Big play Concord gets best of Providence

JOHNSON CITY — Concord Christian used its speed advantage to jump out early on Providence Academy and score a region win over the Knights on Friday night. Concord quarterback Dylan Brown had four touchdown passes to a trio of big play receivers as the Lions defeated the Knights 38-14 on Providence's Homecoming Night. Providence (2-5) had some big plays of its own, including a 56-yard touchdown pass play from Cameron Blanton to Braden Miller, who was able to lose his defender. Blanton, who finished with 180 passing yards, had a second long touchdown, a 63-yard play to Marcus Stine. It came minutes after Blanton was blindsided on a hit and spent a little while on the ground. "He's been tough all year. He went over and passed all the concussion tests," Providence coach Micah Hughes said. "He's such a tough kid. I'm so proud of him, his resolve and the resolve of this team. We knew the last two weeks, Middle Tennessee Christian and Concord were really tough opponents. But, I'm pleased with our kids, the way they fought and never gave up." It would've been easy for some teams to have folded. The Lions (4-3) already led 14-0 by the time Miller scored. Amare McKenzie took the game's opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown. Concord's next possession consisted of just two plays with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Brown to Dasani Moulden. Two plays after Providence scored in the second quarter, the Lions connected on another big play as Brown hit Todd Lundy with a pass over the middle of the field. Lundy raced 70 yards for a touchdown. Concord had one final scoring drive before the half was over. Asher Sisco capped it off with a 34-yard field goal and a 24-7 halftime lead. McKenzie showed off his speed again in the third quarter, taking a quick pass from Brown and racing untouched 12 yards into the end zone. Previously, Providence had squandered two opportunities inside Concord's territory. Kahler Oggero took the opening kickoff of the second half to the Concord 32. Minutes later, Stine intercepted a Brown pass and returned the ball to the Concord 20. Both times, the Knights weren't able to score. "Marcus has been huge for us this year," Hughes said. "He's an athlete who goes out there and makes plays. He's our deep-ball guy, although Braden had the deep ball early. Both of those guys are great athletes who have done a great job for us." Concord pushed the lead to 38-7 in the fourth quarter after a fumble recovery. Brown had a forward pitch to Moulden for officially a 3-yard touchdown pass. But, Providence never folded as evident by their final touchdown. Ty Puhr also had a big play earlier for the Knights, a pass breakup on a fourth-down pass to the end zone. Concord 38, Providence 14 Concord Christian 14 10 7 7 — 38 Providence Academy 0 7 0 7 — 14 First Quarter CC—McKenzie 93 kick return (Sisco kick) CC—Moulden 34 pass from Brown (Sisco kick) Second Quarter PA—Miller 56 pass from C. Blanton (B. Blanton kick) CC—Lundy 70 pass from Brown (Sisco kick) CC—FG Sisco 34 Third Quarter CC—McKenzie 12 pass from Brown (Sisco kick) Fourth Quarter CC—Moulden 3 pass from Brown (Sisco kick) PA—Stine 63 pass from C. Blanton (B. Blanton kick)