MERIDIAN —
Ice rolled off of head coach Nate Ballard's back as the final seconds ticked off the scoreboard sealing a 35-26 win against visiting Calhoun Academy and giving Russell Christian Academy its first district title in school history.
Fans were promised an exciting matchup, as the two undefeated schools faced off Friday night in the last game off the regular season, and the home crowd at Russell Christian Academy did not go home disappointed.
Russell Christian came out of the gates blazing, as the Warriors took only three plays and 25 seconds to take a 6-0 lead on a 9-yard touchdown run from running back Arik Washington.
After forcing the Cougars to punt on their first possession, Russell Christian was right back at it on offense. John Epps took a handoff and bounced to the far sidelines for a 40-yard touchdown three plays later, and after a two-point conversion Russell had a dominating 14-0 lead.
“We really challenged our kids,” Ballard said. “What really motivated us this week was, we kept hearing Calhoun was more physical. We felt like we needed to prove a point, and we did tonight.”
The Cougars would not go quietly, however, as Calhoun marched back on a 10-play touchdown drive, ending on a 9-yard run from running back Kyle Carter.
In the second quarter it was Washington again, as the big back busted through the Cougar defense for 41 yards and a score to put the Warriors up 21-6. Washington led Russell Christian on the night, carrying the ball 17 times for 123 yards and three touchdowns.
“It felt great,” Washington said. “I just did it for my team. I just wanted to do it for my teammates and my team.”
With time ticking down in the first half, Calhoun was able to punch in a touchdown with 14 seconds left to bring the score to 21-14. The Cougars received the ball to start the second half with an opportunity to tie the game and switch momentum. However, the Warrior defense came up big, stopping Calhoun on a three-and-out and forcing the Cougars to punt.
On the ensuing drive, Washington punished Calhoun for a final time, finding his way in the end one for a third time, this time from 14 yards out to make the score 28-14.
Calhoun battled back to bring the game within 28-20. The score remained that way until the forth quarter, when Ballard and the Warriors were faced with a tough decision on fourth-and-inches at the Cougar 40-yard line. Ballard decided to march his team back out on the field and handed the ball to his go-to-back Washington, who made the gamble a success with a 17-yard rush behind the left side of the line.
“That was the ballgame right there,” Ballard said. “We went to our jumbo package and went to our big side. We put our two big guards in there, and Wesley Kelly and Dustin Kellogg busted a hole for us.”
After the game, Calhoun players ran off the field declining to meet afterwards with the Warriors. With a possible rematch in the state title game Nov. 9, the gesture is something Warrior players said they will remember.
When asked if there he felt animosity towards Calhoun after the game, Washington had only this to say, “They will get it in November.”
Sports
Related Photos
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Russell Christian Academy's Arik Washington bulls his way through the middle of Calhoun Academy's defense Friday night. Paula Merritt
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Russell Christian Academy's Ashton Temple finds running room in the secondary against Calhoun Academy Friday night. Paula Merritt
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Russell Christian Academy's Kyle Russell hauls in a pass reception against Calhoun Academy Friday night. Paula Merritt
Discussion
District champs: Warriors top Cougars for crown
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