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

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

Builders Second-Half Comeback Falls Just Short at Methodist

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Down 20-0 at halftime, The Apprentice School football team stormed back in the second half, scoring a touchdown with 18 seconds left to pull within a point, but the two-point conversion to win fell to the ground as Methodist hung on for a 20-19 win Saturday afternoon.

With the loss, the Builders fall to 1-3 overall for the 10th time since 2000. They also finish the season series against USA South opponents 0-3.

After an Apprentice fumble on the opening drive of the game, Methodist methodically marched down the field, going 45 yards in 11 plays to score on a fourth down passing play from Ty Little to Tyrone Atkinson for the game’s first points. The Monarchs then forced an interception and went 83 yards in 13 plays on their next drive to score on a Little 1-yard run to push the score to 13-0 after the missed PAT.

The two teams traded punts on their next drives before Methodist forced another interception that led to another Little rushing touchdown, capping an 8-play, 58-yard drive that gave them a 20-0 lead that would go to halftime.

The Builders woke up in the second half, blocking a field goal attempt from inside the 10 on the first drive of the second half and immediately turning it into points as Kendall Hunt found Isaiah Townsend for a 72-yard touchdown, the longest play of the season, to cut the lead down to 20-6 after a blocked PAT. After forcing a punt, the Builders drove right down the field again, looking for more points, but this time it was Methodist who blocked a field goal attempt from inside the 10-yard line to keep the score at the 14-point margin.

Apprentice answered right back, though, forcing a three-and-out to allow Hunt to find T.K. Petty down the sidelines for a 29-yard touchdown that trimmed the lead to seven. The two sides traded punts and the Builders got the ball back with 5:30 to go on their own 19-yard line.

The Builders marched down the field, taking up over five minutes of game clock to 14 plays, setting up Hunt to again find Petty for a 3-yard passing score on fourth-and-goal that brought the Builders to within one. Apprentice elected to go for two on a fake PAT, but the pass fell to the ground in the endzone and Methodist recovered the ensuing onside kick to hold on for the win.

Hunt finished the day 18-for-32 for 251 yards and three touchdowns, linking up with seven different receivers on the day.

Story courtesy Walker McCrary/Apprentice Athletics; image courtesy Kaitlyn Olson @shotsbyk8lyn

Clayton State Knocks off NAIA Point 25-14

WEST POINT, Ga. – Clayton State scored 25 unanswered points and knocked of Point University 25-14 on Saturday.

Point, a member of the NAIA Appalachian Athletic Conference, did all of its scoring in the first two quarters and went into the locker room with a 14-0 halftime lead. But Clayton State made the second half its own, shutting out the Skyhawks and turning up the offensive firepower.

Laker quarterback Sire Hardaway passed for three touchdowns, including passes of 65 and 25 yards to Savion West for scores. Hardaway also connected with Danimon Moxey from 10 yards out. Jaydon Lilly scored on a 17-yard scamper.

CSU outgained Point 374 yards to 253, including 258 through the air.

Clayton State improves to 2-1 on the season and faces Jacksonville AA next Saturday in Morrow, Georgia.

Image courtesy Clayton State Football

Apprentice Makes History with First NSAC Football Win

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – In the first ever New South Athletic Conference football game, it was The Apprentice School that ended up on the winning side as the Builders blanked South Carolina Central Christian Saturday afternoon 59-0.

With the win, the Builders improve to 1-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play. The Builders’ next conference game will be in three weeks.

Apprentice took the opening kickoff and drove down the field, but the Gladiator defense stood strong, forcing a Logan Eastman 30-yard field goal that put the Builders in front, 3-0. After a strip sack set the home team up with a short field, Colby Messe punched it in from a yard out to take a 10-0 lead.

The Builders added two more 1-yard rushing touchdowns early in the second quarter, one by Malachi Mitchell and one by Tyreon Taylor that made the score 24-0. The game looked as if it would stay there going into the break, but Khamarie Trueblood stripped the ball away from a Gladiator and ran it back 65 yards for a 31-0 lead at the half.

Kendall Hunt got things going in the second half, finding Baker Green for a 13-yard pitch-and-catch before running in a touchdown from three yards out. Hunt added another passing score to Bradley Hebb in the back of the endzone for a 22-yard touchdown that pushed the lead to 52-0 at the end of the third. Mitchell added one more score from the 2-yard line in the fourth.

Hunt finished the day 15-for-21 for 174 yards and a trio of touchdowns, two through the air. The Builders had seven rushers total 141 yards on the ground.

Defensively, Apprentice forced three turnovers on the day, turning all three into points.

Story courtesy Walker McCrary/Apprentice Athletics; image courtesy Kaitlyn Olson/@shotsbyk8lyn