By Nolan Ruth
X – @RealNolanRuth
MIDLAND— Grace Christian Academy is the newest football program in Parker County. It is a school relatively unknown in a county that has UIL powers like Aledo and Brock, and TAPPS powers like Azle Christian.
But being unknown does not matter to the Colts, who have entered their first district season in just their third year of existence as a football program. Over the past three years, GCA has played both Weatherford Christian and Azle Christian in the regular season, as well as twice facing off with the junior varsity team from Perrin-Whitt.
Needless to say, the Colts are familiar with the strong six-man programs of Parker County. But for the first time, that hard work and dedication was put on display when the team traveled to Midland to take on the El Paso Immanuel Warriors.
It was a close game from start to finish with neither team getting an edge, until the Colts pulled away in the fourth quarter to depart west Texas with a 38-36 win after trailing for most of the contest.
“I told these guys from day one that we would be state contenders,” head coach Austin Norman said. “We showed that today. We see the light at the end of the tunnel and they want it, bad.”
Even the parents knew how big this game was to get the Colts on the massive radar that is Texas high school football.
“As a parent I’m proud,” Kase Keeling’s mother, Paige, said on social media. “I’ve watched these boys come back from injuries and be the underdogs for 2 years. They expect us to not be good and now they know who we are! They are putting GCA on the map!”
After a strong showing in non-district play, many wondered how the Colts would look in their first year of league play.
It did not come easy as the Warriors took an early 8-0 lead, but GCA was able to respond and tie it up at six after one quarter. The game remained very defensive into the second quarter.
Both teams scored again in the second quarter, but Immanuel made the difference by converting the two point kick, making the score 14-12 at the halftime break.
The Colts quickly took the lead back in the third quarter, but Immanuel responded on the ensuing drive. However, GCA would not be denied the glory that has graced many programs in Parker County. The Colts scored again to take a 24-20 lead after three quarters.
The Warriors got a quick score in the fourth quarter, but GCA was up to the task and retook the lead at 30-28. At its most critical moment, the Colts defense came up with a big stop to get the ball back.
The offense did not let the opportunity go to waste, and GCA scored to make it 38-28 with just under two minutes to go.
Immanuel was able to find the end zone out of desperation on the ensuing drive, but was unable to recover the onside kick. The Colts picked up on first down for good measure and ran out the clock, securing the first district win in program history on its first try.
Among those who found the endzone, Kaden Hartsell led the way by scoring twice. Returning thousand-yard rusher Hayden Ellison scored once alongside Kase Keeling and Kasyn Gaston who both scored. Waxin Tiger can be credited as the one who made the difference, as the two-point kick that he made ended up being the difference at the final whistle.
“This first district win is felt by every former coach,” former head coach Rick Smith said upon seeing the final result. “And especially for every former player and everyone that loves the GCA Colts.”
Grace Christian improves to 5-1 on the year with a 1-0 district record after the win. The Colts will get a bye week before returning to face Haslet Heritage at home.
Meanwhile, Immanuel drops to 2-4 with the loss. They already have their backs against the wall as they host Irving Faustina in two weeks, with a loss officially eliminating them from playoff contention.
