After narrowly missing a road victory last week, the Bethlehem Christian Academy football team returns home Friday to battle a AAA foe.
The Knights (0-2) meet undefeated Westminster of Augusta at 7:30 p.m. at Legion Field in Monroe. BCA coach Don Garmon knows the game will be a challenge.
“Our goal this season is to make the playoffs,” Garmon said. “I’m not saying we will win our region, but we want to be in the state playoffs in our first season of full varsity play. We are testing our players by having them compete against AA and AAA teams. This week we are facing a AAA school while we are Class A. We are going to be tested by the time we get into the region portion of our schedule.”
BCA played Westminster in 2011.
“They run a spread offense,” Garmon said. “They have a very sharp passing game. They use a one-back set and will spread you out. They are well coached and are very effective on the offensive side of the football.”
Knights defensive coordinator Nick Pou has been busy preparing this week for Friday’s opponent.
“Westminster brings a whole different system than what we’ve seen the last couple weeks,” Pou said. “They spread it out just like we do. Our secondary will be tested in a way they have yet to see. After watching film and puting in our game plan, I feel confident in what we will have in place for Friday night. I don’t think it’s anything they have seen out of us and we look forward to going up against the high octane offense they have.”
After putting 27 points on the scoreboard against Covenant, BCA will hope to find more offensive output this week.
“We have to be able to start and finish drives with the same intensity,” offensive coordinator Lance Fendley said. “This friday night we play a very good Westminster team who plays a similar defense to what covenant played a 3-3-5 defense. Unlike last week, Westminster will bring a lot of pressure up the middle and they rely on that to create confusion for the offensive line. This will be by far the best team we have faced this season. I feel as though our team has made great strides and we look forward to the challenge.”
Fendley said P.J. Klein had a strong performance last Friday with three rushing touchdowns.
The work ethic of the team remains strong, coaches said this week.
“Our players are working hard and showing a great attitude,” Garmon said. “We are building character.
•The Game: Bethlehem Christian Academy hosts Westminster (Augusta), Friday, 7:30 p.m., Legion Field, Monroe
•Coaches: BCA: Don Garmon; Westminster: Andrew Bryan
•Records: BCA, 0-2; Westminster, 3-0
•Last Week: BCA fell to Covenant Academy 28-27 while Westminster defeated Briarwood 35-30
•Listen in: David Willard and Josh Willard will call the action on HEARtheGAME.com, available through the Internet or from any mobile device.
•Key Players: BCA: QB Chandler Garmon; RB Kevin Green OL Ben Morgan; LB Matt Masters, DL Jared Martin, WR/P Niko Mailloux; OL Austin Schwebel; Westminster: QB Tim Nabholz; WR Taylor Robertson; RB Josh Jackson; LB Ethan Lynch; LB Will Netwon; DB AJ Lewis
•Items of Note: The Bethlehem Christian Academy Knights return to their home surroundings this week as they host Westminster. The BCA Knights just missed getting a win last week falling late to Convenant 28-27. BCA coach Don Garmon said there was improvement but noted his team still needs to step up its play in various areas. The Knights, who have received several standout performances early in the season will face another GISA Class AAA program. BCA competes in GISA Class A. Westminster, located in Augusta, is 3-0 following a victory against Briarwood last Friday. Quarterback Tim Nabholz was 16-of-26 for 204 yards in the win for Westminster. Taylor Robertson caught five passes for 78 yards.
