By Wil Crews
sportscrews@opelikaobserver.com
The Southern Christian Patriots dropped their season finale to the Lafayette Christian Warriors, 34-36, in LaGrange, Georgia, on Friday night.
The cold, wet evening did little to slow the two offenses, which were virtually inseparable for most of the entertaining-football-filled night. In the end, both teams exceeded their season point total averages and the Patriots offensive line paved the way for a dominant 400-yard rushing performance.
Crucially, however, two back-to-back controversial calls negated consecutive Southern Christian interceptions by senior safety Daniel Adams that could have sealed the game. Instead, the inadvertent whistles which annulled each play gave the Warriors three attempts to convert a game-changing fourth down. The Warriors did convert, and ultimately the ensuing Warrior touchdown proved to be the difference in the game.
Despite the negative result, the Patriots had numerous players perform well on both sides of the ball in an effort to play their best in the final game of the season.
Offensively, Adams led the way, rushing 18 times for 148 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore Josiah Frick completed the one-two rushing punch as he carried the ball 14 times for 158 yards and a touchdown. Frick also added two crucial two-point attempts on the ground which kept the Patriots on pace with the Warriors. Rounding out the rushing game was, Levi Marchio, who added 91 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.
With the offensive line establishing such dominance through the ground game — shout out to Brady Streetman, Gabe Frazier and Daniel Freeman — the Patriot’s passing attack was barely needed; however, Adams found Frick to boost his total another 31 yards.
Defensively, Marchio had a day to remember, leading the patriots with 13 tackles. Frick, who like most Patriots impact the game on both sides of the ball, added 11 tackles. And eighth grader Elijah Bailey had an additional eight of his own. Adams and his fellow senior Camden Chism, along with sophomore Joshua Adams each had seven. Senior Landon Hampton, sophomores Elliot French and River Nelson, freshmen Noah Freeman and Trip Vaughn and eighth grader Lawton Curran each had two.
The loss puts an unfortunate bow on Southern Christian’s second season as a program. According to maxpreps.com, the 2021 team finishes 1-7, the lone win coming on Oct. 15 against Trinity Christian. The Patriots averaged 19.25 points per game and allowed an average of 29.8, but saw many improvements from their inaugural season.