FCS Football Team Battles Back to Hand Mount Paran Rare Home Loss; Paladins Improve to 5-0

What a comeback!

Powered by three interceptions, a fumble recovery, a very long touchdown run in the second half, the undefeated Fellowship Christian School varsity football team posted a 21-13 come-from-behind victory at Mount Paran Christian School in Kennesaw on Sept. 21.

The Paladins (3-0 in Region games and 5-0 overall) rallied from a 13-0 halftime deficit to beat Mount Paran for the third time since 2016 (FCS is 3-1 against Mount Paran in that span). The Eagles have lost just two home games since 2014 – both to Fellowship.

FCS rattled off 21 unanswered points in the second half. What did coach Al Morrell tell his team at halftime?

"They showed us a totally different defensive set than we expected [in the first half]," Morrell said. "We had to make adjustments. Basically I told them to do what they have been doing, make plays and that we would be ok. They never quit. I am very proud of our boys. They believed in each other. They believed in our coaching staff and our system. Praise God."

The Paladins got on the board first on their second possession of the third quarter. Senior Parker Addison intercepted a pass in Mount Paran territory and returned to the Mount Paran 12-yard-line. Three plays from scrimmage later senior Brooks Bryant connected with sophomore Jordan Brewer on a 14-yard TD play at 4:59. Sophomore Will Peterson booted the extra point to cut the Eagles' lead to 13-7.

It didn't take the Paladins long to take the lead.

Sophomore Lawson Haigler intercepted a batted pass and sprinted to the Mount Paran 26-yard-line at 2:09 of the third.

Five scrimmage plays later, senior Cameron Gill scored from the 6-yard-line on a run. Following Peterson's kick, Fellowship had the one-point lead just four seconds into the fourth quarter.

The Eagles' next series ended on another interception, this one by senior Cam Cochran at 8:32. Bryant had to punt five plays later, but Mount Paran turned the ball over again on its next series. This time, sophomore Caleb McClung pounced on a fumble with 3:19 to play inside the Mount Paran 10-yard-line.

Sophomore Murphy Reeves sealed the victory with an incredible 91-yard run. He took the pitch and quickly got to the FCS sidelines and sprinted past the Eagle defenders on his way to the end zone. The Paladins tacked on Peterson's kick to take a 21-13 lead.

Following a scoreless first quarter, the Eagles scored three times in the second quarter. The team had a 34-yard field goal at 8:18, a five-yard run and extra point at 5:50 and a 35-yard field goal as the first half buzzer sounded.

Mount Paran out gained FCS, 366-286, in the game, but the Paladins capitalized on Mount Paran's turnovers to win the game.

Morrell admitted he was not expecting Mount Paran to turn the ball over four times in the second half, or five times overall. FCS had just one lost fumble.

"They challenge you, and are a very good football team," Morrell said. "But our kids did an amazing job all night, but especially in the second half. Turnovers were the difference in the game."

Reeves led FCS with 160 yards on 14 rushes as the Paladins gained 219 yards on the ground, including 168 in the second half. Bryant completed five-of-11 passes for 67 yards. Brewer caught four passes for 67 yards, and Gill grabbed one for no gain.

It was a huge win for the Paladins, who close out the regular season with four consecutive Region games and a crossover contest following a bye week.

"There is still a lot of football left, but this game gives us an opportunity to win the sub-Region," Morrell said. "If we had lost, that would have been tough. We have to win our games, but this gives us an opportunity."

McClung (seven assisted tackles) and senior Reed Bott (five solo stops) led the Paladin defense with 10 total tackles apiece, while Haigler recorded nine stops (five assists). Gill had an interception in the first half.

(Photos by Kevin Bryant and Chip Cookston)

Win Streak Reaches 7: Lady Paladin Varsity Vollyeball Squad Beats Mt. Bethel, Whitefield Academy

The Fellowship Christian School varsity volleyball team posted its seventh straight victory with a two-set triumph over Mt. Bethel Christian Academy at Paladin Gym on Sept. 20.

FCS improved to 19-9 overall with the non-Region win.

The Lady Paladins won the first set, 25-20, and took the second, 25-15.

The club opened the evening with a Region win over Whitefield Academy.

Fellowship won the first set, 25-7, and claimed the second, 25-4.

Week 5 Preview: FCS Heads for Region Showdown at Mount Paran

The varsity football team from Fellowship Christian School takes its undefeated record to Kennesaw for a Region contest at Mount Paran Christian School.

FCS (4-0 overall) lost the last meeting between the schools in the second game of the 2017 season, 26-7 to the Eagles at Bob Lord Field on Aug. 25, 2017 that snapped the Paladins' 10-game regular-season win streak. Overall, Fellowship is 2-3 against Mount Paran, including a pair of victories during the stellar 2016 season.

"They are an extremely talented football team," said head coach Al Morrell, who is 38-22 at Fellowship. "Our defense will be tested. Their quarterback is very, very good. He leads a ball-control offense. We have to stop him. They can be very dominant."

The Eagles enter the game 1-0 at home this year, and are 2-1 overall. The team's lone loss came on Aug. 31 at Irwin County, 40-20, the state's No. 1 Class A public school.

"Mount Paran is No. 6 in the private school rankings," Morrell said. "The winner could be the potential sub-Region champion."

The Paladins (2-0 in Region games) will have to control time of possession, limit turnovers and play good defense to defeat Mount Paran, according to Morrell.

"Our offense needs to do what it has been doing," he said. "Our defense will be tested, but they're coming off the best game of the season."

On Sept. 14, FCS defeated Stratford Academy, 41-14, at home, and Mount Paran won 42-7 at King's Ridge Christian School.

The Paladin offense has earned at least 41 points in all four victories, and has gained 1,938 total yards. The running backs have combined for 1,383 yards and senior quarterback Brooks Bryant has thrown for 555 yards (30-for-45) with seven touchdowns and three interceptions.

Sophomore Jordan Brewer has been Bryant's favorite target with 18 catches for 285 yards and four touchdowns (all team highs). Senior Cam Cochran has hauled in seven passes for 129 yards and two scores, while senior Cameron Gill has five catches for 141 yards and two TDs.

Sophomore sensation Murphy Reeves leads the FCS ground game with 51 carries, 540 yards and six touchdowns. Gill is next with 246 yards and five TDs (on 25 carries), while sophomore Lawson Haigler has picked up 235 yards on 35 carries with one score. Cochran has collected 106 yards and three TDs on 19 attempts. Bryant has three rushing touchdowns.

Seniors Will Kreikemeier (19 assisted tackles) and Reed Bott (eight solo stops) shared the team lead with 25 tackles.

Sophomore Nathan Nardone ranks third on the Paladins with 24 tackles. Nardone is tied with Kreikemeier for the team lead in assisted stops. Sophomore Caleb McClung tops the squad with 20 solo tackles and is fourth with 23 total tackles.

Cochran has made a team-best four interceptions. Bott has registered a team-high four tackles for a loss, and Kreikemeier has three. Both played share first on the team with two sacks.

Several FCS Cross-Country Runners Set PRs at Big Peach Mustang Stampede in Acworth

On a hot and sticky day, the Fellowship Christian School boys and girls JV and varsity cross country team competed in the Big Peach Mustang Stampede at Allatoona Creek Park in Acworth on Sept. 15. Several runners set personal records (PR).

"The meet offered our team the opportunity to run a great cross-country course of open fields and wooded trails," head coach Tom Harrison said. "It's the type of terrain that challenges our athletes to push through the physical and mental challenges that are unique to cross-country running. Cross-country races usually start early, but even the early morning start yesterday couldn't offset the heat, and the heat was a factor for many runners from all the teams."

Some of the race highlights for FCS included freshman Garrett Lengefeld, who finished first among Paladin varsity male runners with a new PR of 20.10. Sophomore Andy Chapman, a newcomer, took nearly a minute of his previous best 5K time.

Junior Abby Beard, another newcomer, finished strong in her race and set a new PR of 24.12. Junior Charlotte Berg also set a new PR, and sophomore Sami Rickheim returned from an injury to compete in Acworth.

In the mid-season now, the Paladin boys are currently ranked sixth of 15 teams in our Class A Region 6, and the girls are third of 12 schools.

"With more than a month of training ahead of us before our Region competition, the Paladins are well positioned to compete well in our post season meets," Harrison said.

(Photos by Mason Beard)

Seventh and Eighth Grade Football Team Improves to 3-0 Overall with 36-12 Victory over Mount Vernon on Sept. 13

The Fellowship Christian School seventh and eighth grade football squad has improved to 3-0 on the season.

The Paladins defeated Mount Vernon Presbyterian School at Bob Lord Field on Sept. 13.

"It was a another big win," head coach Ron Haigler said.

The Paladins took a 29-0 lead in the first half.

The team beat 3A Pace Academy, 27-8, at Bob Lord Field to open the regular season.

FCS blanked Mount Paran Christian School in Kennesaw on Sept. 8.

(Photos by Milo Falcon)

Paladins Beat Saint Francis, Increase Win Streak to 3 Games

The fifth and sixth grade football team from Fellowship Christian School increased its season-opening win streak to three games.

On Sept. 15, the 3-0 Paladins defeated Saint Francis on the road in Roswell, 14-6.

It was a Metro 10 League game.

(Photo by Milo Falcon)

Lady Paladin Volleyball Team Captures Silver Bracket at Varsity Georgia Challenge

The Fellowship Christian School varsity volleyball team posted a 4-2 record and claimed the Silver Bracket championship at the Georgia Volleyball Challenge held at Southern Volleyball Center in Alpharetta on Sept. 15.

FCS (15-9 overall) went 1-2 in the opening round. The Lady Paladins beat 3A North Hall High School 2-0, but fell to 6A Chattahoochee High School, 0-2, and 7A Lambert High School, 0-2.

However, the team advanced to the Silver Bracket Finals and beat 3A Sonoraville, 2-0, to capture the title. The club beat both 4A Denmark High School and 6A Lanier High School in the Silver Bracket playoffs by a 2-0 count in both matches to advance to the title match.

"Lizzie Thompson had a great day and led us with 39 kills, and a .444 hitting percentage for the day," head coach Kayla Rechenbach said. "It was a great tournament for our team."

Junior Taylor Herrmann had 58 digs, sophomore Elizabeth Powers led with seven blocks. Senior Lauren Breed topped the team with 37 assists and eight aces.

(Photo by Tina Herrmann)

FCS Avenges Playoff Loss with First-Ever Varsity Football Victory over Stratford Academy

Mission accomplished.

Fellowship Christian School posted a 41-14 victory over Stratford Academy on Sept. 14 at Bob Lord Field to notch the first-ever varsity football win over the Eagles, and avenge last year's playoff loss.

"The boys did great," head coach Al Morrell said. "We executed to perfection on both sides of the ball. We sustained drives, limited turnovers and eliminated their big plays. Our first-team defense shut them out for three quarters. The line blocked well, Brooks [Bryant] played well again and Murphy Reeves was outstanding."

Reeves gained 272 yards on 17 carries for three touchdown runs of 84, 71 and 43 yards. He has become the team's top rusher as a sophomore this season.

"I am a little surprised at how well Murphy has done," Morrell said. "He has talent, but he was injured for much of last season. He came to camp with a great attitude, and has worked so hard. He has done a terrific job."

FCS (4-0 overall) lost the last meeting between the schools in the second round of the GHSA Class A Private School Football Championships, 36-22, on Nov. 17, 2017. The Paladins are now 1-2 all-time against the Eagles, who are 1-3 this season.

The Paladins outgained the Eagles, 554 to 272, including 315 to 18 in the first half.

"We have shown great offensive balance this year," Morrell said. "They kids are executing so well. The line has played well. They block well. Our backs block so well for each other, and they run well. Our quarterback has done a very good job throwing, and our receivers catch the ball."

On Sept. 14, FCS opened up a 21-0 lead in the first half, including Reeves' 43-yard run at 5:36 of the first quarter. Sophomore Will Peterson kicked the first of five extra-point kicks.

Bryant's 1-yard QB keeper came at 11:48 of the second quarter, and Reeves added a brilliant 84-yard TD run with several broken tackles with 3:37 left in the first half.

On the opening series of the second half, senior Reed Bott made the tackle on a fake punt to stop the Eagles short on a 4th-and-6 play at 10:33.

Just over two minutes later, Bryant connected with sophomore Jordan Brewer on a 17-yard touchdown pass play. Peterson's kick was no good, but Fellowship led 27-0.

The next FCS touchdown came at 4:25 of the third. The Paladins got the ball back on senior Cam Cochran's interception inside the FCS 5-yard-line that he returned out to the 38-yard-line.

Following long runs by Reeves and Bryant, Brewer hauled in a 12-yard pass for a score to cap a three-play, 62-yard drive. Peterson's kick made it 34-0. Brewer finished with seven catches for 87 yards, and Cochran had one for 23 yards. Bryant went eight-for-10 for 110 yards, two scores and no interceptions.

Reeves' final touchdown (71 yards at 10:07 of the fourth) was sandwiched between a pair of pass plays for touchdowns by Stratford.

Overall, the Paladins gained 444 yards on the ground. Senior Cameron Gill picked up 66 yards on six carries. Sophomore Lawson Haigler gained 27 yards on six attempts, and Bryant added 26 on eight carries.

Sophomore Nathan Nardone led Fellowship with seven tackles (three solo stops), and added one sack and one tackle for loss. Bott finished with five total tackles, including three solo stops and two tackles for loss. Freshman Josh Cole registered five assisted tackles and also had five total stops. Gill and Cochran both recorded an interception. Seniors Ford Hardwick and Will Kreikemeier both had one sack.

"Defensively we played our best game of the year," Morrell said.

Fellowship returns to action on Sept. 21 at Mount Paran Christian School. It's the first of five straight Region games for the Paladins, 2-0 in Region play this season. Mount Paran enters the game with a 2-1 record, including Friday's 42-7 victory at King's Ridge Christian School.

(Photos by Chip Cookston)

Lady Paladins down 6A Chattahoochee High School

The Fellowship Christian School varsity volleyball team wrapped up a two-match evening on Sept. 13 at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Sandy Springs with a victory.

FCS (11-7 overall) posted a 25-18, 25-20 win over 6A Chattahoochee High School following a two-set loss to HIES.

"We were not ourselves in Game 1," head coach Kayla Rechenbach said. "Holy Innocents served aggressively and played well, but we were also not all on the same page as a team. I was happy the girls were able to put that game behind them though, and beat Chattahoochee in two well-played games."

FCS dropped a two-set decision at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School to start the evening. HIES won 25-21, 25-19.

(Photo by Tina Herrmann)

Fellowship Seeks First-Ever Varsity Football Win over Stratford

The varsity football team from Fellowship Christian School enters its game against Stratford Academy seeking its first-ever varsity football win over the Eagles.

FCS (3-0 overall) lost the last meeting between the schools in the second round of the GHSA Class A Private School Football Championships, 36-22, on Nov. 17, 2017. The Eagles (1-2 this season) are 2-0 all-time against Fellowship.

"Record or not, they are a good football team," head coach Al Morrell said. "They have plenty of talent. Their quarterback is very good, and they have plenty of weapons. It's going to take a very good effort to beat them."

The Paladins will need to sustain drives and limit turnovers on offense, and eliminate their big plays on defense to pick up win No. 4, according to their veteran head coach.

"I am very pleased with how we are developing this season," Morrell said. "We knew we had a great sophomore class, but they have really grown and stepped up. That group really compliments our junior and senior leaders."

As an offense, the Paladins have certainly clicked through the first three regular-season games.

The team has topped 39 points in each regular-season contest, including a new school record for points in a game in last week's 57-20 win over The Walker School at home.

The team has gained 1,384 yards of offense, led by 939 rushing yards.

Senior quarterback Brooks Bryant has collected 445 passing yards (22-for-35) with five touchdowns and three interceptions.

"Brooks has been very steady, as have our backs and receivers," Morrell said.

Sophomore Murphy Reeves leads FCS running backs with 268 yards on 34 carries with three scores. Sophomore Lawson Haigler is next with 208 yards on 29 attempts, and senior Cameron Gill has registered 180 yards on 19 carries and a team-best five rushing TDs. He's also grabbed five passes for 141 yards.

Sophomore Jordan Brewer leads the club with 11 catches and 198 reception yards, and has caught two TD passes. Senior Cam Cochran has six catches for 106 yards and two scores, and earned 80 yards on 14 carries with three scores on the ground.

Senior Will Kreikemeier leads the Fellowship defense with 17 assisted tackles and 22 total stops. Sophomore Caleb McClung is very close behind with 21 stops, including a team-high eight solo stops. Senior Reed Bott ranks third on the defensive unit with 20 tackles (five solo stops, 15 assists).

FCS Posts School-record 57 Points in Varsity Football Victory over The Walker School

Record-Setting Night: FCS Posts School-record 57 Points in Victory over Walker

The Fellowship Christian School varsity football team's offensive surge to begin the season reached new heights on Friday.

The Paladins set a school record for points in a varsity football game with a 57-20 victory over The Walker School on Sept. 7 at Bob Lord Field. The previous record was set with a 56-6 victory at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy on Nov. 9, 2012. Friday's points total marked the sixth time in school history that the varsity football squad reached at least 49 points in a game.

It was the Fellowship team's first regular-season game in the newly renovated Bob Lord Field.

So far this season, the Paladins have reached 53 points in a scrimmage victory and 39, 48 and 57 in its three regular-season wins.

Against Walker, FCS (2-0 in Region games and 3-0 overall) opened up leads of 22-0 after the first quarter, 29-7, 36-7 and 43-14 at halftime. The Paladins scored a touchdown in each of the third and fourth quarters, and the Wolverines added a fourth-quarter score on an 88-yard run.

"Overall it was a very good game for us," head coach Al Morrell said. "Our kids played hard, and they executed very well. Our boys have prepared well each game, and everybody is doing their jobs."

The Paladins finished with 429 total yards, including 157 through the air and 272 on the ground.

Senior Cameron Gill finished with three rushing scores, while senior Cam Cochran and sophomores Murphy Reeves and Joey Archer each hade one rushing TD. Senior Brooks Bryant went 8-for-10 in pass attempts for 157 yards (all in the first half), with a pair of TD passes to Cochran (eight yards) and sophomore Jordan Brewer (36 yards) and one interception.

"The line is blocking well, the backs are running the ball well, Brooks is playing well at quarterback and the receivers are catching the ball," Morrell said. "Jordan Brewer was very good tonight."

Gill led the Paladins with 78 yards on six carries, Reeves added 65 on eight attempts and sophomore Lawson Haigler finished with 48 yards on seven rushes.

Brewer caught four passes for a team-high 111 yards and Cochran grabbed four passes for 46 yards.

Sophomore Caleb McClung led FCS in solo tackles with five and total stops with nine. Senior Parker Addison had a team-best five assisted stops and finished with eight total tackles. Cochran registered an interception.

The Paladins started quickly out of the gate. The Wolverines won the toss, but elected to defer to the second half.

FCS scored on its first four possessions to grab a 29-0 lead on Gill's 13-yard run, Cochran's eight-yard TD catch and Gill's 12-yard run in the first quarter and Reeves' 11-yard run in the second.

Junior Braden Webb caught a two-point conversion pass from Bryant following the first score, and Bryant connected with Brewer on a conversion pass after Gill's second TD. The two-point conversion play was stopped following Cochran's first TD, but sophomore Will Peterson booted the first of four consecutive extra points after Reeves' touchdown.

Cochran answered a Wolverine touchdown with a four-yard TD run at 1:36 of the quarter to cap a long drive for his second touchdown of the contest. That left the score 36-7. Walker scored with 34.3 seconds left in the half on a 22-yard pass play and added the extra-point kick.

However the half ended at 43-14 as Brewer hauled in a pass at the 2-yard line and reached the end zone for a 34-yard TD pass play from Bryant in the waning seconds of the half.

Gill's third score gave Fellowship a 50-14 lead with 6:05 left in the third. Archer capped the scoring on a one-yard QB keeper with 9:45 to play. Freshman Jack O'Connor booted the extra point to give FCS a new school record for points in a game.

Fellowship faces Stratford Academy in a rematch of last year's state playoff game loss on Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m., at Bob Lord Field. "Whatever their record, they will be our toughest opponent yet," Morrell said. "It's a challenge to face them."

(File photo of FCS seniors by Kevin Bryant, action photos by Chip Cookston)

Paladin Football Team Hosts Walker Looking to Avenge Last Year's Last-second Loss

Al Morrell is happy with a 2-0 start to the varsity football season, but knows his team still has room for improvement.

The varsity football team from Fellowship Christian School takes its 2-0 record into Friday's home game against The Walker School at 7:30 p.m. The Wolverines won last year's game, 28-27, on a last-second touchdown at Bob Lord Field on Sept. 29, 2017. FCS owns a 1-3 all-time record against Walker.

"Neither team we have beaten this year has a winning record so far, so we know our schedule is going to get tougher," Morrell said. "I am pleased with our start, but I know we are still growing as a football team. We strive for consistency."

The Paladins are coming off a 48-30 Region win at Pinecrest Academy on Aug. 24.

"It was a well-played game," Morrell said. "Our defense played much better in the second half. It was close at halftime and we gave up some big plays. But Jake [Robertson] made some defensive adjustments at halftime, and our varsity guys shut them out in the second half. They scored on our JV kids late in the game."

The Paladins won't take Walker (0-2 overall) lightly, especially given last year's loss. The Wolverines fell at North Cobb Christian School, 48-30, on Aug. 31.

"They're a well-coached football team," Morrell said. "They have multiple offensive sets, and we will have to have good alignment and recognize their formations. They have plenty of skilled kids at running back, QB and receiver."

The keys for FCS against the Wolverines will be to play hard, strive for defensive consistency and eliminate turnovers. "We have a negative-one turnover ratio," Morrell said. "We have to protect the ball better and execute well on offense."

Senior quarterback Brooks Bryant has been an offensive catalyst for Fellowship. The senior has thrown for 292 yards (14-for-25) with three touchdowns and two interceptions, including 152 yards and two TDs at Pinecrest.

The Fellowship ground game has earned 672 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns on 99 carries this season, led by sophomore Murphy Reeves with 204 yards on 26 attempts. He topped the squad with 145 yards on 13 carries in Cumming.

Sophomore Lawson Haigler has earned 160 yards on 22 carries, while senior Cameron Gill has 106 yards on 13 attempts. Bryant, Cochran, Gill and Reeves all have two rushing touchdowns.

Gill leads the team with 141 receiving yards (five catches), while sophomore Jordan Brewer leads the team with seven catches for 95 yards, and Cochran has hauled in two passes for 56 yards and a touchdown. Gill and Brewer each have one TD reception.

Senior William Kreikemeier leads the defense with 18 tackles and 13 assisted stops. Senior Reed Bott is next with 16 tackles (five solo stops), and sophomore Nate Nardone has 13 tackles (11 assists).

Lady Paladins Pound Saint Francis, 15-0; Notch Second Victory in Last 3 Contests

Nine players scored at least one run as the Fellowship Christian School varsity softball team posted its second win in its last three games, 15-0, over Saint Francis in a Region game on the road.

The Lady Paladins (2-4 in Region play and 3-4 overall) scored 15 times in the top half of the first inning of the three-inning game.

Junior Baylor Aycock earned the win on the mound. She allowed one hit and struck out eight in three innings.

Sophomore Caroline Gryder led Fellowship with one hit and three RBIs. Aycock, junior Emma Yeager and senior Maddie Wideman each drove in two runs, while Sophomores Mary McCranie and Brooke Mitchell and Maggie Pizza, and juniors Noelle Durham and Emma Jones added one RBI each.

"It was a good bounce back after that tough loss last night [10-9 at Providence Christian Academy]," head coach Shawn Oliver said. "We were able to try some different stuff defensively and allow Baylor to work on her spots and get a little rest from a huge workload over the last couple of days. Now we can recharge as a team and get ready for three tough Region contests next week."

Lady Paladins Beat 4A Denmark High School, Falls to 3A Westminster Schools

The Fellowship Christian School varsity volleyball team posted a two-set victory over 4A Denmark High School, a new public high school from Forsyth County.

FCS (10-6 overall) posted a 25-16 set one win. The Lady Paladins captured the second set, 25-8.

It marked the 100^th career win for varsity volleyball coach Kayla Rechenbach.

Earlier in the evening, FCS dropped a decision to 3A Westminster Schools, 18-25, 16-25

"We served much more aggressively against Denmark which I was really pleased to see," Rechenbach said. "We had some really good moments against Westminster, but made too many unforced errors which you can't do against such a talented team."

(Photo by Tina Herrmann)

FCS Junior Preston Joye Trying to Make Team USA Under-18 Baseball Squad

Fellowship Christian School junior Preston Joye, a shortstop and right-handed pitcher, competed in the National Team Identification Series held in Cary, N.C., the weekend of Aug. 24-26.

Joye is competing for a spot on the Team USA Under-18 team, which will be announced Sept. 12.

"We are exciting that Preston represented FCS," said Shawn Oliver, the varsity baseball and softball coach at Fellowship. "It is a great opportunity for him to compete against some of the nation's best baseball players."

The NTIS is the most comprehensive player identification program offered by USA Baseball, according to the website.

(Photo submitted by Shawn Oliver)