Tabernacle outlasts Tuscaloosa Christian in double overtime thriller

Cottondale, AL – The Tabernacle Christian Torches knocked off arch-rival Tuscaloosa Christian 44-42 in a contest that extended to two overtimes.  

The victory improves the Torches to 5-1 overall, 4-1 in CFA play.  Tuscaloosa slips to 4-2 (3-2).  

Tabernacle held the upper hand over their conference foes until the final period when the Warriors pulled even at 30 apiece in the fourth quarter.  Both teams traded scores and failed two-point conversion attempts in the first overtime period.  The Torches hit pay dirt in the second overtime as standout quarterback Clinton Chase hit Daniel McCormick for a score followed by a successful conversion run by Trae Andrews giving the visitors an eight point edge.  The Warriors answered back with a touchdown to pull to within two until the Torch defense put the game on ice, stuffing the two-point attempt to seal the victory. 

The win marks the Torches fifth straight over the Warriors.  Tabernacle now owns a 19-10 all-time advantage over Tuscaloosa in a series that dates back to 1997.  

Torches quarterback Clinton Chase accounted for six total touchdowns in the contest.  The Junior finished the game with 311 yards through the air, completing 20-of-36 passes four scores.  He added 50 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground on 10 attempts.  Andrews lead the Tabernacle rushing attack with 70 yards on 14 carries including a touchdown and a game sealing two-point conversion run.  

Two Torches went over the century mark in receiving lead by junior Daniel McCormick who accounted for 197 yards on 10 grabs and three touchdowns.  Fellow junior Bryant Howard hauled in seven receptions for 112 yards and a score.

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Andrews lead Tabernacle on defense with 15 tackles followed by senior Logan Bartlett and sophomore Troy Box with 14 apiece.  Howard added six stops while Jacob Beasley and Josiah Jones chipped in five apiece.  Howard, Andrews and Beasley each recored fumble recoveries and Howard snagged an interception.  

Tabernacle hits the road next Friday night to take on powerhouse Russell Christian (5-0, 2-0) in Meridian, MS.  Tuscaloosa welcomes the Success Unlimited Academy Mustangs (2-1) to Cottondale.