by Jayce Osmus (@jayce_osmus)10/13/2021 10:22:53 AM
posted in: Articles | 1,281 views
The Beggs Demons stunned two-time defending state champ Metro Christian 24-22 last Friday to take a big step toward a potential District 2A-7 championship.
The Demons never completed a pass, but instead rode the legs of C.J. Brown and Red Martel.
The duo combined for 257 rushing yards as Beggs took the lead late in the first quarter and never surrendered it.
The win bumped the fourth-ranked Demons to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the district and in a tie with Victory Christian.
Second-ranked Metro Christian dropped to 4-2 and 2-1.
The Patriots turned it over on their first two possessions of the game as Beggs forced a fumble on the second play from scrimmage and then safety Braylon Davis picked off Metro’s Kirk Francis after the Patriots had driven inside the Beggs 10.
That set up a 51-yard touchdown run by Brown. Ayden Hamilton’s keeper on the conversion made it 8-0 late in the first.
The following Patriot drive saw Francis pass for 70 yards all the way down the field and Tagg Campbell punched in the touchdown with a 3-yard run. After the extra point by Brayden Haveman, the Demons’ lead was down to 8-7 with just seconds left in the first quarter.
Later in the second quarter, Beggs punter Chance Jordan pinned the Metro Christian offense inside its own 10.
On second down, Francis dropped back to pass and delivered a short crossing route that got tipped and bounced around.
Demon defensive lineman Chance Jordan came away with an interception and walked easily into the end zone.
Another Hamilton two-point conversion gave Beggs the 16-7 halftime lead.
Metro Christian thwarted a Beggs drive to open the second half by forcing a fumble.
The Patriots capitalized and turned that into points when Francis found Seth McCoy for a 17-yard touchdown.
McCoy bounced off multiple Demon defenders and dove in to the end zone before Dax Dancer’s two-point conversion shortened the deficit to 16-15.
After the fourth quarter featured both defenses stepping up, the game was ultimately decided on back-to-back plays.
Metro Christian drove inside the Beggs 10 with under 5:00 to play.
Campbell got three straight carries, but was short of the goal line.
On 4th and goal from the 2, Metro called his number again.
Campbell took the carry to the left, but lost the ball while crossing the goal line.
After a discussion between referees, it was determined he fumbled before crossing the line, giving the ball to the Demons on the touchback.
On the very next play, Martel took off for an 80-yard touchdown run.
The two-point conversion was good, again by Brown, and the Demons led 24-15 with under four minutes remaining.
Metro didn’t fade away.
The Patriots quickly drove the field, bolstered by Francis’ passing and a 28-yard run by Campbell.
Francis eventually scored on a 1-yard run, pulling the Patriots within two points with under 2:00 left.
An onside kick was recovered by Beggs and the Patriots had all three timeouts at their disposal.
Four straight plays by the Demon offense were turned away and Metro Christian had hope as the Patriots had 46 yards to go and no timeouts.
Francis threw three straight incompletions and faced a 4th and 10.
A Hail Mary attempt came up short as the ball traveled just out of reach of receiver Walker Holder, who was alone in the back of the end zone, allowing Beggs to hold onto the win.
Martel finished the game with 129 yards on just 11 touches for Beggs while Brown finished with 23 carries for 122 yards.
For Metro Christian, Francis was 26 of 43 for 310 yards. Speedster J.J. Shelby was his favorite target, but Reid Roth finished with over 100 yards receiving.
The Patriots were hurt by four turnovers - two interceptions by Francis and two fumbles.
Metro Christian can keep itself in the district title race this week when it travels to Victory Christian.
Beggs hosts Morris this week and its showdown with Victory Christian looms in Week 10.