Statesville Christian comes up short against Victory Christian
Statesville Christian waited all weekend to pick back up where it left off on Friday, but it didn't work out.
The Victory Christian Kings won the suspended game 26-16.
The Lions put the first touchdown on the board Friday before the game was suspended due to weather.
They started Monday’s game up 7-0 as the contest resumed in the second quarter.
The Lions got the ball to kick off the second quarter. Running back Josiah Edwards got the ball and took it to the house to open it 14-0. With Victory Christian on offense, Kings Caleb Coleman ran for an 85-yard touchdown to close the gap.
For most of the night it was a defensive game.
Statesville Christian’s next drive was a short one, with two fumbled snaps and a short run forcing them to punt.
Ball security was a problem for both teams, as Victory Christian fumbled the handoff on their own nine-yard line. The Kings recovered but was in their end zone, the Lions recorded a safety and got the ball right back.
The Lions failed to capitalize on the possession fumbling the first snap to the Kings on their own 48-yard line. Statesville Christian brought the pressure the following drive, recording a sack and making the Kings wing it following a broken play.
Right before the half, with 10 seconds remaining, Edwards intercepted the Kings on a promising drive to help close out their lead at the half, 16-7.
At the start of the third quarter, Victory Christian looked promising, racking up three first downs to drive it over the 50.
A common sight, however, referees throwing yellow flags, cost the Kings the ground they had just gained. With multiple penalties, Victory Christian was forced to punt, putting the Lions on their own 22.
Backup quarterback Kelton Elliot was wrapped up on the following play, fumbling the ball but recovering it on his own one-yard-line, saving a defensive touchdown or safety. The Lions were forced to punt from their end zone, putting the Kings in excellent field position. That drive, the Kings tossed up a 13-yard pass for a touchdown, closing the distance 16-13 following a missed extra point.
After a quick three-and-out by the Lions, Victory Christian threw yet another touchdown, taking the lead 20-16. They were in the driver's seat the remainder of the game scoring yet again through the air and closing out the game with a 26-16 win in Statesville Christian’s first home game of the season.
“[Tonight ] we came out and moved the ball the way we wanted to at first,” said first year head coach Jason Howard. “The first half we played well, I’d like to see us continue to play that way.”
When asked what the difference was in the second half, Howard cited “breakdowns” such as ball security. “Whenever you have more than one or two turnovers, you’re probably going to lose that game.” he said.
Edwards stood out as a leader on the stat sheet, but Howard also recognized the leadership on the sidelines. “Greg Simonson has been a real leader for us, he made play on the defense and offense for us. I’m proud of my guys. We will reload for next week.”
Statesville Christian falls to 0-2 on the season and looks to nab Howard’s first win against Gladiators Sports Academy in Asheville Sept. 6.
Statesville Christian waited all weekend to pick back up where it left off on Friday, but it didn't work out.
The Victory Christian Kings won the suspended game 26-16.
The Lions put the first touchdown on the board Friday before the game was suspended due to weather.
They started Monday’s game up 7-0 as the contest resumed in the second quarter.
The Lions got the ball to kick off the second quarter. Running back Josiah Edwards got the ball and took it to the house to open it 14-0. With Victory Christian on offense, Kings Caleb Coleman ran for an 85-yard touchdown to close the gap.
For most of the night it was a defensive game.
Statesville Christian’s next drive was a short one, with two fumbled snaps and a short run forcing them to punt.
Ball security was a problem for both teams, as Victory Christian fumbled the handoff on their own nine-yard line. The Kings recovered but was in their end zone, the Lions recorded a safety and got the ball right back.
The Lions failed to capitalize on the possession fumbling the first snap to the Kings on their own 48-yard line. Statesville Christian brought the pressure the following drive, recording a sack and making the Kings wing it following a broken play.
Right before the half, with 10 seconds remaining, Edwards intercepted the Kings on a promising drive to help close out their lead at the half, 16-7.
At the start of the third quarter, Victory Christian looked promising, racking up three first downs to drive it over the 50.
A common sight, however, referees throwing yellow flags, cost the Kings the ground they had just gained. With multiple penalties, Victory Christian was forced to punt, putting the Lions on their own 22.
Backup quarterback Kelton Elliot was wrapped up on the following play, fumbling the ball but recovering it on his own one-yard-line, saving a defensive touchdown or safety. The Lions were forced to punt from their end zone, putting the Kings in excellent field position. That drive, the Kings tossed up a 13-yard pass for a touchdown, closing the distance 16-13 following a missed extra point.
After a quick three-and-out by the Lions, Victory Christian threw yet another touchdown, taking the lead 20-16. They were in the driver's seat the remainder of the game scoring yet again through the air and closing out the game with a 26-16 win in Statesville Christian’s first home game of the season.
“[Tonight ] we came out and moved the ball the way we wanted to at first,” said first year head coach Jason Howard. “The first half we played well, I’d like to see us continue to play that way.”
When asked what the difference was in the second half, Howard cited “breakdowns” such as ball security. “Whenever you have more than one or two turnovers, you’re probably going to lose that game.” he said.
Edwards stood out as a leader on the stat sheet, but Howard also recognized the leadership on the sidelines. “Greg Simonson has been a real leader for us, he made play on the defense and offense for us. I’m proud of my guys. We will reload for next week.”
Statesville Christian falls to 0-2 on the season and looks to nab Howard’s first win against Gladiators Sports Academy in Asheville Sept. 6.
