Crusaders Dominate Pinewood
The Crusaders football team of Robert Toombs Christian Academy went into Bellville last Friday night to open their season, and dominated the Patriots of Pinewood Christian. RTCA had 3 running backs with over 100 yards on the night as the Crusaders amassed a total of 594 yards of offense.
The first quarter of the game was a shock to many as RTCA ran all over the Patriots with Justin Powell looking like a man on a mission. He scored four times in the first quarter as RTCA built up a huge lead. Powell scored his first touchdown on a 22-yard run. Hayden Meeks tacked on the extra point for a 7-0 lead.
Later in the first, Powell added a 48-yard touchdown with Meeks hitting the PAT for a 14-0 lead. Powell then went in from 12-yards out as Meeks tacked on the kick to give RTCA a 21-0 lead.
Still in the first quarter, Blake Durden pulled down a deflected Pinewood pass for an interception near midfield. RTCA was pushed back on penalties, but Powell made it work as he broke free on a 74-yard touchdown run as time was winding down in the first. Meeks added the extra point to put RTCA on top 28-0.
In the second quarter, Meeks made a 17-yard field goal to give RTCA a 31-0 lead with seven minutes to go in the second quarter.
Late in the half, Pinewood connected on a 65-yard pass to put their first points on the board, making the score 31-7. But RTCA quickly answered as the quarterback Blake Durden went up the middle for a touchdown with just 25 seconds to go in the first half. Meeks added the PAT as RTCA led 38-7 heading to halftime. In the third quarter of the game, Meeks made another field goal, this one from 20 yards to push the RTCA lead to 41-7.
RTCA added an 80-yard touchdown run from Jayden Toole in the fourth quarter with Meeks adding the extra point to put them on top 487.
Pinewood did get a late touchdown, but RTCA took the win over their rival, 4814.
Powell led the way with 184 yards on the ground with 4 touchdowns. Toole added 159 yards with a touchdown, and Christian Mixon ran for 127 yards.
RTCA Head Coach Matt Meeks said, “It was a great first game and a great team win. We saw many good things from our guys, but we also were able to see things we need to continue to work on and improve as a staff and as a team. I am extremely proud of our effort, physicality, and overall execution in all 3 phases of the game. We look forward to the upcoming challenge this week with single-A Edmund Burke coming to town this Friday.”
Robert Toombs will be hosting their first home game of the season Friday night. They will be playing against Edmund Burke Academy with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
