Category: Lighthouse

Lighthouse Christian Holds Off Trinity College of Florida, 41-36

GULF BREEZE, Fl. — Lighthouse Christian College built a commanding first-half lead and survived a late Trinity College of Florida rally for a 41-36 victory Saturday.

After falling behind 6-0, Lighthouse erupted for 34 points in the second quarter. Quarterback Brayden Hutchison scored on runs of 1 and 2 yards, while Jamarkus Jefferson added touchdown runs of 47 and 18 yards. Jaden Williams capped the outburst with a 96-yard interception return, sending Lighthouse into halftime ahead 34-14.

Trinity trimmed the deficit to 34-22 in the third quarter before Lighthouse answered in the fourth. Hutchison connected with Deonte Reinhardt for an 11-yard touchdown, extending the advantage to 41-22. The Tigers responded with two late touchdowns but could not complete the comeback.

The Makos finished with 418 total yards, including a dominant 263 on the ground. Jefferson led the rushing attack with 123 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. Hutchison added 70 yards and two rushing scores while completing 11 of 16 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown.

The Lighthouse defense proved decisive despite TCF throwing for 313 yards. Williams recorded three interceptions, including his 96-yard touchdown return, as LCC forced four turnovers overall.

The Makos controlled the ground game, outrushing the Tigers 263-70, and converted 8 of 13 third-down opportunities.

Photo courtesy Lighthouse Christian College Athletics

Clayton State Crushes Lighthouse in Championship Rematch

ELLENWOOD, Ga. – The Clayton State Lakers opened their season with a dominant 38-0 victory over the Lighthouse College Makos, a rematch of last season’s championship game.

The Lakers struck first on their opening possession, marching 59 yards down the field before quarterback Sire Hardaway connected with Savion West on a 12-yard touchdown pass to put Clayton State ahead 7-0.

The Makos’ opening drive ended almost immediately when they fumbled the snap on their first offensive play. Kennan Burns recovered the ball for the Lakers, setting up a scoring opportunity that resulted in a Michael Kraskouskas field goal and a 10-0 advantage.

In the second quarter, Hardaway continued to lead the offense efficiently, finding DeAngeleo Walton for a 4-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 17-0. After the Lakers defense forced a turnover on downs, Clayton State capitalized again when Hardaway hit Walton for a 60-yard touchdown strike, sending the Lakers into halftime with a commanding 24-0 lead.

The Lakers defense remained relentless after the break. Defensive back Charles Gordon stepped in front of a pass and returned the interception 48 yards for a touchdown, pushing the lead to 31-0. Clayton State would add one final score when Hardaway connected with Chad Rafe on a 43-yard touchdown pass to cap the scoring at 38-0.

Statistically, the Lakers controlled every aspect of the game. Clayton State compiled 304 total yards of offense while holding Lighthouse College to just 120 total yards. Hardaway led the offensive charge, completing 10 of 14 passes for 153 yards and three touchdowns, spreading the ball effectively among several receivers and delivering multiple explosive plays through the air.

The Lakers defense was equally impressive, forcing key turnovers, recording a defensive touchdown, and pitching a shutout. The unit consistently kept the Makos offense off balance and prevented any sustained scoring threats throughout the contest.

With the win, CSU seemed to pick up where they left off last November when it downed Lighthouse in the inaugural NSAC championship 42-28.

With a complete team performance on both sides of the ball, Clayton State begins the season 1-0 and will look to build on the momentum from an impressive opening-week victory. 

Story and photo courtesy Clayton State Football

Parity is the Big Winner in Preseason Poll

In a preseason poll of league football coaches, every school received at least one vote to win its division, and three different teams tied to win the 2026 NSAC football championship.

Defending conference champ Clayton State was the overwhelming pick to repeat as North Division winner, garnering 62.5% of the vote, with both Apprentice and SC Central receiving one vote apiece.

In the South, Westgate Christian was selected top dog by 37.5% of the coaches, with defending division winner Lighthouse sharing second place with Atlantis. Gordon State also pulled in a vote.

But in the tally for conference champion, it was crowded at the top of the leaderboard with Apprentice, Clayton State and Westgate each receiving 25%.

Daytona Beach Christian, admitted as a provisional member, is not eligible for the postseason.

Clearly, NSAC coaches think it’s a wide-open race to the November 14 title game in Metro Atlanta.

Photo by Preillumination SeTh on Unsplash

Inaugural Football All-Conference Team Announced

The first-ever New South Athletic Conference Football All-Conference Team has been selected as voted by the league’s coaches.

NSAC champion Clayton State led the way with quarterback Sire Hardaway voted as Offensive Player of the Year and returner Darrell Bland, Jr. selected as Special Teams Player of the Year.

Lighthouse safety Kemontre Current was voted as the Defensive Player of the Year.

“My congratulations to each team and player for a tremendous first season,” said NSAC commissioner Mike Davis.” These young men have laid the foundation for success that others will build on in the coming years.”

2025 NSAC All-Conference Football Team

FIRST TEAM

Apprentice:

  • TK Petty
  • Hunt Kendall
  • Brian Lucas
  • Caleb Davidson
  • Wilberto Sanchez

Atlantis:

  • James Lewis
  • Cris Thornton

Clayton State:

  • Sire Hardaway (Offensive Player of the Year)
  • Savion West
  • Darrell Bland, Jr. (Special Teams Player of the Year)
  • Cendray Dixon
  • Davion McGill
  • Maxton Patterson
  • Charles Gordon

Gordon State:

  • Dontevius Williams
  • Marvin Howard

Lighthouse Christian:

  • Kemontre Current (Defensive Player of the Year)
  • Jamarkus Jefferson
  • Josh Crandle
  • Paul Gatley

SC Central Christian:

  • Kelvon Lee
  • Kylar Barkley

Westgate Christian:

  • Kiram Dallas
  • Jonathan McCoy
  • Josh Miller

SECOND TEAM:

Apprentice:

  • Chase Gayness
  • Logan Eastman
  • Baker Green

Atlantis:

  • Thomas Schuck
  • Jamarri Wright
  • Christopher Hamilton
  • D’Ryan Bartley

Clayton State:

  • Danirion Moxey
  • Clinton Rafe
  • Matthew Faulkner

Gordon State:

  • JD Trail
  • Jaden Dorsey

Lighthouse Christian:

  • Kabron Purifoy
  • John Sessions
  • Troy Medlin
  • Deontae Reinhart
  • Bryce French
  • Bodie Hardy

SC Central Christian:

  • Dexter Gunter
  • Nicholas Holmes
  • Timyris Lippett
  • Joseph Tolbert

Westgate Christian:

  • Jayir Nelson
  • Darren Durand
  • Maurice Hubbard
  • AJ Scott
  • Tresean Wiley

Photo by George Pisarevsky on Unsplash

Hardaway Scores 3 TDs as Clayton State Downs Lighthouse for NSAC Title

ELLENBORO, Ga. — All three phases of the game got into the scoring as Clayton State held off Lighthouse Christian College 42-28 and claim the inaugural New South Athletic Conference football championship on Saturday.

Quarterback Sire Hardaway led the Clayton State offense, completing 15 of 18 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns. Savion West had a monster day for the Lakers with three catches for 142 yards and a touchdown and rushed for two more. Danimon Moxey also added a TD run. Hardaway added nine carries for 18 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Darrel Bland Jr. electrified the crowd with an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, helping push the lead. The defense got into the scoring action as well when Ebine Griffin picked off an Ashton Nunes pass and went 43 yards to the house.

Lighthouse quarterback Nunes threw 14 of 22 for 134 yards and a touchdown and one interception. Nunes and Deonte Reinhardt combined for 123 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Jamarkus Jefferson added 81 yards on 14 carries.

Clayton State amassed 429 total yards, outpacing Lighthouse’s 323, and maintained control of the game despite a late push by Lighthouse’s ground game.

Image courtesy Clayton State Football