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were quickly extinguished in the third quarter as the Crusaders came out with renewed intensity. Drew Edwards continued his incredible night, showing off his arm by delivering a 15yard touchdown strike to Jordan Brown, who secured his second score of the game. Even after Thomas Jefferson answered with a passing touchdown (failing the 2-point conversion), RTCA was unfazed. Edwards quickly regained the separation, once again taking the ball himself for a powerful 14-yard rushing touchdown. With Meeks’ reliable leg adding the extra point, the Crusaders held a seemingly insurmountable 45-18 lead heading into the final frame.
The fourth quarter saw the Crusaders focus on grinding down the clock, but not before Edwards added 1 last highlight play—a scorching 24-yard touchdown run, his fourth rushing TD of the evening, pushing the score to 51-18. Though the 2-point conversion failed, the damage was done. Thomas Jefferson managed 1 final score, but the game was already well in hand.
The 51-25 final score reflects a truly dominant performance by the entire RTCA squad. Quarterback Drew Edwards had a spectacular night, accounting for 6 total touchdowns (4 rushing, 2 passing). Jordan Brown was a versatile weapon, scoring both on the ground and through the air, and Hayden Meeks' perfect kicking performance, including the big field goal, provided valuable points. With 419 yards of total offense, the Crusaders are peaking at the right time. The focus now shifts entirely to the biggest game of the season as the Robert Toombs Christian Academy Crusaders prepare to compete for the GIAA State title.
That game will be held next Friday at 4:30 p.m. at Mercer University's 5-Star Stadium. This State Championship will be a rematch of last year's between RTCA and Edmund Burke Academy's Spartans. Last season the Spartans defeated RTCA 20-17 to take the title.
