No one in N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association football had played a tougher schedule through three games. Christ School paid the price with a bevy of injuries, meaning that new and familiar faces alike needed to step up Friday.
And step up, the Greenies did.
Bryce Sain ’22 bounced off and eluded Charlotte Providence Day tacklers all night, while fellow senior A.J. Simpkins ’22 threw long touchdown passes on the run to Triston Ward ‘23 and Zack Myers ’24 in a 25-21 home win.
Local television station WMYA (40) broadcast the game and presented Christ School (1-3) with the Friday Night Rivals trophy afterwards. The Chargers (1-3) had driven all the way down to the Greenie 11-yard-line on their final possession but ran out of time.
“I’m very excited, I told these men I’m excited for them and the way they practiced this week, the way they learned to fight for four quarters,” Coach Chad Walker said.
“They understood that it was a street fight and we took it down to the last tick. And I’m super-excited for these guys and the way they are coming together, we fight for each other, and this victory is on them.”
The Christ School defense gave the team a short field for its first possession, and the Greenies took advantage, driving 55 yards. Bryce carried for an 11-yard touchdown at the 9:07 mark of the opening quarter.
From there, A.J. connected to Triston (66 yards) and Zack (59) after being flushed out of the pocket on both throws.
Bryce put the Greenies ahead for good with a 19-yard rush that occurred with only 5:38 to play.
Providence Day started from its 19-yard line and had plenty of clock to work with, but an incomplete pass and Chargers penalty on the final play of the game was how it ended.
Christ School’s first three opponents – Corbin (Ky.), Maiden, and Rabun Gap (Ga.) have a combined 13-1 record and the task at hand does not get any easier. The Greenies travel to undefeated Charlotte Latin on for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Friday.
More photos from the Providence Day game can be found at this link.