Patriots Defeat Central Heights 22-7

The Christ Prep Patriots overcame an early deficit on their way to defeating the Central Heights Vikings 22-7 tonight in Richmond, Kansas. The Patriots received the opening kickoff but were sluggish in their first possession, finding themselves pinned deep in their own territory where they were forced to punt.  The Vikings then established the run early and marched about 60 yards in several plays, finally punching the ball into the end zone for a 7-0 lead.

The Patriots were still in a rut early in the second quarter as they found themselves pinned deep in their own territory after a Central Heights punt. Starting at the 3 yard line, CPA drove 97 yards in just a handful of plays, the most impressive a 76 yard run by RB Jared Nield. Darren Wallace then punched through the end zone on a 4-yard keeper.

The Patriots made several defensive adjustments in the second quarter which seemed to confuse the Vikings running attack. At the same time, Christ Prep kept clicking offensively as Jared Nield scored on a  10-yard run. After the Patriots recovered a  Wallace onside kick on the ensuing kickoff, CPA drove 40-plus yards but was stopped just short of the end zone. The Patriots then settled for a 25-yard Wallace field goal which put them up 15-6 at intermission.

Both teams by-and-large treaded possessions throughout most of the second half, the exception being Jesse Mann's 4-yard run late in the third quarter.  Wallace then added the extra point which put the Patriots up 22-7, a lead they would hold until the end of the game.

The Patriots once again had a strong showing offensively with the running game.  Nield gained 123 yards on 13 carries while Mann ground out 62 yards on ten tries. Wallace had 12 rushes for 31 yards. Wallace was 3 of 9 passing for 46 yards. Jack Layman was the recipient of two Wallace passes while Nield caught the other (a 27 yard screen pass).

Defensively the Patriots made key adjustments which halted the Vikings running games. Strong individual performances were turned in by linebackers Michael Force (15 tackles and one sack) Jacob Bronars (ten tackles). Ezra Boyd, Logan Newson, and Jack Layman added six tackles of their own while Drew Langston delivered a key sack while Wallace provided a timely pass interception. Zach Hershberger provided 39 return yards on two kickoffs and a punt.

With tonight's win the Patriots improve to 2-1 while the Vikings fall to 1-2. The Christ Prep varsity gets back into action next Saturday, September 25 when they will make a short trip across town to play University Academy in a 2:00 p.m. contest to be held at Center High School in Kansas City. The CPA JV travels back to Central Heights for a 4:30 p.m. contest on this Monday, September 20.

To view photos of last night's and last week's action, go to http://gallery.me.com/sandeefinley#1000015