Against Portsmouth Christian in Covenant’s opener, the Eagles had exactly the kind of offensive balance they’re looking for with regards to the run game. A little bit of outside and a little bit of inside is what makes Covenant’s option dangerous.
Against Christchurch Friday afternoon though, Covenant couldn’t get the ball moving consistently in any of those ways or through the air. The Eagles ran into a Christchurch team that was a state finalist in 2015 and gave Covenant a lot of problems in a 26-0 loss that was cut short by a weather delay with just over five minutes to play in the third quarter and never resumed.
Nyheim Tucker got Christchurch going with a long return on the opening kickoff and the Seahorses capitalized with a touchdown by Charlie Lange to make it 6-0 Christchurch.
Covenant’s offense sputtered throughout, and Christchurch took advantage of the ensuing strong field position, tacking on a touchdown Steven Stilanos keeper in the second quarter followed shortly by Tucker getting loose again for a 38-yard punt return for a touchdown.
At halftime it was 19-0 Seahorses, with an interception by Stephen Wilder at the end of the second quarter preventing Christchurch from building on its lead.
Christchurch’s Jamar Darboe scored in the third quarter to make it 26-0 before lightning forced the officials to send the squads to the locker room. After extended delays, the game was called.
Covenant finished with 11 rushing yards and 30 yards through the air as a team in the shortened game as the offense simply couldn’t get going.
Stilianos, the Christchurch quarterback, finished with 55 yards on the ground on eight carries. He also threw for 71 yards. Jarius Monroe rushed for 68 yards on eight touches of his own.
Covenant will look to bounce back against Virginia Episcopal at home Friday.
