'Competitive' game breaks records for Augusta Christian

Records fell Friday night at Pride Valley, where the Augusta Christian Schools football team beat Brentwood School 56-28.

AC tailback Joel Whinghter rushed for a school-record 406 yards and set a new standard with five touchdowns. Additionally, the Lions established records for team rushing (570 yards) and total offense (593 yards).

''Everyone knew Joel was having a good night, but the game was so competitive, players were more concerned with winning the game than with individual statistics," AC coach Steve Price said.

Whinghter's best previous single-game totals were 350 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Both marks came against Brentwood last year, but the senior speedster was better last week.

''It's the best I've ever seen Joel run," Price said. ''It's a pretty impressive rushing total, and he didn't play the final half of the fourth quarter."

Whinghter scored on runs of 50, 4, 80, 50 and 30 yards. Adam Greene added a short touchdown run, Jordan Haywood chipped in a 44-yard scoring scamper and Cole Rabun notched a 64-yard run to cap the scoring.

Price credited the Lions offensive line for the record-setting night. AC's linemen are Daniel Whinghter, Trey Pitts, Sam Pitts, Brock Ballis, Aaron Price and Matt Lane.

Brentwood was unbeaten in 2001, but Price wasn't surprised to see the Lions dismantle the Eagles.

''I wouldn't say it was unexpected," Price said. ''Brentwood has a good team, but we were ready to play. That's the best game we've had this year. Now we have to keep improving the rest of the season."

Augusta Christian (5-3) begins its Region 2-AAA schedule Friday. The Lions play an 8 p.m. home game against Mount de Sales (4-3-1).

''We've got three of the best football teams in the state left on our schedule, and we have an opportunity to win all those games. As a coach that's all you can ask," Price said.

The Lions will have to overcome some injury problems during the season's stretch run.

''We have so many injuries I can't remember them all," Price said. ''We'll have to throw the football Friday night (against Mount de Sales), and our receivers have been decimated by injuries."