In Week 2, the Harvest Christian Academy Saints made a statement to future state-wide opponents after their victory over its host Covington Friday, 56-0.
The Saints got off to a quick start with their second play from scrimmage going for a score. Quarterback Bradley Ruiz connected with one of two All-State wide receivers, Nick Bubany, on a drag route across the field. Bubany found a crease, found his second gear and outran three Covington defenders for the first of his four touchdowns (three of offense, one on defense) on the day.
“Our guys just flew to the ball, executed on offense, and played an all-around great game,” coach Perry Myers said. “This team is something special, and I’m proud of the young guys who stepped in there and put some points on the board for us.”
Covington tried to establish its running game early, but the Saints quickly discouraged it. The team fumbled on its opening possession to have one of the Saints’ interior defensive lineman Caydon Wright recover it.
Harvest capitalized on Covington’s ill-timed turnover with a two-play, 32-yard touchdown drive. After Ruiz took a sweep in for a touchdown, it was called back due to a holding penalty. However, Ruiz didn’t fret. Bubany ran a deep fade down the right sideline, when Ruiz hit him in stride to widen Harvest’s lead to 12-0.
On the ensuing possession, Ruiz, who starts at safety as well, returned an interception, but it was called back due to a block in the back penalty. The following series, Harvest’s two-year starter Josh Beck burst through the middle, found a cut lane to the outside and scored a 20-yard touchdown.
The next three possessions, the Saints showed no mercy as Covington moved the chains once throughout the contest. Bubany jumped a lofty pass from Covington’s quarterback, making him pay by returning it for six points. Then on Covington’s next possession, freshman Reed Derrick blew up an attempted sweep on fourth down to turn the ball over on downs, with the ball at Covington’s 24-yard line.
The Saints inserted its second and third-team guys, and scored on all but its last drive as time expired to end the half and the game.
*TAPPS 6-man mercy rule: If the score is 45 points above the opposing team by halftime, the game stops.*
Some interesting stats: In two games, Bubany has had seven touches, all of which went for touchdowns. He currently leads the team in receiving yards with 284. Ruiz has thrown seven touchdowns and rushed for two more. The team’s defensive leader in tackles is sophomore safety, Cade Griffin.
The Saints are coming back from a two-game road trip to defend its home against THESA Friday.
