HARRELLS – Junior Devin Gardner rushed for over 200 yards and scored 6 touchdowns to lead Harrells Christian Academy to a 63-35 victory Friday night over Cabarrus (Cannon/Concord Academy) in the semi-finals of the NCISAA Division 2 Football Playoffs.
The Crusaders improved to 8-0 on the season and advanced to play Christ School in Arden in the NCISAA D2 state championship game Friday night.
Gardner scored on runs of 60, 75, 1, 8 and 30 yards and returned one of his 2 recovered fumbles for a 22-yard touchdown.
The Warriors rode the passing arm of freshman Tyler Green on a 64-yard opening drive that culminated with Green’s 13-yard touchdown pass to freshman Will Jones. Junior Todd Pellino kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead.
Harrells rode the power running of junior Xavier Arrington and Gardner on their first drive of the game that produced a 7-yard touchdown run by Arrington. Sophomore Ethan Spell booted the conversion to knot the score 7-7 with 4:09 left in the quarter.
After the Crusader defense forced a 3-and-out, Gardner blasted through the line and galloped 60 yards for a touchdown and a 14-7 HCA lead after Spell’s conversion kick at the 3:30 mark.
The Warriors responded with a drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by Jones on the 1st play of the 2nd quarter. Pellino’s kick tied the game 14-14.
On the 1st play following the kickoff, Gardner charged through the line and motored 75 yards for a touchdown. Spell tacked on the point for a 21-14 lead. Moments later Gardner pounced on a Warrior fumble at the 5 yardline. Two plays later Arrington dashed 4 yards for a touchdown and a 28-14 HCA lead after Spell’s kick 9:59 before halftime.
Back came the Warriors as Green hurled a 59-yard touchdown pass to freshman Max Riley that trimmed the margin to 28-21 at the 7:35 mark.
The Crusaders recovered a Cabarrus onside kick at their own 49. One play later Arrington sped 36 yards around left end. Gardner banged into the end zone from a yard out, and Spell connected on the conversion for a 35-21 HCA lead.
Sophomore Walker Ward ended the next Cabarrus threat by intercepting a pass at the Harrells 13 yard line. Another turnover ended the next Warrior possession as junior Trent Jackson stripped the ball from the quarterback. Gardner scooped the ball up and raced 22 yards for a touchdown and a 42-21 lead after Spell’s extra point with 51 seconds left in the half.
The Crusaders opened the 2nd half with a 63-yard drive. Spell fired a long pass to junior Sam Hope for a 55-yard gain, and Gardner bolted 8 yards for the touchdown. Spell split the uprights again to boost the lead to 49-21.
Moments later a high Warrior snap was recovered by Crusader senior Grice Bell at the Cabarrus 2 yardline. Senior Issac Underwood carried into the end zone on the next play, and Spell’s kick pushed the lead to 56-21 with 7:53 left in the 3rd quarter.
The Warriors rallied with a 45-yard drive that resulted in Green’s 5-yard touchdown pass to sophomore David Wheeler with 11:14 left in the game. Pellino’s conversion made it 56-28. After a Harrells fumble, Green connected with Wheeler again on a 35-yard touchdown pass that sliced the lead to 56-35.
The Crusaders drove to the Cabarrus 10 yardline but lost a fumble. However after a short Warrior punt, Gardner broke free off the left side for a 30-yard touchdown run that sealed the verdict. Spell converted his 9th extra point kick for the final margin.
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