Patriots’ cookout results in 50-burger
- Updated: August 22, 2021
Coach Danny Mitchell with Jake Davila (16) and Chris Akridge (11).
2021 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
CHRISTIAN 50, RANCHO CHRISTIAN 14
EastCountySports.com staff report
EL CAJON – The Christian High Patriots figure to give more teams than just the Rancho Christian Eagles problems this season.
The Eagles, from Temecula, were just the first ones to find out.
The Patriots scored in four different ways in a 50-14 victory over the school that is currently probably best known for producing basketball’s Mobley brothers.
The game closed out with a running clock.
Senior JC Gustin had a big night with two TD catches and a kick return for a touchdown. He finished with four catches for 66 yards and also had an interception late in the first half on a strange deflection off a players’ moving leg.
“(Head coach) Danny (Mitchell) had us well prepared for the game,” Gustin said. “We practiced hard all week so it was easy to execute our plays. Once the ball was in my hands, I just did what I do. A little shake-n-bake, baby.”
Junior defensive back Joey Merritt had a leaping interception and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown in the second half.
“All night I was waiting for the opportunity to get that pick and finally in the third quarter the QB decided to throw my way, and when he did, I broke on the ball and took it to the house,” Merritt said. “It was a great team win and a great way to start off the year.”
The Patriots forced five turnovers in all, including three fumble recoveries.
The first TD pass of the game was a double pass from junior Shane Bailey to Gustin.
“Coach called the play and we worked on it in practice a few times but I didn’t think we would run it,” Bailey said. “Right before the game, he told me that third play of the game we were running it, so I had to get warm and be ready for the play.”
Junior QB Jake Davila threw a touchdown to senior WR Isaiah Givens, as well.
Davila also rushed 10 times for 66 yards.
“It was a great night for Christian High football,” Davila said. “Our team was firing on all cylinders. Our playmakers couldn’t be stopped. They could not touch JC Gustin. They rarely ever played man on us, and if they did, we exploited it. Our online physically beat them up all night long just like we planned to do.”
Junior all-purpose player Chris Akridge scored a rushing touchdown for the Pats.
“For the first week of the season, I feel like we did great,” Akridge said. “We had great week of practice and just kept our main focus on having fun and enjoying the moment. We had a lot of big plays. I just did my part for the team so we can have success.”
Akridge had 12 carries for 69 yards and had two receptions for 31 yards, giving him a 100-yard night.
“The Patriot defense really were the heroes of the night,” Christian head coach Danny Mitchell said. “(Givens) has got a shot to be one of the top players in the Class of 2023.”
Christian travels to face St. Margaret’s, of San Juan Capistrano, next Friday.
PATRIOTS 50, EAGLES 14
Rancho Christian (0-1).... 6 0 0 8 -- 14 Christian (1-0).... 13 9 15 13 -- 50
