Published Saturday, October 11, 2008

Crusaders, Lions both fall just short

The Times-Herald

AUBURN, Ala. -- Heritage Christian's comeback effort Friday ran out of time as host Ballard Christian built a 16-point lead and barely managed to hold on for a 37-34 victory over the Crusaders in ICSGA 8-man football action.

Blaze Sherman's 1-yard touchdown run tied the game at 14-14 for Heritage Christian, who answered with scoring drives following Ballard's first-two touchdowns. Despite recovering an onside kick, Ballard's defense held and went ahead 22-14 at halftime.

The hosts built a 30-14 lead before a 50-yard run by Brandon Hurler closed the gap. the teams traded touchdowns again, with Robert Culmo pulling in a 43-yard pass from quarterback Drew Davis. Down 37-27, Davis threw his second touchdown pass to Justin King, from 24-yards out to close the margin to three points.

After forcing a final Ballard punt, Heritage Christian took over at is own 29-yard line with just 2.9 seconds on the clock and couldn't convert.

Hurler finished with 95 yards rushing to go with King's pair of touchdown passes and Davis' three touchdown passes.

Heritage Christian (3-5, 2-3 in ICSGA West Region) wraps up its 2008 season on Friday at Praise Academy.

CUMBERLAND 80, TRINITY CHRISTIAN 74: With a playoff berth already locked up, the Lions came up on the short end of a shootout with their Marietta opponents on homecoming night. Trinity will play at Grace Baptist of Hiram on Oct. 24 in the ICSGA semifinals.