Published: September 06, 2008 02:34 am            

Calvary Christian manhandles Mt. Salus

Calvary Christian’s Cougars (1-2) scored 51 points in the first half on the way to a convincing 56-27 win against the visiting Mt. Salus Eagles (0-2) as pouring rains stopped just long enough for the two teams to combine for a first quarter that saw 42 points put on the scoreboard.

With 8:32 left in the first quarter, Calvary's Kyle Koch threw a 22-yard touchdown to Johnathan Bartlett for the first points of the game, giving the Cougars an 8-0 lead after the 2-point conversion.

Steven Watson led the Eagles to their first score as he connected on a 59-yard pass to Kamry Owens at 4:19 of the first quarter, cutting the lead to 8-6. Bartlett took the ensuing kickoff 85 yards in 15 seconds as he bounced around the muddy field. A second successful two-point conversion gave the Cougars a 16-6 edge.

With 19 seconds left in the first quarter, Koch scrambled for an 11 yard touchdown to increase the score to 24-6. Owens dropped the kickoff, then picked it up and threaded his way through the Cougars for a 70-yard return. The Eagles were unable to convert the two-point attempt, leaving the score at 24-12.

With two seconds left in the first quarter, Kyle Koch threw a 66-yard strike to Justin Sylvester. The Cougars led 30-12 at the end of the first quarter.

Eric Sims ran for a 10-yard score at the 9:59 mark of the second quarter to stretch the Cougars lead to 38-12. On Mt Salus’ next possession, Watson threw an bad pass and was intercepted by Mo Dale.

Bartlett capped off a six-play drive that burned 3:07 off the clock when he scored on a five yard dive with 5:50 left in the half. The PAT pushed the score to 45 to 12 in the Cougars’ favor. A fumbled kickoff gave Calvary the ball back on Mt. Salus’ 39 yard line. With 3:25 left in the half, Koch threw a second touchdown to Sylvester, this one 26 yards. A failed two-point conversion left the score Calvary 51, Mt. Salus 12.

After a turning the ball over on downs, Calvary received a break when Koch intercepted a Watson pass intended for Owens. Both sides settled down into a defensive struggle as a number of minutes burned off the clock. The Cougars added to their lead as Desmond Grayson scored on a one yard rush with 2:44 left in the third quarter. They were unable to convert the two-point conversion, leaving the score at 57-12.

The Eagles completed their next drive with an 11 yard touchdown run as Jared Jones scored with 8:31 left in the game. The touchdown capped a drive that took 9 plays and 6:13. The Eagles were unable to convert the two-point conversion; Calvary 57, Mt. Salus 18.

On their next play from scrimmage, the Cougars put the ball on the ground and Jordin Rimmer recovered the loose ball for Mt. Salus. Three plays later, Devin Dillon scored from one yard out with 6:31 left in the game. A converted two-point conversion made the score Calvary 57, Mt. Salus 26.

Calvary finished the game with 36 carries for 296 yards and four touchdowns rushing. Desmond Grayson led the team with 83 yards off of eight carries to go along with one touchdown. Johnathan Bartlett, Kyle Koch, and Eric Sims each added a rushing touchdown. Koch completed five of eight passes for 136 yards and three touchdowns. Justin Sylvester caught two touchdown passes, with Bartlett catching the third TD pass. Mo Dale, Bartlett, and Koch each had an interception. Bartlett also recovered two fumbles and returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

“We got a much needed victory,” Calvary head coach Kirby Newell said after the game. “We were able to finally start running the football, something that hadn’t worked for us before this game.” He added that he was “really glad that (Justin) Sylvester has finally come out of his shell. He gives us another great offensive weapon.”

Calvary Christian is on the road in Bogalusa, La., next week, traveling to take on Ben's Ford Christian School.

        

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