ORLANDO-Knowing his district wasn’t much of a challenge for his team, coach David Penland III loaded up his schedule with state power teams to have his team prepared come playoff time.
The move paid off as University Christian (11-3) annihilated Tampa Cambridge Christian 61-16 in the Class 2A state title Dec. 4 in the Citrus Bowl to win the school’s eighth overall state title.
“Our district isn’t that challenging, so you try to schedule a lot of tough games to get you prepared for the playoffs,” Penland said. “To make it to Orlando, you have to win on the road, and we knew we would have to travel to North Florida Christian in the playoffs, so we scheduled games at Fort White, Dixie County, and Brentwood Academy in Tennessee: all hostile environments that get you ready for the playoffs.”
In addition to playing Brentwood Academy, which won the Tennessee state title one night before UC did in a 56-55 overtime thriller over Montgomery Bell, the Christians also played arch-rival and state power Trinity Christian, which won its sixth state title the ensuing day.
Cambridge Christian (11-3), which was playing in its first state title game and its first ever playoff run, looked like a deer in the headlights early on.
The Lancers opened the game with four straight turnovers on its four possessions, which resulted in a quick 28-0 lead for the Christians, while UC scored on five of its first seven possessions to take a commanding 35-10 halftime lead.
Hussein Howe sacked Cambridge sophomore quarterback Jaylin Jackson on the first play from scrimmage and forced a fumbled that was recovered by Michael Marshall at the 23-yard line. Two plays later, Howe was in the end zone for the first of his five touchdowns, giving UC a 7-0 lead just 18 seconds into the game.
In the ensuing play of Cambridge’s possession, Andrew Cunningham was hit for a loss and fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Howe. The turnover led to Howe’s second touchdown, this time from 8 yards out.
Six plays later, Suan Paul Nobles picked off Jackson at the 30-yard line, which led to Howe’s third touchdown of the first quarter, a 13-yard run that increased the lead to 21-0.
Leading 21-3 heading into the second quarter, Otis Anderson added to the lead with a 4-yard run to put UC up 28-3.
The combination of Hussein Howe (191 yards and five touchdowns on 22 carries) and Otis Anderson (107 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries) was too much for Cambridge to stop as the Christians accounted for 427 yards rushing on the day.
The UC defense, which held Cambridge to 186 total yards, was led by Howe (9 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery), Titus Curry (7 tackles), Rachuan Mitchell (5 tackles), Uriah Ratliff (5 tackles), Tyre Cury (5 tackles), Ryan Brooks (3 tackles, 1.5 sack, 1 forced fumble), and Suan Paul nobles (2 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 pass breakups).
“I’m sad it’s over for all the seniors. This is a very special group. Six of them were on the 2012 state championship team,” Penland said. “One interesting thing about Hussein Howe is that he scored the first touchdown in the 2012 game and also in today’s game. He’s done a heck of a job leading this team over the years.”
Howe, who went over 5,000 yards in his career today, was quick to give credit where it was due following the game.
“First of all I want to give all the glory to God,” Howe said. “We’ve been waiting for this day since January, and today we just executed and got the job done. We won this game because we won the trenches, and I have to give all the credit to my offensive line. We came into UC winning state, and we are leaving winning state.”
U.C. 61, Cambridge Christian 16
Scoring
1st
UC-Hussein Howe 9-yard run (Paolo Golemi kick)
UC-Howe 8-yard run (Golemi kick)
UC-Howe 13-yard run (Golemi kick)
C-Jacob Enns 23-yard field goal
2nd
UC-Otis Anderson 4-yard run (Golemi kick)
C-Andrew Cunningham 37-yard run (Jacob Enns kick)
UC-Howe 34-yard run (Golemi kick)
3rd
UC-Clay Boyd 19-yard run (kick blocked)
UC-Anderson 43-yard run (Golemi kick)
UC-Howe 22-yard run (Golemi kick)
4th
C-Caleb Young 64-yard run (Enns kick)
UC-Boyd 3-yard run (kick blocked)
State Recap/North Florida/February 2015
David Penland-Head coach
University Christian School
Jacksonville, Florida
Corey Davis
UC Wins Eighth State Title in Dominating Form
