COLUMBUS – It’s been said that it doesn’t matter how you start, it’s all about how you finish.

For Victory Christian, the frustration began early and it didn’t end until after the final horn in a 64-0 loss to Faith Christian Academy on Thursday night in Columbus.

On the Eagles’ first play from scrimmage, the shotgun snap sailed over quarterback Brody Jacobs’ head giving Faith possession at the 4 yard line. After a holding penalty pushed them back 10 yards, D’Jaivion Handy took a pitch toward the boundary and scampered in for a 14-yard touchdown. The 2-point conversion was good, and Faith led 8-0 just one minute into the game.

Things only got worse from there.

Led by quarterback Montreal Beamon’s six touchdowns – two passing, two rushing and two receiving – Faith started hot and never let up, scoring 28 points in the first quarter and another 14 in the second before a second-half running clock slowed them down a bit.

They still managed 22 points on only three second-half drives.

“It was a bad matchup but it was a good experience,” VCA head coach Chris Hamm told The Dispatch. “We have to learn from our experiences and improve.”

Handy would add four touchdowns of his own, including two rushing, one receiving and one passing on a night where Faith’s athleticism was the difference throughout. Their speed was too hard for the Eagles to match.

“They had athletes, and we had trouble matching their speed,” Hamm said. “Not just on offense but on defense. They were getting off the ball and getting in the backfield before we could get our hands on them.”

Jacobs was hounded by Faith defenders all night, as he was sacked five times and intercepted twice. Not that it mattered much considering the visitors’ offensive prowess; Faith scored on all eight of its offensive possessions.

Victory did sustain a couple of drives in the first half but weren’t able to come away with any points. Led by some tough running from Jacobs, the Eagles moved the ball well between the 30s but were stalled by dropped passes, sacks and overthrows. Jacobs finished the game with 27 yards passing as the Eagles were held under 100 total yards.

“We’re not there yet and it’s on us to get better,” Hamm said. “That’s why I told them, ‘Just forget the scoreboard and play ball. Get better, learn from it.’”

Philip Poe is sports editor.