By Gary Thomas

Defense appears to be the name of the game for the Highland Home Flying Squadron. This season came within one minute of recording their seventh shutout victory for the season in deposing the Providence Christian Eagles, 42-6, at Clay Jordan Stadium Friday.

Quarterback TJ Washington was injured in the St. Luke’s game and the Flyboys’ high-octane wing-T offense was very sluggish in the first quarter as they failed to gain a first down or score a point. 

But with 10:55 left in the second quarter, the Flyboys tallied their first touchdown when running back Austin Crittenden, made a three-yard run. The touchdown was set up on a fourth and seven yards at midfield when JJ Faulk raced down to the Providence three-yard line on a 47-yard jaunt.

Leading 7 to 0, Crittenden got his Flyboys their second touchdown to go in at halftime leading 14-0. To begin the second half, the Squadron drove the ball down to the Eagles 19-yard line as the drive started there. 

But the Squadron defense sacked the quarterback in their own end zone for a safety as defensive end CJ May led the charge to give Highland Home a 16 to 0 lead. 

The Flyboys marched 52 yards after receiving the safety punt with Crittendon bowling his way from six yards out to put the Flyboys up 22 to 0 with 4:38 left in the third.

With the Eagles in desperate need of a score, they went for a first down at the Squadron 41-yard line as the Squadron defensive unit stiffened and turned the ball over on downs. Quarterback Tyler Cheney put the game on ice and gained 42 yards for the Flyboys to put the score in Highland Homes’ advantage, 28-0.

And once again, the Flying Squadron defense showed up as Crittenden scooped up a fumble and bolted nine yards for the score with 7:17 left in the game. Home fullback senior Austin Norman closed out scoring for the Squadron with a one-yard run. Leading 42 to 0, the Flyboys came up short when the Eagles scored on a 47-yard touchdown run to make the final score Highland Home 42, Providence Christian 6.

In the absence of senior Washington, Crittenden stepped up to carry the offense for Highland Home, getting 114 yards on 16 touches and four touchdowns. The Squadron defense had its usual game in holding the Eagles to only 119 yards of offensive output.

The Flying Squadron will travel to Dale County this Friday night to meet the 8-4 Ariton Purple Cats. Kick off is set at 7 p.m.