Hendersonville Christian Academy senior Brock Keller attempts to break a tackle while carrying the football during a game earlier this season.

HENDERSONVILLE – After coming off a bye week, the Hendersonville Christian Academy prep football team returned home to face Lighthouse Christian on Friday night at Drakes Creek Park.

However, things failed to go the Crusaders’ way for much of the game.

The Lions built a 16-0 halftime lead and never looked back, cruising to a 40-14 win in Middle Tennessee Athletic Conference North Region play.

“This was our last region game of the season, and it determined who got a higher seed in the playoffs,” HCA head coach Tyler Alexander said. “So we were expecting things to go a different way. We never really found a rhythm, and things never fell our way.”

Lighthouse Christian scored on its opening possession of the game as quarterback Brandon Wharton scrambled for an 18-yard touchdown.

Hendersonville Christian’s offense struggled for much of the first half. The Crusaders committed two turnovers, the second of which resulted in a pass from quarterback Jack Antemann that was intercepted by Zachary Campbell and returned 4 yards for a touchdown.

The Lions’ offense continued to keep up the pace in the second half, mounting a seven-play drive on their first possession of the third quarter. That series ended with a 10-yard score from Colby Martin.

Lighthouse Christian’s special teams made a big play later in the third quarter as Campbell returned a punt from senior Rob Maniu for a 70-yard touchdown.

Hendersonville Christian Academy junior Ian Connor carries the football around the left end during a game earlier this season.

A 38-yard run by Campbell on the Lions’ next drive gave them a commanding 34-0 lead.

Hendersonvile Christian finally got on the board after senior running back Noah Jacobs broke free for a 43-yard run, following it up on the next play with a 2-yard touchdown plunge.

Later in the half, Maniu ran a fake punt for 58 yards down to the 2 yard line. Junior Andre Hambrick punched it in on the very next play to create a 40-14 margin.

“I say this a lot, but we are a young team,” Alexander said. “I just tell them to keep fighting until the end, and we finally caught a few breaks and made some plays on offense there towards the end. We’re continuing to build for the future.”

With the loss, Hendersonville Christian fell to 3-4 overall and to 3-2 in region play. Lighthouse Christian improved to 5-1-1 overall and 5-0 in region play.

The Crusaders play at South Haven Christian on Friday.

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LC – Brandon Wharton 18 yard run. Martin run. LC – Zachary Campbell 4 yard interception return. Isom Jr. run. LC – Colby Martin 10 yard run. Pass failed. LC – Campbell 70 yard punt return. Run failed. LC – Campbell 38 yard run. Run failed. HC – Patrick Pembridge 2 yard run. Run failed. LC – Martin 45 yard run. Run failed. HC – Andre Hambrick 2 yard run. Bader run.

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RUSHING

Lighthouse Christian –  Colby Martin 14-102, Zachary Campbell 1-38, Demaro Isom Jr. 4-11, Brandon Wharton 6-9,

Hendersonville Christian – C.J. Miller 3-77, Patrick Pembridge 13-69, Andre Hambrick 13-36, Justin Bader 9-17, Jack Antemann 1-(-4), Nathan Bland 1-(-4)

PASSING

Lighthouse Christian – Brandon Wharton 3-10-2-34

Hendersonville Christian – Jack Antemann 4-11-2-20

RECEIVING

Lighthouse Christian – Zachary Campbell 3-34

Hendersonville Christian – Andre Hambrick 1-14, Justin Bader 1-4, Brock Keller 2-2