Patriots stick it to Needles in romp

NEEDLES – Utilizing a strong effort on both sides of the ball, Christian High registered consecutive touchdowns on both sides of the line early in the first quarter, rolling past the host Needles Mustangs, 40-6, in Saturday’s (Sept. 17 non-league contest.

Gage Humora started the onslaught by capping the opening drive with a 7-yard touchdown run.

Moments later, the Patriots’ Brady Eads started his big performance on both sides of the football.

Two minutes after Christian took the lead, Eads registered the first of his two touchdowns by hauling in a Spencer Johnson pass for a 21-yard score.

The second quarter started with the Patriots blocking a punt, with Eads a 6-foot-2 junior, scooping the loose ball and rumbling uncontested for 21 yards and another score.

Later, Dylan Eads, a junior, would make the score 40-6 by hauling in a 45-yard pass from Johnson.

Johnson finished with 243 yards through the air on 14-of-19 passing. The quarterback fired three TD passes, including a connection with Jake Marsh (4 yards) to open the second half.

Dylan Eads, a senior, had six receptions for 173 yards.

Chase Togerson, a sophomore, scored a rushing touchdown for the Patriots.

Christian (4-2 overall) capped its 4-straight road games with a 3-1 mark by winning the final two contests. The Patriots return home to complete the non-league slate by hosting Valhalla at Valley Stadium on Fri., Nov. 22, starting at 7 p.m.

Needles fell to 2-3 overall.

Needles, located along the Colorado River, is one of five California high schools that is a member of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association.

On Nov. 17, 2007, Mustangs football captured the NIAA Division 2-A  state championship, traveling to Reno to defeat the Yerington High Lions, 18–14.

Another California member in NIAA sports is Truckee High north of Lake Tahoe, a multiple-state champion in football, golf, and skiing.

Meanwhile, along Interstate 8 east of San Diego Imperial counties, San Pasqual Valley High of Winterhaven (across the Colorado River from Yuma, Ariz.) is a member of state prep athletics in Arizona. The Warriors are former members of the CIF San Diego Section.

Christian  (4-2)  14 13 13  0 -- 40

Needles     (2-3)  0  6  0  - --  6

C – Gage Humora 7 run (kick failed)

C – Brady Eads 21 pass from Spencer Johnson (Talan Buchmann kick)

N – RushingTD (pass failed)

C – Brady Eads 21 blocked punt return (Talan Buchmann kick)

C – Chase Togerson 9 run (Talan Buchmann kick)

C – Jake Marsh 4 pass from Spencer Johnson (Talan Buchmann kick)

C – Brady Eads 45 pass from Spencer Johnson (kick failed)