Rising up to become the first football state champion in Christ School’s 120-year history was a collective, team effort.
It could not have happened without a wealth of individual talent either, a fact being reflected in postseason awards.
A total of six Greenies have received all-state recognition from the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association – Cade Mintz ’21 (first team, wide receiver), Eli Brasher ‘22 (first team, offensive lineman), Bryce Sain ’22 (second team, running back), Charlie Browder ‘21 (second team, tight end), Brady Ioannidis ‘22 (second team, defensive lineman), and Cayden Jones ’24 (honorable mention, defensive back).
Quarterback A.J. Simpkins’ 22 was named a finalist for the Charlotte Observer’s High School Heisman award.
Friday’s NCISAA Division II championship game at Fayssoux Field featured two schools with campuses about 300 miles apart. Christ School (6-2) hammered previously undefeated Harrells Christian Academy (8-1) by a score of 55-21.
The Greenies won six consecutive games after an 0-2 start, but those two losses were to a couple strong out-of-state opponents. Christ School is one of only two teams that has scored on 9-0 Abbeville (S.C.), and 7-2 Rabun Gap (Ga.) advanced to last week’s NCISAA Division I finals.
Attention for the team will now turn to Dec. 16, which is the start of the national-signing period for college recruits from the Class of 2021.