Photo: Sardis High’s Brian Chapman’s drops back to pass during the Lions’ 36-14 victory over Crossville on September 16 in Sardis City. (Courtesy of Bentley Gray Photography)
By Shannon J. Allen/Sand Mountain Reporter
Brian Chapman’s debut as Sardis’ starting quarterback proved to be one of the best in program history on September 16 in Sardis City.
In his first varsity start, the sophomore quarterback threw four touchdown passes to help Sardis post a 36-14 victory over Class 5A Region 7 rival Crossville.
The Lions improved to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the region standings.
Blaze Gerhart, who started the first three games at quarterback and was moved to running back to make way for Chapman, opened the scoring by throwing a 50-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Burns in the first quarter. Sardis converted for two points, making it 8-0.
With 5:18 left in the second quarter, Chapman scrambled to his left on a fourth down and 1 and tossed a 17-yard TD pass to Carson Gillilan. Gerhart ran for the two-point conversion to give Sardis a 16-0 advantage.
Chapman capped Sardis’ final series of the first half with a 31-yard touchdown throw to Luke Martin with 1:53 remaining. Crossville stopped Gerhart on the two-point run, leaving the score at 22-0.
Chapman’s final scoring pass of the night covered 40 yards to Burns with 7:43 to go in the third quarter. Levi Martin ran for two points, expanding the Lions’ margin to 30-0.
Sardis drove for its final touchdown of the game midway through the fourth quarter when backup quarterback Grant Coe kept the ball around left end for a 5-yard TD, making it 36-6 with 7:23 remaining.
The Lions travel to A.P. Brewer this Friday (Sept. 23) in non-region action.