TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN 44, NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN 43: Torches keep slim CFA playoff hopes alive

Published 12:37 am Saturday, October 16, 2010

Tabernacle Christian stayed alive, if just barely, as a late game-winning field goal attempt by visiting New Life Christian went for naught, preserving a 44-43 win in Christian Football Association eight-man action Friday.

The win keeps the Torches’ slim playoff hopes alive, as they gained a crucial tiebreaker advantage by holding New Life to less than 55 points. They must now win at Victory Christian in Millbrook next week, and hope for help from the rest of the CFA to gain a playoff berth.

It was another standout performance by Frederick goodgame, the state’s leader in rushing for eight-man teams. Goodgame ran for four touchdowns, and threw a scoring pass to Will Miller, who also scored on a 4-yard run late.

Tabernacle had to survive a late charge by the Eagles, largely thanks to Justin Damrom. He scored two rushing touchdowns for New Life, threw a pass to Brandon Strickland for another, and also ran back a 73-yard kickoff return for the Eagles first score of the game.

Aaron Martin cut the margin to 44-43 late in the fourth for New Life, and the visitors appeared to be driving for a winning score. But the field goal try sailed wide, and the Torches escaped.

Goodgame ran for 252 yards on 39 carries, which accounted for most of the Tabernacle offensive output for the night. He also threw three passes for 59 yards, and was intercepted once.

Goodgame also led the effort on the defensive side with nine solo tackles (two for a loss), plus an assist on another tackle for loss. Matthew Dyer had six solo tackles, two for loss.