Paladins Post Area Win at Saint Francis

The Fellowship Christian School varsity boys soccer team ended a two-game losing streak with a road victory on March 12.

The Paladins (1-2 in Area play and 3-4 overall) posted a 6-2 win at Saint Francis in Alpharetta. It was an Area match.

Junior Brad Rodgers recorded the hat trick for FCS, which led 3-0 at halftime.

In the first half, sophomore Jacob Welty scored a memorable goal early in the contest with a side volley from about 18 yards, while Brad Rodgers tallied the second goal, which truly was a thing of beauty, multiple one and two touch combination passing led to a beautiful penetrating ball that Rodgers ran onto and smashed into the Saint Francis net at 11:23 and his brother Matt Rodgers (a junior) tallied a goal with 20 seconds left in the half.

Following a Knight goal early in the second half, freshman Ethan Durham scored at 25:59 for Fellowship. Brad Rodgers answered another Saint Francis goal with two more tallies at 15:12 and 11:14.

FCS out shot Saint Francis 8-6 in the first half. The Knights took seven shots in the second half to six from FCS.

Freshman Trey Weatherby recorded six saves in the first half, and junior Jackson Albee finished with six saves in the final 40 minutes.

"This was in my opinion our most complete performance this season," head coach Andy Trevers said. "In the first half we truly dominated play and the scoreboard at half time reflected that fact. In the second half, FCS started a little slow, but to Saint Francis credit they dominated the first 15 minutes and pulled an early goal back. However, I was very proud of the way the boys rebounded to get back into the game. The remainder of the second half was a very even contest. FCS capitalized on finishing the chances they created, something that has escaped them in prior matches, and continued to keep a two-goal lead for the remainder of the match. We had numerous strong performances in this game. Of course the goal scorers are so important, but our midfield trio of Sawyer, Welty and Hungerbuhler won the area of the field, that was key."

It could be the last soccer game in a little while for the Paladins.

"With the events of the last few weeks and decisions to close down most school systems, we are praying for everyone as they navigate the next few weeks and supernatural wisdom and discernment for the governing bodies who have some challenging decision to make in the coming weeks," Trevers said.

(Photos by Martha Heid and Scott Sawyer)

Comeback Kids: Paladins Rally to Defeat King’s Ridge

The Fellowship Christian School varsity boys baseball team battled back from a 4-0 and 5-2 deficits to pull out the Region victory.

The Paladins (4-0 in Region games and 9-0 overall) kept its win streak alive with a 6-5 victory over King’s Ridge Christian School at Legion Field at Veteran’s Park in Alpharetta on March 12.

King’s Ridge scored two runs in the first and third innings to take a 4-0 lead. After the Paladins cut the lead in half with a pair of runs in bottom of the fourth inning, the Tigers extended their lead to 5-2 with a run in the sixth. But Fellowship pulled the game out with two runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings.

“Our boys found a way to win tonight despite all the noise outside the fence,” head coach Shawn Oliver said. “George [Moraitakis] got hit a little early, but dug down and gave us the innings we needed and then Cooper [Davidson] came in a little fired up and gave our bats a chance. Offensively we knew we’d have to battle with Davis [Mortland] on the mound, and we gave him a couple of easy early innings and then we realized our approach needed to flip and started stringing together some QABs and just scratch runs across. I am proud of the fight these boys showed tonight.”

The Paladins collected six hits in the game, including two each from freshman Jack Rickheim and senior Preston Joye.

Freshman Will Phipps and junior Andrew Davidson each drove in two runs, while juniors Matson Grose and Luke Schmidt collected one RBI apiece.

Moraitakis started the game on the mound, and scatted seven hits and allowed five runs (four earned) in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out six. Cooper Davidson, a freshman reliever, threw the final 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to earn the victory. He allowed just one hit and struck out two.

Four Straight: Paladins Extend Win Streak with Win at Walker

The Fellowship Christian School JV boys baseball team have now won four straight baseball games.

The Paladins posted an 11-1 road victory over The Walker School on March 12. It was the club’s first Region contest.

Overall, the Paladins improved to 6-1 with the win.

Fellowship collected seven hits in the contest, including two each from sophomore Kyle Carey and junior Jonathan Morris. Both of Carey’s hits were doubles. He led the club with four RBIs.

Freshmen Will Austin, Daniel Powell and Darren Zhang, sophomore Hayes Price and junior Brady Moore collected one RBI apiece. Price smacked a double in the game.

FCS plated seven runs in the first, two in the third and two in the fifth. The game last five innings, and Walker’s lone run came in the bottom of the fourth.

Sophomore Grant Hudson started, went three innings and won the game. He struck out four batters and did not allow any hits. Carey threw the final two innings. He allowed just one hit and one run, and struck out two.

Lady Paladins Beat KR to Win Second League Match of 2020

The Fellowship Christian School varsity girls lacrosse team has now won four out of its last five matches.

The Lady Paladins posted a 17-3 victory over King’s Ridge Christian School at Bob Lord Field on March 12.

With the win, Fellowship improved to 2-0 in league matches. FCS has improved to 6-2 overall.

Fellowship Extends Win Streak to 4 Games

The Fellowship Christian School middle school boys soccer team has extended its win streak to four matches.

The Paladins (4-0 overall) defeated King’s Ridge Christian School at Bob Lord Field on March 12.

The final score was 8-0 in favor of the Paladins.

The varsity girls soccer team from Fellowship Christian School has now won five out of its last six games.

Sophomore Cate Hardin scored an FCS record-breaking eight goals in a 10-0 Area win at Saint Francis in Alpharetta on March 12. The game ended a few minutes into the second half.

Senior Ellie Jackson finished on the end of a wonderful move and an assist for Hardin, who played a perfectly weighted pass into her path Jackson outran the defender and slotted past the advancing goalkeeper. Lillie Ward scored the opening goal, on a strong persistent effort, following up on a deflected shot to finish at the back post.

It was another shutout for keeper Emma Jones, who recorded a great save in the first half when she leaped up and caught a ball headed towards the upper corner.

With the win, the Lady Paladins improved to 2-1 in Area games and 5-2 in varsity games.

“I was so pleased and proud of the girls today,” head coach Andy Trevers said. “We entered this game with 11 players and by the Lord’s protection we left with 11 healthy players. The girls work rate and persistence paid off, however it must be noted that Saint Francis girls battled gallantly. Although Lillie Ward scored an early goal, for the next 15 minutes it seemed it was going to take a miracle to break down the Saint Francis defensive unit. Their goalkeeper recorded multiple great saves and the Saint Francis players were sacrificing their bodies to deny FCS another goal.”

Fellowship finally broke through again and then tallied six additional goals before the half to go in with an 8-0 lead. Hardin scored two quick unanswered goals at the beginning of the second half to complete the contest. She finished the play very strongly.

“With the events of the last few weeks and decisions to close down most school systems, we are praying for everyone as they navigate the next few weeks and supernatural wisdom and discernment for the governing bodies who have some challenging decision to make in the coming weeks,” Trevers said.