Metro Christian Rolls Past Verdigris To Remain Unbeaten

Gerald Goodridge, NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The Metro Christian Patriots continued to show why there are one of the top teams in Class 3A, as they knocked off the Verdigris Cardinals 45-16 Thursday to take control of District 6.

The Patriots jumped out to a modest 10-0 lead in the first quarter, thanks to a nine-yard run from Solomon Prince and a 38-yard field goal by Ben Lacourse to head into the second quarter.

J.D. Hanslovan broke the seal for Verdigris less than two minutes into the second quarter on a one-yard touchdown run. The extra point failed leaving the Cardinals trailing 10-6. Eight minutes later, he connected on a 30-yard field goal to close the deficit to one point.

Metro Christian scored 14-unanswered points to close the half to head into the locker room leading 24-9.

The Patriots continued to add to the lead early in the third quarter, thanks to an Andrew Hearon hooked up with Drew Hillenburg for a 35-yard touchdown pass to take a 31-9 lead.

Verdigris scored on the ensuing drive, capped off by a three-yard touchdown run by Tanner Smith to cut the gap to two scores, but those were the last for the Cardinals. Metro Christian scored back-to-back touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including a six-yard catch by Danny Burke, to close the game.

Metro Christian stays unbeaten and will host the Inola Longhorns Friday Oct. 28 with a chance to move to 9-0, while the 7-1 Cardinals will head to Kellyville with playoff seeding on the line.