Disciples Beat Crusaders 41-6

August 30, 2008

On Saturday the Central Virginia Homeschool Disciples extended their record to 2-0 by beating the defending Mid-Atlantic Christian Conference champion Central Maryland Crusaders 41-6 in a battle of two of the MACC’s best homeschool football teams. On a hot, humid afternoon, the well-conditioned Disciples put together a complete game for their enthusiastic fans as the offense, defense and special teams all played well. Nate Hollis, who rushed for 176 yards on just 6 carries, scored 3 touchdowns and passed for another. Jared Simmons and Manny McClure each intercepted 2 passes and Andrew Wells was a perfect 5 for 5 on extra points and 2 for 2 on field goals. In all, the offense rushed for 376 yards on 39 carries and the defense had 6 takeaways and 10 sacks.

The high point for the Crusaders came during their first series. After taking the opening kickoff, the Crusaders’ first drive ended in a touchdown when Andrew Geddie burst up the middle for 48 yards on a delay. The Disciples responded with a 50 yard scoring drive of their own, with Nate Hollis scoring on a 3 yard run. Andrew Wells added the extra point for a 7-6 lead. After the defense stopped the Crusaders on a 3 and out series, the Disciples were driving again when a fumble turned the ball over to the Crusaders. The defense promptly got it back on Jared Simmons’ first interception, and Nate Hollis hit Josh Clements with a quick jump pass for an 18 yard touchdown. Following another extra point by Wells, the Disciples led 14-6 at the end of the 1st Quarter.

The next score came late in the Second Quarter. With just over 2 minutes to go, Manny McClure intercepted a pass and the Disciples took over on their own 17 yard line. Several nice runs put the team on the Crusaders’ 44 yard line with just over a minute to play. As Coach Dave Hollis called to the team, “We need a miracle!” Nate Hollis took the ball up the middle, running over several Crusader defenders, and outran the defense 44 yards for his second touchdown. Another Wells extra point made it 21-6, but the Disciples were not done yet. With 30 seconds to go, Jared Simmons intercepted his second pass at the Crusaders’ 20. A pass from Nate Hollis to Stephen Hale put the ball on the 7 yard line with just seconds to play, and Andrew Wells finished out the first half scoring with a 24-yard field goal for a 24-6 Disciples lead.

During halftime, the coaches stressed the need to finish the game well. The Disciples wasted no time in doing so, scoring on their first drive of the second half on another spectacular run by Nate Hollis. He went 58 yards on a play that featured some good blocking both at the line of scrimmage and downfield. Another Wells extra point extended the lead to 31-6. Throughout the second half the Disciples continued to dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, and the coaches increasingly substituted new players.

The 3rd Quarter ended with the Disciples facing a 3rd and Goal on the Crusaders’ 1 yard line. On the first play of the 4th Quarter, Joshua Barner blasted into the end zone and with the Wells extra point the Disciples led 38-6. The last quarter featured continued dominance by the Disciples defense, including interceptions by Adrian Gill and Manny McClure and the recovery of a muffed punt. The second team offense moved the ball the length of the field and Andrew Wells kicked his second field goal of the game, this one from 31 yards, to finish the scoring.

After the game, the two teams met at midfield and players from both teams led a time of prayer.

The Disciples’ coaches were pleased with the team’s play. The team executed the new offense the best they had all year, with the offensive line opening holes and the backs running hard. Other than the one long touchdown run, the Disciples defense held the Crusaders potent offense at bay with their blitzing, attacking style. The area of greatest improvement for the team over last year has been the development of its special teams, especially in the kicking game.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! On Saturday, September 6, at 1pm the Disciples play the Fairfax Kings at Ettrick Park, 20400 Laurel Road, Ettrick, VA.

Come out and support our Disciples!

By Dave Watson