Charlotte Christian 15, Charlotte Country Day 12
By Tim Donelli
Correspondent
The Charlotte Country Day Buccaneers were looking for their first conference win of the season as well as an upset win over the Charlotte Christian Knights, and almost pulled it off.
But the Knights spoiled the party as Elijah Deveaux’s three-yard touchdown run with 19 seconds left in the game gave Charlotte Christian a 15-12 come-from-behind victory.
The Buccaneers excellent place kicker Jonathan Dellinger, who had field goals on 29 and 47 yards, just missed a 48-yarder with no time remaining that would have tied the game and sent the two teams into overtime.
Deveaux had a memorable night both on and off the field. He was named Charlotte Christian’s homecoming king in a ceremony at halftime, and then scored the game’s winning touchdown.
“It’s a blessing,” said Deveaux. “It feels just like the state championship game (last season). We were in this very same situation and at the goal line.”
Coach said we needed to get the ball in the end zone and I said ‘let me get the rock.’ The o-line did their job; my tight end Alex Parker hooked his guy and that was the key to getting in there.”
Deveaux (committed to Duke) finished with 95 yards on 14 carries and had the Knights only TD of the game. Christian also got a pair of field goals from Christian Van Sickle and the Knights defense pitched in with a first-quarter safety.
The Knights last-minute victory spoiled an outstanding all-around effort by Country Day. Senior running back Warren Holland finished the game with 108 yards on ten carries, which included a six-yard touchdown run. Holland also had a 73-yard scamper which led to the Buccaneers only touchdown early in the third quarter.
Country Day led 12-8 with 7:01 left in the game and Christian had the ball at its own ten-yard line. The Knights methodically drove the ball down the field, eating up the clock and converting several big third-down plays and one fourth-down along the way.
“We’ve had a brutal schedule up to this point and we’re not overlooking our opponent by any means,” said Christian coach Jason Estep. “I thought Country Day was a well-coached team but we made way too may mistakes tonight. I’m frustrated as a coach thinking what can we do differently to prepare our guys. We’ve got to look through it this week and figure it out.”
WORTH MENTIONING: Charlotte Christian freshman Colby Young, son of former NFL defensive tackle with the San Francisco 49ers Bryant Young, is undergoing cancer treatment and led the Knights onto the field at the start of the game.
QUOTE: “It’s a win against Charlotte Country Day, that’s the biggest positive. We got out with no injuries, and that (game) has a strong tradition. Anytime you can beat Country Day whether you beat them by one point or 40 points, it’s a quality win. We have a lot of respect for their program. It’s a huge win.” Charlotte Christian coach Jason Estep on the positives from the game with Country Day
RECORDS: Charlotte Country Day (3-5, 0-2 NCISAA), Charlotte Christian (5-3, 2-0 NCISAA)
WHAT’S NEXT: Country Day plays at home next Friday hosting Providence Day at 7 p.m., while Charlotte Christian hosts Victory Christian next Friday at 7 p.m.
By Tim Donelli
Correspondent
The Charlotte Country Day Buccaneers were looking for their first conference win of the season as well as an upset win over the Charlotte Christian Knights, and almost pulled it off.
But the Knights spoiled the party as Elijah Deveaux’s three-yard touchdown run with 19 seconds left in the game gave Charlotte Christian a 15-12 come-from-behind victory.
The Buccaneers excellent place kicker Jonathan Dellinger, who had field goals on 29 and 47 yards, just missed a 48-yarder with no time remaining that would have tied the game and sent the two teams into overtime.
Deveaux had a memorable night both on and off the field. He was named Charlotte Christian’s homecoming king in a ceremony at halftime, and then scored the game’s winning touchdown.
“It’s a blessing,” said Deveaux. “It feels just like the state championship game (last season). We were in this very same situation and at the goal line.”
Coach said we needed to get the ball in the end zone and I said ‘let me get the rock.’ The o-line did their job; my tight end Alex Parker hooked his guy and that was the key to getting in there.”
Deveaux (committed to Duke) finished with 95 yards on 14 carries and had the Knights only TD of the game. Christian also got a pair of field goals from Christian Van Sickle and the Knights defense pitched in with a first-quarter safety.
The Knights last-minute victory spoiled an outstanding all-around effort by Country Day. Senior running back Warren Holland finished the game with 108 yards on ten carries, which included a six-yard touchdown run. Holland also had a 73-yard scamper which led to the Buccaneers only touchdown early in the third quarter.
Country Day led 12-8 with 7:01 left in the game and Christian had the ball at its own ten-yard line. The Knights methodically drove the ball down the field, eating up the clock and converting several big third-down plays and one fourth-down along the way.
“We’ve had a brutal schedule up to this point and we’re not overlooking our opponent by any means,” said Christian coach Jason Estep. “I thought Country Day was a well-coached team but we made way too may mistakes tonight. I’m frustrated as a coach thinking what can we do differently to prepare our guys. We’ve got to look through it this week and figure it out.”
WORTH MENTIONING: Charlotte Christian freshman Colby Young, son of former NFL defensive tackle with the San Francisco 49ers Bryant Young, is undergoing cancer treatment and led the Knights onto the field at the start of the game.
QUOTE: “It’s a win against Charlotte Country Day, that’s the biggest positive. We got out with no injuries, and that (game) has a strong tradition. Anytime you can beat Country Day whether you beat them by one point or 40 points, it’s a quality win. We have a lot of respect for their program. It’s a huge win.” Charlotte Christian coach Jason Estep on the positives from the game with Country Day
RECORDS: Charlotte Country Day (3-5, 0-2 NCISAA), Charlotte Christian (5-3, 2-0 NCISAA)
WHAT’S NEXT: Country Day plays at home next Friday hosting Providence Day at 7 p.m., while Charlotte Christian hosts Victory Christian next Friday at 7 p.m.
