Category: Lighthouse

Clayton State, Lighthouse Dominate Division Championships, Setting Up Title Tilt

After Saturday’s action, the stage is now set for the first-ever New South Conference Football Championship.

Clayton State asserted control and defeated the Apprentice School 42-13 on Saturday at Steele Road Stadium in Morrow, Georgia, clinching the NSAC North Division championship.

The Lakers opened the scoring early in the first quarter when Zsewaun Smith powered into the end zone from three yards out, putting the Lakers ahead 7-0. The Builders responded with a 3-yard run by Alvin Hicks, knotting the game at 7-7. But Clayton State took over before the quarter ended, with quarterback Sire Hardaway throwing a 43-yard touchdown pass to Savion West, and Avon Findley running in from a yard out to cap the opening stanza on a 20-7 lead.

The second quarter saw the Lakers extend their lead when Ray Storey intercepted a pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown. That made it 28-7 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Clayton State delivered the knockout blow on a single play: Smith found Clenton Rafe on an 80-yard touchdown pass. That put the Lakers ahead 35-7. And in the fourth quarter, after a short scoring push by the Builders, a 1-yard run by Kendall Hunt, the Lakers answered with a 72-yard pass from Hardaway to West, sealing the 42-13 outcome.

Clayton State outgained the Builders 495 yards to 313, including 352 passing yards and 143 rushing yards. The Builders managed 240 passing yards and 96 rushing yards. Turnovers also hurt the Builders with three fumbles lost, while Clayton State lost one.

For the Lakers, Hardaway was 14-24 passing for 272 yards and two TDs, while Smith added the 80-yard scoring strike and also rushed for 94 yards and a TD.

For the Builders, Kendall Hunt completed 11 of 28 for 240 yards, but threw two interceptions and no touchdowns.

The win moves Clayton State to 8-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play. Apprentice School falls to 5-4 overall, 3-1 in conference.

Also on Saturday afternoon, Lighthouse Christian ran away from Atlantis 48-6 in Milton, Florida to lock up the South Division Championship with an 8-1 overall record and 3-1 in conference play. The Makos were led by Kemontre Current’s stellar defensive performance with four interceptions, including three consecutive pick-sixes to put the game away.

That sets the stage for the inaugural New South Athletic Conference football championship between Clayton State and Lighthouse on November 15 at Steele Road Stadium.

Photo by Keith Johnston on Unsplash

Makos Run Wild in 55–14 Victory Over Gordon State

GULF BREEZE, Fl. – On a breezy, balmy Saturday afternoon at Gulf Breeze Stadium, the Lighthouse Christian College Makos welcomed the Gordon State Highlanders for a matchup that promised excitement—and the game did not disappoint. In a dominant 55–14 win, the Makos combined offensive precision with defensive power to put on a complete team performance.

The Makos’ offense was electric from start to finish, scoring seven total touchdowns. Brenden Hall, Kobe Donnally, Jaxson Fillmore, Jamarkus Jefferson, Kemontre Current, Isaiah Gildersleeve, and Deonte Reinhardt each added a touchdown. Reinhardt’s touchdown came on a thrilling kickoff return that sent the home crowd into a frenzy. Kicker Logan Roberts was flawless, converting all seven PATs and tacking on two field goals to cap off the offensive fireworks.

Defensively, Lighthouse was relentless. The unit piled up nine sacks, including one each from Jaden Stuckey, Javontae Walton, Terrance Battles, and Taj Bickham; two from Bryce French; and an incredible three from Paul Gatley—one of which resulted in a key tackle for loss. The secondary was just as fierce, recording five interceptions courtesy of Aarion Riley, Javontae Walton, Justin Burks, Camelus Colley, and Tarik Thomas. Special teams even got in on the action when Kabron Purifoy blocked a field goal attempt and recovered the fumble, keeping momentum firmly in the Makos’ hands.

With another commanding win under their belts, the Makos now turn their focus to their next challenge. On Saturday, October 11, they’ll travel to Lumpkin County High School in Dahlonega, Georgia, to face The Apprentice School Builders from Newport News, Virginia. It’s shaping up to be a battle of determination and grit—but if the Makos’ latest performance is any indication, they’re more than ready to rise to the occasion.

Story and image courtesy Lighthouse Athletics

Clayton State, Lighthouse Top Preseason Predictions

In a poll of the league’s football coaches, Clayton State and Lighthouse Christian are the projected winners of the NSAC’s North Division and South Division respectively for 2025.

The poll, taken earlier this week, sets the expectations (and bulletin board material) for the New South’s first season of gridiron action.

The season opens on August 23 as Atlantis hosts South Florida Tech. The game will count as a conference game for the Atlanteans and serve as the first ever NSAC context.

NORTH DIVISION

  1. Clayton State
  2. SC Central Christian
  3. Apprentice
  4. Barber-Scotia

SOUTH DIVISION

  1. Lighthouse Christian
  2. Gordon State
  3. Atlantis
  4. Westgate Christian

The two division champions will meet for the inaugural NSAC Football Championship on November 15 in Metro Atlanta, Georgia.

Graphic by WildCard Entertainment