STEENS — At the end of a blowout win, the stars of the game are typically reflected in the sheet.
Nine times out of 10, the team’s coach opens the postgame interview by praising his linemen. The recognition is just a small piece of the satisfaction — chasing your running backs down the field is the best part.
The offensive line for the Immanuel Christian School Rams spent the majority of their 46-8 victory against Delta Academy on Friday night doing just that, pounding the way for 226 rushing yards. A running clock in the second half was about the only obstacle in a 300 yard-plus night.
“Because we’re in better shape, and we have people returning from last year, we’re all executing plays better,” Rams senior left tackle Luke Hudson said. “We just didn’t get tired.”
Immanuel Christian coach Greg Watkins said his offensive line’s play is night and day from last season, when mental miscues by linemen hampered his offense’s progress.
“Our line is a complete 180 from last year at this point,” Watkins said. “We missed blocking assignments, and it’s hard to set things up when that happens. But with the run tonight, they opened up a lot.”
A beneficiary of the Rams’ stellar offensive line play was freshman Dearius Young, who had three touchdowns and an interception from his safety position. Young scored on touchdown catches of 40, 33, and 21 yards, and had four rushes for 57 yards and three catches for 94 yards.
Watkins beamed about Young’s speed in the open field and his next-level athleticism. Unfortunately for the Rams, who are still looking for their first winning season in 11-man football, Young played his last game for the Rams. According to Watkins, Young’s father got a job outside the Golden Triangle and will relocate the family.
“It’s unfortunate because even though he is a freshman, we knew early on he would be a major contributor,” Watkins said. “But he’s a great kid and a great player, and we wish him and his family well.”
Watkins said the return of fullback Peyton Peralto, who missed the Delta Academy game due to a bruised muscle, will lessen the blow of losing Young. He said senior receiver Jaelin Bankhead can be moved to different positions, too.
Confidence, though high after Friday’s blowout, will be tested as the team moves on without Young, their most dynamic player, Hudson said.
“It’s going to be tough, and we all know it,” Hudson. “But, hopefully, we can stay focused. We have to.”
Immanuel Christian (1-0) will travel to Winona Christian next week.
For Delta Academy, its foray into 11-man football produced some headaches. Though the Raiders (0-1) play eight-man football in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools, they play some non-conference games in 11-man. Coach Trey Pritchard said he scheduled Friday’s game because it would give his team a good look at some of the misdirection offenses they’ll face this season.
“We’re used to playing eight-man, so I have some guys out there who aren’t used to being on the field,” Pritchard said. “The inexperience showed up. My linebackers kept coming to me and saying, ‘I don’t know where they’re coming from. I’m getting blocked from every direction.’ You don’t see some things in eight-man.
“We got to come here and see this offense with great athletes so we can teach a lot off this.”
Delta Academy backup quarterback Chandler Williams was 4-for-9 for 93 yards and a touchdown. The Raiders host Calhoun Academy on Friday.
KC Cunningham had two touchdowns and led the Rams with 72 yards on 10 rushes.
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