Montgomery Bell Academy at Pearl-Cohn
Friday, August 21, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT | Pearl-Cohn High School

Written by JG Speaks — August 21, 2026

MBA vs Pearl-Cohn 2026 headlines Nashville’s opening Friday night as Montgomery Bell Academy travels across town to face Pearl-Cohn in one of Middle Tennessee’s biggest Week 1 high school football matchups.

TSSAA, MaxPreps and CoachT continue to list MBA at Pearl-Cohn for 7 p.m. Friday night, with no verified postponement or venue change as of Friday morning.

But the real story is what will be on the field.

This is not simply Pearl-Cohn’s playmakers against MBA’s discipline anymore.

MBA has playmakers of its own.

And plenty of them.

A Rivalry That Keeps Coming Down to the Wire

MBA escaped last year’s meeting with a 17-14 victory, continuing what has developed into one of Nashville’s more competitive cross-classification matchups.

MBA and Pearl-Cohn have developed a series where the final margin has routinely remained tight, making execution in the fourth quarter one of the biggest themes entering Friday night.

Pearl-Cohn enters 2026 after a 10-5 season and a trip to the Class 4A state championship game.

MBA finished 6-5, but one of those six victories came against these same Firebirds.

Now MBA returns considerably more offensive firepower than it may initially appear.

For more Middle Tennessee high school football matchup coverage, visit Triple Threat Sportscast’s Previews & Predictions section.

MBA’s Offense Has Some Serious Weapons

Prep Redzone attended MBA’s final preseason scrimmage against Rockvale and came away impressed with the offensive potential.

The offensive line created running lanes, the skill group generated explosive plays and several different weapons were involved.

Bennett Conyers — The Matchup Nightmare

If there is one MBA player Pearl-Cohn absolutely has to identify before every snap, it may be Bennett Conyers.

Conyers is a 6-foot-3, 220-pound junior tight end/outside linebacker and one of the most heavily recruited players on MBA’s roster.

His recruiting profile includes major Division I attention, while his combination of size, receiving ability and blocking makes him difficult to defend with one personnel package.

Conyers caught 18 passes for 153 yards and three touchdowns last season.

During MBA’s preseason work, he continued to show why he can become one of the Big Red’s biggest offensive matchup problems.

Put a linebacker on him and MBA can test that matchup athletically.

Put a defensive back on him and MBA gains a size advantage.

Conyers gives MBA something Pearl-Cohn cannot necessarily solve with one defender.

Carter Kilburg — The Proven Senior Playmaker

Then there is Carter Kilburg.

The senior receiver is committed to Air Force and returns after producing 36 receptions for 410 yards and five receiving touchdowns last season.

He also contributed as a runner, giving MBA another way to manufacture touches for one of its veteran playmakers.

Kilburg provides experience, reliable hands and another target capable of punishing Pearl-Cohn if too much defensive attention gets directed toward Conyers.

Warner Hart — The Player Who Can Flip the Field

Warner Hart may be one of the most dangerous hidden weapons in this matchup.

The senior receiver and defensive back contributed heavily in the return game last season.

Then during MBA’s final scrimmage against Rockvale, Hart returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and later caught a downfield touchdown.

That immediately puts Pearl-Cohn’s special teams on alert.

Hart can affect field position without MBA’s offense having to manufacture a long drive.

And Pearl-Cohn possesses its own dangerous return threat in Landan Left.

That makes the special-teams matchup particularly important Friday night.

Brayden Atwood — Another Big Body

Brayden Atwood gives MBA another sizable target.

At approximately 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, Atwood brings length and versatility to the perimeter.

Now consider the entire group together.

Conyers gives MBA size and versatility at tight end.

Atwood gives the Big Red another large target.

Kilburg brings veteran receiving production.

Hart provides vertical speed and return ability.

MBA has several different ways to challenge Pearl-Cohn’s coverage.

Charlie Verner Is the Quarterback to Watch

MBA’s current roster lists Charlie Verner, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound junior quarterback.

Verner gained varsity experience last season and enters 2026 positioned for a larger role within the offense.

His mobility is also something Pearl-Cohn must account for.

One important accuracy note: MBA has not publicly released a definitive Week 1 depth chart confirming every starting position, so Verner should be viewed as a central quarterback to watch rather than treating an unofficial depth chart as confirmed.

Whoever operates the offense will have plenty of weapons available.

Don’t Overlook MBA’s Offensive Line

MBA’s offensive front earned positive reviews during its final preseason work.

The group showed size, athleticism and an ability to create rushing lanes.

One current lineman worth watching is Mason Wells, a 6-foot-5 junior tackle and defensive tackle who has already attracted Division I recruiting attention.

MBA does have an important question at running back after losing William Wade from last year’s team.

The Big Red need someone from the current backfield rotation to establish enough rushing production that Pearl-Cohn cannot devote all of its defensive attention toward the passing game.

MBA Has Defensive Players Too

The Big Red personnel discussion shouldn’t stop with the offense.

Jackson Lucas — The Man in the Middle

Jackson Lucas returns at linebacker.

The senior earned postseason recognition following the 2025 season and gives MBA an experienced defender in the middle of the defense.

Lucas becomes especially important against Pearl-Cohn because the Firebirds possess athletes capable of turning routine touches into explosive plays.

MBA needs disciplined tackling.

It needs strong run fits.

And it needs someone capable of limiting Landan Left and Pearl-Cohn’s other runners before they reach the second level.

Lucas will be heavily involved in that assignment.

Luke Kleiner — Edge Presence

Then there is Luke Kleiner, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound senior defensive end and tight end.

Kleiner gives MBA size on the edge and the ability to affect both the running game and the quarterback.

His importance Friday night comes down to one name:

LJ Funk.

If MBA allows Funk to operate from a consistently clean pocket, Pearl-Cohn has enough receiving talent to create problems.

Kleiner and MBA’s defensive front need to make Funk uncomfortable.

MBA’s Biggest Defensive Question

MBA’s front seven has plenty to like entering the season.

The bigger question comes in the secondary.

That’s particularly important against this opponent because Pearl-Cohn enters Friday night with an experienced senior quarterback and proven receiving production.

If Pearl-Cohn protects Funk, the Firebirds should be willing to test MBA vertically.

Pearl-Cohn’s Offense Starts With LJ Funk

Pearl-Cohn enters opening night with something every coach wants:

An experienced senior quarterback.

Josef “LJ” Funk returns after throwing 30 touchdown passes while completing 67.3% of his attempts last season.

That experience matters tremendously in Week 1.

Pearl-Cohn doesn’t have to teach its quarterback how to handle a big atmosphere.

Funk has already played through a 15-game season and helped lead an offense all the way to the state championship game.

And he still has weapons around him.

Stephen Saulter Gives Pearl-Cohn Its Own Matchup Problem

Senior receiver Stephen Saulter returns as one of Funk’s biggest weapons.

Saulter finished last season with 12 receiving touchdowns and proved capable of creating explosive plays down the field.

This may be the most important individual matchup of the night:

Saulter against MBA’s secondary.

If MBA’s defensive front creates pressure, the Big Red can make life difficult for Funk.

But if Pearl-Cohn protects its quarterback and Saulter consistently gets opportunities downfield, MBA’s secondary will have to prove it can hold up.

Landan Left Can Affect All Three Phases

Landan Left is another Pearl-Cohn player who must be accounted for everywhere.

Last season Left scored touchdowns, produced interceptions, created turnovers and contributed significantly in the return game.

That’s why he shouldn’t simply be classified as a running back.

He’s an all-around playmaker.

Offense.

Defense.

Special teams.

And in a matchup that has repeatedly been decided by a small number of possessions, one explosive return could become one of the biggest plays of the night.

Lance Donaldson Adds Another Runner

Pearl-Cohn also returns Lance Donaldson, another senior capable of helping the Firebirds on the ground.

His presence gives Pearl-Cohn another option in the backfield and prevents the offense from becoming entirely dependent on Funk’s arm or Left’s explosiveness.

MBA has to respect the ground game enough to prevent Pearl-Cohn from getting favorable numbers outside.

Mikhai Moshay Is Pearl-Cohn’s Defensive Name to Know

Up front, Mikhai Moshay returns after recording six sacks last season.

He becomes one of the most important defensive players in this matchup.

MBA wants to establish its offensive line.

Get its quarterback comfortable.

Use Conyers underneath.

Find Kilburg.

Attack vertically with Hart.

Use Atwood’s size.

Moshay’s job is to disrupt that rhythm before MBA gets access to its entire offensive menu.

If Pearl-Cohn can generate pressure without constantly bringing extra defenders, the Firebirds can keep more bodies available to cover MBA’s receiving weapons.

MBA vs Pearl-Cohn 2026: Five Matchups That Could Decide the Game

1. LJ Funk and Stephen Saulter vs. MBA’s Secondary

Pearl-Cohn has an experienced quarterback and one of its top receiving targets back.

MBA’s secondary enters the season with something to prove.

The Firebirds should test that matchup.

2. Bennett Conyers vs. Pearl-Cohn’s Coverage Plan

Who covers Conyers?

A linebacker?

A safety?

Does Pearl-Cohn bracket him?

And if extra attention goes toward Conyers, what happens with Kilburg, Hart and Atwood?

That’s what makes MBA’s offense dangerous.

3. Mikhai Moshay vs. MBA’s Offensive Front

MBA’s offensive line showed promise during the preseason.

Moshay gives Pearl-Cohn a legitimate test on the edge.

If Pearl-Cohn generates pressure with four defenders, it dramatically helps the Firebirds’ secondary.

4. Jackson Lucas vs. Pearl-Cohn’s Running Game

Pearl-Cohn cannot become completely dependent on Funk.

The Firebirds need enough rushing success to keep MBA from sitting back in coverage.

Lucas will play a major role in preventing that.

5. Warner Hart vs. Landan Left

Both teams possess legitimate return threats.

Field position could become a major storyline.

One special-teams touchdown or explosive return could completely change the complexion of the game.

What MBA Must Do to Beat Pearl-Cohn

MBA needs to make its offensive versatility matter.

Move Bennett Conyers around.

Force Pearl-Cohn to reveal how it plans to cover him.

Get Carter Kilburg involved in the intermediate passing game.

Find opportunities for Warner Hart vertically.

Use Brayden Atwood’s size.

And establish enough of a running game that Pearl-Cohn cannot devote extra defenders toward coverage on every important down.

Defensively, MBA needs to make Funk uncomfortable.

The Big Red cannot allow Pearl-Cohn’s senior quarterback to consistently reach the top of his drop, survey the field and attack one-on-one coverage.

MBA’s front seven has to dictate the game.

If the Big Red can create long-yardage situations, limit explosive plays and force Pearl-Cohn to sustain long drives, the matchup starts moving toward MBA’s preferred style.

What Pearl-Cohn Must Do to Beat MBA

Pearl-Cohn should make MBA prove its secondary is ready immediately.

Funk has the experience.

Saulter has the production.

The Firebirds have enough offensive weapons to challenge MBA down the field.

Defensively, Pearl-Cohn needs Moshay and the front to generate disruption without overcommitting extra rushers.

That becomes especially important because MBA has too many receiving options to constantly sacrifice defenders in coverage.

Pearl-Cohn also has to win the special-teams battle.

Landan Left provides the Firebirds with a player capable of changing field position instantly, but MBA’s Warner Hart gives the Big Red the exact same threat.

Most importantly, Pearl-Cohn cannot allow MBA to completely dictate tempo.

The Firebirds need explosive plays and enough possessions to allow their athletes to affect the game.

If MBA turns Friday night into a low-possession, field-position battle entering the fourth quarter, recent history says the Big Red will be comfortable there.

The Big Difference Entering 2026

MBA’s 17-14 victory last season was built around physical football, field position and controlling critical moments.

This year’s Big Red team appears capable of presenting something different.

MBA may have considerably more explosive potential.

Conyers gives them a mismatch at tight end.

Kilburg gives them a proven veteran receiver.

Hart brings vertical speed and return ability.

Atwood provides size.

Verner gives MBA mobility at quarterback.

Lucas and Kleiner provide defensive experience.

Meanwhile, Pearl-Cohn returns a senior quarterback in Funk, a proven scoring receiver in Saulter, one of Nashville’s most versatile athletes in Left and a pass-rush threat in Moshay.

That makes Friday night’s matchup less about one team having athletes while the other survives on structure.

Both teams have legitimate playmakers.

Friday Night Threat

The storyline going into Friday night is simple:

Pearl-Cohn’s proven senior core against an MBA offense loaded with matchup problems.

Pearl-Cohn has Funk.

Saulter.

Left.

Moshay.

MBA answers with Conyers.

Kilburg.

Hart.

Atwood.

Verner.

Lucas.

Kleiner.

The MBA vs Pearl-Cohn 2026 matchup brings together two Nashville programs with proven veterans, emerging Division I talent and enough explosive playmakers to make this one of Middle Tennessee’s biggest opening-night games.

MBA and Pearl-Cohn don’t just have history.

This year, they both have dudes.

The team that wins Friday night will likely be the one that protects its quarterback, prevents explosive plays and executes when the game reaches its most important possessions.

Friday Night Threat Level: 9/10.

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