Kaden Brown ‘24 sought out contact on a cold, damp night and he found less and less takers as the game wore on.
A career-high four rushing touchdowns had to have left some scrapes and bruises Friday. Kaden and the rest of the Christ School offense embraced a smashmouth style on Senior Night, running over Cannon School, 34-21, at Fayssoux Field.
Alabama recruit Cayden Jones ’24 put the Greenies (2-6) ahead for good, carrying for a 3-yard touchdown with 26 seconds left in the third quarter. Cayden and Kaden were able to run downhill and use their physicality behind a stellar effort from the Greenie offensive line, which has continually gotten better as the season has progressed.
“That was awesome. The guys really bought into the gameplan we were looking to do this week,” Christ School coach Chad Walker said.
“We figured we had to run the ball. We looked ahead at the weather and put a lot on the guys in the trenches and our running backs. They answered the call.”
Friday’s rain picked up in intensity in the second half. By that time, Kaden had already run for scores of 4, 7, and 9 yards. His last touchdown was the longest, Kaden bounced to the outside for an 18-yard TD with 2:15 to go in the ballgame.
Christ School was ahead, 21-14, at the half and got a key special teams play from senior Vincent Lytle – he blocked a 35-yard field goal attempt by the Cougars (5-4) late in the second quarter.
Friday was the last regular-season home game for Cayden, Kaden, Vincent and 13 other seniors – Jakob Iwanek ’24, Josh Harrison ’24, Khalil Conley ’24, Morlue Eesiah ’24, Noah Fleming ’24, Noah Henthorn ’24, Ashton Parker ’24, Calvin Williams ’24, Weder Qin ’24, David Buckingham ’24, Bruce White ’24, T.J. Hamilton ’24, and William Neumann ’24.
“You talk about 16 great young men. I’m so happy for them,” Coach Walker said. “They have been building blocks for this program.”
The Greenies are on the road next week at Metrolina Christian Academy and will then await their seeding for the NCISAA state playoffs.