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SFC spoils Patriots’ season opener
- Updated: August 24, 2019
Christian against Santa Fe Christian on Friday night.
2019 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
SANTA FE CHRISTIAN 28, CHRISTIAN 20
By Dave Dickens
EastCountySports.com
EL CAJON (8-23-2019) – The Christian High Patriots football team had high hopes coming into their contest with Santa Fe Christian on Friday night.
A well-known, friendly rival, if you will.
After a visit to each of the East County training camps, Christian appeared to be the well-kept secret in the county.
Why do you ask?
The answer clearly was and still is, the quarterback transfer via Westview and St. Augustine High.
GABE KRUG took a few snaps as a talented backup in 2018, as he watched his former Saints squad narrowly escape an impressive comeback by the always resilient Helix Highlanders.
Little did the young sophomore gunslinger at the time know, the near future would prove to hold great reward and many opportunities for the young athlete.
Krug transferred to Christian High over the summer, quickly fell in love the Christian campus and coaching staff, then solidified his spot behind center as yet another quarterback, and only a junior, not to mention an offer from Arizona
State University, before stepping foot onto the field.
All that talent along with some great returners such as TODD BEEZER, handling the punting duties, along with his “Gronk”-like stature and great hands.
Not to mention NATHANIEL STINE and many other great returning vets and young talent.
The Patriots won the coin toss and elected to defer and receive in the second half.
It was not only a roaring home crowd, but the Eagles of Santa Fe Christian also came south in herds to support the rival squad and fill Valley Stadium to the brim, a perfect setting for a home opener featuring two rivals.
Most of the media favored the Patriots, as they well-deserved after an impressive dominating performance in a scrimmage versus the Grossmont Foothillers just a week prior.
On Santa Fe Christian’s first possession, the offense worked the game plan, keeping the high-powered Patriot offense on the sidelines.
The Eagles held possession for over five minutes, eating up the clock, running the ball effectively with a nice toss to one of the backs.
The Eagles picked up 2 first downs on their first drive before the Patriot defense dug in and forced the turnover on downs
at their own 20 yard line.
Unfortunately, the Patriots went three-and-out punting the ball away. Beezer handled the duties like a champ.
Eagles’ running back STEPHEN BRITTON was tearing through the Patriot defense, however, it wasn’t the failure of missed tackles,
Britton was making great cuts and just a heck of a back this evening.
The Eagles’ JACK WINTERS punched in a two-yard touchdown to break the scoreless tie, 6-0, as Christian blocked the extra point.
Krug was under duress for a majority of the evening. The Eagles sacked Krug twice.
The speedster from Santa Fe Christian, Britton, scored yet again a 4-yard scamper to put the Eagles up 13-0 with the extra point successful.
With 7 minutes to play before the half, QBKrug smashed through the line for a 2-yard touchdown to put the Patriots in business, and with the successful extra point, leaving the score 13-7 Eagles with under 7 minutes to go.
The score would remain 13-7 at the half.
Santa Fe Christian maintained possession for a majority of the game and would score on a 22-yard burst into the end zone by the Eagles’ JACK WINTERS, and a successful point after, increasing the lead, 20-7.
Never count out the heart of a Patriot.
With under three minutes to go in regulation, Stine rushed in for a 2-yard score, and also another successful point after, left the score, 20-14.
Christian was showing no signs of giving up.
The pesky Britton broke off yet another burst into the open field and was brought down at the Christian 36.
Unfortunately for the Patriots, on fourth down, BLAKE WEEKS, of the Eagles, ran for the full 36 yards, which ended all hopes of a Patriot comeback. SFC also succeeded with the two-point rushing conversion.
However, with one minute remaining, the always explosive CHRISTIAN SALACUP added a beautiful 99-yard kick return touchdown, with a failed point after.
The final from Valley Stadium was SFC 28, Christian 20.
Don’t count out these Patriots, they are a dangerous team, loaded with talent.
