High-Lee Talented at Jacksonville Christian Academy

Jacksonville, AL –  Family, football and focus proving successful for JCA freshman quarterback Noah Lee

FRIDAY’S GAMES
Anniston at White Plains
Childersburg at Saks
Dadeville at Wellborn
JCA at Tuscaloosa Christian
Piedmont at Ohatchee
Pinson Valley at Oxford
Pleasant Valley at Cleveland
Randolph County at Weaver
Springville at Alexandria
Talladega at Jacksonville
Victory Christian at Donoho

By Mark Everett Kelly

“…and a child shall lead them”
– Isaiah 11:6

In the Bible, God uses prophets chosen with unique gifts granted at birth. Isaiah’s passage speaks of the utopian environment in the Messiah’s future realm, where natural predators lie side by side in peace. This season at Jacksonville Christian Academy, a child whose name means “peace” and “comfort” has people believing in his God-given talent.

The Thunder plays throwback, iron man football in an eight-man league (Alabama Christian Athletics Association). They recently returned to playing 8-man football after several years trying their hand at the AHSAA’s 11-man brand of ball. “We were in that for 10 years, and we made the playoffs twice, and that was a big accomplishment,” JCA coach Tommy Miller said. “However, it became a little dangerous playing seventh graders against seniors times two or three.”

Freshman quarterback Noah Lee looks the part of a ninth grader. His skinny body, frizzy hair and braces help make up his 6-foot, 150-pound frame. However, behind center on the football field, he transforms into something extraordinary. Through four games, Lee’s numbers rival those of Tua Tagovailoa during his sophomore and junior seasons at Alabama. Each year Tua threw 25 touchdowns before being intercepted. Lee’s 19 TDs, 1,108 yards and 57 percent completion rate are without an interception.

More importantly for coach Miller, the most significant number is four wins, despite being a proud grandad. Last season the Thunder started 0-5. What’s the difference? “The difference is a year of experience. We’ve grown in experience and physically,” said Miller, currently in his 27th season at JCA. “We are getting very good blocking, and we have people catching the ball; we haven’t dropped many.”

Noah is one of the benefactors of that “experience”; physically and mentally. During the offseason, he grew more than four inches and gained 25 pounds. Another critical factor is Lee’s first cousin, Ethan Fair. A senior, Fair is one of Lee’s favorite targets. “This is his first year playing football, and he’s catching the ball. He and Noah worked a lot of one on one together,” Miller said. Playing a significant role as a freshman isn’t the most effortless adjustment for a team to make. How is the team handling that adjustment?  “I think the players have done a great job accepting Noah as a leader and supporting him,” Miller said. “I think it’s better than it would have been a lot of other places.” Learning an extensive playbook can provide multiple challenges for a young quarterback. How is Lee adjusting to his responsibility? “I’ve been around this team since I was 4, and the coaches made it easier for me to understand the playbook and put up stats like I have,” Lee said. “Good coaching and great help with my teammates help us win.” [*** read more]

Noah Lee By The Numbers