JAA Battles Hard in 24–13 Loss to Lighthouse Christian College

by Necho Carroll

Jacksonville, FL —

The Jacksonville Athletic Academy (JAA) showed grit and determination in a hard-fought 24–13 loss to Lighthouse Christian College this weekend. Though the final score didn’t fall in their favor, the performance reflected a team continuing to mature, execute, and compete with discipline against a strong opponent.

JAA’s defense opened the game with energy and physicality, forcing early stops and keeping the contest close throughout the first half. On offense, the team demonstrated improved consistency, finding success in both the run and passing game while controlling time of possession for much of the second quarter.

Despite several promising drives, costly penalties and missed red-zone opportunities prevented the Mocs from capitalizing on key moments. Yet even in defeat, the team’s resilience and focus stood out — particularly in the final quarter when they mounted a determined push to close the gap to within one score before Lighthouse sealed the win late.

Head Coach Nolan Carroll praised his team’s effort and emphasized the importance of growth through competition:

“We’re building something bigger than a scoreboard. Every game is a lesson, and this one showed us where we’ve improved and where we still need to grow. I’m proud of how our guys fought until the end — their effort, discipline, and heart never wavered. That’s the culture we’re creating here.”

The 24–13 result drops JAA to 1–1 on the season, but the team continues to show marked improvement in execution and confidence. With several key matchups ahead, the Mocs are focused on turning these hard-earned lessons into momentum for the remainder of the season.