Second-half surge propels Village Christian past Harrells, 26-0
By Sammy Batten
Staff writer FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER
Posted Sep 8, 2017 at 10:55 PM Updated Sep 8, 2017 at 10:56 PM
Emerson Martin has relied on defense to lead the way in the early stages of his first season as head coach at Village Christian Academy.
But after a dominant defensive effort in the first half Friday against Harrells Christian Academy, the Knights offense started to show signs of catching up to the defense. The result was a 26-0 blanking at home of the Crusaders and a second straight victory for Emerson’s squad.
“This is our first year here and one of the things that always happens is the defense always gels first,″ said Martin, a former NFL offensive lineman. “So, defensively, our guys are gelling well and defense is carrying our team. But our offense keeps plugging away and tonight we saw some progress in the second half.″
The Village Christian defense limited Harrells (2-2) to four yards of total offense in the first half and dropped the Crusaders for losses in the backfield seven times. But despite their defensive dominance, the Knights only led 6-0 after producing just 16 yards of total offense themselves.
In fact, it was the Village Christian defense that generated the only points of the first half when end Celik Curtis scooped up a Harrells fumble and rumbled 80 yards for the touchdown with 5:20 left in the first quarter.
“Coach keeps telling us the defense has to step up,″ Curtis said. “He says even if we have to score as long as we put points on the board, that’s all that matters. I was just glad I could get some points on the board for us.″
Curtis would also have a hand in the second-half surge by the Village Christian offense. He put the final points on the scoreboard for the Knights (2-1) with a 12-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and he wound up as the team’s leading rusher with 81 yards on just four carries.
But it was the passing attack that really got into gear after halftime for Village Christian. Diego Forero, who came on in relief of starter Donovan Baker, rebounded after throwing an interception on his first pass attempt to connect on touchdown passes of 29 and 55 yards in the second half.
Related content
Photos: Village Christian Academy plays Harrells Christian Academy
Forero’s 29-yarder to TyShawn Stanley capped the opening series of the second half and put the Knights ahead, 12-0. Then, in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, he found John Pickney with another bomb to improve the advantage to 18-0. Forero finished the game with seven completions in 12 attempts for 142 yards.
“We have some young guys at quarterback and both of them are trying to get a feel for the game,″ Martin said. “Diego, I thought he played a great game tonight. He had some struggles early on when we started this season. But tonight was a redemption night for him.″
Village Christian’s defense limited Harrells to 83 yards of total offense in the game.
Staff writer Sammy Batten can be reached at sbatten@fayobserver.com or 486-3534.
VILLAGE CHRISTIAN 26, HARRELLS CHRISTIAN 0
HARRELLS CHRISTIAN;0;0;0;0—0
VILLAGE CHRISTIAN;6;0;12;6—26
VC — Celik Curtis 80 fumble return (kick blocked)
VC — TyShawn Stanley 29 pass from Diego Forero (run failed)
VC — John Pickney 55 pass from Forero (run failed)
VC — Curtis 12 run (Dylan Malinowski run)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing: HC — Shahmeek Darby 5-6, Shaqour Newkirk 10-29, Tyshon Newkirk 9-(-6), Zach Todd 1-(-6), Jack Lasio 2-6, Mar’Chris Jackson 9-28. VC — Asa Barnes 11-59, Tyler Bineham 2-9, Diego Forere 6-(-3), Adam Norman 1-(-1), John Pickney 1-1, Celik Curtis 5-81, Jay Lunsford 1-(-7), Donovan Baker 1-(-5).
Passing: HC — Tyshon Newkirk 2-7-0, 26; Zach Todd 0-1-0, 0. VC — Donovan Baker 0-2-0, 0; Diego Forero 7-12-1, 142.
Receiving: HC — Jack Lasio 2-26. VC — John Pickney 2-76, Adam Gonzalez 2-23, TyShawn Stanley 1-29, Asa Barnes 1-6.
Records: Harrells Christian 2-2, Village Christian 2-1.
Next game: Trinity Christian at Harrells Christian, Village Christian at Fayetteville Christian
By Sammy Batten
Staff writer FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER
Posted Sep 8, 2017 at 10:55 PM Updated Sep 8, 2017 at 10:56 PM
Emerson Martin has relied on defense to lead the way in the early stages of his first season as head coach at Village Christian Academy.
But after a dominant defensive effort in the first half Friday against Harrells Christian Academy, the Knights offense started to show signs of catching up to the defense. The result was a 26-0 blanking at home of the Crusaders and a second straight victory for Emerson’s squad.
“This is our first year here and one of the things that always happens is the defense always gels first,″ said Martin, a former NFL offensive lineman. “So, defensively, our guys are gelling well and defense is carrying our team. But our offense keeps plugging away and tonight we saw some progress in the second half.″
The Village Christian defense limited Harrells (2-2) to four yards of total offense in the first half and dropped the Crusaders for losses in the backfield seven times. But despite their defensive dominance, the Knights only led 6-0 after producing just 16 yards of total offense themselves.
In fact, it was the Village Christian defense that generated the only points of the first half when end Celik Curtis scooped up a Harrells fumble and rumbled 80 yards for the touchdown with 5:20 left in the first quarter.
“Coach keeps telling us the defense has to step up,″ Curtis said. “He says even if we have to score as long as we put points on the board, that’s all that matters. I was just glad I could get some points on the board for us.″
Curtis would also have a hand in the second-half surge by the Village Christian offense. He put the final points on the scoreboard for the Knights (2-1) with a 12-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and he wound up as the team’s leading rusher with 81 yards on just four carries.
But it was the passing attack that really got into gear after halftime for Village Christian. Diego Forero, who came on in relief of starter Donovan Baker, rebounded after throwing an interception on his first pass attempt to connect on touchdown passes of 29 and 55 yards in the second half.
Related content
Photos: Village Christian Academy plays Harrells Christian Academy
Forero’s 29-yarder to TyShawn Stanley capped the opening series of the second half and put the Knights ahead, 12-0. Then, in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, he found John Pickney with another bomb to improve the advantage to 18-0. Forero finished the game with seven completions in 12 attempts for 142 yards.
“We have some young guys at quarterback and both of them are trying to get a feel for the game,″ Martin said. “Diego, I thought he played a great game tonight. He had some struggles early on when we started this season. But tonight was a redemption night for him.″
Village Christian’s defense limited Harrells to 83 yards of total offense in the game.
Staff writer Sammy Batten can be reached at sbatten@fayobserver.com or 486-3534.
VILLAGE CHRISTIAN 26, HARRELLS CHRISTIAN 0
HARRELLS CHRISTIAN;0;0;0;0—0
VILLAGE CHRISTIAN;6;0;12;6—26
VC — Celik Curtis 80 fumble return (kick blocked)
VC — TyShawn Stanley 29 pass from Diego Forero (run failed)
VC — John Pickney 55 pass from Forero (run failed)
VC — Curtis 12 run (Dylan Malinowski run)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing: HC — Shahmeek Darby 5-6, Shaqour Newkirk 10-29, Tyshon Newkirk 9-(-6), Zach Todd 1-(-6), Jack Lasio 2-6, Mar’Chris Jackson 9-28. VC — Asa Barnes 11-59, Tyler Bineham 2-9, Diego Forere 6-(-3), Adam Norman 1-(-1), John Pickney 1-1, Celik Curtis 5-81, Jay Lunsford 1-(-7), Donovan Baker 1-(-5).
Passing: HC — Tyshon Newkirk 2-7-0, 26; Zach Todd 0-1-0, 0. VC — Donovan Baker 0-2-0, 0; Diego Forero 7-12-1, 142.
Receiving: HC — Jack Lasio 2-26. VC — John Pickney 2-76, Adam Gonzalez 2-23, TyShawn Stanley 1-29, Asa Barnes 1-6.
Records: Harrells Christian 2-2, Village Christian 2-1.
Next game: Trinity Christian at Harrells Christian, Village Christian at Fayetteville Christian
