Lions maul Cardinals
Augusta Christian 44
Cardinal Newman 8
By George Kaupp

Ryan Sherlock returns a kickoff. Photo by Jim Marczesky

Kyle Meeks ran for 129 yards and two touchdowns, heading up a balanced running attack as the visiting Lions from Augusta Christian came to George Watson Field and throttled the Cardinal Newman Cardinals, 44-8.

The scoring began early in the first period, as Taylor Hensley blocked an Eddie Maracich punt and returned it twelve yards for a Lions touchdown. Maracich, substituting for the injured Collins Harper, did not have a chance to get off his first punt of the season as the Lions flooded the middle, blocking the punt with ease.

Later in the first, Josh Whitaker was on the receiving end of a 14-yard pass from Tyler Bourdo, giving the Lions a 12-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Meeks scored his first touchdown from three yards out three minutes into the second quarter, and then converted the two-point conversion to put Augusta Christian (7-1. 2-0) up 20-0. After a turnover, Bourdo followed with a nifty 18-yard run midway through the second quarter. Fisher then kicked a 39-yard field goal to give the Lions a 30-0 halftime advantage.

Cardinal Newman cheerleaders. Photo by Jim Marczesky

Augusta Christian continued the onslaught in the second half, scoring on their first drive when Meeks plunged in from the one. Backup quarterback Josh McDaniel completed the Lions' scoring with a 51-yard burst around the left end on his only play under center. Augusta Christian finished with 366 yards rushing on the evening.

Cardinal Newman (2-5, 0-3), decimated by injuries to four starters, did not muster much offense, and punted on six of their first seven possessions. Augusta Christian held the Cardinals to just eight yards in the first half and 100 total yards for the game. Only with a long drive against the Lions' backups did the Cardinals score, culminating an 81-yard drive with a Will Garnett 7-yard run for the touchdown.

The Cardinals travel to Sumter this Friday October 20 to play the Wilson Hall Barons in a non-region game. Game time is at 7:30 pm.