Quarterback Darren Owens outraced the LCA defense to the endzone but had it called back for holding.
LAWRENCEVILLE- Many came expecting plenty of big plays for this one and they would not be disappointed as Liberty Christian Academy would get all they could handle against Brunswick. The game didn’t quite start as such however.
Liberty Christian first play handing off to Nicholas Anderson for a 56-yard run that would be called back for holding as the drive would not muster much after that.
Brunswick was eager to show what they could do as star quarterback Darren Owens would run the read option perfectly and race down the home sideline 63 yards for the touchdown to have it called back for holding as well. That flag would have a big hit on Brunswick.
The visitors would not mess around as this time LCA would march inside the 10 of Brunswick and Anderson would do the honors from 1-yard out to make it 6-0 with 4:19 left in the 1st. Brunswick would struggle like a boxer trying to stay up but would have to punt. Next Nic Moncion would surprise Brunswick’s defense with his speed and would go 65-yards for the touchdown with 2:35 left in the first.
Strachan didn't get credit for the score but LCA stil cashed in.
After another quick possession, LCA would get the ball and quarterback Grant Johnson would find Michael Strachan for a big gain. The play was actually a touchdown as Strachan used his 6 foot 5 frame to stretch for the score and keeping his hips off the ground while reaching across the goal line. The missed call would matter as Anderson would go in from a yard out making it 20-0 Liberty Christian at the 10:56 left before halftime.
Matt Terrell and LCA defense would make it hard for the Brunswick runners as another drive with stall out. On a deep pass on the sideline Strachan would suffer a shoulder injury after landing awkward on a catch attempt. Soon after Brunswick’s James Phillips would make the play to energize his team by making an interception off a tipped pass.
Owens would capitalize off the great play of his teammate as he would find Treven Easter for a 38-yard touchdown pass completion at the 4:19 mark of the 2nd. The momentum had shifted to Brunswick at the teams would go into the half 20-6.
“Our team motto is ‘We all we got, we all we need.’ “said Coach Harold Williams. The Bulldogs showed they were playing against the odds and were ready to turn things around.
In the second half, Brunswick would march down the field and would get drive down the field but would face a 4th and long. Owens would maneuver from the clutches of Terrell and would go 22 yards down to the LCA 6-yard line. Brunswick out of the shotgun would have the snap go over the head of Owens in which would be recovered by Easter. Later in the drive Logan Lingenfelter would intercept a pass forced by the defensive front’s pressure that looked to be returned for a 99-yard pick six but would be called back for a block in the back.
Brunswick’s defense would hold and they would drive into LCA territory to make up for the previous drive. Owens while rolling to his left would get knocked out of bounds but would take a late hit that would keep him out for a few plays. Coach Williams would turn to Easter to run the offense out the wildcat. LCA would get shocked as Easter would throw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Gillus to cut the lead to 20-12 with 2:49 left in the 3rd.
With the team seeming deflated from letting Brunswick back in it, Coach Frank Rocco would turn to Moncion to give them the spark they need. Moncion would find a crease but would have the ball popped out his hands as it looked like he was going to be off to the races. Brunswick would then move the football steadily with runs from Easter, Owens, and Ahdarius Jackson.
Anderson finds a hole to get closer to his 3rd touchdown of the day for LCA.
Following a big run to the homeside pylon by Easter, Owens would muscle his way into the endzone to cut the lead to 20-18. At this point the visiting LCA crowd was nearly silent as the team hadn’t threaten to score since early in the 2nd quarter. They would find the defensive speed of Brunswick taking its toll as Liberty Christian would find themselves seeing the game slip away. On their punt to Brunswick they would get the golden ticket as a return man went after a punt that he couldn’t handle and would see Liberty recover with 6: 54 left in the third. And soon after it would be a touchdown by Anderson from 4-yard run to make it 27-18 Stephen Campbell’s big extra point had locked the lead.
Moncion would get break 3 tackles along the visitors sideline and go 40-yards for the touchdown for aided insurance to make it 34-18 as the Liberty Christian crowd gave a huge sigh of relief as they escaped Lawrenceville with the victory.
“One thing about us is we how a talented team. We are young and haven’t played together, stated Coach Harold Williams. Once they come together and realize what they have something special is going to happen for them.”
Playing this game will surely show LCA some things they can play for going forward. It was a big test for Brunswick as it showed how well they can play against some of the top players in the state. Coach Williams doesn’t shy from any competition.
“We want to be challenged and we want to be pushed as we have young men with goals to play at the next level. If you want to play on the next level you have to show yourself against that talent for the next level. That competition will just make us better.”
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN 6 14 0 14 - 34
BRUNSWICK 0 6 6 6 - 18
LC- Anderson 1-yard run (kick failed)
LC- Moncion 65-yard run (Steven Campbell kick)
LC- Anderson 1-yard run (Campbell kick)
B- Easter 38-yard pass from Owens (run failed)
B- Gillus 15-yard pass from Easter (run failed)
B- Owens 2-yard run (run failed)
LC- Anderson 4-yard run (Campbell kick)
LC- Moncion 40-yard run (Campbell kick)
ESSEX 26 KING GEORGE 8 (Thursday Night)
Rasaun Monroe pair of touchdowns helped propel the Trojans to victory over the Foxes of King George. It was a pick six by Tim Johnson that iced the game as he returned it 65 yards for a touchdown. Essex will host King William on Friday.
BRUTON 32 KING WILLIAM 24 (Thursday Night)
The Panthers Greg Dockery played great to help lead Bruton to the upset win over King William. Bruton’s defense for pressured sophomore qb Ryan Huffman into throwing 4 interceptions on that night. Huffman had 84 yards rushing while Taige Brown added 64 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Easter worked hard all night to get the chains moving for the Bulldogs.
REGION A SCORES
Franklin 42 Arcadia 22
Lancaster 64 King & Queen 0
Middlesex 40 Mathews 21 (Thursday)
Nandua 25 Windsor 14
Randolph-Henry 46 Colonial Beach 38
Rappahannock 35 West Point 0
Southampton 20 Charles City 8
