FOOTBALL: Trinity captures fourth-straight win in classic with CFCA

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LATE-GAME STIFF-ARM: Wade Register’s powerful running, and strong left arm to keep a CFCA tackler at distance on this first-down jaunt, carried the Crusaders 80 yards down the field in a matter of plays after the Evans interception to put the game away inside six minutes to go in the fourth quarter/DANNY SCARBORO

Two Fridays ago, Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on the state of Georgia and the state’s football schedule. The Trinity Crusaders were one of the teams affected by the scheduling change, as they had to postpone their homecoming game against former region foe Central Fellowship.

Fortunately, both teams shared the same bye week and the game was able to be played last Friday at Cleve Warnock Field.

Despite being nearly doubled up in time of possession, the Crusader defense came up with several big stops, and the offense averaged nearly 10 yards per play en route to a 21-7 win.

SUMNER’S DAY: Nathan Sumner (51) was a big part of Trinity’s opportune defensive effort Friday night, with his five solo tackles (one in the first half above) and the recovery (below) of a third-quarter fumble for the first of its two takeaways to cut short long Central Fellowship drives deep into Crusader territory/DANNY SCARBORO

The Lancers got the ball first and picked up one first down before the Crusaders forced a punt. Trinity blocked the kicked and returned it for an apparent touchdown, however, they were inexplicably called for a roughing the kicker on the play and ball went back to CFCA.

A few plays later on third down, Lancer quarterback Judson Walls took the ball around right end and appeared to be stopped by a host of Crusaders. The whistle never blew, and Walls eventually broke free for a 56-yard touchdown run to give CFCA a 7-0 lead.

The Trinity offense wasted little time with a response. Wade Register ripped off a 15-yard run on the Crusaders’ first offensive play to get the drive started.

A few plays later, Ben Castro-Poveda would connect with Cruz Giles on a 34-yard touchdown pass to cap the eight-play, 76-yard drive and tie the game at 7-7.

GILES-PER-HOUR: Cruz Giles had a handful of highlights within Friday’s first hour of play, bringing in a 34-yard Ben Castro-Poveda pass (above) for Trinity’s first touchdown, then breaking a tackle up the sideline on a jet sweep (below) for a big play that helped make up a second-straight scoring drive later in the opening half/DANNY SCARBORO

The Crusader defense would force a punt on the next Central Fellowship possession and take over at their own 9 yard line. They would need just eight plays again to march the 91 yards for another score. Castro-Poveda connected with Asher Evans on a 30-yard scoring strike to put the Crusaders up 14-7.

Central Fellowship went on a 10-play drive before turning the ball over on downs with less than 30 seconds left in the first half. The Crusaders would pick up a multiple first downs to set up a long field goal attempt, but the 49-yarder sailed wide left as time expired.

Trinity took the second half kickoff, but was flagged for a pair of penalties, forcing a punt.

Central Fellowship continued its methodical style of play, churning out a few yards at a time but taking nearly every second off the play clock. The Lancers would get down near the Trinity red zone, but the Crusader D would force a fumble to end the drive.

Trinity put together another promising drive, looking to add to their lead. Unfortunately, Register would fumble the ball back to the Lancers late in the third quarter with the score still 14-7.

Central Fellowship continued to control the clock and grind out yards. The Lancers would march 67 yards to get deep into Crusader territory. On the 15th play of the drive, Walls fired a third down pass towards the end zone. Evans came up with a huge interception to end the threat and preserve the Crusader lead.

YOU AIN’T SEEN NOTHING YET: Crusader freshman Asher Evans made a couple of the most impressive catches of the entire season in the separate halves of Friday’s win over CFCA. He pulled in a contested ball for a 30-yard touchdown reception in the first (above), then one-upped the highlight in the second with a leaping interception (below), nearly locking arms with receiver Carter Welch on his way up to steal a pass and rob the Lancers of a potential game-tying touchdown on the end of their longest drive of the night/DANNY SCARBORO

Trinity would take over at the 20 with just over six minutes remaining, looking to chew up clock the way Central Fellowship had been doing all night. Following one first down, Register broke free around the left side and raced 64 yards to paydirt to put Trinity up 21-7 with just over three minutes left in the game.

The Lancers would pick up a couple more first downs, but would eventually turn it over on downs with under a minute left to preserve the Trinity win.

For the evening, the Lancers had the ball for nearly 32 minutes and ran 60 plays. They gained 277 yards.

Trinity had the ball for only 16:34, but gained 348 yards on just 36 plays.

Castro-Poveda continued his solid play behind center going 8-of-11 for 163 yards and added 25 rushing. Register ran 13 times for 147 yards and caught a 20-yard pass. Giles had 74 yards from scrimmage.