Sherwood Christian makes triumphant return to 11-man football

MACON — Four years away from 11-man football didn’t make Sherwood Christian Academy’s return look much like a rebuilding project.

It looked more like a statement.

Chuck LaGrange accounted for four touchdowns in his first start at quarterback, Dyson Harris scored three different ways and the Eagles celebrated their return to 11-man football with a convincing 47-7 victory over Central Fellowship Christian Academy Friday night.

Sherwood had spent the past four seasons playing eight-man football, making Friday night’s opener the beginning of a new era for coach Doug Eason’s program.

And the Eagles wasted little time showing they were ready for it.

Sherwood built a 14-0 lead in the second quarter before bad weather forced the teams from the field. Once play resumed, the Eagles picked up where they left off.

A LaGrange touchdown pass to Harris just before halftime helped Sherwood stretch its advantage to 28-0 at the break.

For an offense with only one returning starter, it was an impressive debut.

That lone returner was LaGrange, who moved from running back to quarterback to fill one of the biggest holes created by Sherwood’s move back to the 11-man game.

He looked right at home.

LaGrange rushed 11 times for 113 yards and a touchdown and completed 4 of 7 passes for 153 yards and three more scores.

“With 10 new starters on offense, we knew there would be a learning curve,” Eason said. “Chuck LaGrange, being our lone returning starter, made the transition from running back to quarterback to fill the void.

“To see him step into that role, lead this offense, and play with the confidence he showed tonight was impressive. I couldn’t be more proud of the entire offense and the way they competed tonight.”

LaGrange wasn’t the only Eagle who made an impressive 11-man debut.

Harris found the end zone on offense, defense and special teams.

He caught two passes for 113 yards and a touchdown, returned a punt 70 yards for another score and intercepted a Central Fellowship pass and took it 30 yards for a touchdown.

Bryson Gay added three receptions for 36 yards and a touchdown, while Chris Reid rushed for 48 yards on nine carries and caught a 14-yard touchdown pass.

Brandon Hemmings also saw time at quarterback, completing 3 of 7 passes for 25 yards and a touchdown. Braiden Parrish caught an 18-yard touchdown pass.

By night’s end, Sherwood had scored six touchdowns on offense and added another on Harris’ interception return.

The Eagles won’t have long to celebrate their successful return to 11-man football.

Sherwood plays its home opener Friday night at Legacy Field against defending state champion Robert Toombs Christian Academy.

Robert Toombs will arrive in Albany with an 0-2 record after falling 14-8 to Trinity Christian of Dublin Friday night, but the defending champions figure to provide a much tougher test for an Eagles team that passed its first one emphatically.