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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Chilton Christian Academy’s football team marked a special day for the school as it took the field for the first time since 2022 against First Assembly Christian School, falling 62-19 at home on Aug. 23.

The Patriots return to Alabama Christian Athletics Association six-man football was a rocky one, but just seeing the players back on the field was enough for fans, and head coach Jay Norcross, to be proud of.

“It felt good, and the score was what it was, but we have a young team and only have two players who saw game time two years ago,” Norcross said. “This was a good game for everyone to get game experience. Yeah, the score was off, but they did not quit and I am super proud of them and they kept on going at them.”

Running back Drew Bates posted the first touchdown of the season for CCA with a rushing score in the first quarter, and senior quarterback Denson Mahan found Joseph Mitchell for a 32-yard touchdown connection in the second quarter. Bates got his second rushing touchdown later in the fourth quarter. Mahan was 6-for-12 for 84 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Mitchell caught two passes and was the leading receiver for the Patriots with 50 yards. Joshua Langston was the leading rusher for CCA with 53 yards on six carries, and was the leading tackler along with Toby Epperson with five.

While the offense had spurts of rhythm and found points, the Patriots’ defense found it tough to get a stop at the most opportune times. Norcross said CCA will be going back to the fundamentals going forward with not as sound tackling in game one like he wanted. The Patriots had opportunities and were putting pressure in the backfield throughout the game, but the defense was not able to finish the tackle when needed.

“They fired off the ball, and we were right where we needed to be, we just did not finish,” Norcross said.

Chilton Christian (0-1) will hit the road for the first time this season traveling to Marshall Christian School on Aug. 30. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.