November 22, 2008Playing their third game in eight days, the Disciples defeated the Georgia Force 36-7 to win the National Homeschool Division 2 Championship and finish 11-2, their best record in four seasons. The Disciples came back strong from a heartbreaking loss to the Maryland Christian Saints in the MidAtlantic Christian Conference championship game and a loss on Thursday to the Springfield (Missouri) Chargers, who went on to win the National Homeschool Division 1 Championship. Nate Hollis, whose desire to play high school football 4 years ago gave birth to the Disciples, led the way in his final game with 152 yards and 3 touchdowns rushing, a touchdown pass and an interception on defense. Kyle Robeson caught a touchdown pass and ran for a touchdown. The Disciples overcame injuries to several key players and having 4 touchdowns called back on penalties to finish with a strong effort in which all the players who made the trip to Florida played and contributed.
Playing on a cool, sunny afternoon in Panama City Beach, Florida, the Disciples showed determination to finish well in their final game by taking the opening kickoff and driving 87 yards for a touchdown. Nate Hollis scored on a 6-yard run, and on the conversion found Kyle Robeson in the back corner of the end zone on a pass that threaded 3 Force defenders for an 8-0 lead. The Force responded with a drive of their own, with quarterback Michael Francis scoring on a 5-yard run. After that, however, the Disciples defense stiffened and did not allow another score.
At the beginning of the second quarter, following a remarkable 66-yard punt by the Force, the Disciples mounted a 72-yard scoring drive capped by a 35-yard Nate Hollis touchdown run. Kyle Robeson ran in the conversion for a 16-7 lead. On the first play following the kickoff, Matthew Haymon and Jon Watson blasted the Force runner in the backfield, causing a fumble which was recovered by Ron Robeson on the Force 27. Nate Hollis ran in a touchdown from the 20 and the Disciples led 22-7, which was the halftime score.
The first half featured strong play by both the offense and defense, and the special teams contributed with strong kickoff coverage tackles by Matt Reber and Jonathan Kinker.
The Disciples defense was intense in the first possession of the second half, forcing the Force to punt on 4th and 20. The Disciples offense drove quickly for another touchdown, with Kyle Robeson scoring on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Nate Hollis. Jared Simmons scored the conversion and the Disciples led 30-7. Later in the Third Quarter Jared Simmons finished off the scoring with a strong 16-yard touchdown run, breaking several tackles along the way. The Disciples coaches substituted liberally throughout the second half, but the second team and JV players who got the chance played well and kept up the offensive and defensive pressure on the Force.
After the game and a time of fellowship and prayer with the Force team, the Disciples spent some final time as a team reflecting on the season. Coach Hollis recognized the contributions of many of the players this year, and thanked his assistant coaches. He also singled out two non-players who have made a significant contribution to the Disciples over the past few years – equipment manager/assistant coach Nick Rollogas and statistician extraordinary Matt Boyd. Coach Tim Rollogas thanked the coaches’ wives for their contribution to and support for the team.
The Disciple players and the many family and friends who made the 15-hour trip to Panama City Beach had a great time at the Laguna Beach Christian Resort. The weather was unseasonably cool for Florida, but it was bright and sunny and the beaches and grounds were beautiful.
This MACC Championship game and the National Homeschool Tournament marked the end of the final season for the Disciples graduating seniors: Andrew Wells, Josh Gilleland, Josh Barner, Devin Griffin, Stephen Hale, Ron Robeson, Daniel Ryan, Jonathan Kinker, Nathan Hollis, Jon Watson, Kyle Robeson and Josh Clements. Their contributions and leadership will be greatly missed.
On a personal note, the end of this season is a bittersweet moment. For the first time since its inception four year ago, next year I will not have a son playing Disciples football. Our family has been through the early days when we all wondered if we would have enough players who knew how to put on the equipment to field a team. The nights at the ROC when we lined up cars with their headlights shining on the field so the team could practice after dark. The 55-6 loss in the only full game we played the first year (and those of us who were in attendance on that cold rainy night remember the game wasn’t really as close as the score would indicate). The strides the team made the second year, including winning our first ever home game (the only home game of the season). Turning the corner our third year, with a stunning upset of Massanutten Military Academy that triggered a 6-game win streak. A 10-game winning streak this year and an opportunity to play in the post-season National Homeschool Tournament in Florida.
In looking back over the past 4 years, it is abundantly clear that God has richly blessed the Disciples and answered the prayers of many players and their parents. I know Disciples football has been a tremendous blessing to my family, particularly my two sons, and we pray that God will continue to bless the team over the years. And a special thank you to Coach Dave Hollis – there is no high school football coach in America we would rather have had our sons play for!
Soli Del Gloria!
By Dave Watson
