiently in the short game, and made smart decisions when plays broke down. Spellings has become the steady heartbeat of an offense that is peaking at the perfect time.
The two biggest completions of the night were bombs designed to break a defense.
The first went to Ja’Kye Beard for 67 yards, and the second was a 75-yard strike to Deonta Ward. Those plays didn’t just move the chains; they reshaped the game and suffocated Nolensville’s momentum.
Beard Does It All
Ja’Kye Beard was one of the most impactful players on the field.
He didn’t just catch a touchdown. He picked off two passes, becoming a nightmare for Nolensville’s offense. His versatility and ability to change the game at a moment’s notice make him one of the most dangerous players in the postseason.
Defense Clamps Down
Henry County’s defense was relentless. They allowed just 163 total yards and only six first downs. The front seven destroyed run plays before they started, and the secondary made every pass attempt a risk. Beard’s picks were the highlight, but the entire group played with discipline and edge.
Special Teams Spark
A kickoff return for a touchdown early in the second half turned a comfortable lead into a knockout punch. Special teams often get overlooked, but Friday night showed how valuable they can be in November.
Now All Eyes Turn to Centennial
Centennial Scouting Report
Centennial enters the quarterfinals at 6–5 and is riding a three-game road winning streak. The Cougars beat Station Camp two weeks ago and followed with another 38-point effort in a 38–19 win over Memphis Central. Their offense is capable of striking fast and scoring in bunches.
Quarterback Mitchell Grandjean is the name Patriot fans need to know. He threw for 217 yards and three touchdowns last week and has now posted at least three passing touchdowns in four straight games. He also added 63 yards rushing, giving Centennial a dual-threat option who can extend plays and punish defenses that lose contain.
The Cougars also just turned in their best rushing performance of the season with 257 yards on the ground. If Henry County wants to advance, the defensive front will have to win early downs and make Centennial one-dimensional.
Something Has To Give
Henry County has won five straight at home. Centennial has won three straight on the road. One streak ends Friday.
This will be the first meeting between the two schools since November 2016, when Centennial shut out the Patriots 21–0. This time, the rematch runs through Paris instead of Franklin. With the offense rolling and the defense forcing turnovers, Henry County has every reason to feel confident, but the Cougars are playing with belief and momentum as well.
The Patriots are back home Friday night to face the Centennial Cougars in the Class 5A quarterfinals. It’s a heavyweight matchup, and both teams know what’s at stake. Henry County will need that same balance of explosive offense, physical defense, and disciplined execution to move one step closer to Chattanooga.
This team looks built for the moment. The community is behind them, the players are locked in, and the Patriots are playing with purpose. Everything now comes down to the next 48 minutes under the Friday night lights.
The Patriots will be ready.
