Friday night marked the conclusion of a long week of celebration for the Harrells Crusaders. Celebrating their 50th anniversary alongside homecoming, there were certainly fireworks on the field on Friday when the Crusaders hosted the Knights of Victory Christian Center/Northside Christian Academy. The Crusaders made quick work of the visitors as they reached the 42-point mercy rule by halftime and coasted to a 44-12 victory.

Jack Laslo got things started for the Crusaders when he scampered 25-yards for the score. Will DeAndrade converted the PAT and Harrells led 7-0.

On the ensuing drive, the Knights were facing forth down and were lined up to punt. A miscue on the play, however, resulted in a safety that yielded two more points for the Crusaders, who now led 9-0.

On the kickoff, Isaac Underwood took caught the ball at the 34-yard line and returned it all the way for another score. DeAndrade converted the extra point and the Crusaders led 16-0.

That lead only continued to grow.

Laslo scored the next points for Harrells when he scored from 10-yards out. Another PAT and the Crusaders led 23-0. Then, Sam Hope scored from 16-yards out to push the margin higher at 30-0.

That concluded the action in the first quarter alone as play continued into the second quarter.

Once there, the Crusaders struck again, this time off the legs of Albert Thornton on a 35-yard touchdown run. DeAndrade, reliable as ever, split the uprights as Harrells took a 37-0 lead.

The Crusaders tallied their final score before half when Jack Barber ran it in from four yards out to push Harrells to the 44-0 margin.

44-0 was the halftime score and was enough to spark the continuous clock in the second half.

With the clock on cruise control in the second half. The Knights picked up a pair of scores from Caleb Coleman on a 58-yard run and pass from Coleman to Tyreke Thompson on an 11-yard touchdown. This brought the final score to 44-14 as the Crusaders celebrated a victorious Homecoming night.

Harrells enjoyed a successful night on the ground with eight different rushers totaling 262 yards of rushing. Shamar Chestnutt led the way six carries for 66 yards. Thornton had 50 yards, Laslo 45, and Underwood 42.

With the win, Harrells improves to 7-2 overall. They will conclude their regular season this Friday night with a home game against Wake Christian Academy.

https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web1_Harrells-Logo-5.jpg

Harrells’ Aaron Smith unleashes a pass in a game earlier this year.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web1_HCA-Aaron-Smith.jpegHarrells’ Aaron Smith unleashes a pass in a game earlier this year. File Photo | Sampson Independent
Harrells topples VCNC, 44-14

By Daron Barefoot

Sports Editor

Reach Sports Editor Daron Barefoot at [email protected].