Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011

The Holy Rams finish undefeated

Word of God defeated Arendell Parrott Academy 46-34 in the NCISAA eight-man football championship game, completing its second straight undefeated season.

The Holy Rams trailed 34-32 after Patriots quarterback Matt Hinson connected with Todd Bailey on a 38-yard touchdown pass for the duo's second score of the night. It took two big runs by Qwentarreus Yarborough and two interceptions by Jonathan Jackson before the Rams could celebrate safely.

"It was time to step up and show where our heart was," Yarborough said of his team's fourth quarter resurgence. "We worked every day this season to go 12-0. We weren't even thinking about losing."

Yarborough finished with 240 yards on 20 carries, three of which went for touchdowns, including a 95-yard scamper for the game's first score.

While his team needed all of his touchdowns, none were bigger than his second. In Arendell Parrott territory with just over four minutes to go, Yarborough took a handoff 33 yards through the heart of the defense for the go-ahead score.

"I told my blockers the game was in their hands," Yarborough said after the game. "We had to go hard or go home."

Friday's meeting was the second between the two teams this season. Word of God won the first game as well, but coach Kevin Washington knew his team was going to be in for a challenge.

"We knew that they could pass the football. We had to make a big play (on defense)," Washington said.

Arendell Parrott led 20-16 at halftime thanks to big plays in the passing game and nearly a dozen penalties by Word of God. The Holy Rams were called for pass interference on consecutive drives near the goal line, giving Arendell Parrott a fresh set of downs. They were able to capitalize.

Running back Clayton Lewis finished with 183 yards and three touchdowns on just nine carries, with scoring runs of 19, 20 and 60 yards for Word of God. Hinson finished 12 of 18 for 225 yards and passed for three scores. Andrew Davenport finished with a team-high 125 yards on 19 carries.

After the game, Yarborough spoke proudly of his team's commitment to winning back-to-back titles.

"We were just trying to remain on top. We knew we were going to be the team that everyone wants to beat," he said. "We knew everyone was going to go hard against us, but we showed them that we still had it."