HCA Dominates in the Opening Round of State Playoffs

PThe Harrells Christian Academy football team found their rhythm again on Friday night against Cannon School. The Crusaders have struggled in recent weeks to find their groove on the offensive side of the ball but they turned their struggles around on Friday night in their 49-13 win.

The Crusader defense gave their offense many scoring opportunities throughout the night. The HCA defense did not allow the Cougars to find the end zone in the first half. The Crusaders however, found the end zone early after a forced punt by the defense. Marcus Scarborough scampered into the end zone from 37 yards out to give the Crusaders an early 7-0 lead.

The Crusaders forced yet another punt and marched straight down the field. The Cougar defense however forced the Crusaders to turn the ball over on downs on the goal line. The Crusader defense answered right back with a statement of their own. OH Rouse intercepted a pass from Cannon quarterback Bryce Estes and returned the ball 7 yards for a touchdown.

The Crusader defense came up with a blocked punt that gave the Crusaders the ball on the Cougar 26 yard line in the early stages of the second quarter. HCA running back, Marcus Scarborough found the end zone on the ensuing play on a 26 yard touchdown run to extend the HCA lead to 21-0 with 10:52 left to play in the second quarter.

The Crusaders then forced another punt and marched down the field to find the end zone one final time before the half on another touchdown run from Marcus Scarborough from 45 yards out.

The Crusaders went into halftime with a 28-0 lead and would not look back. Marcus Scarborough headed into the half with 155 yards on 13 carries and 3 touchdowns.

After failed possessions by both teams the Crusaders punched the ball into the end zone on a 6 yard touchdown run by Quinton Faison to lengthen the HCA lead to 35-0 with 4:22 left in the third quarter.
The Cougars finally found the end zone on a 19 yard touchdown pass to tighten the scoring margin to 35-7.

The Crusaders forced the Cougars to turn the ball over on downs giving the Crusaders the ball back on the Cougar 47. The Crusaders marched down the field and capped off the drive with a two yard quarterback keeper by OH Rouse for a touchdown. The Cougars answered with a 16 yard touchdown pass to make the score 42-13 with 11:54 left to play in the game.

The Crusaders ran the clock out for the remainder of the game and found the end zone one final time on a one yard touchdown run by Will Huff to seal the 49-13 victory over Cannon School.

Marcus Scarborough finished the game with 168 yards on 19 carries and 3 touchdowns. Quinton Fasion also broke the 100 yard mark on 15 carries and 1 touchdown. Both Davonta Best and OH Rouse grabbed an interception for the Crusaders to help seal a victory over the Cougars.

The Crusaders advance to the second round of the NCISAA Division II State Playoffs where they will take on the #1 seeded Davidson Day School. The Crusaders and Patriots have hashed it out the past 5 years in tightly contested, high scoring battles. The Crusaders however, have not found a way to come out with a win over the Patriots in previous years but look to overcome recent history and advance to the state championship game.