FOOTBALL SPORT SHORTS, 2011
(For the previous game, check out the Football sport shorts: Parlier (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 3-6 overall and 1-3 in the West Sequoia League as of Nov. 4. The Eagles will next host Minarets for their final game on senior night, Nov. 10.

FOOTBALL, 2011

RAIDERS SHUTOUT FC–Nov. 4
For FC’s final league game of the season, they traveled to play the Caruthers Blue Raiders, Nov. 4. Caruthers set the pace of the game immediately and held on to it, winning 55-0.

FC was led on the defensive side of the ball by Mitch Weibert, ’12, 10 tackles, and Josh Grinage, ’12, 10 tackles. Grinage says he knew Caruthers’ game plan was to drive the ball up through their line, but he was surprised they were able to do it so well.

“Going into the game I was expecting a smash-mouth game, where it was really physical and that’s what it was,” Grinage said. “I wasn’t expecting them to dominate our defensive line like they did, but a little more resistance from our defense. They were just more physical than us and ran the ball up the middle really well.”

On offense, the Eagles struggled to produce much of an offensive attack as Tyler Krigbaum, ’12, threw 9-31-3, and Austin Rurik, ’12, only ran for 63 yards on 16 carries.

Freshman receiver Lance Henderson, who had one catch for 10 yards, says playing varsity has been difficult, but rewarding.

“It’s been hard, but also pretty fun because not a lot of freshman get to start or even play,” Henderson. “I knew it wasn’t going to be that great, but I didn’t expect to lose by that much. Their offense was just really good and we couldn’t stop them. ”

Head coach Dan Stockton gives credit to Caruthers for taking the win, but feels if his team had played with a different mindset they might have come out with a different result.

“One thing about Caruthers is they have a great system that they’ve been running for a long time; they run the system and they’re consistent,” Stockton said. “If we had played like we did against Riverdale we would’ve been able to give Caruthers a game worthy of going either way I think.”

FC’s final game is coming up, Thursday, Nov. 10, against the Minarets Mustangs for Senior Night. Stockton says he wants to move on from the loss to Caruthers and focus on their next opponent.

“The last game is out here and I’m more interested in that than looking backwards,” Stockton said. “I’m only interested now in playing Minarets, coming away with a win and having senior night be successful.”

The Eagles will next host Minarets for their final game on Senior Night, Nov. 10. Please note the date change.