If last week was the wake-up call for Christ School varsity football, then Friday was a chance to sound a few alarms, too.
The Greenies reminded everyone in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association why there is so much buzz around the team with a 14-13 win at previously-undefeated Charlotte Providence Day.
Aydan White ’20 returned the opening kickoff of the second half 92 yards for a touchdown, slicing his way through the Chargers’ coverage. Christ School (4-1) took the lead for good late in the third quarter, when Navy Shuler ’20 hit Cade Mintz ’21 with a 14-yard pass. Henry Duggins ’20 tacked on his second extra point, with that kick proving to be the difference.
The Greenies bucked the odds, both in the leadup to Homecoming Night for the Chargers (5-1) and in the game itself – Christ School had two touchdowns negated by penalties, and three trips inside the Providence Day 30-yard line that resulted in no points. The Greenie defense spent the lion’s share of the game on the field, but came up strong, time and time again.
Friday was the first action for Christ School since a 25-7 loss at Charlotte Latin on Sept. 27, a defeat that occurred at the start of Fall Break.
“We have a mentality: No excuses, just results,” Greenies coach Nick Luhm said.
“These guys live it. We were ready to get back out and battle tonight. We didn’t meet some goals in that last game and we used the long weekend as a positive. We’ve told these guys, it doesn’t matter what level you play at, high school, college or the pros, sometimes it is going to be a weird schedule. They came out hungry and really stepped up tonight.”
There were big plays all around on special teams and defense, including a blocked field goal by Kiki Alcime ’20, an interception by Read Sunn ’20, and a recovered fumble by Wills Fleming ’20. Providence Day's Cody Cater was about to score on a 37-yard quarterback keeper early in the fourth quarter when Aydan jarred the ball loose. It rolled through the end zone for a touchback. Cade essentially clinched the game with a tough run in the final minute. From there, Christ School was able to run out the clock.
The Chargers are a stacked team that had outscored opponents, 157-39, prior to facing the Greenies. Even in defeat, Providence Day held a postgame announcement Friday for defensive lineman Jacolbe Cowan. The senior gave his verbal commitment to Ohio State University. Defensive end Kedrick Bingley-Jones is a University of North Carolina commit.
The next game for the Greenies is at home, and a personal affair that will be televised on WMYA-TV (40). Christ School lost 43-14, to Charlotte Christian in last year’s NCISAA Division I state-championship game. The present version of the Knights (3-2) beat Trinity Christian, 28-20, on Friday.