Saints Grind Out 16-7 Win

Chandler Smith, Shiloh Christian sophomore running back, leaps over Huntsville senior linebacker Chad McCone on Friday during the first half at Champions Stadium in Springdale.
Chandler Smith, Shiloh Christian sophomore running back, leaps over Huntsville senior linebacker Chad McCone on Friday during the first half at Champions Stadium in Springdale.

Shiloh Christian didn’t earn any style points, but the Saints did end a four-game losing streak.

Shiloh Christian found a power running game in the fourth quarter and ground its way to a 16-7 win over Huntsville on Friday in 5A-West Conference action at Champions Stadium.

Gamebreaker

SHILOH CHRISTIAN 16, HUNTSVILLE 7

WHY THE SAINTS WON

Shiloh Christian found a running game that dominated late. Chandler Smith rushed for 86 yards and a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns.

WHY THE EAGLES LOST

Huntsville could not capitalize on three Shiloh turnovers in the first half, and a late personal foul penalty was a key play in the Saints’ first touchdown drive.

Sophomore running back Chandler Smith accounted for 124 all-purpose yards and scored both Shiloh Christian touchdowns in the fourth quarter in the program’s first win in Class 5A.

“You’d love to win 42-7 or whatever, and just execute perfectly,” Saints coach Josh Floyd said. “Obviously we have to do a better job and limit turnovers. But on the positive side, the huge part was we found a way to get it done.”

Shiloh Christian (2-4, 1-2 5A-West) turned the ball over on three consecutive drives to open the game, then failed to score inside the red zone on its fourth possession and trailed 7-3 at halftime.

Huntsville (3-3, 1-2) stayed almost exclusively with a ground game and took a 7-0 lead midway through the second quarter, marching 43 yards in 15 plays. The drive was kept alive when the Saints were flagged for a pass interference penalty on third and long, and Huntsville Taylor Phillips capped the drive with a 1-yard run with 5 minutes, 59 seconds left in half. Phillips rushed for 89 yards on 27 carries.

“We had our chances, we just didn’t take advantage of them,” Eagles coach Tommy Tice said. “We also had nice field position to start the second half.”

The Saints attempted an onside kick to start the second half, but the ball did not travel 10 yards. Huntsville started its drive at the Shiloh 49 and reached the 30 before the march stalled.

Shiloh’s passing game never got in sync the entire game. Quarterback Casey Paraday was 13-of-27 for 183 yards with two interceptions — one on a tipped pass — but the Saints could not sustain any drives until the opening possession of the fourth quarter, and even that march was aided by a personal foul penalty.

The Saints took advantage as Paraday hit Smith in a screen pass that appeared to result in a touchdown, but Shiloh Christian was flagged for a holding penalty at the 4. The ball was moved back to the 14, but Smith scored on the next play for a 7-3 lead.

Shiloh Christian added a late touchdown, driving 47 yards — all on the ground — to put the game away. The Saints were without leading rusher Chris Cox, who was injured and did not suit up. Smith filled in with 86 yards on 20 carries.

“I’m really proud of Chandler,” said Floyd. “He really stepped up. I thought the offensive line blocked better. I felt pretty good about our run game all night.”

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