Big plays help Defenders cruise past Genesee County
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
GOODRICH — Troy Christian Leadership Academy has an element that few teams in the Christian Football League of Michigan can counter: Athletes with game-breaking speed that are able to make the big play.
The Defenders displayed some of that during Saturday morning’s league game at Goodrich High School.
Showcasing a complete reversal of last year’s game with Flint Genesee County Home School, which defeated Troy 44-0 last September, the Defenders broke open a tight game with three scores inside the final 1:10 of the third quarter and cruised to a 32-8 victory over the Warriors.
FOLLOW MY LEAD: Troy Christian Leadership Academy's Emanuel Swiggins (No. 23) paves the way for running back Cortez Saine (No. 8) during the Defenders' 32-8 triumph Saturday over Flint Genesee County Home School. Staff Photo | Dan Stickradt
“I think everyone is starting to come together, play for one another,” admitted first-year Defenders coach Chris Vitale. “We’ve got some great leadership from players who were on the team last year. We have guys that are in their second and third year. They are starting to understand the game (better). Now the guys have been practicing on a set schedule for a few weeks. We are starting to trust each other and everyone is doing their responsibilities.”
After the host Warriors (1-4, 1-4) closed to within 14-8 with 1:41 left in the third quarter on Drake McComb’s 10-yard TD strike to Jonah Byers and Zach Russell’s two-point conversion reception, Troy was quickly able to curtail that momentum.
Two plays after the ensuing kickoff, junior quarterback Maclane Essian broke a tackle near the line of scrimmage and raced 56 yards for the score, moving the lead to 20-8 with 1:10 left in the frame.
The Defenders, ranked 14th nationally in the United States Home School Athletic Association polls, were able to recover the pooch kick on the Warriors’ 12 yard line. Two plays later, senior Emanuel Swiggins scored on a reverse play by scampering in from 12 yards out with 44 ticks remaining in the quarter.
Troy quickly forced Genesee County to punt on its next possession, and Swiggins, a transfer from North Carolina, made the Warriors pay by returning the punt 55 yards for another score with seven seconds left in the frame.
“Those plays took them out of the game,” smiled Vitale. “We do have a lot of speed on this team.”
Swiggins feels his team has a lot of natural ability.
“We just practice hard in every practice, listen to our coaches and come out every Saturday ready to play,” said Swiggins. “We just use our God-given talent on the field and use it to the bet of our ability. We have a lot of guys that are very fast and can create, make things happen out on the field.”
AROUND LEFT: Troy Christian Leadership Academy's Mitchel Essian motors towards the sideline during Saturday's league game. Staff Photo | Dan Stickradt.
Defensively, the Defenders stopped the Warriors inside the 30 twice, including once on downs at the Troy 1 with 8:55 left in the contest. Troy also forced four turnovers.
Troy scored first with 1:43 to play in the opening quarter, as Maclane Essian scored on a 50-yard run. He also hit freshman brother Montana Essian just over the goal line for the two-point conversion and an 8-0 lead.
The Defenders struck again with 3:38 left in the second quarter, this time switching quarterbacks. Senior Mitchell Essian found sibling Maclane Essian open on a 28-yard scoring pass, although the conversion run was halted.
Flint has lost three games this season by six points or less and learned Thursday it had lost starting quarterback Matt DeLong to a broken bone in his throwing hand. The Warriors missed their signal caller.
“We had to do an emergency repair and move someone else to quarterback at the last minute,” said Genesee County coach Mark Brimmer. “We made me nice plays, but we couldn’t keep any momentum going. Troy has some talented athletes on their team and they are very quick. They are a good team. They could give defending (league) champ Lansing a good game here in a few weeks.”
Troy moved to 5-1 on the season and 5-0 in the nine-team Christian Football League of Michigan, setting a team record for wins in the season. The Defenders were 4-4 in 2008 during their inaugural campaign but only won two games each in 2009 and 2010.
“Right now we have some great individuals. We’re working towards that great team goal,” said Vitale, who spent the past several years as an assistant coach at Class B St. Clair Shores South Lake. “We’re looking forward to a great battle again next week.”
JARING HIT: Troy Christian Leadership's Josh Traylor knocks the ball loose from Flint Genesee County Home School's Jonah Byers during Saturday's CFLM contest. Staff Photo | Dan Stickradt
Mitchell Essian had 46 yards on seven carries and Maclane Essian added 53 yards on eight rushes. Maclane Essian was 7-for-13 passing for 89 yards and one interception.
Maclane Essian also had six tackles and picked off a pass, while Nathan Klarr and Cortez Saine also had picks and Josh Traylor recovered a fumble for the Defenders.
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Category: High School, High School (M-Z), Prep Wraps, Troy Christian Leadership Acadamy
