Crusaders get tough on fourth down, top Cowboys

Faith Lutheran (2-2) stopped four of five fourth-down attempts by Chaparral and halted a late first-half Cowboy drive at the Crusader 17 on the way to to a 27-12 road win on Thursday.

The Crusaders were led by senior quarterback Jake Deaville, who came off the bench to rush for 62 yards and pass for 114, including 101 to fellow senior Vinny DeGeorge. A 38-yard connection from Deaville to DeGeorge early in the second quarter gave Faith a 14-6 lead.

Chaparral (1-2) gained all of its 215 yards with a balanced running attack with 101 yards from Seitu Wyche, 45 from Justin Alpha and 43 from Richard Hernandez.

Faith Lutheran’s defense, led by senior Ben Flandermeyer, who recovered a Cowboy fumble to start the second half, held Chaparral to one second-half first down.

Faith’s Keenan Smith scored three times, twice on 1-yard runs and once on a 98-yard kickoff return to answer Chaparral’s opening score.