Category: Westgate

Clayton State Holds Off Westgate 43-37

ELLENWOOD, Ga. – The Clayton State Lakers improved to 4-0 in dramatic fashion Saturday, holding off a furious second-half comeback by Westgate Christian University to secure a 43-37 victory.

Westgate struck first in spectacular fashion when Ravens wide receiver Jayir Nelson returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, giving the visitors an early 7-0 advantage.

The Lakers quickly responded behind quarterback Jeremiah Mallory, who found Dekari Carter on a 30-yard touchdown pass to tie the game before Clayton State took control following an interception by Jackson. The turnover led to another scoring strike as Mallory connected with Savion West on a 32-yard touchdown pass.

Clayton State continued its offensive explosion throughout the second quarter. Mallory added a 1-yard touchdown run, Ashton Gochett scored from 3 yards out, and Mallory connected with Moxey for a 55-yard touchdown pass. Michael Kraskoukas capped the first-half scoring with a 34-yard field goal, giving the Lakers a commanding 31-7 lead.

Westgate refused to go away. Quarterback Jared Guter found Jayir Nelson for an 8-yard touchdown late in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 31-13 heading into halftime.

The third quarter belonged entirely to the Ravens. Westgate’s defense slowed the red-hot Lakers offense while its offense mounted an impressive comeback. Guter powered in for two 1-yard touchdown runs and connected with Jayir Nelson on a 7-yard scoring pass. The Ravens successfully converted all of their two-point attempts and eventually tied the game at 37-37 early in the fourth quarter.

With momentum swinging heavily toward Westgate, the Lakers delivered one final answer.

Mallory stepped up once again, connecting with West for a 60-yard touchdown pass that proved to be the game-winner, sealing another thrilling Clayton State victory.

The win keeps CSU’s record unblemished at 4-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play while Westgate moves to 1-4 and 0-1.

By the Numbers

Clayton State Lakers

  • Jeremiah Mallory: 13-of-19 passing, 348 yards, 4 passing touchdowns
  • Rushing: 2 carries, 32 yards, 1 touchdown
  • Total Offense: 464 yards

Westgate Christian Ravens

  • Total Offense: 397 yards

Next Up

The Lakers will look to remain unbeaten when they travel to face NAIA opponent Andrew College on Saturday, October 3.

Story and photo courtesy Clayton State Football

Westgate Christian Rolls Past Louisiana CCC 59-0

HOUSTON — Westgate Christian University turned in a dominant performance on both sides of the football Saturday, rolling past Louisiana Christian Community College 59-0 at Sheldon ISD Stadium.

The Ravens piled up more than 400 yards of offense while their defense kept LCCC off the scoreboard.

Quarterback Jared Guter led the Westgate attack, completing 9 of 12 passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns. He was also a threat on the ground, rushing three times for 55 yards and a touchdown, including a 35-yard run.

Wide receiver Jayir Nelson was Guter’s top target, hauling in five passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Nelson averaged 23 yards per reception and had a game-long 48-yard catch. Trenton Robey added a 32-yard touchdown reception.

Westgate also found success on the ground. Zion Cornish led the Ravens with 66 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, while Malakhi Darby rushed three times for 46 yards and a score. Tu’Shawn Wilson contributed 40 yards on 10 carries.

The Ravens were especially efficient through the air. Westgate quarterbacks combined to complete 14 of 17 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns. The rushing attack added 207 yards and three scores.

Defensively, Westgate registered seven tackles for loss and four sacks. Tryston Oaks led the Ravens with five solo tackles while adding a tackle for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. DeWhite Evans III, Allen Sanor and TreySean Wiley also recorded sacks.

Image courtesy Westgate Athletics

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

Westgate Falls Short at Austin 38-21

SHERMAN, Tx. – The Austin College football team toppled visiting Westgate Christian University 38-21 on Saturday evening at Jerry E. Apple Stadium, with Zyan Stewart rushing for 222 yards to lead the way while Jermiah Johnson had a kick return touchdown and a receiving touchdown in the game.

Austin College piled up 342 rushing yards as a team, averaging 6.2 yards per attempt, with Stewart running 31 times to get his 222 yards with a score, while Jon Rawles Thompson rushed 14 times for 70 yards and Jaylon Talton added 54 yards and a score on eight attempts. Talton also completed 5-of-9 passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns, including a 41-yard strike to Johnson and a 63 yard score to Michael Cress, who led the ‘Roos with 76 yards on three receptions.

Westgate got on the board first with an eight play, 75 yard drive capped by an eight yard touchdown run from Jonathan McCoy on the opening drive for the Ravens, but Johnson responded with a 90 yard touchdown return on the ensuing kickoff. Westgate went on top 14-7 early in the second, but Johnson hauled in his 41 yard touchdown pass late in the quarter and Cress caught his long score with 1:18 left in the half.

Stewart capped a 12 play, 79 yard drive to open the second half with a one yard touchdown run to make it 28-14, before the Ravens answered with a touchdown reception by Daylin Robinson from Allen Rainey to make it 28-21 at the end of the third. Talton put the ‘Roos up 35-21 early in the fourth with a six yard touchdown run, and Caleb Balderas finished off the scoring with a 20 yard field goal to make it 38-21 with 4:13 left to play.

Austin College outgained Westgate 469 to 374, and Cam Hammond led the ‘Roos defensively with nine tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. Pablo Cantu added nine tackles, and Evan Dennis and Eazy Robertson each had an interception for the ‘Roos. AJ Scott led Westgate defensively with 13 stops, while McCoy ran 15 times for 122 yards and two scores while Trey Williams connected on 7-of-12 passes for 96 yards and added 118 yards on 10 carries.

Story and image courtesy Austin College Athletics