Photo by Jim Marczesky Cardinal QB Tommy Winterstein tries to avoid the Augusta Christian rush. William Banks ran for 172 yards and two touchdowns as the Augusta Christian Lions shut out the Cardinal Newman Cardinals 27- 0 on Friday, October 17.

The game was played in a constant rain, which contributed to the seven combined turnovers and numerous other miscues. Augusta Christian's Corey Kuptiz took a Cardinal punt back 63 yards for the game's first score. The Lions missed the extra point, however, and led only 6- 0.

With just under four minutes to go in the first half, Augusta Christian got the ball at their own 20. On third- and- one from the 29, Banks called his own number on a quarterback sneak. However, he broke through the line and outraced the Cardinal defenders on the muddy field to the end zone for a 71- yard touchdown. The snap on the conversion was botched, and the Lions led 12- 0.

The Cardinals tried to answer before halftime, driving the ball to the Lion's 35- yard line, but a bad pitch on a sweep play ended in Cardinal Newman's third lost fumble of the half, and the Lions recovered and ran out the clock on the half.

Augusta Christian received the ball to start the second half and promptly wore down the Cardinal defense with an eight- play drive that culminated in Banks' second touchdown, a three- yard run that, in combination with the two- point conversion, gave the Lions a 20- 0 lead.

After a Cardinal punt, the Lions were driving again when they committed their second turnover, a fumble recovered by the Cardinals' Greg Regan that kept their hopes alive. But after another punt, Augusta Christian went on a 13- play, 85- yard drive that ate almost seven minutes off the clock, ending in a Christian Croft 20- yard touchdown. The extra point led to the final score of 27- 0.

Banks also completed four passes for 64 yards in the wet conditions. For the Cardinals, Davis Lemon led the offense with 72 yards rushing, and Michael Bolchoz and Greg Regan combined for 32 tackles.

Augusta Christian hosts Pinewood Prep on the 24th, while Cardinal Newman travels to Ben Lippen.