ORLANDO – Getting back to the state championship isn’t easy, much less repeating as state champions.
University Christian (10-3) found that out the hard way as their quest for a third straight state title came up short in a 24-7 loss to Hialeah Champagnat in the Class 2A title game at Camping World Stadium.
A year after handling Champagnat 24-8 in the 2A state title game, it was UC coming up on the short end for once.
It sure wasn’t for lack of effort as the Christians trailed 14-7 with just 5 minutes to go, they just had no answer for the more faster and more experienced Lions.
Things started off well for the Christians who took an early lead on their second drive of the game. Behind senior quarterback Clayton Boyd found Jalen Dunningan on a 23 yard screen pass giving the Christians an early 7-0 lead in the closing seconds of the first quarter.
However, Champagnat quickly answered just four minutes later on Calvin Montgomery 3 yard run, the two point conversion attempt failed cutting the lead to 7-6 with 8 minutes left in the first half.
Just before half, Donovan Georges tacked on a 1 yard touchdown run giving the Lions a 14-7 halftime lead and all the momentum heading into the second half.
Daryn Duke Jones chipped in a 26 yard field goal increasing the lead to 17-7 with 4:29 left in the third putting the Lions ahead two scores.
Marc Britt 36 yard pass from Desjuan Kearse with 2:11 left was the final exclamation point of the game and put the Lions ahead to stay.
An offense that put up 470 points in 10 wins, was held to a season low 7 points in the game thanks to a quick and swarming defense led by two way players Gregory Rousseau (9 tackles) and Donovan Georges (9 tackles).
Boyd finished his high school career with 136 yards on 23 carries, while also throwing for 15 of 21 for 114 yards and one touchdown in the loss.
University Christian was trying to win its ninth overall title (1973, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 2012, 2015, 2016) which is still third all-time behind only Bolles (11) and St. Thomas Aquinas (10).
Scoring Summary
First
UC: Jalen Dunnigan 23 yard pass from Clayton Boyd (7-0)
Second
CH: Calvin Montgomery 3 yard run, pass failed (7-6)
CH: Donovan Georges 1 yard run (14-7)
Fourth
CH: Marc Britt 36 yard pass from Desjuan Kearse (24-7)
