As his team pulled out to a 36-6 halftime lead over Prestonwood Christian North in its first round playoff game, Longview Christian Heritage Head Coach Griff Mauldin began to believe he might have something special on his hands.

“Going into that game, we didn’t really know what the outcome would be,” Mauldin said, noting the two teams didn’t have any common opponents. “But mid-second quarter, we began to figure out we have a chance here not only to win this game but to make a run if we continue to play the way that we were playing.”

As Mauldin predicted, his Christian Heritage team did go on a run as they went on to knock off Bracken Christian 36-20 in the TAPPS Six-Man Division III State Title Game for its first-ever football state title.

The Christian Heritage defense had a big performance in the TAPPS 6-man Division III State Title Game, holding Bracken Christian to its season low in points. Credit: TAPPS SmugMug

Mauldin said it was a special moment for everyone involved.

“Being the first time to walk into that atmosphere, for our kids to just rise to the occasion was just amazing,” Mauldin said. “[After the game], our players and coaching staff were just greeted with cheers and hugs and joy and some tears because of what it meant to our whole community.”

The Sentinel offense started the game with a bang as Casen Owens broke off a 63-yard touchdown run on their first play from scrimmage.

Mauldin said that touchdown gave his team the confidence it needed on the big stage.

“That was huge,” Mauldin said. “Even though we felt like we deserved to be there, it just helped us to settle in.”

Bracken Christian kept the game close as Christian Heritage only held a 16-6 halftime lead, but Sentinel quarterback Abraham Rutherford helped break the game open with three passing touchdowns in the third quarter, including two to Ethan Moczygemba.

Christian Heritage quarterback Abe Rutherford looks downfield for Ethan Moczygemba (9) in the TAPPS 6-man Division III State Title Game. Credit: TAPPS SmugMug

Rutherford finished with 146 passing yards and three touchdowns, which was by far his most passing yards in a single game all year.

“Cason got hobbled at the end of the first quarter, so going into halftime, we made some adjustments,” Maudlin said. “Abe is a young man that we knew had the ability to [throw the ball] but hadn’t had to do that a whole lot through our run. For him to step in and perform and never bat an eye just speaks to his character.”

Making the state title even more impressive is the fact that Christian Heritage has only been playing football since 2016.

Mauldin started out as a volunteer when the program first began before eventually taking over the program as head coach back in 2019.

And after watching the program grow from an idea on paper to state champions in just seven seasons, Mauldin said this year’s accomplishment is a testament to the work of everyone in the Christian Heritage community.

“My first thought goes to the parents and the school board members at the time the program started, just the time and effort and money it takes to get a program started,” Mauldin said. “For them to be forerunners so to speak and now six to seven years later to win a state championship, it’s really almost surreal.”

2022 Longview Christian Heritage Team Stats

Offensive Points Per Game: 50.1 points

Points Allowed Per Game: 18.1 points

Passing Leader: Cason Owens: 746 passing yards and 20 touchdowns

Rushing Leader: Cason Owens: 1,582 yards and 34 touchdowns

Leading Receiver: Ethan Moczygemba: 424 yards and 10 touchdowns

Leading Tackler: Ethan Moczygemba: 96 total tackles

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