Class A Title: Breaking Down Christ Church

Jed Blackwell December 1, 2022 @ 10:35 AM

When Christ Church capped its run of four straight 1A football titles in 2014, most of the Cavaliers' current players were in elementary school.   Now, they're trying to make some more history.   The Cavaliers have rolled through the season with a 13-1 record, the only setback a loss to Holy Innocents Episcopal, an Atlanta power. They've won 12 games in a row, average more than 42 points per game, and give up just more than 15. How have they done it? Coach Quin Hatfield says it's pretty simple.   “We've gotten some really, really good play from a bunch of kids,” he said.   THE MAINSTAYS   That really, really good play starts with [player_tooltip player_id='267466' first='Dashun' last='Reeder'], who has been a force in the running game. He's rushed for 2,005 yards and 39 touchdowns on the ground, and added a TD catch. While he serves as the Cavaliers' hammer, [player_tooltip player_id='262618' first='Woods' last='Windham'] provides more than a steady hand at QB. He's thrown for 2,223 yards and 26 TDs, and makes the Cavaliers balanced. [player_tooltip player_id='262681' first='BJ' last='Atkins'] has more than 800 receiving yards and six TDs, [player_tooltip player_id='1012637' first='Jackson' last='Repp'] has 745 receiving yards and 11 scores, and Luke Baumhofer has 442 yards and four scores.   Paving the way is an offensive line that's learning on the job, but one that's come together as the season has progressed.   “Our OL is really the key to both phases of the offense,” Hatfield said. “We graduated three guys up front. It took us a while to find some continuity. But those guys have played great.”   They've also played well on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='262677' first='Carson' last='Shaw'] broke a school record for sacks last year, and broke it again this season with 15, along with 24 tackles for loss.   “He just gets after the QB,” Hatfield said. “He hunts people down.”   Another key to the Cavaliers defense has been the linebacker group. With all three starters lost to graduation, a new group has emerged.   “Ryan Coley was our backup QB last year, and he decided he wanted to play, and he wasn't beating Woods out, so he got in the weight room and became our third-leading tackler,” Hatfield said. “[player_tooltip player_id='997188' first='Jake' last='Good'] is playing really well at MLB. Cooper Hronchek slid over to SLB and is doing a great job there.”   The Cavaliers also have four seniors in the secondary who have produced. Joey Mikesell, Brock Huff, and Atkins lead the way, along with Benji Horton.   “Benji had an accident last year, and he's lucky to be alive, honestly,” Hatfield said. “He's the heartbeat of our defense.   PLAYER TO WATCH   [player_tooltip player_id='263163' first='Constantine' last='Gandis'] is the Cavaliers' kicker, and a great one. He's a weapon not often found at the 1A level.   “We put a big emphasis on special teams, and Constantine allows us to do a lot of things in the kicking game,” Hatfield said. “When we cross midfield, we feel like we can get three. And in a playoff game like we had against Lewisville, where their return game was as good as we've seen, he nullified it with touchbacks.”   Class A State Championship   No. 2 Christ Church vs. No. 1 Johnsonville   When: Friday, 7p.m.   Where: Benedict College, Columbia   Tickets: $15, available only through gofan.co. Parking an additional $10.

When Christ Church capped its run of four straight 1A football titles in 2014, most of the Cavaliers' current players were in elementary school.