RTCA Soars Over Hawks;

Robert Toombs Christian Academy faced the Hawks of Harvester Christian at home Friday night and came out with a victory. The final score was 48-12.

During the first quarter David Hill had two touchdowns. The first was a 4-yard run and the second a 20-yard run. Hayden Meeks hit the extra point on both tries to give RTCA a 14-0 lead with 4:16 let in the first quarter of the game.

Toward the end of the first half, Harvester found the end zone for the first time. They failed on the extra point, but that closed the lead to 14-6.

Hill scored his third touchdown of the game as time was winding down in the first half of action. Meeks added the extra point to lead 21-6 t halftime.

During halftime of the game RTCA honored the anniversary of three of their State Championship teams. It is the 50th anniversary of the 1973 championship, the 20th anniversary of the 2003 champions, and the 10th anniversary of the 2013 team. All three teams were recognized during halftime.

In the second half on the opening kickoff Elijah Baker went 83-yards on the return for the Crusaders' fourth touchdown of the game. Meeks added the PAT for a 28-65 lead.

Justin Powell then made a 16 yard touchdown run ending the third quarter for a 35-6 lead after the Meeks extra point.

In the fourth quarter it was 41-6 after a touchdown by Baker from seven yards continued from page

out. Tripp Durden scored the final time for RTCA from 29 yards out. Meeks got another extra point for a 48-6 lead with just over 10 minutes left to play, and with a running clock.

Harvester did score one more time to make the final score 48-12, with RTCA cruising to a win.

The top three offensive players of the game were Hill with 84 rushing yards. Powell with 72 rushing yards, and Durden with 28 rushing yards. The top three defensive players of the game were Landen Sauls with 5 tackles, David Hill with 4 tackles and 1 interception, and Jayden Toole with 2 interceptions.

Head Coach Matt Meeks said, 'The crowd Friday night was awesome again. It was a fantastic venue to host and honor our '73, '03, and '13 State Championship football teams, cheerleaders, coaches, and support staff.

“I think the team had a great rebound game coming off of a tough loss against Pinewood. I am extremely pleased with how we played. Offensively, we moved the ball well and the touches were fairly evenly distributed that way you never really knew who was going to be getting the ball. I am extremely proud of the guys and the work and the effort they are putting in for us. With that being said, we enjoy the win over Harvester, but now it's time to shift our focus on Portal for this upcoming Thursday.'

RTCA will be back at home this Thursday as they host the Panthers of Portal with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

20th Anniversary of the 2003 State Champions: Nicole Alexander Dykes, Derek McLendon, Kailey Dees, Kyle Pittman, Wil Ledford, Miles Cason, Clint Cooper, Jessica Taylor Osborne, Will Payne, Jonathan Phelan, Matt Dixon, Head Coach LM Guy, Cason Guy, Coach James Griffin, Coach Ricky Allmond, Mitchell Pittman, John Allmond, and Travis Coxwell.Photo by William Ledford

10th Anniversary of the 2013 State Champions: Cason Guy, Tanner Guy, Head Coach Jacob Wilkinson, Cheerleading Sponsor Jamie Wilkinson, Coach Steve Masterman-Smith, Coach Jared Durden, Anna Williams, Brentt Anderson (holding Rainey Anderson), and Frankie Toole.Photo by William Ledford

Elijah Baker breaks an 83-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to start the second half.Photo by Mike Branch