Providence Christian rolls in opener

By Kurt Aschermann
Staff Correspondent, Gwinnett Daily Post

ATLANTA — Five different players got into the end zone for Providence Christian Friday in its season opener. And that was just in the opening quarter.

The visitors built a 43-0 lead after one and cruised to a 64-0 victory at Adams Stadium.

For Providence Christian, a school-best 4-6 a year ago, it was the second consecutive season it has opened with a win over the DeKalb County school after last year’s 49-12 win in Lilburn.

With 10 seconds to play in the first quarter, backup quarterback and freshman Connor Jones scooted in from a yard out to make it 43-0.

The Storm also got a pair of scores from senior Pierce Phillips (runs of 3 and 31 yards), and one each from fellow seniors Griffin Presley (8-yard run), Zach Douglas (40-yard punt return) and Chason Dickens (14-yard run).

"I told the guys I want everyone to go out and make plays and be ready to make those plays," Providence Christian coach Parker Conley said. "I think our young players were able to see that we were able to find success in a lot of ways. I love it."

The evening began as well as it could’ve for Providence Christian.

Following a nearly one-hour delay at the start, Colin O’Leary recovered a short opening kick off at the Cross Keys’ 31. After a Ryan Rose-to-Joe Shealy connection for 24 yards, Phillips scored on a 3-yard run for a 7-0 lead just 23 seconds into the game.

Providence Christian (1-0) intercepted Narvy Bibiano on Cross Keys’ first play from scrimmage and Phillips made it 14-0 a play later, breaking a pair of tackles on his way to a 31-yard TD.

Colin O’Leary led the way with 97 rushing yards, while brother Evan O’Leary added 80, all of which came on an impressive TD run that included a broken tackle near midfield that capped the scoring midway through the fourth quarter.

"It was incredible," Conley said of O’Leary's touchdown. "He had been telling us that he had been itching for the ball and we told him to make the most of that opportunity, and boy did he."

The visitors also played excellent defense, holding Cross Keys (0-1) to six total yards in that huge first quarter and 51 for the game. It was a familiar outcome for Cross Keys, which was shut out seven times in going 0-10 a year ago.

"I want the guys to know that it’s going to be a long year and we have to stay focused on the bigger picture," said Conley. "Always have to come out with a hunger, continue to pursue our biggest goals. It was a great win, but we have a much bigger goal for our season and we have to go get that."

Providence Christian takes a week off before hosting King's Ridge Christian September 6.

Online story