Fort Worth Christian takes advantage of Centennial's youth

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS -- After two weeks on the road, Fort Worth Christian returned home Friday night and registered a 31-14 non-district victory over Burleson Centennial at Gene and Dorothy Barrow Field.

Running back Jared Taylor was the difference-maker for the Cardinals as he rushed for 161 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. Paul Smith also topped the century mark with 13 carries for 105 yards and a score.

Fort Worth Christian (2-1) held a 17-10 lead at halftime over Centennial (2-1), which was playing its first road game as a varsity program.

The Spartans put a scare into the Cardinals after Curtis Amos hauled in a 30-yard scoring toss from Tanner Hodges that cut the lead to 17-14 midway through the third quarter.

Taylor responded with scoring runs of nine and 21 yards in the fourth quarter to put the game away.

The Cardinals broke out to a 7-0 lead on the third play from scrimmage when Taylor broke free for a 71-yard touchdown run.

Fort Worth Christian's defense kept Centennial's offense in check early in the game, limiting the Spartans to 27 yards on 11 plays.

After a missed 40-yard field goal, the Cardinals turned their next possession into a 14-0 lead, as Smith scored from a yard out with 8:25 to play in the first half. The run capped a nine-play, 62-yard drive that included a 48-yard run by Smith.

Centennial countered on the ensuing possession with a 33-yard run by DeMarcus Williams that sliced the lead to 14-7. Williams finished with 159 yards on 26 carries. It was the third consecutive 100-yard effort for the sophomore.

Fort Worth Christian went up 17-7 with two seconds to play in the half on a 19-yard field goal by Derrik Hammer.

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