Field Goal Lifts Christ Prep in OT

The Christ Prep Patriots narrowly edged the Lighthouse Christian Academy Chargers today in an overtime game at Shawnee Mission North field. Darren Wallace kicked a 21 yard field goal in CPA's first OT possession. Two plays later the Chargers fumbled on a sweep around right end and the win was secured.

It was a tale of two halves as the first half was all offense for both teams while the second half was a defensive showcase. Lighthouse Christian Academy (LCA) struck first early in the game when Tyler Crain caught a 77 yard touchdown pass from Ethan Purvis. LCA converted on its two-point conversion.

The Patriots came roaring back shortly thereafter. After a recovered fumble, QB Darren Wallace connected on a 15 yard TD strike to Demonta Bailey. Timothy Finley caught a Wallace pass for the 2 point conversion and the game was tied 8-8.

The Chargers added another first quarter score when Jackson Pollock caught another Purvis pass for a 73 yard touchdown. The PAT kick attempt failed.

The Patriots added two scores in the second quarter while LCA added one. Wallace found Bailey again early in the frame, this time for a 60 yard touchdown pass. The Patriots also failed in their ensuing PAT kick attempt.  Shortly thereafter, LCA scored on a 15 yard TD pass from Purvis to Swadley. CPA added a score of its own when Darren Wallace scampered for a 68 yard TD run. Both teams converted on their PAT kicks, and the first half ended tied 21-21.

The second half saw both defenses step up. The Patriots nearly won the game in regulation but a penalty nullified another Wallace TD run and a late period fumble stalled the Patriots drive on about the Charger 10 yard line.

The overtime got underway with the Patriots getting the first crack at scoring from the Charger 10. Given four plays, CPA only managed to get to about the Charger 5 after three plays. Coach Burton trotted in the field goal team, however, and junior Darren Wallace drilled the 21 yard attempt from the right hash, giving the Patriots a 24-21 lead.

It was the Chargers turn next, as they were given four plays to score from the Patriot 10. After gaining about three yards on their first rushing attempt, the Chargers fumbled on their second running attempt, sealing the Patriot win.

The Patriots had many defensive highlights with the win. An Isaiah Huges interception was critical late in the 4th quarter as it stalled a late Charger drive.  Lenard Manuel, in addition to having a solid offensive performance, totalled 9 tackles. Michael Force and Cameron Wainscott added 7 and 5 tackles, respectively.

Offensively, Wallace was 7-10 passing for 114 yards and two touchdowns and one interception. Demonta Bailey had 5 of those catches for 99 yards, while Timothy Finley had the other two for 18 yards.  Wallace added 126 yards rushing on 25 carries.

With the win, the Patriots avenged a heartbreaking 2008 loss against the Chargers in Springfield. CPA improved to 6-4 with the win, while LCA dropped to 5-4 with the loss.

Today's game was the annual Patriot Senior Day. A halftime ceremony honored seniors and their parents from the football and cheer squads.  Seniors honored included Demonta Bailey, Joshua Burton, Jesse Campbell, Kayla Day (Cheer Captain), Jarod Dixon, Gerry Fenton, Davis Finley, Joseph Harp, Isaiah Hughes, Lenard Manuel, Delaney Newth (Cheer), Cameron Wainscott, and Ethan White.

A highlight came after the game when both teams met at midfield to pray together. Both coaches expressed their mutual love and admiration for one another and their teams and acknowledged that the squads share a brotherhood that is rare among competitors. Both teams promised to root for one another as they traveled to Tennessee (CPA) and Florida (LCA) for their respective national tournaments.

Scroll down to see a few photos from today's contest. And, stay tuned as we may be adding some through the weekend....