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Vail Christian tops Justice for fifth win

Ian Smith
Vail, CO Colorado
SPT VCFB Cavanaugh TS 09-19-08
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BOULDER, Colorado ” Vail Christian stuck to its usual game plan on Saturday. The Saints used their big play offense and stout defense to cruise past Justice 52-22 in Boulder.

The victory improves Vail Christian’s record to 5-1 overall and 5-0 in the conference.

“They were a good team we played,” Vail Christian coach Tim Pierson said. “They had a lot of talent, I should say. Our kids played well as a team. I was very proud of the team.”



Will Parker started the Saints’ offensive outburst with a 33-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Elliot Simon found Kieran Hurtt on the 2-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.

Parker struck again minutes later with a 45-yard jaunt to the end zone to stretch Vail Christian’s advantage to 14-0. The offensive line paved the way for a big day on the ground Saturday. The Saints rushed for six touchdowns.

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“Our counter play was real successful where we pull our tight end and guard,” Pierson said. “I think they did well up front.”

Vail Christian went to the air for its next two touchdowns. First, Simon hit Chris Schmidt for a 24-yard TD on a fade route. On the next possession, Simon and Schmidt hooked up for another touchdown, this one from 7 yards out for a 28-0 lead.

A.J. Burgess capped the Saints’ explosive first half with a 46-yard TD run to make the score 34-6 heading into the break.

“We have a lot of talent,” Pierson said. “I think the offense we are running, we can spread it out to those guys.”

Larry Cavanaugh ” who missed the first half because he was taking the SAT exam ” scrambled for a 12-yard touchdown in the third quarter for a 40-14 advantage. The Saints added two more TDs in the fourth quarter. Schmidt notched his third score of the day on a 33-yard reverse. Guy Garth plunged in from 4 yards out to account for the final 52-22 margin.

With the offense rolling, the Saints’ defense did a good job of limiting Justice to only 22 points.

“They had a quarterback who was as good as any player in the league,” Pierson said. “Every time he dropped back to pass, we had to contain him. The second half, they went no huddle and threw almost every play to try and get back in it.”

Vail Christian hosts North Park Saturday in its Homecoming game at 1 p.m.

Sports Writer Ian Smith can be reached at 970-748-2935 or ismith@vaildaily.com.


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