Calvary Christian falls to Covenant 49-35
Calvary Christian's Kasen Andrews threw for three touchdowns and ran for another, but Covenant Academy pulled away in the second half for a 49-35 win at Len McWilliams Field.
It was Senior Night and both teams entered the game undefeated in GICAA Region I-AA.
Covenant scored on its first play from scrimmage where Leon Simmons took an outside run 70 yards to the end zone.
The Rams' two-point conversion was successful as Khristian Tate pounded it in for an 8-0 lead.
The Knights were unable to counter in the first quarter, and the Rams took their
first possession in the second quarter 74 yards on 14 plays for a 14-0 lead. The drive ended on a 2-yard scamper by Michael Alston. The 2-point attempt was unsuccessful.
The Knight scratched their way back into the game on three runs from Jacquez Green, Anthony Santiago and Kasen Andrews that moved the ball from the Knights 25 into Ram territory at the 28. At 7:32 in the second Calvary Christian quarterback Kasen Andrews found tight end Daniel Strickland all alone in the end zone for a 28-yard touchdown pass. Kicker Thomas Chappel tacked on the extra point to bring the Knights to 14-7.
Covenant Academy answered on a pass play of their own when quarterback Cody Farr connected with Nathan Hunt on a 22-yard strike. Tate punched in the 2-point conversion putting the Rams back in front 22-7.
The Knights gained some momentum, putting together a 6-play drive that was highlighted by a couple big runs by running back Anthony Santiago before Kasen Andrews scored on a 9-run with 40 seconds left in the first half.
The Knights opened the second half with the ball and they wasted no time getting back into the game behind the the gritty running of Santiago, who ripped off a 32-yarder that got the Knights down to the 2. Santigo scored on the following play and the Knights trailed 22-21 with 10:44 remaining in the third quarter.
Unfortunately, that would be as close as they would get. Two interceptions proved costly, and they couldn't slow down Covenant Academy running back Tate who scored three TDs on runs of 65, 26 and 8 yards.
Tate finished the night with 21 carries for 184 yards and hit a 57-yard punt that got the Rams out of trouble in their own end zone.
Santiago finished with 13 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Kason Andrews finished 5 of 12 for 147 and two TDs. The Knights (7-1) look to rebound next week on the road against Community Christian.
Friday at Len McWilliams Field
Covenant 8 14 12 15--49
Calvary 0 14 7 14--35
First Quarter
Cov--Leon Simmons 70 run (Khristian Tate run), 11:37
Second Quarter
Cov--Michael Alston 44 run (pass failed), 9:28
Cal--Daniel Strickland 28 pass from Kasen Andrews (Thomas Chappel kick), 7:32
Cov--Nathan Hunt 22 pass from Brandon Marsh (Tate run), 3:58
Cal--Andrews 9 run (Chappel kick), 0:40
Third Quarter
Cal--Anthony Santiago 2 run (Chappel kick), 10:44
Cov--Tate 65 run (run failed), 6:46
Cov--Tate 26 run (run failed), 6:05
Fourth Quarter
Cal--Bryce Andrews 15 pass from Kasen Andrews (Chappel kick), 11:14
Cov--Tate 8 run (Tate run), 6:02
Cov--Owen Freel 15 pass from Farr (Joshua Rodriguez kick), 1:25
Cal—Cody Russell 57 pass from Andrews (Chappel kick), 1:03
Team records: Covenant 9-0, 4-0 GICAA Region I-AA. Calvary Christian 7-1, 3-1. Next: Calvary Christian, at Community Christian, Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m.
This story was originally published October 23, 2015 at 11:31 PM with the headline "Calvary Christian falls to Covenant 49-35 ."