Despite playoff disappointment, Christ School football remains optimistic about its future
Jessica BrockSpecial to the Asheville Citizen Times
Chad Walker's first season coaching Christ School ended with a first-round playoff loss.
ARDEN -- At this time last year, Christ School celebrated after defeating Harrell’s Christian Academy in the NCISAA Division II championship game. The Greenies took a strong lead in the first quarter, and five touchdowns later, earned the first state football title in school history.
Ranked No. 4 in Division I this year, Christ School entered the postseason in a position to win another state championship. While the Greenies had battled through some injuries and other challenges throughout the regular season, they were energized to be in the playoffs again.
“We’ve faced a lot adversity this season, but we’ve got a strong team,” Christ School coach Chad Walker said.
The team was hyped as it lined up at Richard Fayssoux Field for the kickoff against visiting Charlotte Christian, the No. 5 seed. Christ School had beaten the Knights in overtime on the field two weeks earlier, and the odds seemed in the Greenies' favor.
However, the rematch was much dif.
Within the first eight minutes, the Knights had taken a 14-0 lead. Christ School responded with a 12-yard touchdown pass from quarterback AJ Simpkins to Cayden Jones, and it appeared the Greenies were right back in the game.
The momentum didn't last, however, and Charlotte Christian rolled to a 42-7 victory. Christ School finished the season with a 4-5 record.
“We had a lot of injuries early on in the season that we’ve had to come back from," Walker said. "We even had guys out there tonight playing injured but they battled through it. They’re a great group and they just never quit.”
Walker said the seniors played a large role in the positive mindset the team maintained throughout the season.
“Our seniors had a really great foundation starting out. They work hard and they’re outstanding on and off the field, you know, academically. They always do the right things,” Walker said. “I think that lays a good foundation for all of our young guys.”
The Greenies lose only eight players from this 2021 team, and Walker said their future looks bright.
“Our team is very young and we’ll return a lot of these young guys," he said. "They have a lot of room to grow and get better."
Jessica BrockSpecial to the Asheville Citizen Times
Chad Walker's first season coaching Christ School ended with a first-round playoff loss.
ARDEN -- At this time last year, Christ School celebrated after defeating Harrell’s Christian Academy in the NCISAA Division II championship game. The Greenies took a strong lead in the first quarter, and five touchdowns later, earned the first state football title in school history.
Ranked No. 4 in Division I this year, Christ School entered the postseason in a position to win another state championship. While the Greenies had battled through some injuries and other challenges throughout the regular season, they were energized to be in the playoffs again.
“We’ve faced a lot adversity this season, but we’ve got a strong team,” Christ School coach Chad Walker said.
The team was hyped as it lined up at Richard Fayssoux Field for the kickoff against visiting Charlotte Christian, the No. 5 seed. Christ School had beaten the Knights in overtime on the field two weeks earlier, and the odds seemed in the Greenies' favor.
However, the rematch was much dif.
Within the first eight minutes, the Knights had taken a 14-0 lead. Christ School responded with a 12-yard touchdown pass from quarterback AJ Simpkins to Cayden Jones, and it appeared the Greenies were right back in the game.
The momentum didn't last, however, and Charlotte Christian rolled to a 42-7 victory. Christ School finished the season with a 4-5 record.
“We had a lot of injuries early on in the season that we’ve had to come back from," Walker said. "We even had guys out there tonight playing injured but they battled through it. They’re a great group and they just never quit.”
Walker said the seniors played a large role in the positive mindset the team maintained throughout the season.
“Our seniors had a really great foundation starting out. They work hard and they’re outstanding on and off the field, you know, academically. They always do the right things,” Walker said. “I think that lays a good foundation for all of our young guys.”
The Greenies lose only eight players from this 2021 team, and Walker said their future looks bright.
“Our team is very young and we’ll return a lot of these young guys," he said. "They have a lot of room to grow and get better."
