Lions feast on Predators' miscues
Courtesy Augusta Chronicle:

AUGUSTA CHRISTIAN 44, FOX CREEK 6

From Staff Reports
Saturday, September 06, 2008

PLAY OF THE GAME: After gaining limited yardage on the opening possession, Fox Creek botched the snap on a fourth-down punt which was recovered by the Lions around the Predators' 20. Three plays later and Augusta Christian had all the points they would need.

WHY AUGUSTA CHRISTIAN WON: An opportunistic offense that capitalized on several Predators' miscues on special teams. The Lions took over inside Fox Creek's 25-yard line three times and scored three touchdowns.

WHY FOX CREEK LOST: Special teams and penalties. According to Fox Creek coach Russell Schneider , the team that showed so much spunk and grit against Silver Bluff last week did not get off the bus a week later. The Predators were flagged for a pair of personal fouls.

STAR OF THE GAME: In just over a half of action, Lions senior quarterback William Banks passed for 128 yards and a touchdown and added 76 yards and another score on the ground.

QUOTE: "We challenged our defense this week to really turn it up a notch and get 11 hats to the football and I thought they did a good job of that in the second half. We did benefit offensively from having a real short field. ... Coach Schneider and his staff are trying to build a program and it takes time. You don't do it overnight, we've been there and done that." -- Augusta Christian coach Bruce Lane

- "We just have to get some things together. We were a little unorganized and we have to get some people into positions to where we can play some football. This isn't the same group that played against Silver Bluff, not by any means, and that's my fault. Me and my staff are going to do what it takes to fix it." -- Schneider

 

AUGUSTA CHRISTIAN 44, FOX CREEK 6

Augusta Christian 17 20 7 0 -- 44
Fox Creek 0 0 0 6 -- 6

First Quarter
AC--Cole Turner 5 run (Steven Bloedel kick)
AC--Cole Turner 5 run (Bloedel kick)
AC--Bloedel 35 FG

Second Quarter
AC--Cameron Hoover 7 run (kick failed)
AC--William Banks 24 run (Bloedel kick)
AC--Cory Kupitz 18 run (Bloedel kick)

Third Quarter
AC--Evan Wells 65 pass from William Banks (Bloedel kick)

Fourth Quarter
FC--Trevor Richter 12 run (run failed)

AC FC
First Downs 9 4
Rushes-Yards 26-134 23-52
Passing Yards 129 41
Comp.-Att.-Int. 8-14-0 2-11-0
Fumbles-Lost 0 3-3
Punts-Yards 2-23 6-28
Penalties-Yards 8-75 6-55

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Fox Creek: Trevor Richter 5-16, Taylor Bishop 6-17.
PASSING--Fox Creek: Trevor Richter 2-11
RECEIVING--Fox Creek: Troy Johnson 2-11.

Records: Fox Creek 0-2. Next: Fox Creek at Midland Valley, 7:30 p.m., Friday.

Augusta Christian hands Laurence Manning its first loss

AUGUSTA CHRISTIAN 13, LAURENCE MANNING 9

From Staff Reports
Saturday, September 20, 2008

MANNING, S.C. --- Quarterback William Banks and place-kicker Stephen Bloedel helped Augusta Christian hand Laurence Manning its first loss of the season.

Banks rushed for 65 yards and passed for 104, including a 44-yard touchdown to Caleb Harmon in the Fourth Quarter. Bloedel hit field goals of 27 and 20 yards for the Lions (4-1).

Thursday Night Thriller: Augusta Christian downs OPS
(Courtesy of the Times and Democrat)

First game. First loss. Big reason for optimism.

For Adam Holmes and the Orangeburg Prep Indians, a couple of key turnovers proved to be the difference in a deceiving 42-27 regular-seasoning opening loss to Augusta Christian Thursday night at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. OPS had the ball, down 28-27, with 8:34 to play in the game when Indians’ quarterback Thomas Plumb, who was an impressive 12 of 22 passing for 223 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in his first game operating a spread offense, was picked off by an Augusta Christian defender near the goal line. Augusta Christian, the runners up for the Class AAA state title last season and the second-ranked team in the classification this season, went on to score two late touchdowns and pull away for the victory.

Read the entire article here

 

Quick Slants

The 2008 Augusta Christian Lions recently completed the 2nd annual Week of Champions Competition at Pride Valley. The Lions were divided into 8 teams (Honesty, Loyalty, Steadfast, Sacrifice, Strength, Discipline, Integrity, and Respect) and they competed each day to become the Champions. When the points were tallied Team Sacrifice was the winner with Team Honesty finishing second. The Team finished the week with breakfast at McDonalds after Fridays Workout.

FCA Sponsored Passing League Continues Through June

Christian Croft and Jackson Whitley Attended UGA Football Camp.

Caleb Harmon Attended Wofford Football Camp.

Adam McKinney ’04 returns for Senior Season at Presbyterian College.

Booster Fees due now, Ad Sales Due July 8th or $300.00 for Football Shoe/Camp Package.

Lions Receive State Honors

The High School Sports Report (a South Carolina based tabloid) has honored 4 members of the 2007 State Runner up team. Seniors Tyler Bourdo (QB), Travis Cerasuolo (P/LB), Jay Harmon (RB), and Junior Wide Reciever William Banks were named to the HSSR annual All-State Team and Head Coach Bruce Lane was named the AAA Coach of the Year.

AAA State Finals: Augusta Christian 14, Hammond 17

Click here for Augusta Chronicle Story

AC Defeat Wilson Hall 17-3 in State Semis

It had been been exactly 2 years since Augusta Christian and Wilson Hall faced off in football. The 1st meeting saw the Lions win the state semi final matchup by blocking a punt with less than a minute left to squeak out a nail biter. All eyes were on Sumter as the 10-2 Lions visited the 11-0 Barons in what a game that promised excitement and delivered.

The game was like a boxing match with both teams throwing jabs to feel each other out  in the 1st quarter. Neither team moved the ball particularly well and that was due to great defensive pressure applied by both teams. The Lions were 1st to strike a major blow was Tyler Bourdo connected with Evan Wells on a 33 yard jumpball TD pass. The PAT by Bloedel would be good. The score was 7-0 at the half.

The 2nd half featured more defense. The Barons were able to put up a field goal in the 3rd quarter. That is when the Lions defense would take over. After penalties would back the Barons up in their own territory , Lion defensive back Cameron Taylor would pick off a pass and run it back to the 3 yard line. Jay Harmon would then plunge in to make the score 13-3. The Bloedel kick was good to make the score 14-3 with 8 minutes left. On the next possession after moving the ball the Barons would fall prey to the Lions secondary again. This time it was Micah Herriman who would pick off his 7th pass of the year. A Bloedel field goal would make the score 17-3.

Lions Win 39-7 Against Pinewood Prep in 1st Round of Playoffs

Lions make statement after Panthers' gesture 110307 - The Augusta Chronicle

Lions Fall Short vs. Hammond 28-21

Augusta Chronicle Recap by Billy Byler

AC Win Against Heathwood Hall: 42-21

Augusta Christian would attempt to do something it has never done at Heathwood Hall; win. It turned out to be a beautiful night In Columbia as the Lions would try and stop the high powered attack of the Highlanders. Two early interceptions, one by Micah Herriman and the other by Matt Rogers led to Jay Harmon TD runs. The Highlanders would come storming back with 56 yard TD. After a few sputtering drives by the Lions it looks as if Heathwood would add points to the board as they marched down the field during a 2 minute drill at the end of the half. That is when Tyler Bourdo would make the play that would turn the momentum of the game around. He would intercept a pas and return the ball 74 yards for a huge TD to give the Lions a 21-7 lead at the half.

The 2nd half would feature running back by committee as many different Lions would take turns carrying the football. Corey Critell led all rushers with 123 yards on 13 carries followed by William Banks' 94 yards. Overall it was the ground attack which worked well for the Lions who rushed for 334 yards on the night. That coupled  with a defense that forced 3 turnovers and recorded 5 sacks proved all that was needed for another region victory.

Lions Defeat Cardinal Newman 48-7

It was Homecoming night at Pride Valley as Augusta Christian took on region foe Cardinal Newman. The Cardinals jumped out quickly as Augusta Christian could not find the "on" switch early. After the visiting team jumped out to a 7-0 lead , the Lions scored 48 unanswered to win in a  48-7 rout.

The Lions would be led by Jay Harmon who had 8 attempts for for 129 yards with 1 TD. Corey Critell would also score in the 1st quarter on a 48 yard run. Critell would end up with 88 yards on 3 attempts. Travis Cerasuolo and Tyler Bourdo would add rushing TDs for the Lions and Willian Banks would score on a 41 yard punt return.

The Lions were very efficient  in the air led by Sophomore Evan Wells who had 2 catches for 43 yards. Both catches would be for touchdowns.

The Lions travel to Heathwood Hall next week for another region matchup

Week 7 Results: Augusta Christian 51, Ben Lippen 38

The Lions took a road trip to Columbia to play the Ben Lippen Falcons Friday night. It was a matchup between 2 Top 5 teams as Ben Lippen dropped 2 spots to #4 after getting beat by Heathwood Hall in week 6. The #5 ranked Lions got off to a quick start shutting down the Falcon offense and scoring on a Jay Harmon 30 yard run on their 2nd offensive play from scrimmage. Tyler Bourdo would join the scoring party on the next drive with a 17 yard run. Bourdo would find the endzone again in the 1st quarter on a 1 yard run making the 1st quarter score 21-0.

The Falcons would strike back in the 2nd quarter with a TD of their own but the Lions were quick to answer with yet another Bourdo TD run. Harmon and Bourdo would add another TD apiece in the 2nd quarter before the Falcons would score with less than a minute to go in the 2nd quarter. The Lions were able to add a Steven Bloedel field goal as time expired to make the 1st half score 44-14.

The 2nd half would see the Lions starters with very limited action. William Banks would score on the Lions longest drive of the night(8 plays).

The Lions amassed a 336 yards on the ground along with 34 in he air. Both Jay Harmon and Tyler Bourdo broke the century mark on the ground with fullback Corey Critell chipping on 52. Cole Turner led all defenders with 9 total tackles followed by Travis Cerasuolo and Will Harper bith with 6.

AC Win Against Hilton Head Christian 42-14

The defending AA SCISA champions came to town Friday night to face off against Augusta Christian. It was the 1st time the Eagles have visited Augusta and the Lions definitely did not roll out the welcome mat for them. On the Lions 1st drive the Lions were very efficient marching down the field led by Tyler Bourdo's 4 for 5 passing. The drive was capped off by a 6 yard TD run by Jay Harmon. The Lions would strike again in the 1st quarter when Corey Critell made his first visit into the endzone this season after a 22 yard run.

In the 2nd quarter signal caller Tyler Bourdo would find the endzone and the Lions looked to be cruising. The Eagles would not give up and after marching down the field connected on a 25 yard TD pass. The next kickoff would see fireworks. Junior return man William Banks set a new school record by returning the ball 98 yards to make the score 28-7.HHCA would score another TD with less than a minute left in the half and it would be the last that they would score.

The 2nd half belonged to the Lion defense. This game saw the Lions force 5 turnovers including 3 in he 2nd half which stalled the Eagle offense. All four members of the Lions secondary had their hand in a turnover. Austin Matthews, Micah Herriman and Matt Rogers all had interceptions while Cameron Taylor and Matthews had fumble recoveries.

Jay Harmon would add 2 second half  TDs for the Lions.

Lions Beat Porter Gaud 21-7

Although the Cyclones were coming to town it was the 1st clear Friday night at Pride Valley for Augusta Christian football this year. Although the Lions matched their season low point output; it was still enough to defeat Porter Gaud from Charleston. After a scoreless 1st quarter Jay Harmon would put the Lions on the scoreboard first with a 2 yard TD run. The extra point would turn out to be no good. Quarterback Tyler Bourdo would add another TD and a 2 point conversion to make the halftime score 14-0. Porter Gaud would strike in the 3rd quarter but the Lions would match them with another Harmon TD after Cole Turner picked off a pass and took it to the 1 yard line.

The Lions tallied 236 yards of rushing led by Jay Harmon with 92 yards and 2 TDs. Corey Critell would add 69 yards on 14 carries. Defensively the Lions were led by Travis Cerasuolo who had 8 tackles and Orrealus Harris who also had 8 along with a QB sack.

AC Defeats Fox Creek 52-8

It was a rainy night for football and if there is going to be a game for a paddle there might as well be plenty of  water involved. After a delayed start and slight weather delay after the 1st quarter, the Lions went on to a 52-8 victory over cross river rival Fox Creek. In the 2nd annual Battle for the Paddle ACS went on to rack up 376 total yards of offense.

The Lions had 206 yards on the ground led by Jay Harmon's 12 rushes for 113 yards and 2 TDs. Despite the wet weather the passing attack was also in full swing as Tyler Bourdo threw 3 TD passes and piled up 150 yards through the air. Catching 2 of those TDs was William Banks, while Evan Wells added 1.

The Lions will face perennial power Porter Gaud next week at Pride Valley.

Lions Win Agains Pinewood Prep 42-28

Augusta Christian made its 1st ever trip to Pinewood Prep Friday night to face the Panthers in a much anticipated AAA battle. Pinewood Prep has been one of the hottest teams in SCISA, starting off 2-0 while the Lions started off the season at 1-1. AC started off very quickly on offense as Tyler Bourdo hit Daniel Hobbs on a 50 yard pass to take the Lions inside the 10. Jay Harmon would cap he drive off with an 8 yard run. Harmon would finish the night with 170 yards on 19 carries.

The passing game would continue to click as Tyler Bourdo was able to connect with sophomore Evan Wells on 2 TD strikes of 25 yards 12 yards. William Banks  would also be n the receiving end of a 41 yard Bourdo pass. The Panthers would score making the halftime score 25-6

The second half would feature more of the ground game from AC as Jay Harmon would score on a run of 65 yards and Tyler Bourdo would also score on a 1 yard run. Kicker Steven Bloedel would add a 23 yard field goal for the Lions.

The Lions defense was able to help the offense by creating 6 turnovers. Micah Herriman and William Banks both had 2 interceptions apiece and Steven Bloedel and Oreallus Harris both added a fumble recovery. The Lions were able to hold the Panthers high powered offense to 161 yards passing and 86 yards on the ground.

Lions Fall Short Against Charlotte Latin 42-21

The Lions played host to Charlotte Latin Friday night. The Hawks came in ranked 3rd in the city of Charlotte and showed off their high powered offensive attack by scoring on their 1st offensive play from scrimmage. The Lions did not back down and moved the ball well against the Hawks. However turnovers plagued the Lions and the Hawks were able to capitalize on them. After getting down 14-0 , Evan Wells was in the right place at the right time as he scooped up a Lion fumble and ran 40 yards for a TD. But the turnoverswould leave the Lions down 35-7 at half.

The second half would be a different story as the Lions would outscore the Hawks 14-7. The Lions travel to Pinewood Prep next week for an important SCISA matchup.

Week 1 Results: Lions 49, Orangeburg Prep 6

It didn't take long for the Lions to start their 2007 campaign. The Lions capitalized on four turnovers to defeat the OP Indians 49-7. The defensive surge was led by Travis Cerasuolo. He ended the game with 2 picks , one of which he returned for a touchdown. Newcomers on defense also helped the Lion cause. Defensive lineman  Patrick Dross also picked off a tipped pass and rambled 17 yards into the endzone. Austin Matthews also blocked a punt to give the Lions great field position.

And that's all the Lions offense would need to put the ball into the endzone. The offensive attack was led by Tyler Bourdo who scored on 4 of his 5 rushes and ended up with 51 yards total. Corey Critell also added 5 rushes for 34 yards and Jay Harmon had 68 yards on 7 carries while getting in the endzone once.