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LAKE BALBOA — Led by four passing touchdowns from freshman quarterback Chase Everett, Village Christian defeated rival Heritage Christian 34-6 in the 37th edition of the ‘Bible Bowl’ at Birmingham Charter High Saturday night.
The win helps to clinch a spot from the Ironwood League to this year’s CIF Southern Section playoffs.
“We’re here to play beyond the first 10 games, we got seniors that deserve this,” said Village Christian coach Richard Broussard. “Making the playoffs and beating our rivals is always a goal of ours, so we’re checking things off our list.”
Village Christian celebrating with the Bible Bowl trophy. @Tarek_Fattal @LAVarsity pic.twitter.com/2IXowBhp19
— Jack Gillespie (@dnsjackg) October 23, 2022
The ‘Bible Bowl’ was first played in 1988 between Los Angeles Baptist (now Heritage Christian) and Village Christian. The Crusaders’ win Friday night gives them two straight victories and puts Village Christain two games ahead in the all-time series, 18-16. Heritage Christian won six straight games from 2014 to 2020.
Everett finished 16 of 24 for 318 yards including four first-half touchdown passes. The defensive effort from Village Christian (7-2, 3-1 Ironwood) was very strong allowing zero offensive points from Heritage Christian (6-3, 2-2), which only scored points off special teams. The Crusaders also held Heritage Christian quarterback Dre Bolte to just three completions for 19 yards.
Village Christan’s defensive line was especially strong, making Bolte uncomfortable for most of the game and having four sacks. Defensive end Rudy Perez had two sacks.
“It’s a weekly thing, our defense goes out and shows out, we work hard all week at practice and handle business and those are the results,” Perez said.
My interview with teammates and cousins Logan Everett and Chase Everett. @VCSAthletics @CoachBru1 @ChevQb7 @LAVarsity pic.twitter.com/O5Sjidj9Fc
— Jack Gillespie (@dnsjackg) October 23, 2022
Everett connected on a 48-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jonathan Powell at the end of the first quarter. Village Christian would recover their second onside kick attempt after the Powell touchdown and would go onto score on their next three drives, each one capped with a touchdown toss from Everett to give the Crusaders an eventual 27-0 lead at halftime.
“Tonight was awesome, the receivers all making me look good, I just gotta put it out there for them and I know they will make plays,” Everett said.
Everett’s go-to targetst were Powell and Ryan Dellutri. Powell finished the game with six catches for 99 yards and a touchdown while Dellutri had six catches for 123 yards and a touchdown.
My interview with Rudy Perez and Ryan Dellutri of Village Christian after their win in the Bible Bowl. @CoachBru1 @VCSAthletics @LAVarsity pic.twitter.com/yNn0sRUoBi
— Jack Gillespie (@dnsjackg) October 23, 2022
Logan Everett, older cousin of Chase, finished the game with 22 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Jagger Rich had two first-half touchdowns for the Crusaders.
The only Heritage Christian score came in the middle of the fourth quarter while trailing by 34 points when defensive linemen Brendan Cho recovered a fumble from a blocked punt and scored.
Heritage Christian will play Ontario Christian – which is also 2-2 in league play – at home next week for an outright third-place finish, which would give the winner an autotmic berth to the playoffs.
-Tarek Fattal contributed to this report.