Covenant Christian shuts down Ritter after first quarter in 21-6 victory
Tincher scores twice as Warriors intercept three passes and pull away
Staff Report
INDIANAPOLIS — Covenant Christian turned a one-point first-quarter advantage into a 21-6 victory over visiting Cardinal Ritter, holding the Raiders scoreless over the final three quarters in an Indiana high school football matchup.
Reece Tincher rushed for two touchdowns, and the Warriors intercepted three passes to improve to 5-2. Cardinal Ritter fell to 3-4.
Both teams reached the end zone in the opening quarter, with Covenant Christian emerging ahead 7-6. The Warriors created some separation in the second, adding a touchdown and extra point while keeping Ritter off the scoreboard to take a 14-6 halftime lead.
The defenses controlled a scoreless third quarter, leaving the Raiders within one possession entering the fourth. Covenant Christian supplied the final period’s only touchdown, extending its advantage to 21-6 and completing a run of 14 unanswered points after the opening quarter.
Tincher accounted for both of the Warriors’ rushing touchdowns, finishing with 12 yards on nine carries. He also contributed five receptions for 55 yards.
Weston Laughlin completed 16 of 32 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown to Liam Yarde. Yarde caught two passes for 58 yards, including a 43-yard reception, while Judah Jackson led Covenant Christian with six catches for 43 yards.
The Warriors finished with 217 yards of offense, gaining 178 through the air and 39 on the ground.
Jayce Sibert helped anchor the defensive effort with 10 tackles, including one for loss, and an interception. Carson Mongeau and freshman Drew Huffman also intercepted passes as Covenant Christian prevented Ritter from adding to its first-quarter total.
Tincher recorded seven tackles, while James Bonikowske and Aiden Briggs added six apiece. Briggs registered the Warriors’ lone sack, and Bonikowske broke up two passes.
Covenant Christian also received useful contributions in the kicking game. Laughlin averaged 41 yards on four punts, all placed inside the 20-yard line. Yarde returned three punts for 70 yards and converted all three extra-point attempts.
