Builders Score 21 Unanswered Points to Beat S.C. Central Christian 31-22

CAYCE, S.C. – The Apprentice School football team turned a 22-10 halftime deficit into a statement win Saturday, scoring 21 unanswered points in the second half to defeat S.C. Central Christian 31-22. The Builders improve to 5-3 overall and 2-0 in New South Athletic Conference North Division play.

Coming out of the half, the defense and special teams took over the game. The Builders outscored the Bearcats 21-0 over the final two quarters.

Two special teams plays flipped the momentum. Trailing 22-17 in the third quarter, the Builders got a spark from Malachi Madden, who fielded a punt at his own 14-yard line and raced 86 yards for a touchdown. The return gave Apprentice its first lead of the game, 24-22, with 7:47 left in the quarter. In the fourth, Chase Johnson blocked a S4C punt and returned it for a touchdown with 8:08 remaining, stretching the lead to 31-22. Baker Green also blocked a punt in the first quarter.

The Builders defense finished with seven sacks for 43 yards while holding the Gladiators scoreless over the final 30 minutes. Linebacker Leslie Hines led the way with a game-high 15 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Breiden Lowery added 11 tackles, a sack and two pass breakups, while Austin Moore recorded nine tackles, a half-sack and a fourth-quarter fumble recovery. Carter Sullivan added a sack as well.

The secondary came up big, too. David Pietrzak and Jabari Anderson each came down with an interception, and Anderson’s pick in the final two minutes ended a Central Christian drive. Jerrell Burse and Cash Curtis each broke up two passes. The defense saved its best for last. With the Bearcats driving to the Apprentice 3-yard line in the closing seconds, the Builders held on fourth-and-goal to seal the win.

On offense, the Builders were efficient in the red zone, scoring on three of four trips inside the 20. Alvin Hicks capped a drive with a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. In the third, Patrick Chewning connected with Kyle Musselman on an 8-yard touchdown pass to finish an 11-play, 59-yard drive, the longest of the day.

Trevon Griffin averaged 10.2 yards per carry, finishing with 51 rushing yards that included a 31-yard run. Tali Burgess added 43 yards on the ground, highlighted by a 37-yard burst, and Malachi Mitchell ran for 33 yards. Green led the receivers with 25 yards on two catches. Kicker Logan Eastman connected on a 37-yard field goal, went 4-for-4 on extra points, and sent three of his six kickoffs for touchbacks.

With the win, Apprentice stays unbeaten in New South Conference play at 2-0 while the Gladiators drop to 2-6 overall and 1-1 in conference play. The Builders take on Clayton State Saturday, Oct. 31, at 1 PM, for a battle of the NSAC Northern division lead. S4C travels to Trinity College of Florida for a designated NSAC dual.

Story and photo courtesy Apprentice Athletics

Lakers Fall Short Against VUL, 19-14

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Clayton State saw a strong defensive and offensive effort come up just short Saturday afternoon, falling to Virginia University of Lynchburg by a score of 19-14.

The Lakers struck first in dramatic fashion on special teams when Clint Rafe blocked a Dragons punt deep in VUL territory. DeAnthony Favors recovered the loose ball and returned it 10 yards for a touchdown to give Clayton State an early 7-0 lead.

Virginia University of Lynchburg answered with a methodical drive that ended in a 10-yard touchdown run, knotting the game at 7-7.

Clayton State responded immediately. Quarterback Jeremiah Mallory connected with wide receiver Savion West on a 35-yard touchdown pass to cap a quick scoring drive and put the Lakers back in front, 14-7.

The Dragons took control late in the second quarter, finding the end zone on a 25-yard touchdown before adding another 10-yard touchdown run just before halftime. Both extra-point attempts were unsuccessful, but VUL carried a 19-14 advantage into the break.

The Lakers generated several productive drives throughout the second half and reached the red zone multiple times but were unable to cash in on scoring opportunities. Despite controlling much of the game statistically, Clayton State could not overcome costly turnovers.

The Lakers outgained VUL 273-164 in total offense, but three interceptions proved to be the difference in the contest and prevented Clayton State from pulling off the road upset.

Ryan Webster led the Lakers offensively, rushing for 93 yards on 15 carries. Defensively, Shaun Wilmore paced the team with eight tackles and one pass breakup.

Clayton State will have a bye week before returning to action on Oct. 31 when the Lakers travel to Newport News, Virginia, for a critical North Division showdown against Apprentice. The matchup will have significant implications in the division race as Clayton State looks to bounce back and return to the win column.

Eastman’s Late Field Goal Lifts Apprentice Past Keystone, 10-7

LA PLUME, Pa. — Logan Eastman connected on a 49-yard field goal with 3:02 remaining in the fourth quarter Saturday, lifting The Apprentice School to a 10-7 victory over Keystone College in a defensive battle.

The Builders overcame an early seven-point deficit, scoring 10 unanswered points to secure the road victory.

The Giants struck first with 10:34 remaining in the opening quarter when quarterback Trevin Arnold connected with Quinten Barclay on a 19-yard touchdown pass. Jaedyn Sanchez added the extra point to give the Giants a 7-0 advantage.

Apprentice answered later in the quarter, putting together a scoring drive capped by Patrick Chevning’s 2-yard touchdown run with 2:20 remaining. Eastman converted the extra point to tie the game at 7.

Neither team managed another touchdown as the defenses took control.

The contest remained deadlocked until Eastman delivered the decisive kick late in the fourth quarter, putting the Builders ahead for the first time.

Apprentice held on over the final three minutes to complete the comeback and earn the three-point victory.

Photo courtesy DeMetri Washington @pixxbydk

Apprentice Picks Up Tough Road Win at Stevens

LANCASTER, Pa. – After a bye week, Apprentice returned to action against the Bulldogs of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in a designated NSAC game and came away with the 16-15 victory behind the foot of Logan Eastman.

Eastman was 3-for-3 on field goals, all from 30+ yards.

Patrick Chewning found Isaiah Townsend for a 33-yard score with Eastman tagging on the extra point.

Tali Burgess netted 55 yards on the ground while Alvin Hicks Jr. added 25 yards.

Defensively, Leslie Hines had 8 solo and 2 assist tackles as well as one extra point block. Austin Moore had 3 solo and 4 assists tackles, a sack and forced fumble while Emmanuel Patterson added three solo tackles, a forced fumble, and a sack. Seventeen Builders tallied tackles on the afternoon.

Apprentice improves to 3-3 overall and 1-0 in the NSAC.

Story courtesy Jacob Mullins/Apprentice Athletics; photo courtesy DeMetri Washington @pixxbydk

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