The University Christian Christians went into a showdown against the Baldwin Indians in a battle of two one loss teams in Northeast Florida. The Christians were able to score six touchdowns on offense and take their winning streak up to five in a row, as a late season surge gets them ready for playoffs.
The Indians started off the game with an unconventional onside kick that they were able to recover. The Christians were able to hold off the Indians from getting into the end-zone, having to settle for a field goal. This would be the only lead that the Indians would have over the Christians the entire evening.
It would take no time for the Christians to get on the board after an explosive run through defenders by senior running back Max McClendon. Coach Penland talked to his team all week about the how to beat Baldwin on the ground.
The Christians were able to tack on another touchdown by sophomore running back Arthur “Fatz” Walker. Baldwin was able to get down the field by some amazing throws by junior quarterback Bryce Tompkins to get Baldwin in scoring position. Senior running back Amos Porter was able to get his first of two touchdowns on the board for the Indians and put them within three points of the Christians.
University Christian freshman quarterback Desirrio Riles, used his legs more than his arm in the first half, scoring a short running touchdown after another big run by McClendon to put them in scoring position.
Tompkins threw his first interception of the night to freshman corner back Orel Gray but Gray ended up fumbling the ball after a return giving the ball right back to the Indians. The Indians were able to capitalize on that mistake and gave Porter his second touchdown of the night.
After the kickoff, Baldwin had back to back penalties that put the Christians on the Indians 20-yard line without even gaining a yard from play. Junior running back Joseph Carter was able to get his first touchdown of the night running through tacklers on his way to the end-zone.
Baldwin had a quick three and out, but sophomore Malcolm Harvin was able to pick off Riles and head into the endzone to cut the lead back to three.
University Christian charged back down the field for Walker’s second touchdown. The half ended on an interception by Carter.
The Christians took a page from Baldwins book and tried their own onside kick that they were able to recover. No scores came from any teams the entire third quarter, but the Christians were making their way down the field as the quarter expired.
McClendon was able to score off of a botched hand-off and put the Christians up 42-24 early in the 4th quarter. Baldwin was able to score one last time on a catch by senior wide receiver Xavier McGriff.
The Christians kept the ball on the ground hoping to run out the clock but after a couple of penalties, the Indians were still in the game only down ten. Baldwin, although steady in getting the ball down the field didn’t have enough time on the clock. As the buzzer was about to sound Tompkins threw his second interception of the night to Gray. UC took the win.
University Christian (7-1) will travel on the road this Friday against Crescent City (3-4). Baldwin (7-2) will have a home game against Middleburg (2-6).
