APA defeats Grace Christian under strong defensive effort
RALEIGH — A game Arendell Parrott Academy had circled on the schedule for a year went in the Patriots’ favor.
Behind a sparkling defensive effort, APA picked up a 20-8 victory over Grace Christian Friday in a rematch of the NCISAA 2A championship game last season. The Patriots (1-1) lost 34-33 in the contest, but held the Eagles (0-2) to 160 yards of offense while allowing its fewest points since shutting out Fayetteville Christian 28-0 on Oct. 18, 2019.
“I thought that we were tougher in the trenches, which really helped us out,” APA coach Matt Beaman said. “If you can control the line, usually you can control the game, and we needed it on a night where we had trouble generating anything offensively.”
Neither team could garner traction early until the Patriots went on a 16-play, 75-yard drive on their second possession, finishing with a 14-yard connection from Cole Dawson to Nick Harrison. Grace Christian looked to answer on its next drive, but Noah Miller stopped Sidi Khan on a fourth-and-1 at the APA 6 early in the second quarter. After the teams traded possessions, the Patriots had the ball at the Eagles’ 3 before a lost fumble killed the drive.
Grace Christian couldn’t get anything going on the ensuing drive and a low snap on a punt forced the punter to take a knee, spotting the ball at the Eagles’ 4. One play later, Aaron Jones scored to put the Patriots ahead 12-0 going into the half.
The teams traded possessions to start the third quarter, and Dallas Hill made his presence felt on a punt return. After recording two first-half interceptions, Hill took a punt 38 yards for a score to give APA a 20-0 lead. The Patriots fumbled at their own 24 on their next possession, but John Stocks picked up an interception on the next play.
Grace Christian would answer on its next drive, covering 61 yards in 13 plays and finishing with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Britton Kilby to Torrey Brown early in the fourth. After forcing a turnover on downs, the Eagles drove down the field before Stocks intercepted another pass with 4:46 remaining.
The Patriots killed most of the clock from there, as the Eagles got the ball back with 10 seconds left and little opportunity.
Despite the win, Beaman said the team has a lot to work on in order to be considered championship contenders.
“Right now, we’re not a good football team,” Beaman said. “We have the potential to be one, but we have to continue to work hard. We were able to make some plays in this game, but we’ve got a long way to go.”
The Patriots host Fayetteville Christian on Oct. 9.
RALEIGH — A game Arendell Parrott Academy had circled on the schedule for a year went in the Patriots’ favor.
Behind a sparkling defensive effort, APA picked up a 20-8 victory over Grace Christian Friday in a rematch of the NCISAA 2A championship game last season. The Patriots (1-1) lost 34-33 in the contest, but held the Eagles (0-2) to 160 yards of offense while allowing its fewest points since shutting out Fayetteville Christian 28-0 on Oct. 18, 2019.
“I thought that we were tougher in the trenches, which really helped us out,” APA coach Matt Beaman said. “If you can control the line, usually you can control the game, and we needed it on a night where we had trouble generating anything offensively.”
Neither team could garner traction early until the Patriots went on a 16-play, 75-yard drive on their second possession, finishing with a 14-yard connection from Cole Dawson to Nick Harrison. Grace Christian looked to answer on its next drive, but Noah Miller stopped Sidi Khan on a fourth-and-1 at the APA 6 early in the second quarter. After the teams traded possessions, the Patriots had the ball at the Eagles’ 3 before a lost fumble killed the drive.
Grace Christian couldn’t get anything going on the ensuing drive and a low snap on a punt forced the punter to take a knee, spotting the ball at the Eagles’ 4. One play later, Aaron Jones scored to put the Patriots ahead 12-0 going into the half.
The teams traded possessions to start the third quarter, and Dallas Hill made his presence felt on a punt return. After recording two first-half interceptions, Hill took a punt 38 yards for a score to give APA a 20-0 lead. The Patriots fumbled at their own 24 on their next possession, but John Stocks picked up an interception on the next play.
Grace Christian would answer on its next drive, covering 61 yards in 13 plays and finishing with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Britton Kilby to Torrey Brown early in the fourth. After forcing a turnover on downs, the Eagles drove down the field before Stocks intercepted another pass with 4:46 remaining.
The Patriots killed most of the clock from there, as the Eagles got the ball back with 10 seconds left and little opportunity.
Despite the win, Beaman said the team has a lot to work on in order to be considered championship contenders.
“Right now, we’re not a good football team,” Beaman said. “We have the potential to be one, but we have to continue to work hard. We were able to make some plays in this game, but we’ve got a long way to go.”
The Patriots host Fayetteville Christian on Oct. 9.
