SPRINGFIELD — LJ Funk, as cool and collected as he had been for the last three hours, had to fight again to maintain his composure.
As the Pearl-Cohn quarterback stood in front of a reporter and recapped one of the biggest wins of his career, teammates Landan Left and LaDamion Hunter sidled up next to him and tried to distract him with back-and-forth dance moves and big smiles. When it was Left’s turn to speak, Funk returned the favor.
Any concept of Funk being the “new guy” at Pearl-Cohn is long gone. Last season, his first with the Firebirds after transferring from Brentwood, he helped them reach the Class 4A semifinals of the TSSAA football Class 4A playoffs by throwing for 2,098 yards and 24 touchdowns. In 2025, Funk is “stronger, faster, more smart about the game” than a year ago, according to coach Tony Brunetti.
Pearl-Cohn’s 35-33 win over Springfield on Sept. 26 was proof.
The junior with offers from Southern Miss, Tennessee State and Eastern Kentucky, completed 16 of 26 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown as the Firebirds (2-4, 1-0 Region 6-4A) handed the Yellow Jackets (5-1, 0-1) their first loss of the season. After a brutal opening slate that featured MBA, CPA, BGA and Oakland, Pearl-Cohn sits in the drivers’ seat for its 10th region championship in 11 years.
“We had to find ourselves,” Funk said. “… Playing at such a high level early on, we get those tough losses and bad breaks all out.”
Brunetti can’t remember the last time Pearl-Cohn lost its first four games. With reason: It happened in 2004, before he was even the coach. But it was well understood that the record was deceiving: CPA and Oakland won state titles in 2024 and BGA was the Division II-AA runner-up.
Against Springfield, Brunetti thought the Firebirds found somewhat of an identity. As irate as he was over their penalties — 10 in the first half, after which they trailed 18-14 — he was proud how they overcame them. Left fooled Springfield into thinking he had called a fair catch, only to pick up the ball and return a punt for a go-ahead touchdown with four minutes remaining.
Left was a big reason Funk came to Pearl-Cohn in the first place. They’ve been best friends for over a decade and played Little League together. While middle school took them their separate ways, they couldn’t be happier back together.
“Me personally, I feel like LJ’s the best quarterback in the state,” Left said.
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Funk thinks he was “shot-happy” last season, looking for the deep ball with explosive playmakers like Javion Kinnard and Donovan Higgins. He’s calmed down this season, navigating the pocket and making the right reads. Eight different Firebirds caught a pass from him against Springfield.
“He earned his spot (last season),” Brunetti said. “Nobody gave it to him. This season, I just wanted him to grow football knowledge-wise, IQ-wise, and lead. I didn’t expect him to win a game — I know he can win a game — but just lead. He’s been doing that.”
Jacob Shames can be reached by email at jshames@gannett.com and on X/Twitter @Jacob_Shames.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: LJ Funk right at home with Pearl-Cohn after TSSAA football win
