Community Christian Shuts Down Bethel

<strong><em>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy</em></strong> With a fierce north wind making passing difficult anytime an offense lined up to head north, the game always projected to be a defensive struggle. Add in stout defensive front sevens, playmaking defensive backs and sloppy mistakes with the ball, and it was a game of tight margins. After the teams traded interceptions to start the first quarter, Bethel again marched into scoring range before miscues forced them to punt. Shortly after that, the first quarter ended and Community Christian had the wind at their back for the second frame. With the wind advantage, senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="189180" first="Boyce" last="McIntosh"] got aggressive with his downfield targets. The benefactor of those plays was senior wide receiver Charlie Peterson. He showed his value as a big contested catch winner to get first downs. Then on 3rd and goal, following a bad snap and McIntosh scrambling, Peterson was the safety net. He made a tough tight window catch to open the scoring for the Royals. Following the point after attempt, the Royals would eventually take a 7-0 edge into the half. To start the third quarter, Bethel was still playing in the direction of the wind. It was a slow start to the third frame. but midway through the quarter the Wildcats would gamble on a fourth down in their own territory. They came up just short. Community Christian would make good use of that field position, and was able to march the ball down to the one yard line as the third frame came to a close. On the first play of the fourth quarter, McIntosh would call his own number and on an impressive second effort break into the endzone to make it 13-0 Royals. The missed PAT would have no impact on the game. As even with two Wildcat drives that crossed midfield in the final quarter, they were intercepted both times. The first one was picked off by Peterson. And then for good measure with a couple minutes left in the game, Peterson would grab his second interception and the Royals’ fourth overall. Community Christian  0    7    0    6   13 Bethel                                  0    0    0    0    0 <strong>Turning Point</strong> Fourth down conversions were a big theme of the night. With Community Christian able to hit big plays to extend drives, while Bethel coming close a few times but ultimately being denied. In the second quarter, McIntosh found his top target Charlie Peterson for a big fourth and ten conversion. That and his strong catch for the touchdown were the big plays that put the Royals on the path to victory. [embed]https://youtu.be/94RY3EN9EAg[/embed] &nbsp; <strong>Player of the Game</strong> Charlie Peterson - 2023 WR-DB Noticed a theme in this recap yet? It was Charlie Peterson’s night. Big plays on offense with highlight reel catches? Check. A trip to the end zone? Check. An interception to end a scoring threat?  Possibly his best catch of the night that doubled as the interception to put the result beyond a doubt? Check that off as well. <strong>Up Next</strong> <strong>Community Christian vs Lexington</strong> The Royals will have a chance to extend their winning streak to four straight when they host the Lexington Bulldogs next week. The last time these two programs met was in 2019, which Lexington won 36-6. <strong>Bethel at Purcell</strong> The Wildcats will have one final regular season game to right the ship before the playoffs. They’ll travel south to face the Purcell Dragons. Last season’s match up with the Dragons was unfortunately postponed. Way back in 2019, the two teams squared off as Class 3A programs. Which Purcell won 43-33.