Zack Blackwell – Augusta Christian

On each team’s homecoming night, the Lions and the Fighting Irish both turned in blowout wins Friday, with Aquinas blitzing Tattnall Square 47-7, and Augusta Christian thumping Pinewood Prep 45-6. Both teams reached 6-0 for the season, and both have compiled an impressive margin of victory, with Augusta Christian topping opponents by an average of 37 points, and Aquinas by 26.

Aquinas benefitted from a 392 yard and 6 touchdown rushing effort, continuing a dominant ground game that has yielded an average of 312 yards per game this season. Three players who are all averaging greater than 100 yards rushing per game this season led the way again Friday:

RJ Edwards (170 yards and 2 touchdowns)

Darius Stone (85 yards and 3 touchdowns)

James Schlegel (115 yards and 1 touchdown)

James Schlegel – Aquinas

Augusta Christian’s stat sheet was stuffed by what is quickly becoming a familiar list of standout Lion names:

Zack Blackwell (163 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns and an interception)

Jeb Bradford (17-26 passing for 210 yards and 2 touchdowns; 1 rushing TD)

Jacob Walker (7 receptions for 101 yards and 1 touchdown; 97 yard kickoff return for a TD; 227 all purpose yards)

Terrence Vandiver (1 interception; 4 receptions for 32 yards)

While they compete in completely different leagues, both of these proud programs have earned the distinction of winning a state championship this decade. But the path since Augusta Christian’s crowning moment in 2012, when the Lions captured a South Carolina Independent Schools Association title, until now couldn’t be more different than the one Aquinas has followed since winning a Georgia High School Association championship in 2013. Since its championship run, Aquinas has compiled a winning record every year and won 75% of its games. But Augusta Christian only just this past Friday assured itself that 2020 will be its first winning season since being crowned in 2012.

Behind Augusta Christian’s Resurgence

In his attempt to “#RestoreTheRoar” in the heart of his Lions, first year coach Andrew Stickel, who coached AC’s middle school team the prior six seasons, couldn’t be more pleased with the response he and his staff have gotten from the players:

“The kids have completely bought in and trust the coaching staff,” Stickel said in an interview conducted over direct message Sunday. “They are flying around, playing fast, and playing for each other. That has been since noticeable since we were allowed to be back together, starting in June.”

Stickel’s first task as the new head coach was to navigate an off season full of coronavirus fueled uncertainty about whether or not a football season would even be played.

“There was so much unknown through the the Spring and early Summer. So many questions. During that time, we continued to communicate as much as possible.” The coach added, “Clear communication provides clear vision.”

But Stickel’s vision was never limited only to getting the Lions safely onto the field of play. He wants badly for the school to experience again what it’s like to have an area and statewide powerhouse, and he credits a strong group of veteran players and their families for the program’s apparent turnaround:

For the past 7 years, we have been a 3 win football team. 20 wins in the last 7 years. One playoff appearance. Being at the school for the last 6 years as the middle school coach, I was able to closely watch what our varsity program was doing – Spring football, weight room, practices, mindset, etc.

So I shared my vision with these players and their parents that what we have been doing and where we have been gets us the bare minimum results, while other programs in our league and our area continue to run right past us. So we needed to change EVERYTHING.

Fortunately, I have been in this place before when I took over the middle school program. Being the doormat of the league, and understanding that we needed to create a new standard, a new normal, to raise our expectations, our work ethic, and our commitment level on and off the field. The roster I inherited… was heavy with upperclassman who were willing to lead the way. They just wanted to be pointed in the right direction, and given a plan of how to get there.

Augusta Christian’s players are benefitting from their willingness to follow Coach Stickel’s plan, and it will be exciting to see how close to the program’s former glory this new look Lions squad gets in this unique, and, so far for Augusta Christian and Aquinas at least, perfect season.

Highlights from Augusta Christian’s 45-6 win over Pinewood Prep: