After an undefeated season in their first year of competition in eight-man football, which propelled them to the Southeastern championships, Grace Baptist Academy opened its 2022 campaign with a 24-16 win over South Haven Christian of Springfield, Tenn. Friday evening at home.
Trailing 16-12 at the half, the Eagles managed to shut down the Patriots in the second half while scoring twice themselves for the victory.
Wesley Thompson led the way scoring three times for Grace, once on a return of an intercepted pass. Thompson, operating out of the quarterback position, rushed for 134 yards on 24 attempts and was seven of 18 for 87 passing yards.
Jacob Mock scored the Eagles’ other touchdown on a 28 yard run. Mock accumulated 43 rushing yards on seven attempts. Grace outrushed South Haven 177 yards to 44, while totaling 264 of total offense.
SOUTH HAVEN 8 8 0 0 – 16
GRACE BAPTIST 6 6 6 6 – 24
SH – Jake Atkinson punt return for touchdown (Matthew Royalty run) (8:08, 1st)
GB – Wesley Thompson 3 run (pass failed) (3:25, 1st)
GB – Jacob Mock 28 run (pass failed) (11:36, 2nd)
SH - Dede Poha interception return (jake Atkinson run) (1:27, 2nd)
GB – Thompson 6 run (run failed) (1:21, 3rd)
GB – Thompson 2 run (pass failed) (10:48, 4th)
SH STATS GB
6 First Downs 19
31-44 Rushes/Yards 34-177
83 Passing Yards 87
127 Total Yards 264
13-7-0 Passing (Att-Comp-Int) 18-7-2
10-7 Penalties/Yards 5-40
4-25.3 Punts-Avg. 3-23.7
1-1 Fumbles-Lost 1-1
Individual Stats
Rushing: Gabriel Dang 14-35, Dede Poha 1-6, jake Atkinson 9-2, Matthew Royalty 7-1 (SH); Wesley Thompson 24-134, Jacob Mock 7-43, carson Knecht 1-4, Bradley majors 1-0, Team 1-(-4) (GB).
Passing: matthew Royalty 7-13-0 for 83 yards (SH); Wesley Thompson 7-18-2 for 87 yards (GB).
Receiving: caleb Sorto 2-46, Gabriel Dang 2-28, Jake Atkinson 3-9 (SH); Avery Ivarson 1-45, brock Passons 3-26, Andrew Huggins 2-13, Carson Knecht 1-3 (GB).
Records: South Haven 0-1; Grace Baptist 1-0.
(Contact Dennis Norwood at dennisnorwood56@gmail.com)