Crusaders rout Wake Christian
By Rodd Baxley
The Fayetteville Observer USA TODAY NETWORK
In its final home game of the 2020 season, the Trinity Christian football team claimed a 45-14 victory against Wake Christian Academy on Thursday night.
For 11 Crusaders, it was their final time playing on Wyatt Athletic Field. Despite trailing twice in the first half of their home finale against the Bulldogs (0-2), the reigning NCISAA Division III champions didn’t have a letdown.
Trailing midway through the first half, Trinity Christian (3-1) scored the final 32 points en route to its third win in a row.
Elijah Veale accounted for both of Wake Christian’s touchdowns, taking a fumble 39 yards to the end zone in the first quarter before a 65-yard catch-and-run score in the second.
But that wasn’t going to be enough against the Crusaders, who leaned on their veterans and a talented second-year star to blow the game open.
Here’s a look at how it happened on Thursday night in Fayetteville.
BIG-TIME PERFORMANCE
Xavier Tubbs-Matthews, QB/RB/WR The sophomore shined bright among the seniors as a three-headed monster on the field, showing off his ability as a passer, runner and pass-catcher.
“He’s special and he’s allowing me to coach him,” said Trinity coach Chuck Webster.
“The sky really is the limit for him. He’s a very gifted kid and he’s more humble than people think. He’s very confident, but he’s more humble than people think.”
For the second week in a row, Tubbs-Matthews accounted for four touchdowns to lead the Crusader offense.
He started his night with a 55-yard touchdown pass to Mike Ross before a pair of rushing scores on plays of 20 and 9 yards. His most impressive play of the night came just before the half on a 50-yard touchdown grab on a pass from Raymond Campos —more on that later.
But Tubbs-Matthews show his humble side after the game when he was asked about his four-touchdown performance.
“The o-line, that’s the only reason I’m making plays out there,” he said.
“After I get past the line of scrimmage, that’s when I do what I have to do to get in the end zone.”
TURNING POINT
Trailing 14-13 with less than six minutes remaining in the first half, Trinity Christian closed the half with 16 unanswered points to take a two-possession lead into the break.
Like he did throughout the first 24 minutes, Tubbs-Matthews showed off his playmaking ability to put the Crusaders ahead for good on a 9-yard run. On the play, the sophomore served as the signal-caller and faked a toss to his left before sprinting toward the right side of the end zone.
“I really didn’t even want to play quarterback at first, but Coach Chuck was pushing me, saying I could do it,” Tubbs-Matthews said, referring to his first crack at quarterback in Trinity’s game at Ravenscroft.
“So I was like, why not? Just go out there and have fun.”
In the final five seconds of the first half, Tubbs-Matthews found paydirt again. This time, he was on the receiving end of a 50-yard bomb from Campos.
Tyshawn Yarborough’s bruising running style helped the Crusaders add a pair of two-point conversions after the scores. They didn’t allow another point, adding 16 more in the second half for insurance.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Seniors made plays throughout the night with Gabe Galloway-Velazquez scoring on a 1-yard run in the third quarter and Daquan McNeill following suit in the fourth with a 52-yard burst down the sideline for a touchdown.
Manny Wall and Keondrick Baines each pulled down interceptions to cap an impressive night for the veterans.
But Tubbs-Matthews and Campos connected for the play of the night, a play that gave the Crusaders all of the momentum heading into halftime.
Campos took the snap and drifted back before stepping up and loading up for a Hail Mary pass to Tubbs-Matthews. As the rainbow-style throw made its way down, Tubbs-Matthews skied over a defender for the grab before scampering a few yards to complete the 50-yard touchdown play.
In that moment, Tubbs-Matthews felt like he was back on the court.
“I just saw the ball and aimed at the highest point like Coach Chuck always says,” Tubbs-Matthews said.
“It’s like playing basketball; just go up and get it. We started breaking through after that.” Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com.
By Rodd Baxley
The Fayetteville Observer USA TODAY NETWORK
In its final home game of the 2020 season, the Trinity Christian football team claimed a 45-14 victory against Wake Christian Academy on Thursday night.
For 11 Crusaders, it was their final time playing on Wyatt Athletic Field. Despite trailing twice in the first half of their home finale against the Bulldogs (0-2), the reigning NCISAA Division III champions didn’t have a letdown.
Trailing midway through the first half, Trinity Christian (3-1) scored the final 32 points en route to its third win in a row.
Elijah Veale accounted for both of Wake Christian’s touchdowns, taking a fumble 39 yards to the end zone in the first quarter before a 65-yard catch-and-run score in the second.
But that wasn’t going to be enough against the Crusaders, who leaned on their veterans and a talented second-year star to blow the game open.
Here’s a look at how it happened on Thursday night in Fayetteville.
BIG-TIME PERFORMANCE
Xavier Tubbs-Matthews, QB/RB/WR The sophomore shined bright among the seniors as a three-headed monster on the field, showing off his ability as a passer, runner and pass-catcher.
“He’s special and he’s allowing me to coach him,” said Trinity coach Chuck Webster.
“The sky really is the limit for him. He’s a very gifted kid and he’s more humble than people think. He’s very confident, but he’s more humble than people think.”
For the second week in a row, Tubbs-Matthews accounted for four touchdowns to lead the Crusader offense.
He started his night with a 55-yard touchdown pass to Mike Ross before a pair of rushing scores on plays of 20 and 9 yards. His most impressive play of the night came just before the half on a 50-yard touchdown grab on a pass from Raymond Campos —more on that later.
But Tubbs-Matthews show his humble side after the game when he was asked about his four-touchdown performance.
“The o-line, that’s the only reason I’m making plays out there,” he said.
“After I get past the line of scrimmage, that’s when I do what I have to do to get in the end zone.”
TURNING POINT
Trailing 14-13 with less than six minutes remaining in the first half, Trinity Christian closed the half with 16 unanswered points to take a two-possession lead into the break.
Like he did throughout the first 24 minutes, Tubbs-Matthews showed off his playmaking ability to put the Crusaders ahead for good on a 9-yard run. On the play, the sophomore served as the signal-caller and faked a toss to his left before sprinting toward the right side of the end zone.
“I really didn’t even want to play quarterback at first, but Coach Chuck was pushing me, saying I could do it,” Tubbs-Matthews said, referring to his first crack at quarterback in Trinity’s game at Ravenscroft.
“So I was like, why not? Just go out there and have fun.”
In the final five seconds of the first half, Tubbs-Matthews found paydirt again. This time, he was on the receiving end of a 50-yard bomb from Campos.
Tyshawn Yarborough’s bruising running style helped the Crusaders add a pair of two-point conversions after the scores. They didn’t allow another point, adding 16 more in the second half for insurance.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Seniors made plays throughout the night with Gabe Galloway-Velazquez scoring on a 1-yard run in the third quarter and Daquan McNeill following suit in the fourth with a 52-yard burst down the sideline for a touchdown.
Manny Wall and Keondrick Baines each pulled down interceptions to cap an impressive night for the veterans.
But Tubbs-Matthews and Campos connected for the play of the night, a play that gave the Crusaders all of the momentum heading into halftime.
Campos took the snap and drifted back before stepping up and loading up for a Hail Mary pass to Tubbs-Matthews. As the rainbow-style throw made its way down, Tubbs-Matthews skied over a defender for the grab before scampering a few yards to complete the 50-yard touchdown play.
In that moment, Tubbs-Matthews felt like he was back on the court.
“I just saw the ball and aimed at the highest point like Coach Chuck always says,” Tubbs-Matthews said.
“It’s like playing basketball; just go up and get it. We started breaking through after that.” Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com.
