Village Christian loses 58-14 in state title game
STATESVILLE - Statesville Christian scored 58 unanswered points Friday to beat Village Christian Academy for the second time this season. This meeting had quite a bit more riding on it, though.
The Lions' 58-14 victory came in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Division III state final. The Lions are champions for the first time and the program is just in its second year.
"Unbelievable," said Statesville Christian coach Angelo Cox, as he hugged lineman Kevin DeWalt and quarterback Brennan Settle after the game.
The same word could be used to describe the Lions' performance in the title game. Five different players scored touchdowns, and the defense played lights out after surrendering two early scores.
Statesville Christian (12-2) held the Knights (6-6) to 243 yards.
Village Christian quarterback Caleb Russell completed only 11 of 32 passes for 84 yards, and Quadravis Parks and Sharod Phelps each intercepted him once.
Settle completed 8 of 12 passes for 203 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for a 53-yard score.
B.J. Lomax hauled in two of Settle's scoring tosses, one for 50 yards and another for 45. He finished with three catches for 98 yards.
Lomax, a defensive back who doubles as a receiver, took a handoff on a jet play and threw back to Settle, who raced to the end zone. That 45-yard pass play propelled the Lions to a 51-14 lead in the third quarter.
It wasn't the only trick play the Lions used in the game.
"We're just trying to have fun and win," Lomax said. "They worked and helped get us a state championship."
Statesville Christian running back Canaan Cox finished with 165 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. His halfback pass to Logan Mosley went for a 47-yard touchdown in the second quarter that put the Lions ahead 36-14.
The Knights looked poised for an upset early. It was 14-0 in their favor just 4:06 into the contest. The Lions muffed the opening kickoff. That led to Russell's 29-yard TD strike to Omari Wilson.
A botched exchange between Settle and Canaan Cox led to a fumble on the Lions' first offensive play. That set up Russell's 10-yard touchdown pass to Chavon Mceachern.
The Lions regrouped and took their first lead, 20-14, with 10:31 left in the second quarter and never looked back. Settle connected with Hazien Campbell on a short pass. Campbell flipped the ball to Canaan Cox, who carried the ball to the end zone to complete a 56-yard, hook-and-lateral pass play.
Deshon Holmes added 40-yard TD reception for Statesville Christian, which captured the state title in its first year of postseason eligibility.
"It feels amazing," Lomax said. "You can't do anything but give glory to God. We really wanted this. I love these boys."
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- By Brian Meadows Statesville Record & Landmark
STATESVILLE - Statesville Christian scored 58 unanswered points Friday to beat Village Christian Academy for the second time this season. This meeting had quite a bit more riding on it, though.
The Lions' 58-14 victory came in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Division III state final. The Lions are champions for the first time and the program is just in its second year.
"Unbelievable," said Statesville Christian coach Angelo Cox, as he hugged lineman Kevin DeWalt and quarterback Brennan Settle after the game.
The same word could be used to describe the Lions' performance in the title game. Five different players scored touchdowns, and the defense played lights out after surrendering two early scores.
Statesville Christian (12-2) held the Knights (6-6) to 243 yards.
Village Christian quarterback Caleb Russell completed only 11 of 32 passes for 84 yards, and Quadravis Parks and Sharod Phelps each intercepted him once.
Settle completed 8 of 12 passes for 203 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for a 53-yard score.
B.J. Lomax hauled in two of Settle's scoring tosses, one for 50 yards and another for 45. He finished with three catches for 98 yards.
Lomax, a defensive back who doubles as a receiver, took a handoff on a jet play and threw back to Settle, who raced to the end zone. That 45-yard pass play propelled the Lions to a 51-14 lead in the third quarter.
It wasn't the only trick play the Lions used in the game.
"We're just trying to have fun and win," Lomax said. "They worked and helped get us a state championship."
Statesville Christian running back Canaan Cox finished with 165 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. His halfback pass to Logan Mosley went for a 47-yard touchdown in the second quarter that put the Lions ahead 36-14.
The Knights looked poised for an upset early. It was 14-0 in their favor just 4:06 into the contest. The Lions muffed the opening kickoff. That led to Russell's 29-yard TD strike to Omari Wilson.
A botched exchange between Settle and Canaan Cox led to a fumble on the Lions' first offensive play. That set up Russell's 10-yard touchdown pass to Chavon Mceachern.
The Lions regrouped and took their first lead, 20-14, with 10:31 left in the second quarter and never looked back. Settle connected with Hazien Campbell on a short pass. Campbell flipped the ball to Canaan Cox, who carried the ball to the end zone to complete a 56-yard, hook-and-lateral pass play.
Deshon Holmes added 40-yard TD reception for Statesville Christian, which captured the state title in its first year of postseason eligibility.
"It feels amazing," Lomax said. "You can't do anything but give glory to God. We really wanted this. I love these boys."
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