Rested Warriors tear up Titans

Published 12:00 am Friday, October 15, 2004

Unlike the blockbuster movie, the Central Christian Academy Warriors gave the Titans something to remember Thursday night.

Using a power-driven running game and a swarming defense, the Warriors left no doubt as to which was the better team with a 40-0 beating of the West Alabama Prep Titans at Memorial Stadium.

Central Christian improved to 4-2 overall and 3-2 in the region. West Alabama Prep dropped to 3-4.

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The Warriors’ defense forced six turnovers, including two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns.

Meanwhile, the CCA offense was anchored by sophomore tailback Eric Curtis, who rushed 15 times for 103 yards and three touchdowns.

“We had two weeks off,” Central Christian coach Dayton Dawkins said, “so we had the opportunity to get healthy. I talked to the guys about coming out and playing with intensity and enthusiasm and having fun. That’s what they did.”

Curtis played especially inspired football, as he scored on 24, 14 and 3 yards – all in the first half – and added an interception which he lateralled. The pick was eventually returned for a score.

The offense really did a good job,” Curtis said. “The line did a good job blocking and (quarterback) Tee (Woods) did a good job passing giving me the ball.”

Curtis and his Warrior teammates wasted little time getting on the board. One play after West Alabama Prep quarterback Mark Geiger’s fumbled snap was recovered by CCA’s Bryan Sanders, Curtis broke free on a 24-yard scoring run with 9:01 to go in the opening period to put the Warriors up 6-0. The extra-point try failed.

Curtis struck again with 9:23 to go in the second quarter when he went off left tackle en route to a 14-yard touchdown run and a 12-0 CCA advantage.

Curtis’s score was set up by a 37-yard punt return from Bradley Savage to the Titans’ 23.

The Warriors’ defense got into the scoring act four minutes later when Geiger’s pass was intercepted by Savage, who returned the pick 32 yards. Fullback Simuel Walker ran in the two-point conversion and Central Christian owned a 20-0 lead with 5:24 before halftime.

“The defense, at times, played well,” Dawkins said. “We still have to learn to wrap up and concentrate.”

It was Curtis who was completely focused on the end zone. He took the handoff from Woods and broke through the middle of the West Alabama Prep defense for a 3-yard touchdown jog with 1:41 before intermission to up the Warriors’ lead to 27-0. Curtis also added the PAT.

The CCA defense again scored in the fourth quarter when Curtis picked off a pass at the Titans’ 48. Curtis then tossed the ball to Savage, who ran to the West Alabama Prep 25 before tossing it back to Woods, who took it the rest of the way for the score.

Curtis added the PAT to make it 34-0 with 7:31 remaining.

The Warriors were able to play many of their second-stringers, including Clayton Smith. The

junior tight end took a handoff from Woods and bullied in from four yards out to make it 40-0.

Smith’s score was set up by defensive lineman Ben Fleming’s fumble recovery, the team’s fourth fumble recovery.

The Warriors travel to face Marion Military Institute next Friday night.