FOOTBALL SPORT SHORTS, 2011
(For the previous game, check out the Football sport shorts: Caruthers (VIDEO). Scrimmages do not count toward win/loss record. Visit the Sports Section for football features. For more information on FCS sports, visit the Fresno Christian Athletics web page.)

Check out the 2011 schedule and stay up to date with stats and standings at Maxpreps’ Eagles’ football home page. FC is currently 4-6 overall and 1-3 in the West Sequoia League as of Nov. 10. The Eagles will not qualify for the CIF Central Section Division V playoffs.

FOOTBALL, 2011

EAGLES DOMINATE MINARETS A 2ND TIME–Nov. 10
For FC’s final league game of the season, they traveled to play the Minarets Mustangs, Nov. 10. The Eagles jumped out to a 28-0 first quarter lead and overwhelmed the Mustangs for a second time, 63-9.

The Senior Night festivities started 30 minutes before game time as seniors, their parents, family members were honored. During this time, each senior player’s favorite Bible verse, best memories of football and special thanks were highlighted.

FC built their 49-9 half time lead as senior QB Tyler Krigbaum rushed for 2 TDs and senior Adam Wood pounded the Mustangs for another TD. Wood finished the game rushing for 19 yards on 5 carries.

“Once we were out on the field it felt real that it was the last game,” Krigbaum said. “When we were going out on the field to meet our parents the other team was running plays behind us and more than anything it was frustrating so it made us want to win that much more. I think everyone realized that that game was it; everyone was more ready than usual and we weren’t going to let anything get in our way.”

But the middle part of the game belonged to Brandon McCormick. The junior caught 4 passes for 99 yards and 3 TDs, including a 35-yard scamper to the end zone. Minarets was unable to stop the Eagle receiver who also had a TD called back on a holding penalty.

The game was a complete turnaround than last week’s shutout loss against Caruthers and a positive ending to a difficult year.

“It was a lot of fun and I am glad that we finished our season the way we did, especially for the seniors,” McCormick said. “Going into the game we were already really pumped up; none of us seemed tired, we just had a lot of energy, so it was a lot different than our other games where we were just beat up.”

Afterwards Coach Mick Fuller was upbeat and praised McCormick as one of the team leaders and who coaches and players counted on for support.

“Brandon was instrumental this season as his leadership helped us overcome challenges and helped players on this team be better people,” Coach Mick Fuller said.

The second half was much the same as the first except senior Austin Rurik continued his march toward a 1,000-yard season, needing less than 100 yards. Rurik broke through that barrier, scoring 3 rushing TDs on 22 carries for 164 yards. He also returned 10 kickoffs/punts for 350 yards. Rurik finished the season with 1,141 yards on the ground–327 yards in league play.

Another highlight came in the third quarter as freshman Lance Henderson intercepted a errant Mustang pass and returned it 35 yards for a TD. Henderson also had a second pick, earning 56 return yards. In fact the Eagles dominated the turnovers as senior Trevor York and McCormick also had interceptions and junior McKay Mohun recovered a fumble.

The Eagles were led by senior Josh Grinage who was in on 11 tackles. Grinage finished the season leading the WSL in tackles with 41. In fact the Eagles has the top 6 players in the league. Senior Sean Carter and sophomore Bobby Christopher had 26 while senior Mitch Weibert (who played one less game) had 25.

Against Minarets Carter had 9 while Weibert earned 7 take downs.

Not all the players’ season ended happily however, as senior Martin Moreno was injured for most of it. Yet Moreno did play some of the second half, rushing 3 times for 46 yards and one scamper for 26 yards. He also returned a punt for 15 yards and had 4 tackles.

“I felt like the game didn’t really mean as much to me, because I haven’t played as much this season,” Moreno said. “But we were all ready and were going to come out harder than ever tonight. It almost felt like I wasn’t going to mess up, because I wasn’t going to let them beat me.”

In their fourth game of the season, the Eagles defeated Minarets, 61-38, Sept. 30. In that game, Rurik rushed 25 times for 304 yards, scoring 4 rushing TDs.

While the season ended with a win, the Eagles do not qualify for the CIF Central Section Division V playoffs.

As of the current date, a football end of year dinner and awards night has not been announced. Please return to this newspaper for more information.