A third-quarter touchdown run by quarterback Jack Beamon set the stage for a two-point conversion reception by the 6-foot-7 sophomore that propelled his Community Christian School eight-player football to its first victory Friday night.
The Cyclones emerged 22-20 victors over Northeast Academy to even their record at 1-1 in another thriller at CCS, which lost its season opener at home to Sallie B. Howard School, 28-22, on Aug. 18.
This time, the Cyclones finished the job with a stellar defensive effort in the second half to fend off the Eagles, who whipped CCS 58-6 last season in Lasker.
“We did a much better job this week,” CCS head coach Andy Jackson said of his team’s tackling, a sore spot against Sallie B. Howard.
Junior lineman Dylan Evans led CCS with 10 solo tackles while senior linebacker Matthew Jackson made eight stops and classmate Tavares Williams came up with six tackles.
Williams got the CCS offense on the scoreboard with a 15-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Matthew Jackson followed with a 50-yard scoring reception. Beamon ran in a two-point conversion in the quarter, leaving the Cyclones and Eagles tied at 14-all at the half.
Northeast took the lead in the third quarter with a TD but failed to add the conversion attempt.
Beamon bulled his way into the end zone from the 1-yard line later in the period to tie the score, giving Andy Jackson a chance to run a play the Cyclones had worked on in practice with the 6-7 Beamon moving over to wide out the conversion attempt.
“We sat that up this week to put him out wide to take advantage of his height on a conversion,” Andy Jackson explained.
The high toss landed in Beamon’s hands for the go-ahead points and the CCS defense did the rest.
Beamon finished 3-of-6 passing for 58 yards with one interception while Williams completed both his attempts for 18 yards. Beamon and Williams each ran for 35 yards while Bailey Bunn added 21 yards on five attempts.
Matthew Jackson snared three passes for 72 yards while Beamon caught both of Williams’ tosses for 18 yards.
The Cyclones will visit Hobgood Charter on Friday, Sept. 1.