PORTSMOUTH — Hampton Roads Academy scored 40 points while amassing 230 yards through the air. But mistakes proved costly as Portsmouth Christian ran all over the Navigators in the second half for a 61-40 victory Friday night.
PCS fullback Camden Gray rushed for four touchdowns, ran back a fumble for another score and carried the ball 7 times for 141 yards in a game that saw 15 TDs for 101 points and nearly 800 yards of offense Friday night.
HRA (1-1) had the advantage in rushing and passing yardage in the first half (238-173), but costly mistakes gave the Patriots a 34-20 lead.
After swapping scores in the first quarter, HRA was forced to punt deep in its territory. The short kick was dying at its 32. But the ‘Gators didn’t cover, and Da’kendall James swooped in, picked it up and went the distance.
The visitors mounted a drive, but Kahleef Jimmerson’s pass bounced off a receiver and Myles Daniels intercepted at his 5 moments into the second quarter. A 44-yard pass completion and two plays later, Gray went over from the 2 for a 20-6 lead.
On HRA’s next possession, Gray picked up a fumble and dashed 52 yards for his second TD.
Navigators sophomore quarterback Jimmison, who rushed for 161 yards on 30 carries, scored once and threw to Nathan Bagley for another touchdown, sandwiching a PCS TD pass, leading to the halftime score.
Following Messiah Russell’s 75-yard, second-half kickoff return for another HRA 6-pointer, the teams exchanged touchdowns. Then Gray took over, scoring on runs of 15, 27 and 51 yards. He had only gained 18 yards in the first half, but added 123 as the Patriots (1-1) amassed 303 yards on the ground (229 of it in the second half).
HRA, which fumbled just once in pouring rain a week earlier in its season-opening victory, put the ball on the ground 8 times against PCS, 5 times in the second half.
Submitted by Alan Hirsch
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