Statesville Christian secures first playoff win
The Statesville Christian School Lions jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the N.C. Independent School Athletic Association first-round playoff game with Northside Christian Academy on Friday night and never looked back, cruising to a 59-12 victory and advancing to the second round of the Division III playoffs next Friday against Trinity Academy.
It was the first playoff win for a Statesville Christian (10-2) program only in its second year.
Lions coach Angelo Cox said his team struggled defensively in the beginning, and the Knights did mount a drive to bring the score to 8-6, but that was as close as they could get to the surging Lions offense.
Junior Canaan Cox accounted for most of the Lions’ scoring with Tavi Linney running back a fumble recovery for a defensive touchdown.
The Lions defense forced three interceptions and the fumble that led to Linney’s run for a touchdown. The Knights (6-5) also hurt their own cause with a number of offside calls and other penalties.
A turnover might have been the turning point for the Knights. After the Lions scored on the opening drive of the game, the Knights got the ball to the red zone before Hazien Campbell intercepted the ball in the end zone with 4:38 left in the first quarter. At that point the Lions were up 8-0.
The Knights never regained that momentum, scoring two touchdowns the remainder of the game.
Cox spoke to both teams after the game, and addressed Northside wide receiver Tanner Talley. “You had a heck of a year, son, a heck of a year,” he said. “You’re going to be playing somewhere next year.”
Cox said he feels good about the Lions’ chances next week, in a game that will likely be played in Fayetteville. That game will determine who advances to the state championship game on Nov. 18.
For now, he said, he’s relishing the victory Friday. Cox said his players showed resiliency and stuck to the game plan. And that’s his plan for next week’s game as well.
The Statesville Christian School Lions jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the N.C. Independent School Athletic Association first-round playoff game with Northside Christian Academy on Friday night and never looked back, cruising to a 59-12 victory and advancing to the second round of the Division III playoffs next Friday against Trinity Academy.
It was the first playoff win for a Statesville Christian (10-2) program only in its second year.
Lions coach Angelo Cox said his team struggled defensively in the beginning, and the Knights did mount a drive to bring the score to 8-6, but that was as close as they could get to the surging Lions offense.
Junior Canaan Cox accounted for most of the Lions’ scoring with Tavi Linney running back a fumble recovery for a defensive touchdown.
The Lions defense forced three interceptions and the fumble that led to Linney’s run for a touchdown. The Knights (6-5) also hurt their own cause with a number of offside calls and other penalties.
A turnover might have been the turning point for the Knights. After the Lions scored on the opening drive of the game, the Knights got the ball to the red zone before Hazien Campbell intercepted the ball in the end zone with 4:38 left in the first quarter. At that point the Lions were up 8-0.
The Knights never regained that momentum, scoring two touchdowns the remainder of the game.
Cox spoke to both teams after the game, and addressed Northside wide receiver Tanner Talley. “You had a heck of a year, son, a heck of a year,” he said. “You’re going to be playing somewhere next year.”
Cox said he feels good about the Lions’ chances next week, in a game that will likely be played in Fayetteville. That game will determine who advances to the state championship game on Nov. 18.
For now, he said, he’s relishing the victory Friday. Cox said his players showed resiliency and stuck to the game plan. And that’s his plan for next week’s game as well.
