Citizens Christian Academy will play varsity football for first time since 2006

DOUGLAS, GA – For the first time in 18 years, Citizens Christian Academy will have its bleachers filled with fans on a Friday night in the fall. For the first time in 18 years, Citizens Christian Academy’s field will have kickoffs, touchdowns, and even game winners. Because for the first time in 18 years, Citizens Christian Academy will play varsity football.

“I think football is critical to developing young men to face life,” said CCA head football coach Jed Marsh. “We know that life is tough. We know that you have to overcome adversity to be a successful human and to be successful in your community, and I think bringing back football will give these guys an opportunity to grow in their mental strength, their physical strength, everything you need to be successful.”

Just to put it in perspective, the last time the CCA Patriots played football, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots only had two Super Bowls, and LeBron James was entering his fourth season in the NBA. But the craziest part is no one on this football team was even born yet.

I mean it’s crazy to think about at the end of the day,” said CCA running back Jayden Kirkland. “I look at the group of guys and we may not be the tallest or the biggest or the fastest like Coffee [high school] guys are, but we do have this heart and I believe once I graduate this year and these next upcoming years, I do believe that we will be acknowledged to not only be a successful football team, but to also bring home a state championship one year.”

It wasn’t the best send off for that 2006 team as they would finish one and nine and last in the region before the hiatus, which was due to a lack of administrative support. But years later, with that administration gone, a team would be put together.

One that needed a couple years of learning the game and hitting the weight room before even stepping on the field. But now in 2024, they’re ready for Friday nights.

The better news is Marsh has the experience to help the Patriots win sooner than later. His last stop was at Trinity Christian out of Dublin where he would coach the Crusaders to two state playoff appearances. Now he looks to do the same for the Patriots as the expectations for his new team are to compete in year one.

“Getting that first head coaching job, I learned the mistakes I made,” Marsh said. “I learned those mistakes and that valuable time put me here to build a program the right way.”

The Patriots will kick off their season Friday against Memorial Day.