Providence Christian Academy head coach Marty Euverard joins the show after a 35–14 first-round playoff win over Donaldson Christian Academy, the same team that beat PCA 49–28 back in week four. Euverard says the turnaround started after a lopsided week-nine loss to Concord, when the team held a Sunday meeting where everyone, coaches included, took a hard look in the mirror. PCA lost the next week to a strong MTCS team, but the players left the field proud of how physically they played, and that carried into the DCA rematch. The defense came up with two fourth-down stops and a goal-line fumble. The offense then put the game away with a 99-yard, 10-minute-17-second fourth-quarter drive with no passes, which the host says would warm the hearts of old-school coaches like Jerry Pearson and Boots Donley. Sophomore running back Gary Dedmon led the way with 30 carries for 226 yards and two touchdowns, plus nine tackles and an interception on defense. Euverard gives the credit to an undersized offensive line and a roster of just 34 players.

The conversation then moves to discipline in play-calling. Euverard, a former quarterback, explains why he kept running the ball when it was working: impose your will, keep impatience at bay, and keep DCA’s two standout seniors off the field. He praises junior quarterback Nick Lam (two touchdown passes on only about 11 throws, including a key third-and-15 conversion) for putting winning ahead of stats. He also singles out sophomore Jacob Meyer, who plays receiver, safety, kicker, punter and both return spots, as “the ultimate Energizer Bunny” with “the heart of a lion.” Meyer caught a 50-yard touchdown in the win. The segment closes by looking ahead to a second-round road trip to 9–1 University School of Jackson, coached by Derek Prichard. Euverard calls USJ a big, physical, well-coached team whose only loss was a close one to ECS, and says his guys will need to keep playing “their guts out” to advance.

<p dir="ltr">Providence Christian Academy head coach Marty Euverard joins the show after a 35&ndash;14 first-round playoff win over Donaldson Christian Academy, the same team that beat PCA 49&ndash;28 back in week four. Euverard says the turnaround started after a lopsided week-nine loss to Concord, when the team held a Sunday meeting where everyone, coaches included, took a hard look in the mirror. PCA lost the next week to a strong MTCS team, but the players left the field proud of how physically they played, and that carried into the DCA rematch. The defense came up with two fourth-down stops and a goal-line fumble. The offense then put the game away with a 99-yard, 10-minute-17-second fourth-quarter drive with no passes, which the host says would warm the hearts of old-school coaches like Jerry Pearson and Boots Donley. Sophomore running back Gary Dedmon led the way with 30 carries for 226 yards and two touchdowns, plus nine tackles and an interception on defense. Euverard gives the credit to an undersized offensive line and a roster of just 34 players.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The conversation then moves to discipline in play-calling. Euverard, a former quarterback, explains why he kept running the ball when it was working: impose your will, keep impatience at bay, and keep DCA&rsquo;s two standout seniors off the field. He praises junior quarterback Nick Lam (two touchdown passes on only about 11 throws, including a key third-and-15 conversion) for putting winning ahead of stats. He also singles out sophomore Jacob Meyer, who plays receiver, safety, kicker, punter and both return spots, as &ldquo;the ultimate Energizer Bunny&rdquo; with &ldquo;the heart of a lion.&rdquo; Meyer caught a 50-yard touchdown in the win. The segment closes by looking ahead to a second-round road trip to 9&ndash;1 University School of Jackson, coached by Derek Prichard. Euverard calls USJ a big, physical, well-coached team whose only loss was a close one to ECS, and says his guys will need to keep playing &ldquo;their guts out&rdquo; to advance.</p>

Growing up in a coaching family and now the owner of Mathews Team Sports, Tate Mathews brings a unique perspective to High School Sports Saturday.

With over fifteen years in the sporting goods industry in Middle Tennessee working with and for high school administrators and coaches, Tate’s relationships provide insight into middle Tennessee high school athletics.

High School Sports Saturday covers each sport during their respective competitive seasons.  Coaches, administrators, TSSAA officials and student-athletes are interviewed each week at 8 AM on 104-5 The Zone.