North Florida Christian Shutout Games

Two shutout games separated by a 21-day quarantine was the wild start to North Florida Christian’s 2020 football season. Terry Dawkins joined the Eagles this year as their new defensive coordinator – his first time in the position – and has proved to be a major asset.

He’s helped lead the team to a 2-0 start to their season with a combined score of 73-0. At first glance, this top-heavy score would seem to be a testament to the ferocity of the offense’s incredible point production. And while they were able to move the ball forward tremendously, scoring 32 points in the first game against Jefferson County and 41 in the second against Maclay, it was the defense that completely shut out their opponents’ ability to score. 

The Maclay Marauders and the NFC Eagles have been known rivals in the Tallahassee, Florida, area for a while now. Usually, the two private schools face off pretty evenly. The final score of their only matchup in the 2019 football season ended with a nail-biting score of 23-21 with the Marauders finishing on top.

With that in mind, the recent Friday matchup would have been suspected to finish in a similar, competitive manner. However, the Eagles came out with flying colors, forcing four turnovers and showing what a new defensive coordinator can add to a program.

Hailing from Quincy, Florida, and previously coaching at Florida High University School, Dawkins adds a new level of wisdom and intensity to North Florida Christian’s football program. The players have all embraced the new coaching techniques of Dawkins, and it’s apparent in the scores of their first two games. 

It’s common knowledge that after having three weeks off, it’s difficult to play your best. But that is exactly what the Eagles did.

During their first game against Jefferson County, the team was exposed to an opposing player who had been exposed but was asymptomatic of COVID-19. Through contact tracing, the Leon County Health Department advised that out of 34 players on the field, 30 of them should quarantine. The student-athletes who played in the match were required to quarantine, shifting to remote learning and not being allowed to step foot on campus.

The team missed its next two scheduled games against John Paul II and Valwood School. Sitting at home and not being able to practice had no obvious effect on the team, as the next game they played was their second sweep of the season, against Maclay. 

The Eagles defense is helping to lead the team to a potentially successful season. The athletes are excited, and the energy that this team brings can be felt all throughout the halls and fields of the  campus.

Written by: Lexi Fitzpatrick