Providence Day sacks Metrolina Christian’s upset hopes, wins NCISAA D2 state title
The Providence Day Chargers capped off a solid season Friday night to capture the NCISAA Division II football championship with a 28-13 home win over the Metrolina Christian Warriors.
Beaten handily at home by Providence Day in the regular season 42-10, Metrolina Christian put up a valiant fight in the championship game. The Warriors trailed by only one point entering the fourth quarter.
But Providence Day put together a 14-play 77-yard touchdown drive that ate up clock and made it an eight-point lead at 21-13 with just 7:25 left in the game. The Chargers put the nail in the coffin with one final score with just 2:39 remaining to seal the win and the championship.
Junior Providence Day running back Nickel Fields was the main cog in the Chargers’ offense, rushing for 166 yards on a whopping 38 carries and three touchdowns.
“Not a bad night, not a bad night at all,” said Fields. “A shout-out to my O-line (offensive line) as they did a great job creating holes for me, allowing me to get open in space, and getting me one-on-one opportunities against safeties and linebackers. I just wanted to help get these seniors out of here with a win.”
Chargers’ senior quarterback Cody Cater was thrilled to be finishing off his senior year with a championship to remember.
“It’s a great feeling and there’s no other way I would rather go out,” said Cater. “With this group of guys and our senior class, I’m happy for them.”
Providence Day coach Adam Hastings talked about the importance of getting off to a fast start and scoring on his team’s opening possession.
“That was good,” said Hastings. “We talk to our guys a lot about starting fast and setting the tone and tempo. It was great for our guys to come out and do that early. I was very pleased for us to do that.”
But Metrolina Christian answered on its opening drive with a 12-play, 88-yard drive capped off by a 1-yard run by Jadus Davis to tie the game at 7-7.
Late in the second quarter Providence Day took advantage of a Zach Lohavichan interception to get a short field at the Warriors’ 38-yard line. It took only five plays for the Chargers to take a 14-7 lead on a Fields’ 14-yard run. The Providence Day lead held to the half.
Late in the third quarter and the Chargers punting from their own end zone, Metrolina Christian partially blocked the kick and took over at the Providence Day 13-yard line. Warriors’ quarterback Angel Gonzalez quickly found wide receiver Luke Roffler for a 16-yard touchdown pass. A successful extra point would have tied the game but the Chargers blocked the kick to still lead 14-13.
RECORDS: Metrolina Christian (8-4), Providence Day 8-3)
THREE WHO MATTERED:
Nickel Fields, Providence Day – Scored three touchdowns of 14, 13 and 3 yards respectively while rushing 34 times for 166 yards.
Defense, Providence Day – Picked off three Metrolina Christian passes and held the Warriors to 153 total yards.
Luke Roffler, Metrolina Christian – Had four catches for 77 yards and one touchdown for the Warriors.
WORTH MENTIONING:
“It feels good and I’m just very fortunate to coach such great kids. I’m very fortunate to be a part of a group of kids who have made every day for me. We’ve had 98 practices since the beginning of the summer until now, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. They made practice fun, they made games fun, they love each other and I love being around them.” Charger’s coach Adam Hastings.
The Providence Day Chargers capped off a solid season Friday night to capture the NCISAA Division II football championship with a 28-13 home win over the Metrolina Christian Warriors.
Beaten handily at home by Providence Day in the regular season 42-10, Metrolina Christian put up a valiant fight in the championship game. The Warriors trailed by only one point entering the fourth quarter.
But Providence Day put together a 14-play 77-yard touchdown drive that ate up clock and made it an eight-point lead at 21-13 with just 7:25 left in the game. The Chargers put the nail in the coffin with one final score with just 2:39 remaining to seal the win and the championship.
Junior Providence Day running back Nickel Fields was the main cog in the Chargers’ offense, rushing for 166 yards on a whopping 38 carries and three touchdowns.
“Not a bad night, not a bad night at all,” said Fields. “A shout-out to my O-line (offensive line) as they did a great job creating holes for me, allowing me to get open in space, and getting me one-on-one opportunities against safeties and linebackers. I just wanted to help get these seniors out of here with a win.”
Chargers’ senior quarterback Cody Cater was thrilled to be finishing off his senior year with a championship to remember.
“It’s a great feeling and there’s no other way I would rather go out,” said Cater. “With this group of guys and our senior class, I’m happy for them.”
Providence Day coach Adam Hastings talked about the importance of getting off to a fast start and scoring on his team’s opening possession.
“That was good,” said Hastings. “We talk to our guys a lot about starting fast and setting the tone and tempo. It was great for our guys to come out and do that early. I was very pleased for us to do that.”
But Metrolina Christian answered on its opening drive with a 12-play, 88-yard drive capped off by a 1-yard run by Jadus Davis to tie the game at 7-7.
Late in the second quarter Providence Day took advantage of a Zach Lohavichan interception to get a short field at the Warriors’ 38-yard line. It took only five plays for the Chargers to take a 14-7 lead on a Fields’ 14-yard run. The Providence Day lead held to the half.
Late in the third quarter and the Chargers punting from their own end zone, Metrolina Christian partially blocked the kick and took over at the Providence Day 13-yard line. Warriors’ quarterback Angel Gonzalez quickly found wide receiver Luke Roffler for a 16-yard touchdown pass. A successful extra point would have tied the game but the Chargers blocked the kick to still lead 14-13.
RECORDS: Metrolina Christian (8-4), Providence Day 8-3)
THREE WHO MATTERED:
Nickel Fields, Providence Day – Scored three touchdowns of 14, 13 and 3 yards respectively while rushing 34 times for 166 yards.
Defense, Providence Day – Picked off three Metrolina Christian passes and held the Warriors to 153 total yards.
Luke Roffler, Metrolina Christian – Had four catches for 77 yards and one touchdown for the Warriors.
WORTH MENTIONING:
- Providence Day advanced to Friday night’s championship game with a 61-6 victory over Ravenscroft last Friday in the semi-finals, while Metrolina Christian made it to the championship final with a 42-10 win over High Point Christian Academy last Friday.
- Providence won the game despite losing two offensive performers in the game due to injury. Running back JT Smith left the game late in the first quarter, and wide receiver Tommy Flynn went out late in the third quarter. Neither returned.
- Lohavichan, Mac Hale and Bo Schneider all had interceptions for Providence Day, while Metrolina Christian’s Colton Fitch had a fumble recovery.
- Providence Day defensive tackle KJ Bingley-Jones is committed to North Carolina – Chapel Hill, and Chargers’ defensive end Jacolbe Cowan is an Ohio State commit.
“It feels good and I’m just very fortunate to coach such great kids. I’m very fortunate to be a part of a group of kids who have made every day for me. We’ve had 98 practices since the beginning of the summer until now, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. They made practice fun, they made games fun, they love each other and I love being around them.” Charger’s coach Adam Hastings.
