Warriors cruise past Cougars

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Russell Christian Academy's Arik Washington breaks loose from the Calvary Christian School defense to score a touchdown Friday night. Paula Merritt
Calvary Christian School's Josh Carraway looks for room to run against the Russell Christian Academy defense Friday night. Paula Merritt

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September 22, 2012

Warriors cruise past Cougars

By Tony Tsoukalas / Sports Writer The Meridian Star The Meridian Star Sat Sep 22, 2012, 06:30 AM CDT

MERIDIAN —     It took just took two plays on offense for Russell Christian Academy to open the scoring against Calvary Christian, as the Warriors blew out the Cougars 55-6 Friday night.

   After holding Calvary to a three-and-out on its first possession, running back John Epps busted a 43-yard run down the right sideline to put Russell Christian up 7-0.

   “It's huge to score first,” Russell Christian head coach Nate Ballard said. “It demoralizes the other team and really puts them in a hole to start.”

   Calvary almost climbed right out of that hole, as quarterback Jeremy McFadden ran 56 yards through the Warrior defense to the 4-yard line to set the Cougars up on first-and-goal.

   However, that is as far as the Cougars would get. Russell Christian would shut down the Cougars on four-straight plays to leave Calvary with nothing to show for the drive. On the very next play, Arik Washington would make the Warriors pay, as he broke free for a 94-yard touch down run to increase the lead to 14-0.

   Things would go from bad to worse for the Cougars on their next possession. Epps intercepted McFadden's pass on first down, jumping in the air and snatching the ball with one hand. The two-way player had a big game for Russell Christian, intercepting two balls on defense while carrying the ball twice for 107 yards and two touchdowns on offense.

   “I just came into the game trying to do the small things to make the big plays,” Epps said. “That's what we did tonight.”

   On the next play Russell Christian quarterback Jacob Howse would find receiver Kyle Russell on a 50-yard touchdown, as Russell pulled the ball over his shoulder and broke free from a Calvary defender to make the score 21-0. Russell had a big game for the Warriors hauling in seven catches for 92 yards and three touchdowns.

   “I would just go down the field and (Howse) would throw it up and I'd catch it,” Russell said. “It's pretty fun. If you just throw the ball up in my zone, I'll go up and get it. We have been practicing really hard.”

   Russell Christian would head into the half up 42-0, as teams agreed to run the clock in the second half to move the blowout along.

   Despite the loss, Calvary running back Josh Carraway had an impressive game for Cougars. Carraway ruined Russell Christian's bid at a shutout, as he found a seam and dashed 67 yards for a touchdown to give Calvary its only score of the day. Carraway totaled 114 yards on 10 carries on the night.

   “Russell is a great team, I just had to see what I could get,” Carraway said. “It was a great feeling to know we could score some points on their defense.”

   Calvary (2-4) will host Marvell (Ark.) Academy next week, while Russell Christian improves to 6-0 and will host Central Academy.

   “It feels great to win,” Epps said. “We are going to have a big test the last two weeks against Kemper (Academy) and Calhoun (Academy), so we are going to have to get ready.”

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