2011 NHSA Champions: Carolina Crusaders
Below is video of the NHSA National Championship game (8-man Football)
Carolina Crusaders stuns Appling Christian 36-30
The Carolina Crusaders’ touchdown pass from QB Wyatt Martinez to tight end, Solomon Brendle, with 29 seconds to go in the game gave the Crusaders their first lead of the game and ultimately the National Championship.
Neither team was able to score in the first quarter, then the Appling Christian Academy (ACA) Eagles from Baxley, Georgia scored first starting at the 15 yard and ending with fullback Dallas Johnson getting the touchdown with 11:56 left in the 2nd quarter. ACA QB Barndon Horton was successful on the 2-point attempt to give the Eagles an 8-0 lead. Carolina took the kickoff back to the 42 yard line and drove downfield, capped by a 3 yard touchdown run by running back Jake Long. Long added the 2-point attempt to tie the score at 8 with 8:22 left in the half. On the first play after the kickoff, Andrew Phillips put ACA up again by going 67 yards for the touchdown. The 2-point attempt was stopped and with 8:05 left the Eagles led 14-8. On the next possession, Carolina was forced to punt and a bad snap forced the punter to his knee which downed the ball giving ACA great field position at the 10 yard line. ACA’s Dallas Johnson, bulled into the end zone from 3 yards out giving them a two score lead. Andrew Phillips added the 2-point conversion which gave ACA a 22-8 lead with 5:24 left in the 2nd quarter. That was the final touchdown of the first half.
The Appling Christian Eagles started their first possession of the second half at their own 25 yard line. A few plays later, the speedy halfback, Andrew Phillips, broke loose for a 60 yard touchdown run and then added the 2-point conversion when he caught a pass from QB Brandon Horton. ACA led 30-8 with 8:30 to go in the 3rd quarter. Things did not look good for the Crusaders at this point, however, they didn’t quit but continued to execute their offense. On their next possession, Carolina’s Jake Long scored on a 38 yard touchdown run to make the score 30-14 with 6:15 left in the quarter. Carolina then attempted an onside kick and Blake Putnam recovered the football. The Crusaders then drove to the one yard line and QB Wyatt Martinez scored from the one to make the score 30-20 in favor of ACA. Carolina again attempted an onside kick which was recovered by Austin Smith, giving the Crusaders the ball again this time at the 40 yard line at the end of the 3rd quarter.
Carolina was able to score on a 17 yard pass from QB Wyatt Martinez to TE Solomon Brendle then Wyatt completed a pass to Isaiah Niemann for the 2-point conversion. Appling lead had been cut to 30-28 with 8:20 left in the game. ACA was able to drive down the field and use up a lot of clock, but were stopped at the 40 yard line leaving the Crusaders just enough time to come back and stun the Eagles with the touchdown pass from Martinez to Brendle. What a great National Championship game!
NHSA Championship Game
The Appling Christian Academy Eagles from Baxley, Georgia and the Carolina Crusaders from the Charlotte, North Carolina area play for the NHSA National Championship in Panama City Beach, Florida. The Eagles won their state championship beating Kings Way from Douglasville. The Carolina Crusaders won their state championship beating the Cabarrus Stallions.
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT FIELD
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NATIONAL HOMESCHOOL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CHMAPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT