Thursday, November 26, 2009

Patriots Ranked Second Nationally

The Christ Prep Patriots were ranked second nationally among all homeschool teams in a final poll released by The Freeman Scoring, a service utilized by CBS Sportsline's MaxPreps.com.  First place honors were secured by the NOAH Jaguars, the homeschool team in the Tulsa area and one of CPA's 2009 opponents (a 39-22 loss on October 23).  Other CPA opponents in the top ten were the Lighthouse Christian Academy (Springfield Chargers) who were ranked 8th. CPA defeated the Chargers 24-21 in OT on October 31.

Follow this link to read an article in today's Tulsa World http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/article.aspx?subjectid=236&articleid=20091126_253_B10_Jenksd150296 which mentions the Max Prep rankings. Special thanks to David Van Risseghem of the NOAH Jaguars for brining this article to our attention.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Patriots Fall in Hard Fought Championship Game

The Christ Prep Patriots fell to undefeated Bradenton Prep 26-8 Thursday night at Fort Bluff camp in Dayton, Tennessee. The game decided the NACA Division I tournament championship.

The Patriots put forth a valiant effort against a supremely talented Bradenton Prep team. Bradenton (12-0) indicated CPA was by far the best team they had played all year. The Patriots continued to fight back after several big Bradenton plays. The Patriots trailed 6-0 at the end of the first quarter and were down only 14-0 at the end of the first half only after a Bradenton TD as the half expired.

The Patriots fought back hard in the second half.  Despite an injury to QB Darren Wallace after a long run, the Patriots sustained momentum as sophmore backup QB Jack Layman came in to finish off the drive that Wallace started.  Lenard Manuel scored a rushing TD and Layman completed the 2-point conversion to Cameron Wainscott.

Despite several other good offensive drives in the second half and some incredible defensive plays, the Patriots fell short.

Stay tuned as we attempt to post some photos and other information from Fort Bluff Camp.

Patriots Visit the Bluff, Remember Fury Company


In preparation for their 8:00 p.m. (Eastern) game tonight against Bradenton Prep, the Christ Prep Patriots spent some time today on "The Bluff" at the top of Mt. Dayton on the grounds of Fort Bluff Camp.  The Bluff is a well known spot to all current and former Patriot players, and the team's annual visit there is the spiritual and overall highlight of this annual trek to Tennessee.  The view from the Bluff is breathtaking, as it overlooks the Tennessee River Valley some 1,100 feet below.

The team spent over an hour today at this scenic overlook.  A special message was delivered by the Rev. Jim McNally, a close friend of Coach Dick Burton. Rev. McNally challenged the young men spiritually then challenged them to perform their best tonight on the field. One significant quote was "When you think the opponent might be too big to hit, consider them too big to miss!"  This devotional time included a discussion of the body and blood of Jesus Christ and culminated in the partaking of communion.

A significant part of the afternoon was devoted to the men of Fury Company. The Patriots will be playing tonight for Fury Company, part of the US Army's 4th Infantry Division currently serving our country in Afghanistan.  Coach Burton read a letter sent by his son, Lt. Tim Burton, who sent one of Fury Company's flag which accompanied Lt. Burton during many of his missions against the Taliban in dangerous Afghan territory.

Coach Burton also read the following excerpt from a book called The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning:

The noun fury is commonly associated with extreme anger. However, when the Oxford Dictionary of Current English discusses "the fury of a gathering storm," the meaning morphs into intense energy.

When one of England's finest writers, G. K. Chesterton, spoke of "the furious love of God," he was referencing the enormous vitality and strength of the God of Jesus seeking union with us.



Another ragamuffin, Rich Mullins, sought to describe the same longing of God: "In the reckless raging fury that they call the love of God."

Please view some of the photos of today's moving pre-game ceremony.

And remember, you can follow tonight's game, set to start at approximately 8:00 p.m. Eastern, by following this link: http://www.livestream.com/nacasportstv


Please remember to pray for the safety of the Christ Prep Patriots and the soldiers protecting your freedoms with Fury Company.


Patriots to Play Thursday Night

Greetings From Tennessee! In case you haven't heard, the Christ Prep Patriots will only be playing one game this year in Tennessee. That game will be tomorrow (Thursday) night at 8:00 p.m. against Bradenton (Fla.) Prep. This game will determine the NACA Division I Champion.

After a good practice in Tennessee this morning, the Patriots spent the afternoon on a field trip enjoying some local scenery. After Chapel this evening the team enjoyed watching one of the 8-Man games.

A new feature this year will be an opportunity to watch the Championship games via live stream TV through the NACA website.  Click here to watch the Patriots in action: http://nacasports.com/naca-sports-tv-2-20/

Also, we'll try to make a post right after the game with the results.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Patriots Battle For Fury


The Christ Prep Patriots have a "12th Man" rooting them on this week at the NACA tournament in Dayton, Tennessee. The Patriots, in turn, are rooting for this 12th Man as it fights a far more perilous battle day-in and day-out on the other side of the world.

The Patriots' 12th Man is Fury Company of the 4th Infantry Division of the United States Army. The soldiers of Fury Company are currently serving in Afghanistan. Their unit and the Patriots have developed a unique relationship this season as each has carried the other's flag into their respective battles.

The relationship between Fury and the Patriots began last summer when coach Dick Burton attended the funeral of one of Fury's fallen soldiers. Coach Burton's son Tim is a Lieutenant with Fury and Coach traveled to Indiana to represent Tim at the funeral. It was at that time Coach Burton conceived of the idea of the Patriots playing for Fury during the 2009 season. He subsequently presented the idea to the team which embraced in heartily. Since that time the communication and momentum have been building as each "unit" has developed a mutual respect, admiration, and following of the other.

In the photo above, senior running back Lenard Manuel models the Fury Company logo which has been affixed to the front of each of the Patriots' helmets. Pictured below is the decal which has been placed on the backs of all of the Patriots' helmets. It is a decal which honors the fallen soldier mentioned above.


During halftime of this year's homecoming game against East High School, Coach Burton discussed the relationship between Fury and the Patriots. He unveiled the logos and decals at that time. A link to this video can be followed here: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.youtube.com%252Fwatch%253Fv%253D3ZegHubtwfQ&h=c6c51397ee5e6f7f165dd0f7f560daba&ref=mf.

Coach Burton also has provided some photos from a photographer who has followed Fury Company. Follow this link to see these photos: http://www.photoshelter.com/c/lucianread/gallery/Afghanistan-Kunar-Summer-2009/G0000n1o6XlEriNA/.

Following is Coach Burton's commentary on these photos. These comments were excerpted from an email to the Patriot families.

Patriot Football Families,

Sorry I didn’t add some explanation to the link to the pictures of the 4th ID in Kunar Province in Afghanistan. Here are some details –


The photographer is Lucian Read, and he is a correspondent for Dan Rather. He has been riding in my son Tim’s MRAP for transportation to the FOBs (forward operating bases) and COPs (combat outposts) over the last few months.

The pictures give an idea of the kind of terrain Fury Co. and the rest of 4th ID have to deal with on a daily basis.

The men of Fury Co. are very encouraged by the support you are showing, and they have sent us a gift… it’s
a surprise, and it is supposed to arrive before we leave for TN.


Coach Burton

Please check back as we provide more details this week about the Patriots' play in Tennessee. We also hope to provide additional information about Fury Company and the special bond it has developed with the Patriots. Please pray for the young men of CPA's football team as they prepare to compete in Tennessee. Please also pray for the soldiers of Fury Company as they protect our freedoms on the rugged soil of Afghanistan.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Patriots Make Final Preparations for Tennessee

With the game cancelled this weekend with the Oklahoma City Patriots, the Christ Prep football team is making final preparations for the National Association of Christian Athletics tournament next week in Dayton, Tennessee. The Patriots practiced Friday night at Red Bridge and will practice tomorrow (Saturday) in shells after taking team and individual pictures.  The team leaves Monday night for the trip to Tennessee, with games scheduled for Wednesday (Nov. 11) and Friday (Nov. 13). Stay tuned for reports from the action in Dayton.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Coach Profile: Darrell Wallace

There's a familiar face in a new role on the Patriots' sideline this fall. Former CPA standout Darrell Wallace has traded in his helmet and shoulder pads for a clipboard and headset as he settles into his new role as Assistant Coach for Christ Preparatory Academy.

Only last season Darrell was leading the Patriots in his role as tight end, linebacker and quarterback. The 2008 season, Darrell's senior campaign, capped off a five year career for him as a Patriot.

This year Darrell coaches the Patriot wide receivers. This facet of the Patriot offense has improved steadily this year, with the receivers tallying more than 100 yards and seven receptions this past Saturday in their victory over the Lighthouse Christian Chargers of Springfield, Missouri.

Darrell was born in Kansas City and currently resides in Lee's Summit. He is currently attending college locally with plans to eventually transfer to Missouri S and T in Rolla so that he may study engineering.

Darrell overcame significant adversity during his senior season. He suffered a concussion while playing quarterback in the Northeast game. He had to be taken to the emergency room from the game and was sidelined for several weeks. At one time it appeared his career was over prematurely.  God healed him more quickly than expected, however, and he was back on the field for the season's final games.

Darrell is one of three Wallaces on the sidelines. Darrell's younger brother Darren is the current Patriot QB and their father David is Christ Prep's defensive coordinator.

When Darrell isn't coaching the Patriots he enjoys following the Chiefs and Texas Longhorns. He also enjoys playing golf, and was a standout golfer for four years on the Christ Prep golf team. He won several tournaments as a Patriot golfer and just last season finished 4th in the Kansas Christian Athletic Association state championships, helping the Patriots win that event by 50 strokes over their nearest competitor.

Darrell has been a leader for CPA both on and off the field.  His favorite Scripture passage is Psalm 86:11-12 which says "Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your name forever." Darrell likes this verse because it calls Christians to fear God and glorify His name forever. It is Darrell's life verse and his prayer for every Christian is to strive for God. His goal for this year's team  is to bond as a unit and to bring back a NACA Championship in Tennessee.

Darrell desires the prayers of other believers as he continues on with college and seeks and engineering degree. Please remember this godly young man in your prayers as he helps coach the Patriots and as he follows after his career aspirations.


Coach Darrell Wallace.

Winning FG Video

Check out this video of Darren Wallace's game-winning FG Saturday against the Lighthouse Christian Academy Chargers: http://sharing.theflip.com/session/082120beeabf2fe2af16c4ad49abd60c/video/7076368