Jacksonville Fl- Coach Penland and the University Christian Christians know what it takes to bring home the trophy and inched closer to that goal after their win Friday against Maclay Marauders 35-28. University Christian showed how deep their roster could go putting up three of its five touchdowns on the ground with underclassmen. The Christians played without veteran backs and leading scorers senior running back Max McClendon and sophomore running back Arthur “Fatz” Walker.
The Christians won the toss and deferred to the Marauders so they could get the ball first in the second half. The Marauders were able to get on the scoreboard first after a touchdown catch by junior wide receiver Kennan Milford, his first of two touchdowns for the night. Penalties seemed to be the name of the game for the Marauders in the first half, two penalties put the Christians in easy scoring position and junior running back Jamari Fudge was able to run in for a touchdown to tie the score at seven.
Senior quarterback Brecht Heuchan’s main target for the night was senior wide receiver Robert Parker-Crawford and he was the player that put the Marauders in scoring position in every instance. Parker-Crawford caught a twenty-seven-yard pass that set up for a run for freshman Rhyder Poppell to score a touchdown. This would be the Marauders last score until less than five minutes left in the game, the Christians would have 28 unanswered points.
In the Christians second series, Maclay penalties plagued them again and on second down freshman quarterback Desirrio Riles was able to even the score again at 14. Maclay would get the ball back at the start of the second quarter and Heuchen would throw an interception at midfield to senior defensive back Octavis Clayton.
Maclay did a great job of stopping the run and forced a quick three and out for the Christians. As the Christians went to punt the ball, the Marauders knocked down the kicker and getting a roughing the kicker penalty and an automatic first down.
Senior running back Marques Moulds would run for a touchdown and put the Christians up by 7. Maclay would march down the field on an awesome across the field pass to Parker-Crawford but Heuchan would throw his second interception to freshman running back/cornerback Orel Gray at the goal line.
University Christian would keep the ball on the ground giving the ball to Gray for two huge runs to put the Christians at midfield. Riles would throw a touchdown pass to sophomore tight end Jerome Manning to end the half with the Christians up by two touchdowns.
University Christian would receive the ball first to start the second half and Penland would keep the ball on the ground to run off time on the clock. The Christians couldn’t break off for the big runs they did in the first half, the Marauders defense stepped up. The Marauders were able to sack Riles for major losses in back to back pass attempts. The third quarter was scoreless for both teams, neither team was able to get their offense running. The Christians were able to score a few minutes into the fourth quarter, Riles running for his second touchdown of the evening.
Maclay would not go down without a fight, Heuchan throwing long balls across the middle of the field to Parker-Crawford for back to back plays before he was able to run in for a touchdown. Maclay would attempt an onside kick but University Christian was able to recover it. Riles would fumble the next snap and Maclay was able to recover. The connection of Heuchan to Millford was good for another touchdown, cutting the lead to just one touchdown at a little over two minutes. Riles was able to connect on a touchdown with Grey across the middle but it was called back on a penalty, still giving Maclay hope. Pendland kept the ball on the ground and was able to get one more first down which allowed for the Christians to run out the clock after taking a knee.
Number 1 seeded University Christian (11-1) will travel to Lakeland on Friday, November 29th at 7:30 to play top seeded Victory Christian (10-1). Maclay will end their season 9-3, regional runner ups.
