Confidence is not a problem with Christian High School’s football team. The Patriots went into a showdown against San Diego, both an undefeated 2-0 City League play, the winner assured of the league title.
What did the Patriots do this week?
Print T-shirts reading City League Champions with Patriots scripted across the bottom. After defeating San Diego 20-14 on the Cavers’ historic Balboa Stadium field Friday night, Christian was busy handing out and modeling the T-shirts.
“Some might look at (making the T-shirts) as cocky,” said Christian head coach Patrick Bugg. “But we knew what we had coming in. We knew San Diego’s a great team. But we knew if we played Christian football, the old-school way of doing things …”
Bugg paused, then added, “This is a tough group. A resilient group.”
The Patriots improved to 7-2 and 3-0 with a controlled, -happy offense and a stubborn defense. Sophomore quarterback Kaleb Runkle completed 27 of 32 es for 240 yards and two touchdowns against one interception.
Wide receiver Brady Eads caught 16 es for 126 yards and a TD.
But it was the defense, which has allowed just 38 points the past five games, that saved the day. San Diego (6-3, 2-1) bolted 75 yards in nine plays on its first possession, Jayden Johnson (17 carries, 176 yards) scoring from 2 yards out.
In the fourth quarter, Johnson romped 45 yards for a TD that cut Christian’s lead to 20-14. But that defense turned in three clutch series to preserve the win.
In the third quarter, the Patriots stopped San Diego on downs at the Christian 2, then forced a blocked field goal attempt when the Cavers advanced to the visitors’ 12.
With 2:35 to play, San Diego took over on its 23 with a chance, on Senior Night, to drive for a game-winning TD. Instead, Christian linebacker Chase Togerson intercepted a middle screen to lock up the win.
“I watched a lot of film this week and I knew what their tendencies were,” said Togerson. “Their linemen went in protection, then released. I knew my keys and had to go make a play.”
That he did, picking off the middle screen and cementing the win.
As to how he picked off the , Togerson said, “Just follow the ball.”
Runkle played on the freshman team last season at Open Division champion Granite Hills. With Granite led by freshman QB Zac Benitez last season, Runkle knew he had little chance to play, so he transferred to Christian.
He sat out the first five weeks of the season (four games) and has played splendidly since taking over the starting job. His five-game stats: 82 of103 (79.6 percent), 935 yards, 13 TDs and one interception. He has rushed for 176 yards.
“I’m so happy to be back playing,” said Runkle. “So excited.”
“He definitely has played older than a sophomore,” said Bugg. “It’s the throws that he doesn’t make that are special. He’s not forcing the ball. He’s making the right reads.”
As for his quarterback’s scrambling ability, Bugg said, “He’s so competitive. He would just as soon run over somebody. We tell him, ‘Kaleb, you’ve got to slide.’ He’s just ultra competitive.”
But it was the defense’s night. That unit is allowing just 11.4 points a game. Bugg tipped his hat to his defensive coordinator, Pat Kelly.
“Coach Kelly has got those boys dialed in,” said Bugg. “They all play team ball. They play for each other.”
Christian 20, San Diego 14
Christian 6 8 0 6 – 20
San Diego 7 0 0 7 – 14
C – Eads 3 from Runkle (kick blocked)
SD – Johnson 1 run (Morales kick)
C – Houston 17 run (Jeremiah from Wilkins)
C – Eads 4 from Runkle ( failed)
SD – Johnson 45 run (Morales kick)
