GCA gets big region win at CAK
By David Klein
In a Division II-AA East rivalry game, the Grace Christian Academy (GCA) Rams moved into second place in the region with a 35-14 win at the Christian Academy of Knoxville (CAK) Warriors. The Rams used an effective running game and a strong defense to get the win over their rival. GCA rushed for 216 yards, led by JV Stinson’s 141 yards and two touchdowns.
GCA’s Jace Ballard got the Rams on the scoreboard first by taking a short pass 61 yards for a touchdown with 4:22 left in the first quarter to give the Rams a 7-0 lead. The Rams were effective the whole night in the running game, utilizing three backs. “I think we got the best O-line in the state,” Ballard said. “Every game we know coming in they’re gonna have a big game and they did tonight.”
The Warriors tried to answer GCA’s long touchdown, but GCA’s Kaden Webber intercepted Seaton Moffett’s pass. On Grace’s ensuing possession, the Rams drove into CAK territory but committed two false start penalties to back them up. However, CAK bailed the Rams out with a pass interference penalty. Three plays later, Stinson ran for a 17-yard touchdown to put Grace Christian up 14-0 with 9:21 left in the second quarter. CAK would be penalized 12 times for 131 yards on the night.
In the second half, Grace Christian kept its momentum going with a Webber 29-yard touchdown catch with 9:03 left in the third quarter to put the Rams up 21-0. GCA then went on a long drive that took up most of the third quarter and capped it off with Stinson’s second touchdown on a 1-yard run with 11:25 left in the fourth quarter to put GCA up 28-0.
CAK finally got on the scoreboard on Ryan Gibson’s 3-yard touchdown run with 8:27 left in the fourth quarter. Gibson, usually reliable, was limited to 55 yards on 16 carries on the night.
GCA head coach Justin Price said, “They’re a unique offense, and that running back Number 4 (Gibson), he can get in there and carry some defenders. He gets those tough yards.”
Webber rushed for a 36-yard touchdown to answer the Warriors’ touchdown to put GCA up 35-7 with 7:28 left in the fourth quarter. CAK put a last touchdown on the board on Moffett’s 2-yard touchdown run with 2:06 left in the fourth quarter to make the final score 35-14 GCA.
“I thought tonight was a kind of slower pace game for us than we’re used to, but we found a way to be at our best no matter what the situation was,” Price said.
GCA (6-2, 4-1) hosts Lakeway Christian on Friday, while CAK (5-3, 3-2) hosts undefeated Boyd-Buchanan.
