Charlotte Christian gives Providence Day its best punch this time, wins league title
BY STEVE LYTTLE AND LANGSTON WERTZ JR.
Charlotte Christian played at Providence Day in the Big South 4A championship game. Christian won 30-24 and likely earned the No. 1 seed for the N.C. ISAA state playoffs. BY NELL REDMOND
Charlotte Christian played at Providence Day in the Big South 4A championship game. Christian won 30-24 and likely earned the No. 1 seed for the N.C. ISAA state playoffs. BY NELL REDMOND
The first time Charlotte Christian played Providence Day, Knights coach Jason Estep said his team didn’t throw its best punch.
On Friday night, the Knights got another shot at their rivals and made sure to throw a haymaker.
Senior tailback Henry Rutledge scored two touchdowns in the final four minutes, including the game-winning 1-yard run with 57 seconds left, and Christian won 30-24 to take the Big South 4A conference tournament championship.
Christian (4-1) avenged a 32-28 loss to Providence Day (4-1) last month and likely earned the No. 1 seed for the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association state playoffs.
Providence Day won the first game 32-28.
“Yeah, we could be playing one another again,” Knights coach Jason Estep said, referring to a possible playoff meeting with the Chargers. “And I’m sure it would be another great game.”
On Friday, Knights QB Matthew Tuomala recovered from a costly mistake early in the fourth quarter. The senior quarterback connected with sophomore Grant Tucker on a 40-yard pass that set up the Knights’ winning touchdown in the Big South 4A playoff championship game.
Providence Day, which rallied from an early 14-0 deficit, found itself trying to protect a 24-17 lead in the fourth quarter, but the Knights were driving. Charlotte Christian had pushed to the Providence Day 3, but on third down, Tuomala’s end zone pass was picked off by Nate Abraham.
“Matthew’s a great quarterback. He just shook it off and brought us back,” said Knights defensive back Jimmy Bailey.
After the interception, Providence Day went on a drive that ate up more than five minutes. The Chargers were forced to punt near midfield, and Charlotte Christian took over with 3:17 left.
On the third play of the drive, Henry Rutledge dashed around right end and broke into the clear, going 60 yards for a touchdown. Ben Shropshire’s conversion kick tied the score with 2:54 left.
Bailey and the Knights’ defense then forced Providence Day into a three-and-out, taking over at their 35 with 2:09 remaining.
On first down at the Providence Day 41, Tuomala connected with Tucker on a pass that took the Knights to the Chargers’ 1. On the next play, Rutledge scored.
Providence Day wasn’t done. Quarterback Jake Helfich completed three passes and took the Chargers to the Knights’ 41. But his third-down pass was picked off by Will Farrell with 23 seconds remaining.
“We’ve got some things to clean up,” Estep said. “We made some mistakes. But it was a win. That’s the main thing.”
THREE WHO MATTERED
Henry Rutledge, Charlotte Christian: Rutledge had another big game, carrying 20 times for 177 yards. He scored on runs of 37 and 60 yards, and he plunged 1 yard for the winning touchdown.
Andrew and Kevin Sangmuah, Providence Day: These brothers accounted for five tackles for losses and three pass breakups. Kevin, a senior, had two tackles for losses and the two breakups. Andrew, a junior, had three tackles for losses and a breakup.
Thomas Flynn, Charlotte Christian: Flynn, a senior receiver, had four catches for 44 yards. He scored on passes of 14 and 13 yards.
WORTH MENTIONING
▪ The area’s private schools will get their postseason playoff assignments this weekend. The NCISAA will announce pairings either Saturday or Sunday.
▪ Defense dominated the first quarter. Combined, the two teams punted seven times.
▪ Providence Day quarterback Jake Helfich’s cadence forced Charlotte Christian into back-to-back offsides penalties in the first quarter.
▪ Charlotte Christian coach Jason Estep mentioned the need for his team to “clean up” some problems. One of those was penalties. The Knights were flagged 11 times for 119 yards. Providence Day got six first downs by penalty.
▪ Helfich finished 19-of-36 passing for 223 yards and one interception. Tuomala was 9-of-19 passing for 135 yards and an interception.
▪ Providence Day put together a stellar drive to end the first half. The Chargers got the ball at their 37 with 45 seconds left. On the sixth play of the drive, Helfich connected with Thomas Flynn on a 13-yard touchdown pass. That came with 0:00 showing on the clock.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Both teams will open play next Friday in the state playoffs. Pairings will be announced this weekend.
BY STEVE LYTTLE AND LANGSTON WERTZ JR.
Charlotte Christian played at Providence Day in the Big South 4A championship game. Christian won 30-24 and likely earned the No. 1 seed for the N.C. ISAA state playoffs. BY NELL REDMOND
Charlotte Christian played at Providence Day in the Big South 4A championship game. Christian won 30-24 and likely earned the No. 1 seed for the N.C. ISAA state playoffs. BY NELL REDMOND
The first time Charlotte Christian played Providence Day, Knights coach Jason Estep said his team didn’t throw its best punch.
On Friday night, the Knights got another shot at their rivals and made sure to throw a haymaker.
Senior tailback Henry Rutledge scored two touchdowns in the final four minutes, including the game-winning 1-yard run with 57 seconds left, and Christian won 30-24 to take the Big South 4A conference tournament championship.
Christian (4-1) avenged a 32-28 loss to Providence Day (4-1) last month and likely earned the No. 1 seed for the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association state playoffs.
Providence Day won the first game 32-28.
“Yeah, we could be playing one another again,” Knights coach Jason Estep said, referring to a possible playoff meeting with the Chargers. “And I’m sure it would be another great game.”
On Friday, Knights QB Matthew Tuomala recovered from a costly mistake early in the fourth quarter. The senior quarterback connected with sophomore Grant Tucker on a 40-yard pass that set up the Knights’ winning touchdown in the Big South 4A playoff championship game.
Providence Day, which rallied from an early 14-0 deficit, found itself trying to protect a 24-17 lead in the fourth quarter, but the Knights were driving. Charlotte Christian had pushed to the Providence Day 3, but on third down, Tuomala’s end zone pass was picked off by Nate Abraham.
“Matthew’s a great quarterback. He just shook it off and brought us back,” said Knights defensive back Jimmy Bailey.
After the interception, Providence Day went on a drive that ate up more than five minutes. The Chargers were forced to punt near midfield, and Charlotte Christian took over with 3:17 left.
On the third play of the drive, Henry Rutledge dashed around right end and broke into the clear, going 60 yards for a touchdown. Ben Shropshire’s conversion kick tied the score with 2:54 left.
Bailey and the Knights’ defense then forced Providence Day into a three-and-out, taking over at their 35 with 2:09 remaining.
On first down at the Providence Day 41, Tuomala connected with Tucker on a pass that took the Knights to the Chargers’ 1. On the next play, Rutledge scored.
Providence Day wasn’t done. Quarterback Jake Helfich completed three passes and took the Chargers to the Knights’ 41. But his third-down pass was picked off by Will Farrell with 23 seconds remaining.
“We’ve got some things to clean up,” Estep said. “We made some mistakes. But it was a win. That’s the main thing.”
THREE WHO MATTERED
Henry Rutledge, Charlotte Christian: Rutledge had another big game, carrying 20 times for 177 yards. He scored on runs of 37 and 60 yards, and he plunged 1 yard for the winning touchdown.
Andrew and Kevin Sangmuah, Providence Day: These brothers accounted for five tackles for losses and three pass breakups. Kevin, a senior, had two tackles for losses and the two breakups. Andrew, a junior, had three tackles for losses and a breakup.
Thomas Flynn, Charlotte Christian: Flynn, a senior receiver, had four catches for 44 yards. He scored on passes of 14 and 13 yards.
WORTH MENTIONING
▪ The area’s private schools will get their postseason playoff assignments this weekend. The NCISAA will announce pairings either Saturday or Sunday.
▪ Defense dominated the first quarter. Combined, the two teams punted seven times.
▪ Providence Day quarterback Jake Helfich’s cadence forced Charlotte Christian into back-to-back offsides penalties in the first quarter.
▪ Charlotte Christian coach Jason Estep mentioned the need for his team to “clean up” some problems. One of those was penalties. The Knights were flagged 11 times for 119 yards. Providence Day got six first downs by penalty.
▪ Helfich finished 19-of-36 passing for 223 yards and one interception. Tuomala was 9-of-19 passing for 135 yards and an interception.
▪ Providence Day put together a stellar drive to end the first half. The Chargers got the ball at their 37 with 45 seconds left. On the sixth play of the drive, Helfich connected with Thomas Flynn on a 13-yard touchdown pass. That came with 0:00 showing on the clock.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Both teams will open play next Friday in the state playoffs. Pairings will be announced this weekend.
