Laura Fellows
Media Advisor

The Game We Love: Football

October 5, 2020 by Laura Fellows, Gilbert Christian High School


GCHS Football team and coaches pray at the end of game with the Show Low Cougars Football team and coaches

Laura Fellows is the media advisor for Gilbert Christian's Student SID program that contributes content on behalf of the school to AZPreps365.com

This game was highly anticipated if not for one reason alone; these young men were finally going to get back to the sport they give so much to, the game that they love.

At the toss, Gilbert Christian Knight’s Captain, Luke Webb, chose his team to be the first to receive the ball. As much as they tried, the drive for a touchdown early in the game was unsuccessful. The Show Low Cougars came out strong quickly scoring the first touchdown and extra point of the game. However, never count the Knights out, they came back with a touchdown by Nick Wojnarowski and extra point kick by Jace Feely to tie the score at 7-7.

Once again, the Cougars took the lead, 14 - 7 and then 21 - 7 to end the first half with the Knights far behind and their prospects for winning looking a little rocky.

After the half, the Knights came back with a touchdown by Brody Curtner and extra point kick by Jace Feely to bring the score to 21 – 14. With strong offensive play, Matt Hershey, the quarterback, scored a second touchdown, the game was now Cougars 21 - Knights 20. With a penalty call against the Cougars, the Knights are in a good position to go for a two-point conversion. Brody Curtner scores and the Knights pull ahead 22 – 21.

In the second half, the defense led by Luke Webb, Rob Rowan, and Hayden Smith successfully kept the Cougars from scoring for the rest of the game.  The Knights were further sparked by a forced fumble by Hayden Smith that was recovered by Jace Feely.

With this strong offensive and defensive action, Brody Curtner would score one more time. Again, the Cougar’s have another penalty allowing the Knights to go for another two-point conversion. Matt Hershey is successful and the Knights score, 21 – 30.

On offense, Brody Curtner led the ground attack with 78 yards, followed by Darion Martin-Dantzler with 55 yards, Nick Wojnarowski with 36 yards, Matthew Hershey with 33 yards and Marcus McWilliams with 15 yards. Through the air, Matthew Hershey connected on six of eleven passes for 62 yards.  Nick Wojnarowski led the team with 34 receiving yards. Marcus McWilliams added two catches for 22 yards and Nigel Stanbury had an amazing one handed sliding catch for eight yards.

The offensive line of Gavin Biesterfeld, Luke Webb, Luke Bishop, Cooper Payne, Peyton Johnson and tight ends Rob Rowan and Nigel Stanbury played hard all game and opened up holes for the running backs to help lead the Knights to victory. The final game winning score for the Knights: 21 – 30.

They play with Honor and Glory for the one True King, our wonderfully, awesome God! Every game ends with a prayer of thanks for His protection. This is a Gilbert Christian Knight!