In search of its first win of the season, Churchill wanted somebody to make a play within the fourth quarter.
Jayden Garcia made a few them.
The senior quarterback handed for 202 yards and 5 touchdowns, together with two within the fourth quarter, because the Chargers defeated Clark 33-28 within the 2026 Gucci Bowl on Thursday at Heroes Stadium.
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“He is a pupil of the sport,” Churchill coach Nate Shaw mentioned of Garcia. “He understands conditions. He understands our offense and our schemes very well. Numerous instances, what we do, I want I might take credit score for it, however the credit score goes to the offensive workers, and plenty of it goes to Jayden.
“He has plenty of enter on play calls, and he will get us in the proper state of affairs usually.”
On Churchill’s opening drive, Garcia discovered junior Kareem Aitssi streaking extensive open for a 37-yard passing landing. After a fast Clark three-and-out, senior Kalobe Rond arrange Churchill contained in the Cougars’ crimson zone with a 63-yard rush that will’ve scored if not for Rond being clipped on the heel. Garcia capped off the drive one play later with an 8-yard scoring strike to sophomore Joell Cooper to increase the result in 14-0.
Clark acquired proper again within the recreation with a deep throw from junior Rocky Orozco to senior Elisha Johnson for a 73-yard landing.
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Cougars sophomore linebacker Connor Cribbs picked off Garcia on the following Churchill possession, organising Clark in Chargers territory. Orozco made brisk work of the Churchill protection with a 34-yard cross to senior Ryan Aguirre, and a 7-yard passing landing to senior Logan Hood, knotting up the sport at 14.
Clark’s Elisha Johnson runs towards the Churchill protection throughout Thursday night’s annual Gucci Bowl recreation at Heroes Stadium. (Robin Jerstad/For the Categorical-Information)
With 5:57 left within the half, Churchill senior Mason Cortez intercepted Orozco deep in Chargers territory. Garcia then led Churchill on a nine-play, 65-yard drive that chewed up precisely 5 minutes on the sport clock. The Chargers pulled forward as soon as once more as Garcia hit junior Taner Basci on a seam route for a 12-yard landing.
“Our coaches do job of getting ready us all through the week,” Garcia defined. “My offensive line provides me on a regular basis I would like, and now we have playmakers.”
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Each offenses sputtered popping out of halftime. It wasn’t till late within the third quarter that Orozco tied the sport with a 22-yard passing landing to junior David Sem on fourth-and-16.
Needing a response, Garcia and the Chargers’ offense marched from their very own 29-yard line into the Cougars’ crimson zone, the place Garcia linked with senior Henry Kalisky on a nook route for a 14-yard landing.
Garcia notched his fifth and last passing landing on a 7-yard strike to senior Kalobe Rond as Churchill took a 33-21 lead with 4:14 remaining within the fourth quarter.
Orozco and the Cougars introduced the sport inside one rating with 1:53 left on the clock and almost transformed an onside kick to regain possession, however Churchill recovered and ran the clock out.
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“We have been on this second earlier than,” Garcia mentioned. “That is why we schedule exhausting, non-district video games. We have been there, so we all know what to anticipate.”
Shaw was happy with how the Chargers rallied to retake the lead within the fourth quarter after Clark pulled even.
“Very pleased with them,” Shaw mentioned. “If nothing else, (their composure) is the factor I am most pleased with. Our mantra, our battle cry proper now, is ‘This play’ – not worrying about being a first-half staff or a second-half staff however worrying about being one of the best we will on this play.”
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This text initially revealed at Jayden Garcia tosses 5 touchdowns to raise Churchill over Clark in Gucci Bowl.